De’Anthoney Jenkins obtained both his B.S. in Finance and MBA from St. John’s University. While serving in the Marine Corps., Mr. Jenkins was a Maintenance Management Specialist and Using Unit Account Manager for four years, where he managed 200+ personnel and supervised accounts for maintenance of over 10 million dollars of tactical and non-tactical equipment. Currently, he is a Financial Institution Specialist for the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. His family tree with Calibrate started as a student of Ms. J (Charletta) and Vann at Community Harvest Charter School. Fun fact: De’Anthoney climbed Mount Fuji in 2014.

Diana Hernández Jiménez is a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Strategist, experienced in conducting comprehensive Equity Assessments, driving impactful DEI initiatives, and elevating corporate DEI programs. Diana has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Colgate University and a Master of Arts in International Relations and Affairs from the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University. Her journey has been defined by a commitment to fostering inclusive cultures, where diverse perspectives thrive. From researching and implementing innovative strategies to championing equity, Diana’s passion lies in cultivating environments where everyone’s voice is heard and valued. Fun Fact: After a 10-year stint on the East Coast, Diana returned to Los Angeles, CA and happily lives with her two chihuahuas: Coyote and Soybean.

Gary Calderone, CPA, is owner of GMCLA Consulting, LLC, a consulting business specializing in music rights. Prior to founding his consulting business, Gary was Senior Vice President, Administration, for Warner Chappell Music Publishing, and was involved with other music publishing companies before that. Gary was also previous owner of Amazing Athletes of West LA, an educational sports franchise that offered a multi-sport program to benefit young children physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally. Gary grew up playing many different sports including soccer, baseball, and track and field. The excitement of working with kids and sharing his love of sports and health and wellness is part of what drew him to Calibrate. Fun fact: Gary has twice ridden his bike from San Francisco to Los Angeles to raise money for charity.

Daniele Johnson Araujo, MBA, is Vice President, Corporate Secretary at State Bank of India (California). Daniele has worked in the banking industry for over 25 years with a focus on corporate governance, regulatory compliance, audit review, and overall strategic planning. Daniele partners with bank boards, executives, auditors, shareholders, and regulators, to implement, strengthen, and improve upon best practices with the goal of exceeding audit and regulatory requirements. Since Community Banks focus on supporting and building community relationships, and with the expectation of the Community Reinvestment Act requirements, Daniele annually partners with forty California community-based organizations, through volunteering, donating, and relationship building, with a focus on strengthening individuals, who in turn strengthen their communities. Fun Fact: Daniele’s family hobby is to maintain and work on classic cars.

Richard Robinson, M.S., has carried senior level positions for over 20 years in the healthcare industry. Mr. Robinson has collaborated on inter- and intra-organizational cross-functional work groups that focus on regulatory, operational, and insurance compliance. Additionally, he has served on advisory boards whose initiatives focused on educating and championing underserved youth in hygiene, leadership, business communication, relationships, and college entrance and preparation. Mr. Robinson volunteers as a mentor to youth and young adults who either have higher education aspirations or who are looking to launch a career tailored to their strengths that might not include a post-secondary degree. Mr. Robinson holds a B.S. in Public Administration from Cal State Dominguez Hills and an M.S. in Organizational Leadership from California Baptist University. 

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Jessica Beard is a Lakers fan by default and a Kobe Bryant stan by choice. After earning dual bachelor’s degrees of Literary Journalism and Sociology at UC Irvine and a master’s in Industrial Organizational Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Jessica chose to pursue a career in Human Resources. Over the past 12 years she has served in HR Management, Learning & Development, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and Employee Experience roles for companies such as Southern California Edison, TAO Group and Universal Music Group. Giving back to the community has always been a driving force in Jessica’s life. In high school, she volunteered at Rainbow Services, a shelter that provides support for anyone impacted by domestic violence. After college, she became a volunteer tutor for Schools on Wheels, an organization that enhances educational opportunities for children who are experiencing homelessness from kindergarten through twelfth grade. And now, she mentors the funniest and flyest eight-year-old girl she has ever crossed paths with through a program called Girls R.O.C. Fun Fact: Jessica caught the traveling bug while studying abroad in Spain and has since traveled to 18 countries (and counting!).

Kobie Conner serves as the Director of Business and Legal Affairs for Mid-Budget Films at Netflix.  Prior to joining Netflix, Kobie spent over a decade at 20th Century Fox and Fox Searchlight Pictures in Business Affairs leadership roles.  Kobie also spent time as legal counsel at Walt Disney and Paramount Pictures.  After graduating from Yale Law School, Kobie was an associate at the law firm of Morrison & Foerster and served as a law clerk on the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Outside of work, Kobie has sat on numerous boards. He currently sits on the global board of the Association of Corporate Counsel, the advisory board of Facing History and Ourselves – Los Angeles, and is a Trustee at Turning Point School.

