Meet the 2022 Cohort
Monique Alvarado
TRHT Heart to Heart Cohort 2 Participants
Monique Alvarado currently serves as the Organizational Development Project Manager of the Los Angeles Mission where she helps to support projects within organizational development, communications, content creation, capacity building and community advocacy within Skid Row and Los Angeles. Throughout her career she has worked in advocacy, communications, direct care and program coordination within the homelessness, foster care, and human services sectors at organizations such as Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción, Lutheran Social Services of New England, Impact Hub Boston, Union Station Homeless Services, and Project Roomkey at LAHSA. The through-line that has connected her eclectic work experience is a passion for cultivating human potential through effective communication and the positive power of community.
As a person with intersectional lived experience, she has passionately organized and volunteered in the nonprofit sector around homelessness, youth development, neurodiversity, artivism, diversity and inclusion, and mental health in Los Angeles and Boston. She is a firm believer that these experiences contribute to her superpower of empathy and a worldview built on kindness. She has her B.A. in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from.Emerson College and an M.A. in Organizational Psychology where she focused her thesis on “Decolonizing Disability: Using Indigenous-Informed Methods of Building Social Support in the Workplace”. She was a member of the 2020 Heart 2 Heart: Southern California Racial Justice Dialogue Institute which had a profound impact on her interests in restorative justice dialogue and equity, diversity and inclusion. Monique additionally volunteers as a board member and co-founder for Rebel Cause Inc, a youth-focused non-profit providing capacity building support to artists, mutual aid groups, and grassroots projects in Boston and advocates for awareness of BIPOC people living with ADHD. In her freetime, she is a writer, singer, and content creator with a background in college theater, stand-up comedy and changing the world one act of kindness at a time.
As a person with intersectional lived experience, she has passionately organized and volunteered in the nonprofit sector around homelessness, youth development, neurodiversity, artivism, diversity and inclusion, and mental health in Los Angeles and Boston. She is a firm believer that these experiences contribute to her superpower of empathy and a worldview built on kindness. She has her B.A. in Writing, Literature, and Publishing from.Emerson College and an M.A. in Organizational Psychology where she focused her thesis on “Decolonizing Disability: Using Indigenous-Informed Methods of Building Social Support in the Workplace”. She was a member of the 2020 Heart 2 Heart: Southern California Racial Justice Dialogue Institute which had a profound impact on her interests in restorative justice dialogue and equity, diversity and inclusion. Monique additionally volunteers as a board member and co-founder for Rebel Cause Inc, a youth-focused non-profit providing capacity building support to artists, mutual aid groups, and grassroots projects in Boston and advocates for awareness of BIPOC people living with ADHD. In her freetime, she is a writer, singer, and content creator with a background in college theater, stand-up comedy and changing the world one act of kindness at a time.
Sheila Anderson
Senior Director, NeighborWorks America
Sheila D. Anderson is a Senior Director with NeighborWorks America. Sheila has invested over 20 years in assisting community-based organizations and financial institutions expand their capacity in the affordable housing industry and increase community engagement. Ms. Anderson is a board member at a local development corporation and its non-profit, Office of Urban Revitalization (Our SA) and San Antonio Affordable Housing Corporation. She is also a member of the local housing coalition. Ms. Anderson holds a B.A. in Sociology and Criminal Justice, and master’s degree in Sociology from the University of Texas-San Antonio and DiversityFirst Certification. Ms. Anderson is a member of NeighborWorks America’s Equity Advisory Committee. Additionally, she designs, and facilitates (internal and external) engagements regarding racism, equity, privilege, and inclusion. Sheila also serves as a coach, facilitating board and leadership building trainings and strategic planning retreats.
Robin Gonsalves
Office Manager, Liberty Hill Foundation
Robin is the Office Manager at the Liberty Hill Foundation. She is responsible for managing the daily operations of the office and event space, in addition to providing administrative and technical support across all departments. Robin is an active member of the the Employee Engagement Committee on staff, as well as a founding member of the JEDI Coordinating Committee.
