Our Staff

Alicia Lara is the President and CEO of Community Partners, a nonprofit fiscal sponsor and intermediary based in Los Angeles. Community Partners is home to creative ideas powered by the innovative leaders that seek our fiscal sponsorship and intermediary services to uplift their communities. Alicia leads the strategic vision, goals and initiatives that drive the organization’s impact and reach.

Before joining Community Partners, Lara served as United Way Worldwide’s Senior Vice President of Impact. She developed and led global strategies and initiatives to drive stronger outcomes for vulnerable communities and built national and international strategic partnerships with corporate, public-sector and nonprofit leaders.

Alicia has dedicated her career to changing and improving the lives of marginalized communities, most notably in the public health sector. Before working with the United Way Worldwide system, Alicia spent eight years with The California Endowment, a health-related philanthropic organization with a grant-making budget of $150 million annually. During this time, she held various positions within the organization, including Vice President of Programs, Director of Responsive Grant Making and Senior Program Officer.

Alicia began her career as a fierce advocate for the health and well-being of women of color. As a Director for California Pan-Ethnic Health Network, she cultivated and led a statewide network of advocacy experts from the Native American, Asian Pacific Islander, African American and Latino communities to influence health care policies around services, prevention and homelessness. She also worked closely with various health organizations to develop cultural competency, language and accessibility standards to reach these groups, respectively.

She currently serves on the board of directors for Ms. Foundation for Women, Funders Together to End Homelessness, and CADRE in Los Angeles. A lifelong learner, Alicia is a relentless challenger of the status quo and envisions a world grounded in racial equity and justice where all people live in strong and vibrant communities.

Joyce Williams is the Chief Finance and Operations Officer at Community Partners. She has over twenty years of senior leadership experience providing oversight in finance, audit, technology, human resources, and administration in for-profit and not-for-profit organizational settings. Ms. Williams previously served as the Vice President for Administration and Chief Financial Officer at California State University, Los Angeles, Chief Financial Affairs and Operating Officer at Emerson College Los Angeles and Director of Finance at Omnicom Media Group. After obtaining her B.S. in Accounting from Cal State LA, Ms. Williams received her MBA from Keller Graduate School and a master’s in information systems from the University of Illinois Springfield. In addition, she holds a doctorate in business administration from Grenoble École de Management with a research focus on factors that affect educational innovation She is a certified information systems auditor and professional project manager. Ms. Williams is committed to community engagement and supporting not-for profits in planning, developing, and implementing their organizational mission, business strategy, and transformative practices.

Phyllis Owens has over 20 years of progressive management experience in philanthropy, media and communications, strategic partnerships and planning. As Vice President of Intermediary and Strategic Partnerships she is responsible for cultivating new program opportunities, intermediary engagements and grantmaker partnerships for Community Partners in addition to providing oversight of our fiscal sponsorship program and managing strategic initiatives with VP Lupe Solorio. Her portfolio of fiscally-sponsored projects contains a range of statewide and national policy and capacity-building efforts. Phyllis leads a strategic initiative funded by the National Science Foundation, an unprecedented opportunity for Community Partners, which includes partnerships with the Los Angeles Mayor’s Data Team and Cal State LA, and is designed to increase data accessibility for nonprofits and promote citizen engagement among underserved and marginalized populations.

Previously, Phyllis held leadership positions at American Public Media, where she was Commentary Editor for award-winning business news and global finance programs Marketplace, Marketplace Morning Report and Marketplace Money. She is also an entertainment industry veteran, with roles that included Vice President of Creative Affairs for producer Kathleen Kennedy and director Frank Marshall.

Phyllis served on the Board of Directors of Project Redwood, spending eight years with the nonprofit partnership providing funding and expertise to help early-stage social entrepreneurs take startups to the next level and achieve a sustainable scale. Currently, she serves on the steering committee for the Neighborhood Data for Social Change at the USC Price School for Social Innovation. A native of Los Angeles, Phyllis holds an M.B.A. from Stanford University and an A.B. degree with honors in Psychology and Social Relations from Harvard University.

Lupe Solorio serves as the Vice President of Fiscal Sponsorship and Capacity Development for Community Partners, where she has provided management and fiscal expertise for the last 24 years. She has extensive knowledge in nonprofit management, organizational development and fiscal sponsorship. In her role, Lupe oversees the implementation of Community Partners’ fiscal sponsorship and intermediary programs. Under her leadership, her team provides project leaders with individualized technical assistance and facilitates internal and external trainings in program planning, board development, proposal writing, evaluation and sustainability.

In partnership with the Vice President of Intermediary & Strategic Partnerships Phyllis Owens, Lupe is a co-lead in seeking and developing new intermediary alliances and initiatives to meet the needs of funders and the communities they serve. Her most recent engagement includes overseeing Transforming LA, an intermediary partnership with the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health that equips local mental health nonprofit organizations with the capacity to provide preventative mental health services to the most vulnerable populations. During her tenure at Community Partners, Lupe helped develop the re-granting service, which has now become a hallmark of the work within the organization’s intermediary service offerings.

Lupe is a frequent speaker and presenter with nonprofit organizations and has served on the board of the Asian Business League and, most recently, as the chair of the board of the Latinx American Cinemateca of Los Angeles. She has volunteered as a panelist for Public Allies LA, and on the steering committee for the Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month for the City of Los Angeles. A native of Los Angeles, she received a dual B.A. in international relations and Spanish from the University of Southern California.

Veronica has been an essential member of the Grants Administration Team at Community Partners for the past four years, contributing significantly to our grant initiatives’ success through her dedication and expertise. Before joining Community Partners, she spent over a decade in childcare, honing her communication, empathy, and organizational skills. Transitioning seamlessly into her role here, Veronica brings a wealth of experience and a passion for community service. Outside of work, she enjoys culinary adventures, reading, naturopathy, and beach days.