A proud South Central native with over 10 years of experience as an educator, youth advocate, and program manager, Michelai Lowe has been a champion for providing quality, innovative educational experiences for historically underserved communities. She currently serves as the Faculty and Talent Development lead for the IBM-HBCU Quantum Center at Howard University, where the mission is to increase Black talent in Quantum Information Science and Engineering. She is driven to solve complex problems in creative ways that truly transform access, retention, inclusion, and student success. Michelai has a B.A. in Sociology – Counseling & Social Change from San Diego State University; an M.Ed in Social Justice Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst; and an MFA in Interior Architecture from George Washington University. Fun fact: Michelai’s family tree with Calibrate started as a student of Ms. J (Charletta) and Vann at Community Harvest Charter School.

Mr. Kriegler is a servant-leader, entrepreneur, and intrapreneur. He is driven by core values: people, results, and innovation. Professionally, Mr. Kriegler leads a global team of modern workplace practitioners, mentored 70+ young professionals, and delivered 100+ projects/programs. He led the development of an SEL application for one of the world’s largest software platform companies and is engaged by global, F100 CEOs to refine their C-suite operations. He has served as Director, Client Executive for Avanade; Co-Founder of Dubblebooked, LLC; Founder, Cinevend. In addition to his BSBA from Washington University in St. Louis and MBA from University of Washington, Mr. Kriegler is certified as a Solution Architect (SISA) and Software Integration Delivery Lead (SIDL). Fun facts: Greg was a competitive baseball catcher in high school and college, and has run 24 half-marathons and 8 marathons, including the Boston Marathon.

Jiaqi (“Jackie”) Zhou grew up in Shanghai and came to the States when she was 18 to attend the University of Southern California. She has since called LA home ­– one could say love at first sight. Jackie has a bachelor’s degree in accounting and a master’s degree in psychology, and she currently works at Netflix. Since 2017, Jackie has been a volunteer mentor and Connections facilitator for Minds Matter of Southern California and Calibrate. She enjoys working with the students and finds immense joy seeing them grow both academically and emotionally. Fun fact: Jackie loves climbing and skiing, and would love to visit Antarctica soon!

Hospitality industry professional Katrina Roski joined Majestic Realty Co. in 2008 and serves as Vice President and a member of the company’s Board of Directors, overseeing retail operations at the company’s resort properties, including the Majestic-owned Silverton Casino Lodge in Las Vegas, and Pacific Palms Resort in City of Industry, California. Granddaughter of company Founder Edward P. Roski Sr., and daughter of current Chairman of the Board Edward P. Roski Jr., Katrina managed operations for the Pacific Palms pro shop and the newly opened boutique. She also spent three years at Silverton, overseeing all gift shop and retail kiosk operations. Prior to joining her family’s company, Katrina spent five years in the entertainment industry, handling extensive television product licensing with Hasbro & Jakks Pacific. She earned a Masters in Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute and is a Communications graduate of Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles.

Toya Holiday is Elementary Athletic Director and Co-Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ) K-12 at Campbell Hall. She began teaching in 1986 at Los Angeles Unified School District’s John F. Kennedy High School. Prior to joining Campbell Hall in 1999, Toya taught at Lincoln Parish District in Ruston, Louisiana. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration from United States International. Additionally, Toya is a former college basketball player who played for the Arizona State Sun Devils women’s basketball team in the Pac-12 Conference. All four of her children also play basketball: one is currently the starting point guard for the Milwaukee Bucks, one a forward on the Dallas Mavericks, one a guard for the Atlanta Hawks, and the other played basketball for the UCLA Bruins. In fact, three of Toya’s children, plus one daughter-in-law, are Bruins. Toya is a proud grandmother of eight grandchildren. Another fun fact: Toya is the mother-in-law of USA women’s soccer international Lauren Holiday.

Marcie Gilbert, M.Ed., is an Educational Therapist who has contributed to the field of education as a learning specialist, college guidance advisor, classroom teacher, school administrator, researcher (e.g., International Association for the Evaluation of Educational Achievement), and curriculum/program developer. Marcie was on the founding teams of New Roads School and Urban Village Charter School, and launched Next Stage Young Artists Conservatory and Librujas Publishing. While a classroom teacher in 1994, Marcie was trained as a Connections® facilitator, and it is her great joy and honor to now be working with former students at Calibrate. Marcie received a B.A. in English from Stanford University and a Masters in Special Education: Educational Therapy from California State University, Northridge. Her Master’s thesis, Hear My Heart: Listening Circles Provide Protective Factors for Underserved Teens, provided an in-depth examination of Social Emotional Learning (SEL) and how SEL can shape successful schools in underserved communities. Fun fact: Marcie was selected as a 2022 inaugural Los Angeles Rams pLAymaker!