Prior to moving to Los Angeles, Robin enjoyed her role as a Policy & Research Associate for the Center of Strategic Solutions (CSS), a racial equity consulting firm based at New York University’s Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools. Within her role consulting at CSS, she researched and advised school districts in New York City and Westchester on how to cultivate a school environment that is both culturally inclusive and responsive to its students and families. She engaged with topics such as deepening students' sense of belonging, empowering student voice, and navigating racial identity development in schools.
Robin is a graduate of the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at New York University. Upon graduation, she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Education Studies with a specialization in Education Policy. Amidst her education studies, she explored an interest in the relationship between race and children’s media narratives, particularly studying its effect on children's identity development process.
Prior to moving to Los Angeles, Robin enjoyed her role as a Policy & Research Associate for the Center of Strategic Solutions (CSS), a racial equity consulting firm based at New York University’s Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools. Within her role consulting at CSS, she researched and advised school districts in New York City and Westchester on how to cultivate a school environment that is both culturally inclusive and responsive to its students and families. She engaged with topics such as deepening students' sense of belonging, empowering student voice, and navigating racial identity development in schools.
Robin is a graduate of the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development at New York University. Upon graduation, she obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Education Studies with a specialization in Education Policy. Amidst her education studies, she explored an interest in the relationship between race and children’s media narratives, particularly studying its effect on children's identity development process.
Alanah Grant SCG Member
City of Long Beach
Alanah Grant is the Equity Officer for the City of Long Beach. She has over six years of experience working with diverse communities, writing policy, and administering programs for non-profit and public agencies related to racial equity and inclusion. As a champion for intersectionality, Alanah believes in co-designing transformational programs, policies, and practices in partnership with the community, centering the voices of those most impacted and marginalized by systems of oppression.
Alanah dares to imagine a future where everyone can reach their highest potential for a successful life, regardless of their background and identity. In her role, she is responsible for building the City's capacity to advance equity through training, tools, and technical assistance. Alanah is a second-generation Long Beach native and a proud Historically Black College graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from South Carolina State University. You're likely to find Alanah practicing her jump shot at Veteran's Park in her free time.
Alanah dares to imagine a future where everyone can reach their highest potential for a successful life, regardless of their background and identity. In her role, she is responsible for building the City's capacity to advance equity through training, tools, and technical assistance. Alanah is a second-generation Long Beach native and a proud Historically Black College graduate with a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from South Carolina State University. You're likely to find Alanah practicing her jump shot at Veteran's Park in her free time.
Jennifer Katell
Grants Officer, Systems and Processes, The SCAN Foundation
Jennifer Katell is Director of Grants and Operations for The SCAN Foundation. In this role, she oversees the grants and contracting processes and collaboratively leads the design, implementation, and evaluation of processes and systems to increase operational effectiveness and efficiency. Before joining the Foundation, she worked in grants management at The California Endowment and The Eisner Foundation and previously worked at The Consulate General of the Netherlands, the Hammer Museum, and the International Center for Photography.
Jennifer holds masters’ degrees in Art History/Museum Studies and Business Administration from the USC. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Art History at UCLA. Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys outdoors adventures, photography, and playing the piano.
Jennifer holds masters’ degrees in Art History/Museum Studies and Business Administration from the USC. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Art History at UCLA. Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys outdoors adventures, photography, and playing the piano.
Jasmine Lacsamana SCG Member
Program Officer, Archstone Foundation
Jasmine DeGuzman Lacsamana is a Program Officer for Archstone Foundation, a private foundation dedicated to improving the health and well-being of older Californians and their caregivers. In her role, she has designed initiatives to strengthen the capacity and long-term sustainability of Adult Day Services programs as a support for family caregivers. She has overseen projects in family caregiving, nonprofit capacity building, and is currently overseeing the Foundation’s strategy to advance models of care teams. Jasmine currently serves on the Board of Directors for Grantmakers In Aging. Prior to joining Archstone Foundation, Jasmine managed NIH/NCI funded projects at the California State University, Fullerton, overseeing community-based participatory research to support Pacific Islander women’s health in Southern California. She also has experience in community programming implementation for youth mentorship, leadership training, disaster preparedness, and health education for the American Red Cross.