Michael Aragon is a results-driven project management professional with over eight years of experience successfully leading and delivering complex initiatives across diverse industries. As the Senior Project and Operations Administrator at Community Partners, he is responsible for driving projects forward and helping establish systems and processes to enable Community Partners to work more efficiently and better serve its constituents.

Before joining Community Partners, Michael served as the Director of Operations and Projects for a variety of different start-ups and small businesses, helping them implement new systems and create processes needed to grow and scale effectively.

Michael began his career in Marketing, helping companies and entrepreneurs tell their stories and connect with their customers. And he is excited to bring these skills to Community Partners as they continue to grow into a dominant force for good in the world.

Lori Avila brings over 24 years of dedicated expertise in accounting, with a specialization in fund administration and financial staff supervision, to her role as Senior Grant Accountant. Previously she served for nearly ten years as a Financial Analyst at Fathers & Families of San Joaquin, managing federal, state, and foundation grants, alongside meticulously overseeing payroll, accounts payable/receivable, and financial reporting on QuickBooks. She also prepared for annual external audits and ensured adherence to regulatory standards. Her earlier role as an Account Manager at Regency further honed her skills in financial management, encompassing tasks such as overseeing accounts payable/receivable functions and managing cash flow activities. Proficient in NetSuite and other tools, Lori is dedicated to supporting program success while upholding budget and compliance integrity.

Kimberly is a forward-thinking, legally trained Human Resources leader adept at collaborating with senior leadership teams, forging consensus, and engaging the workforce in implementing high-impact HR strategies. She has 15+ years of nonprofit leadership and consulting experience helping organizations deliver stronger results through better utilization of their talent. Kimberly has transformed under-performing HR departments into value-added organizational partners.

A meticulous problem solver with strong influencing skills, Kimberly has significant experience managing comprehensive benefit programs for the workforce and operating as a change agent who has played a lead role in winning employee support. She brings hands-on expertise in managing and coaching HR teams and cross-functional management professionals to achieve organizational milestones and personal development goals.

A trusted advisor to C-suite executives, known for integrating data-driven assessments with effective people-focused solutions, Kimberly’s previous focus in Los Angeles County spans nonprofit, social services, TK-12 education, and higher education sectors. During her free time family comes first!

Blessie supports the finance team as senior finance associate. She has an associate’s degree in business administration from Manila Central University. She previously worked at Los Angeles Universal Preschool overseeing payroll and accounts payable, and California Institute of Technology as an administrative assistant in the graphic arts department. She loves to travel and goes home to the Philippines as often as she can.

Julie Cole provides support to the procurement team. Prior to joining Community Partners, she worked primarily in the field of land use planning and development. Julie was inspired to seek a professional position in the nonprofit sector after ten years as a volunteer docent with two organizations, leading walks to educate and advocate for historical resources and preservation in the City of Santa Monica and for natural resources and conservation in Topanga State Park. Julie holds a B.S. from California State University, Northridge, in health science, with a focus on environmental and occupational health. Her passions include hiking, exercise, gardening, and nature.

Maria manages the accounts receivable department. She is currently pursuing her B.A. degree at the University of Phoenix in Business Administration. Previously, Maria worked for 21st Century Auto as a Senior New Business Underwriter Assistant for seven years. She enjoys bowling and outings with her family.

Alicia Cooksey-Hamm brings over 17 years of accounting experience and eight years of nonprofit experience to Community Partners. Alicia has extensive fund accounting experience as well as working in the private equity and venture capital sectors. She is passionate about supporting nonprofit organizations to achieve their mission and visions. In Alicia’s spare time, she enjoys spending time with her dog and two birds.

Turi Daoust (she/her) is a strategic change management professional with an emphasis on facilitating organizational development through a lens of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Her career began in higher education within student life where her experience creating processes, establishing policy, and restructuring staffing models pivoted her toward strategic process improvement, change management, and employee and organizational development.

Turi is a first-gen student who earned her bachelor’s degree from Emerson College where she studied Marketing Communications and Leadership and Management. Turi has also completed various certifications including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in the Workplace and project management frameworks. With 13+ years of management experience and as a Gallup certified CliftonStrengths coach, Turi has facilitated 1:1 leadership coaching as well as group training and development sessions on various topics such as service excellence, communication styles, conflict management, and diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging topics.

In her role at Community Partners as Senior Director of Organizational Development and Change Management, she will oversee change management and collaborate to develop and implement change strategies that ensure overall employee and operational effectiveness, with a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

Tereza Darbinyan serves as the Accounts Payable Manager at Community Partners, where she oversees financial transactions and ensures compliance with accounting principles. Prior to her role at Community Partners, Tereza held positions as a Senior Accounting Analyst, Tax Specialist at H&R Block, and Accountant at SVF ACCOUNTING, INC, amassing over six years of experience in various facets of financial management. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Business/Management from the Armenian State University of Economics.

Dianne Debicella is Senior Director of Programs for the Fiscal Sponsorship team at Community Partners. Prior to joining Community Partners, Dianne spent 10 years as the Senior Program Director of Fiscal Sponsorship at Fractured Atlas. In that role, she helped over 10,000 sponsored artists and emerging organizations, representing all artistic disciplines, find funding and other resources to support their work. She led the program to become one of the largest, most renowned art fiscal sponsorship programs in the country and oversaw the fundraising and distribution of over $100 million. Dianne co-founded Brooklyn Community Supported Art + Design (CSA+D) and she serves on the steering committee of the National Network of Fiscal Sponsors. She received her B.F.A. from Massachusetts College of Art and her M.P.A. from Pratt Institute’s Arts and Cultural Management program. Dianne previously worked as a Project Coordinator for a restoration painting studio and as a Manager of Site Development for Planet Aid.