Marcos L. Vann has dedicated his lifework to elevating youth in underserved communities, in the capacity of a teacher, math intervention specialist, after-school director, advisor, athletic coach, and Connections lead facilitator. Mr. Vann was on the founding teams of Community Harvest Charter and Urban Village Middle School. He has devoted his career to both schools and nonprofit communities: View Park Prep High School, Marcus Garvey School, Enterprise Middle School, Partnership for Underserved Communities, Upward Bound USC Summer Residential Institute, UC Irvine S.A.M. Pre-Algebra Academy, YMCA, and the Summer Algebra Institute through Tom Bradley Youth and Family Center. Mr. Vann is a long-standing active member of Rangi Ya Giza, a non-Greek community service and social activist fraternity, and is a GTE Academic All-America recipient (currently sponsored by College Sports Information Directors of America and Google Cloud). Mr. Vann holds a degree in Psychology from the University of Redlands. Fun fact: His guilty pleasure is chili cheese fries with pastrami.

LaReina Hall’s career has followed her passion and skills for account management, financial performance, marketing strategies, human resources, and customer service. Ms. Hall’s career includes being an Accounting Specialist in Procurement for University of Texas (UT) Arlington; Assistant Store Manager, Shipping and Receiving Supervisor, and Customer Service Team Lead for the Follett Corporation at UT Arlington’s Bookstore; and, General Manager of Pizza Hut. Member of Alpha Kappa Mu Honors Society and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Ms. Hall graduated Magna Cum Laude in Accounting from Virginia Union University. Her family tree with Calibrate started as a student of Ms. J (Charletta) and Vann at Community Harvest Charter School. Fun fact: One of her favorite things to do is karaoke.

Paola Lopez earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Human Resources from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Among her most memorable educational endeavors were a research project on food insecurity and a mock trial on privacy invasion. At Cal Poly she was also involved with the Bronco Navigators Mentor Collective Program, where she provided advice, support, knowledge, and direction to other students to help navigate their academic experience. Over the years Paola has volunteered for a number of community engagement activities, such as a city beautification park clean-up event and making Thanksgiving food baskets for families in need. Prior to facilitating connections circles with Calibrate, Paola took on some HR tasks and responsibilities as an intern. Her hobbies/interests include: painting, reading, watching movies, listening to music, going out with friends and trying different boba spots. Fun fact: when she has her earbuds on, she is most definitely listening to Bad Bunny – her favorite music artist!

Alanna Hernandez is a Connections alum, graduating with a B.S. in Business Administration – Management and Human Resources from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Alanna brings to Calibrate extensive experience with managing, as Manager of both Customer Service and Warehouse departments at Wild Attire LLC; as Front Office Medical Receptionist for California Orthopaedic Specialists; and as Executive Assistant to the CEO at All Pro-Environmental Solutions. Alanna is a career volunteer, having dedicated 700+ hours to advocating for 30+ nonprofits. Alanna is a foodie, loves nature, and possesses an innate passion for philanthropy, international travel, crafting, and soccer. She/they lives by Maya Angelou’s quote, “My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”

Rickena McClain started working with youth as a camp counselor and then advanced to camp director, where she provided engaging support to diverse children and youth in a recreational camp setting. She later became Program Assistant and then Family Services Specialist at Crystal Stairs, Inc., an organization dedicated to improving the lives of families through child care services, research and advocacy. Rickena studied Business Management at Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia, and Human Development at Pacific Oaks College in San Jose, California.

Jenn was born and raised in the Inland Empire and holds a B.A. in Sociology and Criminology from Cal Poly Pomona. She currently works as a Program Coordinator for Rainbow Pride Youth Alliance, supporting 2SLGBTQIA+ youth who face high risks of discrimination due to their intersectional identities. On weekends, Jenn facilitates at Minds Matter OC’s Calibrate program, where she creates lesson plans and leads Connections social-emotional learning circles with students. Additionally, she serves as Calibrate’s Project Coordinator for College Corps at Cal Poly Pomona and Compton College, mentoring students from diverse backgrounds to help them afford college and achieve a common purpose. Fun fact: Jenn enjoys camping and going to concerts!

Carla first experienced Connections in the 9th grade at New Roads School, where Marcie and Ms. J were educators, and is now a valued Connections Facilitator with Calibrate. She earned a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, and has been a children’s social worker for more than 10 years. Carla’s fun facts: “I gave birth to my astrological twin, I can remember every license plate and phone number I’ve owned, and I was voted class clown and most likely to succeed in high school!”