Outside of the Foundation, Jasmine stays involved locally by serving on the PTA Board at her local elementary school and is currently in the 2021-2022 class for the Leadership Long Beach Institute. Jasmine earned her Master of Public Health with a focus on Community Health Sciences from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, and her bachelor’s degree in Social Ecology from the University of California, Irvine.
Outside of the Foundation, Jasmine stays involved locally by serving on the PTA Board at her local elementary school and is currently in the 2021-2022 class for the Leadership Long Beach Institute. Jasmine earned her Master of Public Health with a focus on Community Health Sciences from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, and her bachelor’s degree in Social Ecology from the University of California, Irvine.
Ariana Melton
Restorative Justice Specialist, OC Human Relations
Ariana N. Melton is an Afro-Indigenous millennial, born and raised in south central Los Angeles where her upbringing cultivated a diverse experience socioeconomically, ethnically, and artistically. As an avid believer in community activism Ariana took her talents and passions to Washington, D.C. where she studied music therapy, and classical voice at Howard University. As a student at Howard University Ariana had the privilege of acting as an US ambassador for African-American music, traveling domestically & internationally singing in front of many prestigious leaders, including past United States President Barack Obama and current President Joe Biden several times. Her creativity and passion for community establish unimaginable positions for her, from life coaching, music instruction, to creative directing. Her love for people is seen through her dedication to this work and commitment to dismantling systemic oppression. Ariana believes her life purpose is to be a bridge, acting as a catalyst for connection. Her current roles include Vice President of We are R.I.S.E. inc , and Restorative Justice Specialist for Orange County Human Relations.
natalie monden SCG Member
Senior Director, Partners In Care Foundation
Natalie Monden has her Master’s in Social Work from New York University, with bi-coastal social service experiences in New York City and Los Angeles County. She is currently a Senior Director at the Partners In Care Foundation with oversight of the HCBA Waiver and Assisted Living Waiver. She also Chairs the Diversity Equity Inclusion Workgroup. Mrs. Monden has nearly two decades of practice helping children, families, and adults remain safely in their community by reducing and/or preventing institutional placements. She is also a Committee Member with the Aging & Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) and NASW.
Fabiola Montiel
Director of Racial and Gender Equity, YWCA Glendale and Pasadena, Fabiola Montiel
Fabiola Montiel is the Interim Director of Policy and Communication/Director of Racial and Gender Equity at YWCA Glendale and Pasadena. She oversees policy advocacy and gender and racial equity programs, including the Girls’ Empowerment Program. As Interim Director of Policy and Communications, she is responsible for informing YWCA Glendale and Pasadena’s policy positions and ensuring YWCA Glendale and Pasadena’s communications align in support of the organization’s mission, its programs and community partnerships.
Fabiola has worked on gender-based violence prevention, advocacy and policy change, early childhood systems change and community transformation. She holds a Master of Organizational Leadership, Civic Engagement, from Claremont Lincoln University and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Science from the Tec de Monterrey. She lives in Los Angeles, CA.
Fabiola has worked on gender-based violence prevention, advocacy and policy change, early childhood systems change and community transformation. She holds a Master of Organizational Leadership, Civic Engagement, from Claremont Lincoln University and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Science from the Tec de Monterrey. She lives in Los Angeles, CA.
Michael Nobleza SCG Member
Equity & Belonging Strategist, #BringItAll / Los Angeles County Office of Immigrant Affairs
Michael Nobleza relies on over two-and-a-half decades of nonprofit executive management, strategy development, and community engagement experience to help teams and organizations achieve greater impact and effectiveness. His experience includes moving two organizations from startup to growth phases.