Felipe Escobar serves as the Transformative Climate Community Network Manager for the South LA Eco-Lab grant at Community Partners, where he supports the implementation of 11 transformative environmental projects. With a background in community organizing, Felipe passionately champions environmental justice. Originally from Guatemala and an advocate for immigrant rights, he couples his lived experiences with his Political Science degree from California State University, Northridge to ensure that the voices of marginalized communities are uplifted. In his current role, he liaises with various stakeholders, ensuring grant compliance and amplifying Community Partners’ goal of fostering vibrant, equitable communities.

Terrence Feagin serves as a Senior Finance Associate for Community Partners where his shared passion for community services and finance prompted him to begin his career with us in August 2022. He has years of experience in nonprofit accounting and finance. In his role, Terrence works with project leaders and their staff to educate them on the principle of accounting and managerial theories, performs financial analysis, and interprets financial data to assess projects’ financial health.

Terrence graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 2013 with his bachelor’s degree in business management and then went on to serve our country in the United State Navy aboard the USS Nimitz. While serving, Terrence was able to obtain his MBA in Finance from Florida Tech in 2019. After traveling the world and five years of serving our country, Terrence began his career in finance where he has been able to build his experience and determination to help our organization and many other projects succeed.

Terrence currently lives in Southern California a long distance from his original birthplace of Mansfield, Ohio with his wife and three daughters.  Some of his passions involve videography, sports, and public speaking.

Lynette is the board liaison and executive assistant to the President and CEO of the organization. Prior to joining Community Partners in December of 2021, Lynette was part of the executive services team at the California Association of REALTORS® and its subsidiary Real Estate Business Services for a little over twenty years. She held different positions over the years as the Association Governance Coordinator and managed the C.A.R. Scholarship and Education Foundations. She served as the liaison to the incoming association officers each year and planned meetings for 1,000+ directors throughout the state three times a year. She also coordinated special projects with C-level staff and officers. Her association experience is also paired with her baccalaureate level studies in business information technology from Cal State Los Angeles University.

Lynette is a third generation Angeleno and loves exploring new areas of the state with family and friends. In her spare time, she enjoys domestic & international travel, classic rock concerts, cooking, gardening, salsa dancing and long walks with her dog.

Genevieve Fowler (she/her) is a program manager with Community Partners’ intermediary department.

Genevieve has spent her career working at the intersection of arts, culture, community, and social justice. She has held positions at many nonprofits and arts organizations, most recently as a core team member of the national arts and culture organization, Arts In A Changing America (ArtChangeUS).

In addition to her work at Community Partners, Genevieve is a theater director whose practice explores radical inclusivity and critically minded critiques of classics for a contemporary audience.  Genevieve received an MFA in directing from the California Institute of the Arts and a BA from Vassar College.

Senior program director Cynthia Freeman (she/her) co-designs and leads multi-million-dollar regranting and capacity-building initiatives for government and foundations, provides coaching and counsel for fiscally sponsored projects, and supervises staff and consultants. Prior to joining Community Partners in 2006, Freeman worked as a policy director for the Association of Community Human Service Agencies. Previously, she spent seven years in the field of philanthropy, most recently at the New York Foundation, making grants to community organizing, advocacy, and start-up projects in New York City’s five boroughs. Freeman has consulted for numerous nonprofit organizations and worked on initiatives with the Los Angeles Department of Public Health, First 5 LA, Time Warner, and multiple private foundations. She began her career as a community organizer and fundraiser for ACORN.

Freeman has served on the steering committees of Interfaith Funders and Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy NY and is prior board chair of Jumpstart and co-founder of the Southern California Fiscal Sponsors Network. Trained as a Heart to Heart racial justice dialogue facilitator for LA’s Truth, Racial Healing and Transformation initiative, Freeman has served on the Saturday Dialogues facilitation team for the Alliance of White Anti-Racists Everywhere – Los Angeles (AWARE-LA). She is a graduate of Brown University, to which she received unearned admissions preference as a legacy and full-pay applicant, and has an MPA in nonprofit management from New York University’s Wagner School of Public Service.

Evonne serves as Senior Program Director for Community Partners’ Intermediary team and is focused on leading re-granting efforts for government clients. For the past 20 years, Evonne has worked in the nonprofit sector at the intersections of art, culture and social justice and has held leadership positions in museums, community-based arts organizations, national cohorts and artist-led ventures. Throughout her career and most recently in consulting , Evonne has been committed to developing and advancing principles and practices around equity, cultural equity and inclusion. Evonne received a B.A. in American History at Columbia University and an M.A. in the Sociology of Art from the New School for Social Research in New York City. Evonne serves as Vice Chair of the Board of Directors for the National Association of Latino Arts and Culture and is a member of the mayor-appointed Cultural Affairs Commission for the City of Los Angeles.

Dr. Kahlil Gasper serves as a Senior Program Manager for the Intermediary department, where he supports the design and implementation of re-granting and capacity-building initiatives. Kahlil has spent his career in community engagement, as an organizer, advocate, Spoken Word poet, arts educator, public speaker, and nonprofit leader. Before joining Community Partners, Kahlil worked with the LA County Department of Arts & Culture in the Arts Education department, where he facilitated dialogue with a wide range of stakeholders in the arts education ecosystem. Kahlil received his doctorate from Loyola Marymount University’s Educational Leadership for Social Justice where he wrote his dissertation, an autoethnography focused on implementing transformative spoken word and hip-hop workshops in public school classrooms.

Agustin Gil has been with Community Partners since 2019 years and is part of the accounting team. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from California State University Domingez Hills. Augustin started in the Accounts Payable department at Community Partners where he worked for three years before serving as Vendor Administrator and then moving to the accounting team. In his free time, he likes to read and enjoys spending time with his family.

Meet Susy Hernandez, Senior Specialist, Compliance & Training on the People and Culture team at Community Partners. With a master’s degree in human resources management from Pepperdine University, Susy brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to her role. She oversees the onboarding process at Community Partners and serves as the go-to person for any queries regarding Paylocity navigation.