Founder of Good Business Logistics and Solutions, Chris Terry brings his content strategy expertise to Calibrate as well as to businesses such as A Good Run, where he’s been Marketing Content Manager for several years. It’s no mere coincidence that Chris has been working with a company that’s all about running, as running is a passion of his. Chris obtained his Bachelor of Applied Science in Kinesiology and Exercise Science from University of Hawaii at Hilo, where he got in some great runs on the Big Island! His family tree with Calibrate started as a student of Ms. J (Charletta) and Vann at Community Harvest Charter School.

Melisa currently works at the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation as a Senior Program Assistant where she collaborates closely with Skills and Pathways Senior Program Officers to provide grantmaking management, project management, and general administrative support. She also helps monitor active program team projects and maintains regular communication with grantees and external partners. Prior to the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, Melisa worked for Upward Bound at Boston University as an Academic Resource Counselor and at Minds Matter Southern California (formerly Minds Matter Los Angeles) as a Development Assistant. Melisa earned a bachelor’s degree in History & Literature and Romance Languages with high honors and a secondary in economics from Harvard College. Fun fact: In her free time, Melisa enjoys trying new recipes and training for a 10k or half marathon. She also enjoys riding Los Angeles’ growing transit system.

Becky Jones is a self-taught digital artist, graphic designer, and painter. A customer service, team building, and content creation specialist, Ms. Jones has fulfilled roles of Program Coordinator, Creative Lead, and Recruiter for tech companies Iconma (Charter Communications), Volt (Apple), and Flink 12. Prior to her career in tech, Ms. Jones was an education administrator, both at Primrose School of Cedar Park West in Texas and for After-School All-Stars in Los Angeles. As a Program Specialist at All-Stars, she led 250+ students and 5 staff members. Ms. Jones majored in Business Management Economics at UC Santa Cruz and Digital Photography at the Art Institute. Her family tree with Calibrate started as a student of Ms. J (Charletta) and Vann at Community Harvest Charter School. Fun fact: At one point in her life, Ms. Jones selected a city to live in by drawing names out of a hat.

Felipe Pimentel Carneiro, originally from Southern Brazil, embarked on a journey to the United States to pursue his passion for film, enrolling at California State University Northridge (CSUN). With a keen eye for capturing captivating visuals and a strong foundation in storytelling, Felipe has honed his craft as an accomplished photographer and videographer. His practical experience on various film sets, including those at CSUN and the American Film Institute, has equipped him with valuable insights into the art of visual storytelling. As one of Calibrate’s Videographers, he is mainly responsible for creating content for Calibrate’s Social Media platforms, showcasing the essence of Calibrate to the public through visual media. Notably, Felipe’s versatility extends beyond the realm of film, as he has also ventured into the field of marketing, gaining expertise in digital marketing, brand strategy, and customer engagement during his role as a Marketing and Membership Intern at The Soraya and Nazarian Center for Performing Arts.

Kelly Murray is a proud alum of Washington Preparatory High School and Howard University. She is a career educator and Connections facilitator. In addition, Ms. Murray is an actor, writer, and event planner. She is connected to Calibrate’s family tree through her years of being a teacher at Community Harvest Charter School, so it is an extraordinarily special experience for her to now be working at Calibrate with her former students. Ms. Murray is a proud grandmother, and her fun fact is that she is a Trekkie.

Jon is a dedicated 5th grade teacher in South Los Angeles focused on preparing students for active social participation and change. He graduated from UC Irvine with a degree in Education Sciences and received his Master’s in Teaching from USC. Jon is passionate about shaping a better future for his students and his community. Outside of the classroom, he gives back to the community of Los Angeles as a Connections facilitator. Jon hopes to become an adjunct professor someday to assist future educators become the best teachers for the children of Los Angeles. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife Sarah, reading, cooking, and squeezing a workout in. If the Lakers, Dodgers, or Rams are playing, you can bet he’s watching the game.

Claudia Silva is a Legal Assistant for a distinguished California firm that practices consumer rights protection and mass tort litigation. There she assists with tracking and coordinating the successful filing of over 200 motions per year all over California courts. Claudia graduated from Brown University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education and Political Science in 2018. She has also recently received a certification in Paralegal Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles. Claudia facilitates a Connection circle in the Minds Matter partner program, which she is an alumna of. Fun fact: Claudia is passionate about arts and crafts and home decor. She also enjoys a good karaoke session with her dad and her friends.

Carlos Olmedo is an Academic Support Program Coordinator for the Educational Talent Search Program at California State University, Fullerton where he assists with planning and programming of workshops, field trips, and other special events. In addition, he oversees a caseload of seniors and supports the college application process for those students. Carlos graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology in 2018. After graduating, he worked at a logistics company before deciding to pursue his master’s degree. He is a first-year student in the Master’s of Science in Education with an emphasis in Higher Education at CSU Fullerton. Fun fact: Carlos is extremely passionate about soccer and has played the sport for over 15 years. In addition, he enjoys photography and has created an Instagram page to share what he captures: @photosby_olmedo.