Currently, Michael is working with the County of Los Angeles on implementation of its immigrant equity strategy, standing up the new Office of Labor Equity, designing and launching American Rescue Plan Act-funded grant projects to build community-based organizations' long-term capacity to serve immigrants and other historically underserved populations, and developing a countywide language access strategy.
Michael has a B.A. with a focus on diplomacy and world affairs from Occidental College and an M.A. in international relations with a focus on cross-cultural conflict and organizational development from Syracuse University.
Currently, Michael is working with the County of Los Angeles on implementation of its immigrant equity strategy, standing up the new Office of Labor Equity, designing and launching American Rescue Plan Act-funded grant projects to build community-based organizations' long-term capacity to serve immigrants and other historically underserved populations, and developing a countywide language access strategy.
Michael has a B.A. with a focus on diplomacy and world affairs from Occidental College and an M.A. in international relations with a focus on cross-cultural conflict and organizational development from Syracuse University.
Janae Oliver SCG Member
Community Health Consultant, Kaiser Permanente
Janae Oliver is a community health consultant for Kaiser Permanente Southern California Region and an adjunct professor at Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science. With over 20 years experience in healthcare, nonprofit, and government sectors, she is a visionary and authentic leader committed to improving health equity in marginalized communities. Now Dr. Oliver, she leads equity grantmaking initiatives, focusing on racial justice, maternal health disparities, and nonprofit capacity-building. She teaches urban public health courses, emphasizing experiential learning. She is the founder of culturally relevant public health interventions - Mindful Beauty, a mental health initiative for hairstylists, and Blaccinated™, a social marketing campaign promoting COVID-19 vaccination in Black and Latino communities. She holds a BA in Political Science, an MPH, an MPA, and is pursuing an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership at Pepperdine University. She enjoys spending time with her new partner and walking with her dog Gracie, traveling, home projects, and hosting events in South Los Angeles, where she actively participates in her community.
Celeste Rodriguez SCG Member
Homelessness Policy Analyst, Mayors' Office of Economic Opportunity
Celeste Rodriguez leads the Community Wealth portfolio for the Los Angeles Community Investment for Families Department (CIFD). In this role, she oversees the development and implementation of financial empowerment initiatives including LA’s Guaranteed Basic Income pilot and children’s savings account program, both currently the largest programs of their kind in the nation. Prior to joining CIFD, Celeste also managed homelessness prevention initiatives and oversaw the Homelessness Services Team for the former Los Angeles Housing and Community Investment Department (HCID), coordinating contracts and funding for homeless relief efforts in Los Angeles. She has served as the Racial Equity Officer for both HCID and CIFD, developing strategic plans for meeting the city’s race equity goals. Rodriguez previously served as Deputy Director of Community Development Strategies for the Office of Mayor Garcetti where she helped initiate many of the programs she now oversees and led the development of the Mayor’s Consolidated Plan to provide support services, capital improvement projects, and economic development opportunities in underserved communities throughout LA.
Sarah Toutant
Director of Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion, Childcare Resource Center
Dr. Sarah M. Toutant is the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Childcare Resource Center (CCRC), which employs over 1,000 staff as one of the largest nonprofits in the state of California. Having earned her Ph.D. in Urban Education Policy from the University of Southern California (USC), Dr. Toutant invests herself in causes academic, professional, public and otherwise, related to advancing equity and developing anti-racist practices. Dr. Toutant is an experienced DEI consultant who has assisted companies and organizations with installing policies that prioritize equity. As a public speaker, she has been invited to address DEI issues with audiences at major corporations, higher education institutions and various other organizations.
An educator and researcher, her work is featured in book chapters and journals such as Innovations in Higher Education Teaching and Learning, International Journal of Student Voice, Developing Anti-Racist Practices in the Helping Professions, and Teaching and Learning Online: Science for secondary Grade Levels. Dr. Toutant also has a Master’s degree in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs from USC and earned Bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Critical Diversity Studies from the University of San Francisco. She is passionate about teaching, mentoring, and advancing equity through innovative strategies and meaningful conversations.