Susy’s primary focus is on empowering our partners and facilitating their growth by streamlining HR processes. Her passion lies in enhancing project operations to enable organizations to concentrate on furthering their missions. She is particularly drawn to change management within the HR realm and aspires to specialize in guiding organizations through transformative periods.

Furthermore, Susy is deeply committed to promoting diversity and inclusivity within Community Partners. She understands that true inclusivity goes beyond policies and strives to cultivate a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered.

Readius has worked within the information technology field for over 30 years. Prior to joining Community Partners, he held multiple positions at UCLA and Xerox Corp. Readius applies his skills through the programs, courses and specialized training he provides to all levels of personnel. He oversees the development, project management, infrastructure maintenance, security and administration of virtual and cloud infrastructure, data center services, networks, servers, storage and software applications for Community Partners.

Now serving as Senior Grant and Fund Administrator, Mandee joined the Community Partners team in 2023. Previously, she worked as Treasurer and Deputy Administrator of Fiscal Operations for the Yerington Paiute Tribe, She also served as Secretary of the Board of Directors for the Yerington Paiute Tribal Housing Authority. An Excel ninja with 20+ years of accounting experience, Mandee is a Certified IRS VITA/TCE Site Manager.

Keshia Jones provides grants management and accounting support to fiscally sponsored projects as Grants Manager Liaison. She has over a decade of experience in accounting and financial management. Previously, she served as a Finance Manager for ABO Haven and Philadelphia Reads, handling accounting, reconciliation, reporting, audit, and accounts payable and receivable. She also has experience working with CEOs and boards of nonprofits. Keshia holds an Accounting degree from Strayer University in Philadelphia, PA.

Meg serves as Facilities Coordinator for Community Partners. After a life focusing on education, Meg shifted to the non-profit world in 2018. Meg studied elementary education at USC, specializing in Reading Instruction. As an elementary school teacher, she also instructed Reading Intervention, lesson planning, and school-based organization.

Along the way, Meg lived in England and Texas with her family. Social justice became of interest when she realized the disparity of educational preparedness of the children in her daughter’s Dallas kindergarten. Having taught privileged students as well as those in need, Meg is passionate about the huge educational and opportunity gap students face. Serving as a volunteer and board member at Harambee Ministries in Pasadena was a profound experience for Meg. Family, sewing, gardening, and reading remain her interests.

Pramodh Joseph is an engineer with a passion for making a positive impact in the world through technology. He has worked in various industries including automotive, aerospace, and medical devices. With over 10 years of experience in for-profit industries, he joined Community Partners with the desire to utilize the skills he honed to help nonprofits with technology problems. Pramodh has always looked for more efficient ways to solve problems to unlock the ability for people to do their jobs better and with more safety. He has been spearheading the NetSuite implementation and is continually looking for ways to help our partners do more with the tools they have at their disposal. Pramodh has a Bachelor’s in Materials Science and Engineering from Rutgers University.

Brenda is a first-generation Los Angeles native. She brings over 20 years of business management experience with an emphasis on purchasing and accounting. Her years of expertise in financial and general administration roles have proven to help in the success of the companies she has previously worked for including taking part in turning two small businesses into Inc. 500 and Inc. 5000 corporations.  Brenda has worked for big corporations such as Pharmavite but knew that the nonprofit sector was the ultimate goal.  She started her nonprofit experience at Sinai Temple and was thrilled to join Community Partners and broaden her impact in the sector. Brenda has extensive experience in importing and FDA regulations which allows her to bring an ethical, detailed-focus, and problem-solving mindset to her role.

Brenda’s passion is to give back to the community whenever she has a chance.  She has been on the front lines advocating for equal education and proper resources for children with special needs, and has served on several educational boards. Growing up in an inner city she grew to appreciate extracurricular programs such as sports and music. She is a big believer that programs like these keep youth safe, focused, and with a positive mindset. This is why you will catch her on the field or court coaching sports and cheer year-round.

Yvette Lopez-Ledesma (she/her) is the Bezos Earth Fund Community Fellow. Previous to her role as Fellow, she served in various roles at both community-based and national non-profit organizations. From 2018-2024 she worked with The Wilderness Society, a national conservation organization, where she most recently served as Deputy Vice President of Community-led Conservation. She and her team worked on developing partnerships, programs, and policy to ensure that communities in urban and rural places can access the benefits of parks, open space, and public lands. From 2013-2018 Yvette served as Deputy Director of Pacoima Beautiful. She has also spent time teaching as a Lecturer in the Urban Studies and Planning Department at California State University Northridge (CSUN). She earned her BA in Urban Studies and Planning at CSUN and also earned her Master of Public Administration & Urban Planning.

Yvette has over 20 years of work and volunteer experience focused on her life’s purpose to advance park and trail equity and promote inclusive community engagement. She has served as a City of Los Angeles Planning Commissioner, and on the San Fernando Valley Metro Service Council and the Burbank Sustainability Commission. She currently serves as a representative of L.A. County’s Third District on the Measure A Citizens” Oversight Committee, and a Board Member of Save Elephant Hill, an organization dedicated to preserving open space in El Sereno. Yvette is also the Founder of Tias on Trails, a body-positive hiking group/monthly meet-up for women in their señora era who enjoy spending time outdoors.

Currently serving as a Senior Contracts & Grants Associate at Community Partners, Crystal plays a pivotal role in the full lifecycle management of grant awards and contracts, ensuring compliance with grant and contract requirements. With a strong background in program budgeting, project management, and grant administration, Crystal is adept at providing technical assistance to team members and projects, coordinating grant applications, and analyzing proposals for compliance with funding requirements.

In addition to her role at Community Partners, Crystal has also honed her skills as a Digital Marketing Coordinator and Project Manager at Heart Soul CEO, where she specializes in social media management, digital marketing, and website management. Her diverse professional background includes positions as a Purchasing Agent, Contract Administrator, and Project Accountant/Contract Administration in various organizations, where she managed contracts, negotiated terms, and ensured contractual compliance.