Love Rainey brings to Calibrate an abundance of experience leading wellness and community-building programs. As a wellbeing facilitator at Black Being Yoga Studio, Love leads sessions focused on personal awareness and emotional resilience, guiding participants through holistic practices. As an educator at Hawthorne Academy, she created an inclusive classroom that promoted respect and empowerment for diverse student backgrounds, integrating mindfulness practices to support social and personal development and encourage resilience. As a program developer, she developed and oversaw programs empowering youth to build self-confidence and leadership through team activities. As a wellness coach, she designed and facilitated wellness programs tailored to the Women’s Basketball Team at California State University, Dominguez Hills. Love achieved an MBA from Bethesda University, Anaheim, CA, and a B.A. in History from St. John’s University, Jamaica, NY. She is also a registered yoga instructor and a certified Iridologist. Fun fact: “I’m a huge music lover and enjoy singing and dancing in my free time. It’s a great way for me to express myself and relieve stress. I’m always looking for new songs to add to my playlist and love discovering new artists.”

Brandon Smith comes to Calibrate with extensive experience in maintaining the spiritual and physical safety of communities. With certifications in CPR and as a California Guard Card and D.O.J. Chemical Agent, Mr. Smith has served as a Security / Public Safety Officer for UCLA Health, Olympia Medical Center, Providence St. John’s Medical Center, and Healthcare and High-Risk Security Services. Prior to public safety, Mr. Smith was a Teacher’s Assistant in LAUSD for 7 years. A self-defense artist (e.g., Qigong, wrestling, boxing) and Fitness Coach, Mr. Smith is finishing certification at the National Academy of Sports Medicine. Since 2018, Mr. Smith has dedicated community service to Leimert Park, beautifying spaces and uplifting visitors’ experiences; in addition, he has been a Vibe Curator for Elefante Creative LLC. His family tree with Calibrate started as a student of Ms. J (Charletta) and Vann at Community Harvest Charter School. Fun facts: Mr. Smith has acted as an extra and in roles in music videos and is a self-learner of African History and Self-Improvement.

Passionate about influencing policy-making, Stephanie Naranjo-Rodriguez is currently a full-time college student pursuing a B.A. in Sociology. Ms. Naranjo-Rodriguez has served both as an administrative assistant and volunteer at Minds Matter Los Angeles, an academic extracurricular program that she was selected to attend while in high school. Additionally, Ms. Naranjo-Rodriguez worked as an Office Administrator and volunteered as a Youth Council Coordinator at Girls Today Women Tomorrow, which provides intensive mentorship for youth in underserved communities. Ms. Naranjo-Rodriguez is bilingual (English/Spanish). Fun facts: She is an avid reader and has completed 4 marathons.

Shauna Howard is an accomplished multi-genre vocalist, dancer, fiber artist, and creative entrepreneur with 15 years of experience in the arts, education, and healthcare sectors. She is a versatile soprano and Latin dancer with professional experience as a music educator, with certifications in Positive Psychology from The Flourishing Institute and Social Emotional Learning in Music Education from the Save the Music Foundation. She is engaged in performing arts through affiliations with the Black Opera Alliance, the Black Coalition of Dancers, and the National Association of Negro Musicians. Among Shauna’s many accomplishments is raising over $780,000 for Alzheimer’s research for the 2019 Walk to End Alzheimer’s – Los Angeles. In 2021, she was invited by the Alzheimer’s Association to be the national spokesperson for the Ride to End Alzheimer’s. Fun fact: Shauna was awarded the title of “2021 Most Improved Female Cyclist” by Velo LaGrange (only one year after purchasing her 1st bicycle), and uses her bicycle as her primary means of transportation around LA County!

Kama Richetta is a psychotherapist and Council facilitator, who has worked with children, teens, and adults in a variety of capacities. She served as a Human Development teacher, has facilitated numerous listening circles, and created team building programs and workshops with nonprofit organizations and corporations. Kama is certified in Ecotherapy and volunteers with outdoor education programs. She enjoys going on neighborhood nature walks with her daughter, 90’s R&B, and hot yoga. Fun fact: Kama’s favorite Karaoke song is Kiss, by Prince.

Born and shaped by South Central LA, pupusas, and Mr. Vann’s circle keeping, Edwin decided to venture off to the Midwest to attain his BA in Media Communications. There he spent many years shaping state and local racial/environmental equity policies, as well as facilitating, teaching and creating curriculum/programming surrounding media literacy, digital storytelling and environmental justice to marginalized communities and incarcerated youth. Additionally, he served as a counselor and then as Dean of Restorative Justice at Instituto Justice and Leadership Academy, where he worked effortlessly with staff and families to create a strong Restorative culture that would be recognized by the City of Chicago. On the side, Edwin facilitated Community Building and Conflict Resolution Circles for schools, non-profits and families, until he decided to take a pause after losing several students to gang violence and suicide by systemic oppression. Having done some healing, Edwin has returned to LA to share the love of circle keeping in his home city.