An educator and researcher, her work is featured in book chapters and journals such as Innovations in Higher Education Teaching and Learning, International Journal of Student Voice, Developing Anti-Racist Practices in the Helping Professions, and Teaching and Learning Online: Science for secondary Grade Levels. Dr. Toutant also has a Master’s degree in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs from USC and earned Bachelor’s degrees in Sociology and Critical Diversity Studies from the University of San Francisco. She is passionate about teaching, mentoring, and advancing equity through innovative strategies and meaningful conversations.
Clifton Trotter
Director of Equity, Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority
Clifton Trotter is the Director of Equity for the Los Angeles Homeless Service Authority (LAHSA). As lead of LAHSA’s equity efforts, Clifton’s goal is to institute an equity framework and racial equity plan to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion throughout LAHSA’s practices, procedures, policies, and service delivery. Prior to joining LAHSA, he was the co-lead of the Department of Health Services- Housing for Health Racial Equity Committee and Department Lead for the Workforce Development Aging & Community Services Equity Team. Additionally, he was a member of the County’s Equity Steering Committee, supporting the development of the County’s countywide Equity Summits. Currently, he serves on the Homeless Policy Research Institute ( HPRI) Racial Equity Committee.
Before his tenure with the county, he was a program director for Peace Over Violence, where he led their Engaging Men Program and facilitated workshops on healthy masculinity, roots of violence, domestic violence, and sexual assault. His experience ranges from managing homeless services for unhoused veterans at the Bell Shelter to managing high profile accounts as an Account Development Manager at Coca Cola Enterprises. This breadth of experience provides him with a rich perspective that he embodies in his work.
Clifton Trotter is a native of Los Angeles and finds the root of his passion in community uplift. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration and Masters of Public Administration from California State University Northridge, as well as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) program certificate from Cornell, and is continuing his studies at UCLA School of Law. Clifton resides in Carson with his beautiful wife and two lovely daughters.
Before his tenure with the county, he was a program director for Peace Over Violence, where he led their Engaging Men Program and facilitated workshops on healthy masculinity, roots of violence, domestic violence, and sexual assault. His experience ranges from managing homeless services for unhoused veterans at the Bell Shelter to managing high profile accounts as an Account Development Manager at Coca Cola Enterprises. This breadth of experience provides him with a rich perspective that he embodies in his work.
Clifton Trotter is a native of Los Angeles and finds the root of his passion in community uplift. He holds a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration and Masters of Public Administration from California State University Northridge, as well as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) program certificate from Cornell, and is continuing his studies at UCLA School of Law. Clifton resides in Carson with his beautiful wife and two lovely daughters.
Stacey Urauchi
Liberty Hill Foundation
Stacey is a Youth and Transformative Justice Program Manager with Liberty Hill Foundation. Her expertise lies in the implementation and delivery of public health interventions in communities most impacted by systemic oppression through peer advocacy, health education, and case management. She specializes in work with formerly and currently incarcerated populations and has instated and coordinated reproductive justice programs in Central Juvenile Hall, Men’s Central Jail, and Century Regional Detention Facility.
Stacey earned her BS in Public Health Sciences with minors in biology and anthropology from Santa Clara University and wrote her capstone on Mass Incarceration as a Public Health Crisis. She obtained Master’s Degree in Health Administration with George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health to improve the reach and longevity of services provided by instrumental community providers to advance health equity.
Through a public health lens, Stacey aims to utilize community-driven approaches to enact change to systems that serve as barriers to community health, wellness, and opportunity.
Stacey earned her BS in Public Health Sciences with minors in biology and anthropology from Santa Clara University and wrote her capstone on Mass Incarceration as a Public Health Crisis. She obtained Master’s Degree in Health Administration with George Washington University’s Milken Institute School of Public Health to improve the reach and longevity of services provided by instrumental community providers to advance health equity.
Through a public health lens, Stacey aims to utilize community-driven approaches to enact change to systems that serve as barriers to community health, wellness, and opportunity.