Crystal holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Integrated Supply Chain Operations and Management from the University of Phoenix.

Jonathan D Mackay embarked on his professional journey in the realm of music before redirecting his focus towards the intricacies of finance, economics, and their underlying scientific principles. With a Bachelor of Science in Finance, specializing in Corporate Finance and Strategy, he delved into the accounting field, gaining valuable experience alongside his academic pursuits. Transitioning to roles at esteemed institutions such as Goldman Sachs and later as a consultant at NBM Inc., Jonathan encountered diverse financial challenges within the Healthcare industry and Non-Profit Sector, igniting a fervent desire to support those dedicated to societal betterment. Recognizing the impediments posed by financial intricacies, Jonathan resolved to bridge the gap between quality care and cost-effectiveness, catalyzing his decision to pursue a Master’s in Health Administration with a focus on Financial Management. Throughout his educational journey, he engaged in impactful work with organizations like the non-profit foundation of CHOC Children’s Hospital and collaborated with healthcare entities and a CPA firm. Following graduation, Jonathan honed his expertise further at Kindred Healthcare and Robert Half before bringing his wealth of experience and passion for transformative financial management to his current role at Community Partners. Beyond his professional pursuits, Jonathan finds solace and enjoyment in fencing, culinary arts, and competitive gaming.

Belle Mecabalo is a seasoned contracts manager with extensive experience in procurement and contracting, She brings a wealth of expertise to her role as Contracts Manager at Community Partners, overseeing contract administration and ensuring adherence to regulatory requirements. Prior to her tenure at Community Partners, Belle held pivotal roles at CRDF Global and the United States Embassy in Manila, where she honed her skills in purchasing and supervisory contracting over a combined period of nearly two decades.

Preston Mills is the Data Program Manager at Community Partners. Graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics and Sociology from Tulane University, he returned to his home city and built his career at the intersection of data and community engagement. He joined the Equity Research Institute at USC to conduct interviews around the country in drafting a report known as BRIDGES|PUENTES. He later went on to lead data systems trainings, analysis, and administration, for one of Los Angeles’ largest after school programs. His latest role as the City of Los Angeles’ Community Data Manger sat at the nexus of training both local nonprofit organizations and Cal State LA students to leverage open data to bolster community impact. As part of the Community Partners team, he uses GIS (geospatial information systems) and programming data to strengthen the impact of intermediary efforts.

Prasanth brings over a decade of experience to his current role as Client Finance & Decision Support Manager at Community Partners, after joining the organization as a Senior Finance Associate in 2021. Previously, he held key positions at Ciber Global and CareTech Solutions, where he excelled as a Global Business Analyst in Finance, demonstrating expertise in financial analysis and strategic planning.

With a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Madras Christian College and a Master of Arts in International Relations from the University of Essex, Prasanth blends his analytical skills with a deep understanding of global affairs.

Darcie Mulholland is a seasoned Grant Compliance professional based in Los Angeles, California, with a rich background spanning over 12 years in administering public and private contracts and grants. Armed with expertise in Uniform Guidance and LEAN Bronze certification, Darcie has cultivated a distinguished career marked by a commitment to excellence and equity. Her credentials include certifications from the Government Alliance on Race and Equity, along with active membership in prestigious organizations such as the Institute of Internal Auditors and leadership roles in the National Grant Management Association local chapter.

With a career trajectory marked by progressively responsible roles, Darcie currently serves as the Senior Director of Grants Administration and Compliance at Community Partners, a position she has held since May 2023. Here, she orchestrates the oversight of all public and private grant contracts, positioning herself as the primary liaison with funders. Her responsibilities encompass reviewing compliance guidelines, implementing agency-wide systems, and ensuring program fidelity in collaboration with Program Departments. Prior experiences include roles at Moss Adams as a Consulting Manager, where she provided invaluable insights into government grant best practices, and at the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, where she spearheaded compliance efforts for over $800 million in government grants amidst the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Darcie earned a BA in Anthropology at Cal State Northridge and a Master’s degree in Public Anthropology from American University in Washington, DC.

Sarkhan Nabiyev, a seasoned Contract Manager, brings 5 years of legal expertise spanning law firms and corporate affairs. With a focus on community growth, his California roots drive his commitment to success at Community Partners. Leveraging a background in technology startups and real estate, Sarkhan excels as a negotiator and legal representative. Known for his adaptability and meticulous attention to detail, he navigates complex legal landscapes with ease, ensuring streamlined operations and efficient outcomes. Eager to contribute, Sarkhan embodies professionalism and excellence. Beyond work, he enjoys travel and quality time with loved ones.

Tammie Newsome currently oversees grants and contract awards for the Intermediary team. Her professional journey includes working with prestigious organizations such as Wilson Executive Services, where she played a pivotal role in the conversion of Farm Coalitions from an umbrella 501(c)3 to a stand-alone 501(c)3 entity. Her responsibilities encompassed project management, finance, and accounting functions, including IRS 990 filings and implementation of QuickBooks online systems. Additionally, she has showcased her analytical prowess at UBM Canon, Health Net, ArrowPoint Diversified, and Cedars-Sinai Health System, where she excelled in areas such as change management, financial reporting, budget planning, and contract administration. Tammie’s commitment to community service is evident through her active involvement in assisting the homeless community.

With a Bachelor of Arts degree with an emphasis in Accounting from Seattle University, Tammie combines her academic foundation with her membership in the Project Management Institute to continuously enhance her skill set and stay abreast of industry trends.

Stephanie Nitahara (she/her/hers) is a Senior Program Manager at Community Partners supporting CP’s work with Los Angeles County’s Department of Public Health and Department of Mental Health. She’s active in the Little Tokyo community and passionate about building sustainable community power, creating inclusive workplaces, and finding innovative approaches to development and philanthropy. Stephanie has vast nonprofit experience locally and nationally, previously serving as the Executive Director of Kizuna and Interim Exeucitve Director as well as Associate Director of the Japanese American Citizens League.