Kalayla Jordan is a recent graduate from The University of Southern California, with a Bachelor of Arts in Cognitive Science, minoring in Forensics and Criminality. She is an aspiring OBGYN and is planning to get a master’s degree before pursuing her medical degree. She has participated in organizations such as Peer Health Exchange and MED Life. An alumna of Minds Matter Los Angeles (MMLA), Ms. Jordan returned to become a volunteer for MMLA for three years post graduating from the program. Since 2015, she has worked her way up to becoming the Event Coordinator for Sweet Thing Desserts, her mother’s baking business. She is a proud member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.

Passionate about people and advancing their care, Johmel Holt-Bradley has dedicated himself to providing In-Home Support Services (IHSS) for elderly clients and one-on-one interventions for students with learning disabilities since 2017. At Vista Del Mar School, Mr. Holt-Bradley works with his students on their Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals surrounding behavior and motor skills. Prior to 2017 for several years, Mr. Holt-Bradley patrolled the Queen Mary and Dodgers Stadium for Black Hawk Security. Mr. Holt-Bradley holds a B.A. in Psychology from California State University Dominguez Hills. His family tree with Calibrate started as a student of Ms. J (Charletta) and Vann at Community Harvest Charter School. Fun facts: He loves basketball and old-school cars.

Gabby Lane is a model, actress, and youth advocate from the rainy city of Seattle and is now soaking up the sunshine rays in Los Angeles. Her mission is to spread light wherever she goes. One of Gabby’s biggest joys in life is working with kids from all walks of life. She had a successful career nannying for over 70 kids. From kids with special needs to at-risk youth, you will always find Gabby actively mentoring kids of all ages and cheering them on to be the best version of themselves. It is an honor to Gabby to be part of a kid’s journey of life, and working with them motivates her to continue to expand, grow, and be brave. When Gabby is not on set or working with kids, you can find her drinking coffee with her friends and hairy four-legged daughter, Penny, or learning American Sign Language. Fun fact: Oprah Winfrey once waved to Gabby, which made Gabby burst into tears of happiness!

Avantre (“Tre”) Lesley brings to Calibrate strong team development and leadership skills, with a passion for community service and working with youth. He also has a passion for baseball, having played in both high school and college, and later channeling his experience with the sport and his natural drive as team motivator into working as a coach for Inglewood City Elite Baseball (ICE), always aiming to put players in the best position to succeed. Some fun facts about Tre: He’s stood at the very top of the Empire State Building in NY, his favorite place he’s traveled to is Costa Rica, and he could eat avocado toast for breakfast every day!

Diana Garcia brings expertise in human resources, business development, process improvement, partnership management, compliance, and data analysis. Ms. Garcia possesses a passion for both nonprofits and schools: she held the titles of Assistant to the First Vice President of United Farm Workers; Human Resources Specialist at Urban Village Middle School; Intervention Specialist at View Park Charter High School; and Operations Manager at Learning by Design Charter School. From the University of California, Los Angeles, Ms. Garcia holds a B.A. in Latin American Studies, as well as Labor and Workplace Studies. She is currently enrolled at USC in their Master of Science in Human Resource Management program. Her family tree with Calibrate started as a student of New Roads, where Marcie and Ms. J were educators, and then at Ms. J’s school, Community Harvest, where Vann was a teacher. Fun fact: She enjoys playing volleyball and exploring the city with her daughter.

Alejandro Salinas is a fourth-year student attending Cal Poly Pomona seeking a bachelor’s in political science. He is the first member in his family to attend college. During his first few years at Cal Poly Pomona, Alejandro participated and worked as a Peer Mentor for the Bronco scholar program, where he worked with first-year students adapting to college-level coursework in Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning. Fun fact: Alejandro works full-time for his old high as a football coach for both Varsity and JV levels as linebacker coach, JV Defense Coordinator, and Varsity Co-Special Forces Coordinator.

Brittany Love is a talented cook with an enormous, generous heart. She has keen instincts, an eye for detail, and is a talented event coordinator. Calibrate and Brittany came together through Brittany’s daughter, who had been participating in Calibrate’s programs. In fact, Brittany helped Calibrate start Connections at her daughter’s school. Fun Fact: Brittany is a movie goer! Every Tuesday she goes solo or with friends.