Stephanie enjoys crafting, finding a new recipe to cook/bake, writing for Yo! Media, and everything about her senior chihuahua-pomeranian.

Currently serving as Executive Director of the California Accountable Communities for Health Initiative (CACHI), Rea has dedicated her career to nonprofit and public service and has over two decades of
experience working in diverse fields ranging from policy advocacy, philanthropy, public health,
civic tech, and the federal government. While the settings have changed, her north star has
remained constant: improving policies and systems to ensure communities have the opportunity
to be healthy and thrive. Most recently, she was Chief Operating Officer at One Degree
(formerly Alluma) – a nonprofit technology organization that connects people to public benefits
and social services – where she led strategy & performance management, internal
communications & culture, and operations (including human resources, finance, and
administration). During her time at One Degree/Alluma, she revamped operational policies after
an organizational restructuring; designed its strategy management system; led an internal
workgroup to develop new mission, vision, and values statements; and managed strategic
partnerships.

Prior to this, Rea was the senior advisor at Prevention Institute (PI), whose mission is to build
prevention and health equity into key policies and actions. She led projects that advocated for
and piloted the PI-developed Community-Centered Health Homes model, a framework that
helps health care organizations assess, design, and implement strategies – alongside
community members – that advance community health and well-being. She provided coaching
and technical assistance to safety-net clinics across the country interested in implementing the
CCHH model.

Rea served as Director of Minority Health Initiatives at Families USA in Washington, D.C., a
national policy advocacy organization and a leading voice for passage of the Affordable Care
Act from the consumer perspective; and has held positions at Grantmakers In Health, National
Business Group on Health, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Rea is a founding member of the Hella Heart Oakland Giving Circle, a network of individuals
who pool their giving and fundraise to support projects and community-based organizations in
their beloved city. She holds a master’s degree in health policy and management from the Johns
Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and is a graduate of the University of California,
Berkeley in molecular and cellular biology.

Tanea serves as the Senior Administrative Assistant to the Fiscal Sponsorship team. She is poised with an extensive organizational leadership background. She possesses over 10 years of experience that includes positions as Church Secretary/Executive Assistant to the Senior Pastor for 8 years, Director of Constituent Services with District 1 – City of Fresno, among other positions coupled with her baccalaureate and graduate level studies from Fresno Pacific University.

With her innate abilities, she uses them to champion her true passion: outreach and event planning. As a servant leader, Tanea held the position of committee chair for her home church’s annual block party, a community-wide event for the underrepresented and underserved residents of Southwest Fresno for 6 years, along with several other positions in ministry and now the Women’s Group Leader at her current church in Los Angeles. In her spare time, she enjoys reading books and spending time with her family.

Lateesha is a Senior Administrative Assistant at Community Partners with the California Accountable Communities for Health initiative (CACHI). She brings nearly ten years of experience as an administrative professional. Prior to joining Community Partners, LaTeesha wore multiple hats including executive administration, program and grants administration, and nonprofit capacity building. She worked with private foundations and public charities on equitable and collaborative initiatives in South LA, including the inception of the South LA Transit Empowerment Zone (SLATE-Z). Lateesha is an alumni of California State University, Los Angeles, and holds a bachelor’s degree in social work.

Christopher Allen Pitner is the People and Culture Systems Coordinator. He has 5+ years of Personnel/Human Resources/People and Culture Experience working for both for and non-profit organizations. After obtaining his master’s in I/O Psych, he travelled to the West Coast through the winds of change where he could be closer to family and the beach.

Christopher comes from a family of 10 children. He is no stranger to juggling multiple competing priorities every day of the week. He believes that relationship-oriented organizations take the time needed to fully understand their peers and listen to the stories they bring to the table. Christopher is an advocate for equity and inclusion inside and out of the workplace.

Christopher grew up in the golden age of gaming, from the Nintendo, PlayStation, to computer gaming. You can find Christopher expanding his comfort zone exploring new adventures in the city of Los Angeles, making new friends, or continuing with his parents’ tradition of cooking a home meal for loved ones as well as building biodiverse microorganisms for fermentation in his kitchen.

Elizabeth has been working in accounting for four years, with a focus on accounts receivable. Currently she works in the accounts receivable department at Community Partners and has been with the company for two years. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a specialization in Business Law from California State University Northridge.

In addition to her academic and professional achievements, Elizabeth is currently pursuing a certification in data analytics to further enhance her skills in the field. She is committed to staying current with emerging trends and technologies in the industry.

Elizabeth takes pride in being one of the youths that benefited from a prior fiscally sponsored project of Community Partners. She values the importance of community involvement and giving back.

When she is not at work, Elizabeth enjoys spending time outdoors with her dogs and engaging in strength training to maintain a healthy lifestyle. She believes in the importance of balance in life and strives to maintain a well-rounded approach to her personal and professional endeavors.

Priscilla currently supports the Transformative Climate Community Collaborative and the First5 LA Early Childhood Policy Advocacy Fund. Prior to joining Community Partners Priscilla worked at the Central American Resource Center an immigrant rights organization where she aided the Domestic Violence unit.

Priscilla received her B.A. in International Relations and minor in Race and Resistance Studies from San Francisco State University. Priscilla is passionate about working in the non-profit sector and has experience working with the immigrant community and vulnerable populations who have endured trauma. She committed a year of service as a Ameri-Corp member, participating in social-justice trainings and providing tools for communities of color. Raised in South Central, she is thrilled to be able to contribute to the community.

Patti Sanchez (she/hers) is a Program Director with Community Partners, where she manages a portfolio of intermediary programs focused on building capacity, sharing knowledge, and uplifting equity through cross-sector partnerships and community-centered design. She brings over 16 years of leadership and program development experience working in government, private philanthropy, and direct social services. Prior to joining Community Partners, she worked with L.A. County’s Department of Public Health in the Policy and Strategic Initiatives unit of the Substance Abuse Prevention and Control division. There she worked on a range of behavioral health projects including policy analysis, workforce development, and project management. Prior to that, Patti was Senior Director of Programs at the Mortimer & Mimi Levitt Foundation, where she led and co-designed its programs and initiatives, including the management of its $3m national grant portfolio, which focused on strengthening community-cohesion through free outdoor concerts in rural and urban areas. Earlier in her career, she led the second largest senior nutrition program in L.A. County, providing direct services and reducing social isolation for seniors living in the Southeast communities of Los Angeles.

Patti holds an MBA from the University of Southern California and a BA in American Studies from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She has volunteered in a range of capacities, most recently with the City of Alhambra’s Arts and Cultural Events Commission, Neighborhood Housing Services of the Inland Empire, and Latino Community Foundation’s Los Angeles Latino Giving Circle. As the daughter of immigrants and a first-generation college student, her lived experience drives her commitment to expanding opportunities where everyone can thrive. Patti was born and raised in greater Los Angeles and still loves exploring the area with family and friends.

As a team player for the Accounts receivable group, Heidi is responsible for wire payments, ACH, and online platform donations.  Prior to joining Community Partners she worked in the private sector. In her free time Heidi likes to travel and enjoys learning about different cultures and cuisines.

Arpiné provides program management, technical assistance, facilitation and logistical oversight for Community Partners’ strategic health initiatives. Her background includes policy and program development, coalition building, and public sector, nonprofit and community collaboration. During her tenure with Community Partners, Arpiné managed the Kaiser Permanent Healthy Eating Active Living and Southern California Thriving Schools initiatives. Prior to joining Community Partners, she was the City of El Monte Health and Wellness Coordinator for the Policies for Livable, Active Communities and Environments initiative supporting the development of healthy, safe, and active environments for all community residents. Arpiné holds a Master’s of public health and a Bachelor’s in biology from the University of Southern California.

Lingling Staples is a Senior Grant and Fund Administrator at Community Partners, where she has worked since 2023. Previously, she served as a Grant Accounting Manager for multiple agencies through Robert Half International, overseeing budget projections, expenditure monitoring, and subcontract management, and ensuring compliance and performance targets were consistently met for multiple Department of Labor subcontracts as well as other public and private grants. Lingling also played a pivotal role in post-award financial compliance activities, mentoring support staff, and liaising with external auditors.

Prior to that, she worked as a Budget Analyst for the Department of the Army and as a Financial Analyst for the Gerald Champion Regional Medical Center, as well as in accounting, payroll, and finance roles at Concho Valley Council of Governments and Hampton Road Transit.

Lingling holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Daniel Webster College and earned a master’s of science in accounting from Texas A & M University-Commerce.

Dara currently supports the Vice President of Intermediary and Strategic Partnerships. Prior to joining Community Partners, Dara worked for the City of Malibu Planning and Development Department and United States Navel Weapons Station Seal Beach as Executive Assistant to the Commander, and Director of Operations where she aided the Navy seal unit.

Dara received her B.A. in Biology from Grambling State University, MBA from the University of Phoenix, and MPH from West Coast University. She is passionate about working in the nonprofit sector and has experience working in the community. Dara has committed over seven years of voluntary service for the City of Inglewood Measure GG and Asset Management Board, participating as a member in allocating the funds for the City’s low-performing schools and school closures. A native of Los Angeles, she is elated to be able to contribute to all communities. When she is not at work, Dara enjoys spending time outdoors with her family, planning family trips, and going to the amusement parks. She also enjoys cooking new recipes, reading, and exercising in her spare time.

With an MBA specializing in HR and 18 years of experience in the field, Claudia has honed her expertise in benefits administration, and excelled in the role of senior HR generalist. Her passion for creating and implementing strategic benefit programs that foster employee well-being and engagement have been the cornerstone of her career. Through her hands-on experience in managing complex leave of absence cases and workers’ compensation claims, Claudia has demonstrated a commitment to upholding compliance standards while providing compassionate support to employees in need. As a senior HR generalist, she has played a pivotal role in advising leadership on key HR initiatives and driving organizational success through effective HR practices.

Sophie Sylla serves as the Transformative Climate Community Network Manager for the Green Together Collaborative grant at Community Partners, where she supports the implementation of 9 transformative environmental projects in the Northeast Valley. Sophie has a background in education and law, and a passion for social justice. She earned her master’s degree in elementary education at Arizona State University and her JD from University of Southern California.

Dr. Lucretia Taylor is currently a Senior Program Director at Community Partners. She has over twenty years of nonprofit management experience, with expertise in program design and implementation, project management, data analysis, and program evaluation. She is passionate about collaborating with youth development organizations dedicated to serving under-resourced communities.  Dr. Taylor previously served as the Director of Teen and Young Adult Services at a community wraparound center for youth in South Central Los Angeles, supporting teens and young adults to successfully transition to adulthood. These programs included college access and success, career preparation, mentoring, and life skills. Over the years, Dr. Taylor has worked relentlessly to bring the message of resiliency, hope, and empowerment to young people.

Dr. Taylor obtained her B.A. degree from Spelman College in Atlanta, GA and her M.A. in Urban Affairs and Public Policy, with an emphasis in Nonprofit Management, Education, and Evaluation from the University of Delaware. She earned her doctorate in Education with an emphasis in Policy, Reform, and Evaluation from Claremont Graduate University. Dr. Taylor’s research focuses primarily on resources and supports that support youth in the foster care system with successfully transitioning into college and adulthood. Dr. Taylor has been featured on the national PBS television station as an “American Champion” for her work in education and youth development.