Jesus Rivera aka Big Zeus is a multi-talented recording artist and business owner. His focus is on creating a platform for emerging entrepreneurs in the music sector and improving the community. This important goal in Zeus’ radar led him to create the independent label Vicious Cycle under the motto of “Break the Cycle” and the nonprofit organization Cycle Breakers Corporation. Thanks to the guidance of Big Zeus, Vicious Cycle and Cycle Breakers aim to break generational curses, financial instability and emotional trauma. With resources and events both companies have held within the Los Angeles area, Big Zeus has been able to provide an outlet for underprivileged youth and host a multitude of events to lessen community tension. “Vicious Cycle’s motto is ‘Break the Cycle’ meaning there are different outlets that we aren’t exposed to in our daily lives that we can use to be successful, all it takes is to really be yourself and not fall under any category anyone tries to place on you but your own.”

Kimberly (“Kim”) Estrada’s family tree with Calibrate started as a student at Community Harvest Charter School, where she engaged in Connections each year from 7th-12th grade. When not facilitating Connections, Kim is an Area Visual Manager for H&M, overseeing a total of 19 stores throughout Los Angeles, Ventura, and Hawaii. Kim has a passion for travel and recently spent a summer in Greece. She’s also quite the foodie and loves discovering new food places and coffee shops. Fun fact: Kim is an accomplished cellist and accordionist.

Martine Jones is a passionate foster youth advocate who utilizes her lived expertise to serve system-impacted communities. She currently works as a Training and Capacity Building Manager at Youth Collaboratory, where she collaborates with other leaders to implement innovations that contribute to the overall success of Youth Housing Justice initiatives. She is also a Foster Youth Voice Representative at the Los Angeles County of Education, where she upholds the vision of the Foster Youth Services Coordinating Program by ensuring equitable educational outcomes for foster youth in Los Angeles County. Martine is a graduate of California State Polytechnic University, where she achieved a B.A. in Gender, Ethnicity, and Multicultural Studies with a Minor in African-American Studies. Fun fact: Martine loves to do puppy yoga!

Amaranta Torres is a student at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (CPP) majoring in Animal Science, Pre-Vet option. She also has a special interest in psychology. Amaranta is one of Calibrate’s fellows from CPP College Corps who helps facilitate connections at Minds Matter SoCal and at San Miguel Catholic School. She also assists Calibrate with HR tasks. In addition to her College Corps connection to Calibrate, Amaranta works through College Corps as a volunteer at CPP Motor Development Workshops. When she’s not in class or gaining work and life experience through College Corps, Amaranta tutors college students in algebra, trigonometry, calculus, and statistics. Fun facts: “I enjoy being outdoors in nature when I can, so I like going to the beach or on hikes. I also love rollerblading and dancing to all genres of music.”

Mr. Ollawa’s professional callings balance between education, entertainment, and technology. As an educator, he was a Special Education Intervention Specialist in Los Angeles and Dallas, and a Blended Language Instructor in Shanghai China. Additionally, he presented workshops to the U.S. Embassy in Shanghai, covering topics such as the history and current evolution of Hip-Hop. Along with having been a Project Manager for Dopamine Music in Shanghai, China, Mr. Ollawa has performed as an actor, poet, and event host in LA, NYC, Nigeria, and Shanghai. His podcast, Beyond Original, will launch in 2021. On the technology side, Mr. Ollawa served as Project Manager for Coding Dojo. Mr. Ollawa carries a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and TEFL Certification, and he is currently pursuing a Masters in Education for Instructional Design and Learning Technologies. His family tree with Calibrate started as a student of Ms. J (Charletta) and Vann at Community Harvest Charter School. Fun fact: His guilty pleasure is cheese or ranch dressing on almost everything.

Reanne Lopez is one of Calibrate’s fellows from CPP College Corps who helps facilitate connections at San Miguel Catholic School. She is currently a student at Cal Poly Pomona working toward a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, with plans to pursue an advanced degree in either Counseling or Psychology.  Reanne is especially drawn to working with children, and her goal is to be a school counselor and one day have her own practice as a family/children therapist. Fun facts: Reanne loves chai tea and being a mom!

Ann Wong has been involved in community service for over 10 years, initially volunteering for numerous organizations in her high school service club, then as the Co-Director and Finance Chair for UCLA’s Bruin Run/Walk, and now, as a Connections Facilitator for Minds Matter Southern California and Calibrate. She has a wide variety of interests and is affiliated with a number of educational and professional organizations. Ann holds a B.A. in Economics with a minor in Education from UCLA, and has eight years of accounting experience as a CPA. She is currently pursuing her M.A. in Marriage/Couple and Family Therapy at California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant. Fun fact: Ann enjoys hiking and yoga, and can’t seem to stop watching YouTube!

Ray Ruano graduated with a B.A. in Cognitive Science from UC Davis. While at Davis, Mr. Ruano worked for the departments of Undergraduate Education and Information Education Technology. He provided student support services surrounding academic exams, assisting students, professors, and administration with scheduling and processing. In addition, Mr. Ruano maintained technology for over 100 campus classrooms and lecture halls, assisting with tech support, repairs and rewiring machinery. Since graduating college, Mr. Ruano has been a behavior interventionist for students with learning differences and obtained his certification as a Registered Behavior Technician. Mr. Ruano is bilingual (English/Spanish). Fun fact: He is an avid roller skater.

Cristina Ferreira received her B.A. in Psychology at UCLA and her M.S. in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy at California State University, Long Beach. She is currently completing her traineeship hours at the Long Beach Trauma Recovery Center, where she provides therapy to clients from diverse backgrounds and ages who have experienced trauma. In addition to being a socio-emotional Connections facilitator at Calibrate, Cristina works as a Chat Counselor at Oasis Mental Health and volunteers at Minds Matter of Southern California, where she is involved in various activities related to mental health and college readiness. Cristina’s fun fact: “I’ve been scuba diving with sea lions and manta rays!”

Gregory Titizian achieved his Bachelor of Science in Management and Human Resources from California Polytechnic State University in Pomona (CPP). One of his most impactful life experiences was a service trip to Armenia sponsored by the Paros Foundation, where he helped with school repairs and projects that included painting hallways, building a cement dance floor, and helping distribute school supplies and shoes to less fortunate children in outlying rural villages. During his service in Armenia, Gregory also mentored orphans and took them on excursions. Gregory is one of Calibrate’s Connections alumni, having experienced Connections in a course created and taught by Calibrate’s partner, Dr. Sharonda Bishop, at CPP.

Gladys Garcia was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley and graduated from UCLA in 2019 with a B.A. in Chicano/a/x Studies. Through three separate AmeriCorps grants, they have dedicated themselves to education equity nonprofits: Jumpstart, Minds Matter of Los Angeles, and 826LA. As a queer, non-binary, first-generation Chicanx social justice advocate, Ms. Garcia believes that quality education is not a privilege, but a right. Coming from a low-income community themselves, they are aware of how important a quality education is to all children, regardless of race, gender, and socioeconomic status. Ms. Garcia looks forward to returning to school, to obtain a teaching credential and Masters in Education. Their favorite book is Stephen Chbosky’s The Perks of Being a Wallflower.

Chailen August graduated with a B.A in Critical Race and Ethnic Studies from UC Santa Cruz. While at Santa Cruz he worked for the African American Resource Center where he provided mentorship to incoming students. He also got an opportunity to study abroad at the University of Ghana where he conducted ethnographic research on African Hip Hop and its ties to Pan Africanism. After graduating, he joined City Year LA, where he provided academic and socio-emotional support to over 120 students at Jefferson HS in South LA. It was here that he was honored as a Rams Playmaker for his work in the community and ultimately got connected with Marcie Gilbert who too is a Rams Playmaker. Currently, Mr. August is pursuing his PhD in Ethnic Studies at the University of Oregon. Fun Fact: He played college basketball.

Melissa Macias is an urban developer with a background in nonprofits that promote education equity. Her urban development projects include building a community greenhouse in Guanacaste, Costa Rica and mapping building accessibility routes in Barcelona. Ms. Macias has provided writing remediation and workshops to underserved youth in both Sydney and Los Angeles, through such organizations as Sydney Story Factory and No Youth Left Behind Foundation of America. Since August 2019, she has served as the Programming Manager for Minds Matter of Los Angeles. Ms. Macias is an active alumnus of Hermanas Unidas, and a past scholar alumnus of the All Ways Up Foundation, Minds Matter of Los Angeles, and Scripps College Academy. Ms. Macias holds a State Seal of Biliteracy and received her Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) from University of California, Davis in Community and Regional Development with a minor in Professional Writing.

Robert Aguirre, M.A., is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Mr. Aguirre currently provides mental health services both in private practice and through the Heredia Therapy Group. Prior, he served as a Mental Health Clinician for San Fernando Valley Community Mental Health Center, Children’s Full-Service Partnership and at Para Los Niños. As part of LA’s BEST Afterschool Enrichment, a program that promotes health and fitness, Mr. Aguirre acted as Site Coordinator, Program Supervisor, and Traveling Support Staff. As Youth Squad Supervisor for Imperial Courts, he implemented Summer Night Lights, a recreational program delivered by the City of Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Gang Reduction and Youth Development. Mr. Aguirre obtained a dual B.A. in Psychology and Chicana/o Studies from California State University Northridge and an M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy, with an emphasis in LatinX Culture from Pacific Oaks College. His family tree with Calibrate started as a student of Ms. J (Charletta) and Vann at Community Harvest Charter School.

Behind the scenes, we have a beautiful family of innovators, magic-makers, volunteers, networkers, and fairy godparents. We celebrate their transformative gifts.