Asnida was born and raised in Indonesia until the age of 14, after which she studied in Singapore and finally moved to the United States back in 2006 to pursue her college education while her family still lives in Indonesia. She decided to permanently stay in United States after meeting her husband in Los Angeles. They raise their family of five together in this beautiful California. Asnida received her bachelor’s degree from University of Southern California with a major in Business Finance. After taking a career break to be with her children, she decided to go back to the Finance world while still doing her job as a full-time mother. She loves nature and enjoys some extreme hiking that includes mild rock or rope climbing.

Krystal Torres-Covarrubias (she/her) is a facilitator and learning designer from Gilroy, California [unceded Amah Mutsun territory]. In all things, she is informed by her experience as a queer, brown femme pursuing healing and liberation. Her journey as a first-generation college graduate allowed her to build a practice that is grounded in relationship building and political education in service of advancing more just, equitable, and liberating communities.

Krystal is invested in co-building communities, experiences, and processes where folks thrive. Her past work includes parent organizing with and alongside school partners, national program and campaign development, and equity-centered professional and resource development for a wide range of nonprofit organizations. Krystal has also worked on local and state policy with an emphasis on education, training, curriculum development, and learning management. She is skilled at forming group processes, designing dynamic people-centered experiences, and driving systems change.

Leslie Toy has dedicated her career to championing health equity issues for communities of color through her work at various non-profits and civil rights organizations across the country for over the last decade. At Community Partners she serves as the project lead for the LA Food Equity Fund and previously managed the County COVID-19 Community Equity Fund, an over $16 million investment program, in partnership with the LA County Department of Public Health, Department of Health Services, philanthropy and 58 grassroots community-based organizations (CBOs) working to fight the spread of COVID-19 in communities disproportionately impacted by the virus. In her past roles she has led strategic partnerships with over 60 California CBOs and clinics through the Health Justice Network, which aimed to reduce health disparities across Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders and other communities of color through culturally competent outreach, education, and enrollment. She is passionate about the intersections of health, immigration, and language access. She has worked at Advancing Justice-LA’s Health Access Project and was the Norman Y. Mineta Public Policy Fellow through the Japanese American Citizens League in Washington DC. She has also served on the Washington D.C. and Los Angeles boards of the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum, and currently serves as part of the executive leadership team for API Forward Movement’s advisory board. Leslie graduated from the University of California, Berkeley and is a proud third/fifth-generation Chinese American.

Jasmine was born in Orlando, Florida and moved to Los Angeles during the Summer of 2022. She lives with her senior chihuahua, Meeko. She started with Community Partners as a temp in January 2023 and is now happy to be a full time employee. In her free time she enjoys performing as an actor and a singer.

James Ventura (Ha–Mez) is an administrative, customer service, and project management professional with over eight years of experience optimizing productivity, efficiency, and service quality fostering exceptional customer relations. Specializing in advanced organizational, technical, and business acumen, he joined Community Partners as the Fiscal Sponsorship Associate prior to migrating over to our Procurement department.

James has spent his career working at the intersection of arts, culture, community, and equity. He has held various positions assisting start-ups/small businesses and within the nonprofit sector. After years working in administration, he is in pursuit of gaining accounting, procurement, and finance experience.

James graduated from the University of California Santa Barbara in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in Studio Art and another in Art History, emphasis in Architecture and the Environment. In addition to his work at Community Partners, James is starting his event and floral decoration business.

When he is not at work, James dances for a competitive Latin dance company, enjoys carpentry, and spending time with his English bulldog and two pugs. He believes in the importance of art as therapy which promotes his overall wellbeing to maintain well-rounded personal and professional endeavors.

Stephen has over 15 years of grant administration experience, having worked with institutions of higher education, tribal governments, cities, counties, and non-profits. His grant writing portfolio includes greater than $50 in successful applications. His most recent position was Interim CFO and Grants Administrator for a small nonprofit, where he served for just over two years. He has a doctorate in Political Science & Economics from Claremont Graduate University and a Master’s Degree in Business Taxation from the University of Southern California. Born and raised in Southern California, he completed his undergraduate studies at Claremont McKenna College. He has been married to his wife, Lori, for more than 20 years, and he is the proud father of two daughters, ages 20 and 17. Stephen is an avid Arsenal Football Club fan and enjoys all things soccer related.

James brings 20 years of nonprofit experience to Community Partners, where he manages finance and accounting both core and project operations. Though he works in accounting now, James began his career in social justice philanthropy as a program officer at Liberty Hill Foundation. Since then, James has worked in nonprofit financial analysis at Nonprofit Finance Fund and supported the Chrysalis Center with government grant invoicing, budgeting, cash flow, forecasting, and data analysis. He has also performed general ledger accounting at Green Dot Public Schools and TPx Communications, a for-profit telecommunications firm. A CPA, James holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Certificate in Accounting from UCLA Extension. In his free time, James enjoys Microsoft Excel and playing guitar and piano.

Thomas is a Senior Program Director leading a portfolio of Intermediary programs. He has 20 years of experience and trusted relationships with community organizations, philanthropy, and the public sector across housing, health, climate and transportation. He has spent the last seven years with national intermediary organizations supporting individual leaders and collaborative teams across the country working towards local community investment, as well as expanding the LA County regional ecosystem for equitable smart growth and ensuring benefits for low-income communities of color. Thomas has a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning from USC.

Mohammed Zertaj serves as Assistant Controller at Community Partners. With experience as a Financial Controller at Nuevo Road Animal Hospital, Project Manager at Kaiser Permanente, Financial Coordinator at the Council on American-Islamic Relations National Headquarters, and Servicing Finance Manager at AMERICAN FINANCE HOUSE LARIBA, Mohammed has demonstrated his expertise in financial management and project coordination. His tenure as a Project Manager in Risk Control & Assessment at Southern California Edison (SCE) further highlights his capability in overseeing complex projects and managing risks effectively.

Mohammed’s educational background includes a degree in Accounting from Birmingham City University and ongoing certification as a Chartered Global Management Accountant and Chartered Management Accountant from The Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA).