Coro’s Women in Leadership Los Angeles program is geared toward helping women and women-identifying professionals access the tools, confidence, and community to deepen their impact as managers and community leaders. Through hands-on learning, expert-led discussions, and interactive sessions, the program delivers practical frameworks grounded in the real challenges women face at work. Participants gain practical leadership skills in a classroom of inspiring women who stay connected long beyond the program’s end.
Meet the women changing the face of leadership in this year’s Women in Leadership Los Angeles cohort.
Meet the Women in Leadership Los Angeles program cohort
Alana Germany
Senior Manager, Administration
Downtown Women’s Center
Alana is the Senior Manager of Administration at Downtown Women’s Center, a Los Angeles-based organization dedicated to ending homelessness through housing, advocacy, and supportive services. In her role, she oversees administrative operations, compliance programs, and organizational systems initiatives to support the agency’s mission and long-term goals. Over the past eight years, Alana has played a key role in strengthening the operational and technological infrastructure needed to support site expansions, organizational growth, and evolving strategic priorities.
Committed to creating lasting impact through mission-driven work, Alana looks forward to participating in Coro’s Women in Leadership program to expand her leadership perspective, build meaningful connections, and amplify her ability to drive collaboration and positive change within her organization and community.
Alicia Hammonds-Reed
Manager
Cedars Sinai, Office of Health Equity
Alicia is a Manager in the Office of Health Equity at Cedars-Sinai Health System, where she leads systemwide health equity data, quality improvement initiatives, strategic collaborations, and the development of the Cedars-Sinai Holman Health Equity Center. She partners with clinical and operational teams to advance equitable care, ensure compliance with state and federal civil rights requirements, and amplify patient voices to improve health outcomes. Alicia leads a growing team dedicated to embedding health equity across the organization.
Outside of work, she enjoys exploring new fitness classes and restaurants, though much of her free time is happily spent with her husband and three-year-old daughter, shuttling between ballet, swim lessons, and new adventures. Through Coro, Alicia hopes to build meaningful connections with other women leaders, strengthen her leadership skills, uncover blind spots, and learn from peers navigating both professional growth and family life.
Anita Ramirez
Program Manager
AADAP Inc., Youth & Family Programs Department
Anita is the Program Manager for Youth & Family Programs at AADAP, Inc., where she oversees program operations, staff development, contract compliance, and community partnerships that support youth and families throughout Los Angeles. Guided by a passion for helping, over the last 13 years, she has grown within the organization from Case Manager, to Lead Case Manager, to Program Coordinator, and now Program Manager. Her commitment to service was shaped by witnessing addiction and hardship within her own family and community, and by her early work supporting women and children experiencing homelessness and domestic violence. As a single mother, Ana is especially passionate about issues affecting women, including affordable childcare, healthcare, housing, and safety. Through the Women in Leadership training, she hopes to strengthen her leadership skills, grow her confidence, and connect with other women leaders who inspire and empower one another.
Annie Sumberg
Vice President of Healthcare Transformation
Essential Access Health
Annie is the Vice President of Healthcare Transformation at Essential Access Health, a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring sexual and reproductive health care is universally recognized as essential. In her role, Annie leads a multidisciplinary department responsible for building provider and health system capacity, administering grant programs, and advancing community-informed approaches to care. She oversees a team working at the intersection of practice transformation, practice optimization, and community engagement.
Outside of work, Annie serves on the Board of the California Abortion Alliance, the Advisory Board of the National Reproductive Health Hotline, and is a trained full spectrum doula. Through Coro’s Women in Leadership program, Annie hopes to sharpen her leadership presence, deepen her ability to build trust and navigate complexity, and connect with a network of women committed to driving meaningful change in their organizations and communities.
Brenda Valadez
Grants & Contracts Manager
Chrysalis, Finance
Brenda is a Grants & Contracts Manager at Chrysalis. She oversees the full lifecycle of contracts and grant-funded programs, focusing on compliance, process management, and coordination across internal teams and external partners to support effective program implementation. Brenda is committed to civic engagement and values opportunities to contribute to initiatives that strengthen communities and expand access to equitable resources. Her interests include leadership development, public service, and cross-sector collaboration.
Through her participation in Coro, Brenda hopes to broaden her perspective on regional challenges, strengthen her leadership skills, and build meaningful relationships with peers across sectors. She aims to apply these insights to better serve her organization and contribute to positive, community-focused impact.
Brittany Maldonado
Account Executive
GrassrootsLab
Brittany is an Account Executive and Managing Editor at public affairs firm GrassrootsLab. She provides strategic communications, public relations, and outreach support for the firm’s clients, including nonprofit organizations and political campaigns. She also oversees GrassrootsLab’s three online news publications, which cover local government, public policy, and education across California.
Outside of work, Brittany serves as Co-Chair of the Communications Committee for her local elementary school PTA, where she enjoys supporting initiatives that strengthen community engagement. Through Coro’s Women in Leadership program, she hopes to grow as a leader, strengthen her public speaking and communication skills, and build meaningful relationships with fellow leaders from across Southern California.
Callie Spaide
Director of Recruitment
Coro California
Callie brings over a decade of nonprofit and cause marketing experience to her role as Director of Recruitment at Coro California. Since joining Coro in 2019, she has built and strengthened recruitment pipelines, leveraging her expertise in partnership cultivation across the organization’s leadership development programs.
Prior to Coro, she held roles at Participant Media, International Medical Corps, and M+R Strategic Services, where she led multi-platform cause-marketing campaigns and successful digital fundraising initiatives. Through her work at Coro, she is committed to building a more just and equitable California with better outcomes for all communities.
Callie holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Brown University. Outside of work, Callie lives on the east side of Los Angeles with her husband, son, and senior cattle dog. She and her husband love watching soccer and have been Angel City FC season ticket holders since the team’s inaugural 2022 season.
Candice Lee
Regional Media Relations and Communications Manager
Kaiser Permanente, Southern California
Candice is the Regional Media Relations Manager for Kaiser Permanente Southern California and Hawaii, where she leads earned media strategy and supports communications across one of the nation’s largest health care systems. She works with local and regional leaders to tell meaningful stories, manage complex issues, and build trust through strategic communications. Candice is passionate about developing people, creating strong community partnerships, and finding new ways to connect organizations with the communities they serve.
Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, exploring California, and spending time volunteering with family and friends. Through Coro, Candice hopes to strengthen her civic leadership skills, learn from leaders across different sectors, and build lasting relationships that will help her make a greater impact in both her community and her career.
Cathy Romero
Marketing & Events Lead
Cathy leads marketing and event initiatives for a global technology company, driving internal operations and strategic brand presence. With over a decade of experience spanning in product marketing, communications, and customer success, she specializes in automating complex processes to bridge the gap between technology and community building. Her background includes managing cross-functional international teams and million-dollar budgets across the tech, security, and entertainment industries, with a focus on streamlining operations, digitizing systems, and building stakeholder trust.
An entrepreneur at heart, Cathy is the founder and owner of Photographs by Cathy, a successful, multi-city portrait photography business in Southern California. She is a lifelong volunteer supporting local civic spaces and a dedicated community advocate who serves on the marketing committee for ALPFA Los Angeles. Outside of her professional pursuits, she is a fan of classic sci-fi, the sitcom 30 Rock, and a proud mom to two sheepadoodles.
Claudia Goytia
Associate Director, Government and Community Relations
Kaiser Permanente
Claudia is Associate Director of Government & Community Relations at Kaiser Permanente, where she advances strategic public policy and community engagement initiatives across Southern California. With expertise in legislative affairs, coalition building, and grassroots advocacy, she works to strengthen partnerships among policymakers, civic leaders, and community stakeholders to drive meaningful impact.
A native of El Salvador and raised in Los Angeles County, Claudia is passionate about civic engagement, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and promoting physical wellness as a foundation for effective leadership. She holds a Master of Urban Planning from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Cal Poly Pomona. As a participant in Coro Women in Leadership, she looks forward to expanding her leadership perspective, learning from accomplished women across sectors, and strengthening her ability to create positive change in the communities she serves.
Deepa Shah
Sales Manager
CBRE, Advisory & Transactions
Deepa is a Sales Manager at CBRE, where she partners with senior leaders to drive strategic direction and day-to-day operations across all commercial real estate disciplines in the Downtown Los Angeles market. She also leads efforts to build efficiencies across CBRE’s platform through technology and AI.
Outside of work, Deepa finds perspective through travel, community volunteering, and mentoring emerging professionals. These are all pursuits that continually shape how she leads and engages with the world around her. Through Coro’s Women in Leadership program, she hopes to deepen her leadership capacity, build lasting relationships with women leaders across sectors, and develop the confidence and voice to leave the industry better than she found it for every woman still making her way up.
Diana Rodriguez-Cea
Manager of Executive Partnerships
Community Initiatives
Originally from Las Vegas, NV, Diana is the Manager of Executive Partnerships at Community Initiatives, where she guides prospective fiscally sponsored projects through inquiry, evaluation, and onboarding while serving as a strategic thought partner on organizational structure and growth. Previously, she led Donor Relations at the Nevada Community Foundation, supporting fundholders, grantmaking, and philanthropic partnerships across Nevada. Diana believes fiscal sponsorship is a powerful vehicle for helping mission-driven leaders transform ideas into sustainable community impact.
Outside of work, she is an avid hiker and volunteers with local search and rescue teams to help locate missing hikers in Southern Nevada. Through Coro, Diana hopes to strengthen her adaptive leadership, deepen her ability to develop and empower others, enhance her capacity to lead through complexity, and build lasting relationships with civic leaders committed to creating positive change across the nation.
Diane Forte
Government Relations Manager
Southern California Edison
Diane is a Government Relations Manager at Southern California Edison (SCE) with more than 15 years of experience in public affairs, helping shape and strengthen cities and communities throughout Southern California. As Government Relations Manager for Los Angeles’ Westside and South Bay cities, Diane serves as SCE’s primary liaison to local governments, educating stakeholders on energy-related issues and SCE projects and helping to resolve concerns. She also manages SCE’s relationships with the Independent Cities Association and the Los Angeles Business Council. Her areas of expertise include strategic visioning, stakeholder engagement, and creative problem-solving.
Prior to joining SCE, Diane served as Deputy Director of External Affairs for the Public Interest Network, Director of Sustainability Programs for the Environment Now Foundation, advisor for Move LA and owner of Forte Strategies. Since 2024, Diane has served on the Board of Directors of Centinela Youth Services (CYS), an organization dedicated to empowering youth and families throughout South Los Angeles County and the South Bay. She is also active with the Westside Council of Chambers of Commerce and serves on the Corporate Advisory Board of California Greenworks. Previously, she served on the board of Sustainable Works.
As a Coro participant, Diane hopes to strengthen her leadership skills while building meaningful relationships with new colleagues and friends. Diane holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics from Brown University and a master’s degree from Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, walking on the beach, participating in the two book clubs she founded, and attending movies, comedy shows, and musical theater performances.
Dominique Minor
Domestic Violence Advocate
Dominique is a Domestic Violence Advocate with a background in operations, legal administration, and nonprofit leadership. She supports survivors by providing crisis intervention, advocacy, and resources while helping create safe, trauma-informed environments. Dominique is also pursuing a Doctor of Social Work, where her research and professional interests focus on financial empowerment, systems change, and expanding economic opportunities for survivors of domestic violence.
Outside of her professional work, she is an author, curriculum developer, and community leader who is passionate about creating practical tools that strengthen individuals and organizations. Through Coro’s Women in Leadership program, Dominique hopes to deepen her leadership skills, expand her network of changemakers, and gain new perspectives that will help her drive innovative, systems-level solutions that create lasting impact for survivors and the communities they call home.
Eleanor Huntington
Senior Consultant
Elevation Health Partners
Eleanor is a Senior Consultant at Elevation Health Partners, where she directs projects in the social safety net space and manages a team of early career consultants. Her work focuses on strengthening the systems and programs that support vulnerable populations. Outside of work, Eleanor volunteers with The People Concern, supporting efforts to address homelessness in Los Angeles. She also holds a deep interest in the intersection of public transit with health, access, and education, and how transportation infrastructure shapes equity across a city.
Through Coro’s program, Eleanor hopes to build a stronger cross-sector network and deepen her understanding of infrastructure opportunities as Los Angeles enters a period of global attention in the years ahead.
Emily Adsit
Director of Research
City of Los Angeles, Council District 10
Emily is the Director of Research for Council District 10, and staffs the Councilwoman for the Budget & Finance and Housing & Homelessness committees. She is an advocate for social and political change through community engaged work, and brings experience in local, state, and federal government, professional performing arts, and multidisciplinary programming. Prior to CD 10, Emily worked in the Public Service Center at UC Berkeley and in the office of then-U.S. Senator Kamala D. Harris. Emily holds a B.A. in Performing Arts and Social Justice from the University of San Francisco. She looks forward to the opportunity to build community with other women in leadership through Coro while learning from a diversity of perspectives and experiences.
Erika Valencia-Quidwai
Director of Operations
The Representation Project
Erika is the Director of Operations at The Representation Project, a national social-justice media nonprofit. In this role, she leads operations, finance, and technology infrastructure, building the systems that keep a lean, mission-driven team running while also supporting its film distribution and development work. Originally from Lynwood, she brings over a decade of experience spanning healthcare administration and nonprofit operations, and is currently pursuing her MBA.
Outside of work, Erika advocates for women of color and for rehabilitative programming for incarcerated men, interests that shape both her academic work and her vision for systemic change. She is also a devoted Dodgers fan with a love of music, film, and history. Through Coro, Erika hopes to sharpen her cross-sector leadership skills, build relationships across California’s civic landscape, and translate her operational expertise into lasting community impact.
Gohar Chichian
Director of Communications
Coro California
Gohar is the Director of Communications at Coro California, where she leads brand marketing, content strategy, and storytelling to grow the organization’s online presence and elevate awareness of its mission. With 13 years of nonprofit development and communications experience, she has managed multi-channel campaigns for organizations supporting youth education, immigrant literacy, and community engagement. She is passionate about amplifying the voices of youth and BIPOC communities, building community through storytelling, and expanding equitable access to resources. She serves on the Advisory Board of The Pad Project, a global nonprofit that champions menstrual equity for women and girls.
Outside of work, she enjoys the outdoors with her husband, son, and dog, playing Dungeons & Dragons, and reading fantasy novels.
Through Coro California’s Women in Leadership program, Gohar hopes to strengthen her leadership skills, build a supportive network of women for inspiration and growth, expand her cross-sector connections, and gain greater confidence as a leader in her field.
Irma Quintero
Supervising United Mental Health Promoter
Para Los Niños, Family Services
Irma is the Supervising Mental Health Promoter at Para Los Niños, supporting its mission to improve the well-being of children, families, and individuals experiencing homelessness and other challenges. She has been with the organization for 12 years.
In her current role, Irma supervises a team of seven Mental Health Promoters who provide outreach and support to the unhoused population throughout SPA 6. Her team connects individuals and families to essential community resources, behavioral health services, housing referrals, and other supportive services. They also facilitate workshops, participate in community events, and collaborate with local partners to promote mental health awareness, reduce stigma, and increase access to care.
Irma actively participates in extracurricular and community engagement activities that support the populations they serve. These include organizing health fairs, wellness events, resource fairs, holiday drives, back-to-school events, and community outreach initiatives. She enjoys building strong partnerships with community organizations, mentoring staff, and creating opportunities that empower individuals and families to access services, strengthen resilience, and improve their overall quality of life.
Ivet Samvelyan
Vice President
Hope the Mission
Ivet serves as the Vice President of Mission and Impact at Hope the Mission. In this capacity, she oversees the strategic design, implementation, and evaluation of the organization’s life-changing programming, focusing on maximizing social impact and expanding critical services for individuals experiencing homelessness. Outside of her professional role, Ivet is deeply engaged in local civic initiatives and regional advocacy coalitions dedicated to community development and housing equity.
Through her participation in Coro, Ivet hopes to sharpen her cross-sector leadership skills, gain deeper insights into regional public policy dynamics, and collaborate with a diverse cohort of peers to drive sustainable, systemic change across the region.
Julie Villalpando
Associate Director, Health Services
QueensCare Health Alliance
Julie is the Associate Director of Health Services at QueensCare Health Alliance, where she partners with schools and community organizations to provide free dental, vision, mental health, and spiritual services to thousands of patients throughout Los Angeles County each year. Throughout her career, she has been committed to fostering a culture led by compassion and equity, ensuring that people in need receive proper care and support.
Beyond her professional responsibilities, Julie is passionate about community wellness, social impact, and initiatives that create opportunities for underserved populations. She values collaboration and building strong partnerships that strengthen communities and expand access to essential services.
Through her participation in Coro, Julie is excited for the opportunity to learn from accomplished women leaders, gain new perspectives on leadership, and build meaningful relationships that will support her personal and professional growth.
Kaia Partlow
Vice President
Actum
Kaia, Vice President at Actum, is a skilled communicator with a background in political campaigns and legislative advocacy. At Actum, she plays an integral role in mobilizing organizations and groups around legislative initiatives. Throughout her career, Kaia has guided a variety of public and private sector clients through crisis situations and provided expertise in strategic communications and stakeholder engagement. Her expertise includes leading executives through successful media training and serving as a Public Information Officer (PIO) on behalf of public agencies while cultivating strong relationships with media outlets.
Outside of work, she enjoys exploring new restaurants, traveling, and spending time with her friends and family. Through the Coro Women in Leadership program, Kaia hopes to strengthen her professional network in Los Angeles and gain valuable tools that will help her grow as a leader.
Leslie Cayton
Regional Planner
Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), Planning Strategy
Leslie is a Regional Planner at the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), where she supports the development of Connect SoCal, the region’s long-range transportation plan. She leads the Connect SoCal Futures exploratory scenario planning effort and oversees stakeholder engagement with local agencies, community organizations, and regional partners.
Leslie is passionate about scenario planning, foresight, and building more equitable and resilient communities. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring new places, lifelong learning, crochet, embroidery, playing with her cat (MKT Kimchi), and replacing invasive plant species with native plants.
Through Coro’s Women in Leadership program, Leslie hopes to learn alongside other leaders while strengthening her leadership presence, expanding her network, and building the confidence and influence needed to translate ideas into action.
Lilly Hood
Chief of Staff
(LA28 Activity), British Consulate Los Angeles
Lilly is the Chief of Staff for the LA28 programme at the British Consulate General in Los Angeles, where she supports the United Kingdom’s preparations for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Working at the intersection of diplomacy, sport, government, and international engagement, she coordinates strategic planning, stakeholder relationships, high-level visits, and cross-sector partnerships that advance UK interests and visibility in the lead-up to the Games. Her role involves collaborating with Team GB, ParalympicsGB, government agencies, and civic and private sector partners across both the UK and the United States.
Having recently relocated from the UK, Lilly is enthusiastically embracing life in California. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, exploring wine country, and trying her hand at line dancing. Through Coro, Lilly hopes to gain a deeper understanding of Los Angeles’ civic ecosystem, strengthen her leadership skills, and build meaningful relationships with fellow leaders committed to making a positive impact across the region.
Loretha Villalobos
Program Manager
AADAP Inc., Outpatient
Loretha Villalobos is the Program Manager for the Asian American Drug Abuse Programs (AADAP) Outpatient Department. She oversees a continuum of treatment services for adults, youth and families. With more than 15 years of dedicated service at AADAP, Loretha has been instrumental in developing innovative programs and expanding substance use treatment for underserved populations.
Loretha is an Associate Clinical Social Worker and a Certified Addiction Specialist. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Social Work from California State University, Dominguez Hills. As a collaborative and compassionate leader, she is dedicated to advancing equitable behavioral health services, empowering individuals, families, and communities to thrive.
Her civic interest is infant and maternal mortality and the disparities of healthcare for black mothers. She enjoys spending quality time with her family and vacationing. Through the program, she hopes to gain the knowledge and skills to be an effective leader.
Lyndsey Nolan
Senior Regional Planner
Southern California Association of Governments
Lyndsey is a senior regional planner at SCAG (Southern California Association of Governments), where she has led the development and administration of the Sustainable Communities Program – Civic Engagement, Equity, and Environmental Justice (SCP CEEEJ). SCP CEEEJ is a unique pilot grant program encouraging jurisdictions to partner directly with community-based organizations on local planning projects. As program manager, Lyndsey fosters cross-sector partnerships on dynamic teams, navigates complex administrative challenges, and oversees over $3 million in grant funding. In addition, Lyndsey is beginning to shape a new program area in her department focused on capacity-building.
Outside of work, Lyndsey is active in mutual aid and other grassroots organizing efforts. She loves being outside, riding her bike (solo and group rides), gardening, and playing with her newly-adopted cat, Cielito. Lyndsey looks forward to connecting with other Coro members and learning new skills.
Marlene Cole
Program Officer
First 5 LA
Marlene is a Program Officer in the Family Supports Department at First 5 LA. Marlene manages First 5 LA’s agreements with health plans and home visiting providers. She collaborates with county departments, Medi-Cal managed care plans, and other partners to increase revenue for home visiting programs and improve practices and systems to better meet the needs of young children and their families. Marlene is the internal point person for the Parents as Teachers home visiting model, provides programmatic guidance to the Stronger Families Database workgroup, and serves as a co-lead for the Los Angeles County Perinatal and Early Childhood Home Visitation Consortium Referrals Workgroup. Outside of work, Marlene enjoys spending time with family and friends, hiking, traveling, baking, reading novels, and volunteering with her synagogue.
Miriam Hernandez
Partnership for Los Angeles Schools
Miriam works at Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, where she supports 20 schools in aligning supplemental funds with student needs, equity priorities, and measurable outcomes. Her responsibilities include guiding budget development, facilitating coaching conversations, and strengthening tiered systems of support for school leadership teams and Principal Supervisors so resources are used strategically across school communities.
Through Coro, Miriam hopes to deepen her leadership capacity in systems change, cross-sector collaboration, and equity-centered decision-making. She also seeks to become more effective at leading through change, building strong partnerships, and helping teams move from thoughtful planning to coordinated action that produces lasting, positive change for students and families. Miriam is especially interested in immigration advocacy and animal rescue and fostering, particularly pugs. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors, running, and exploring new foods and restaurants.
Mirna Camarena
Program Manager
Mirna Camarena oversees the day-to-day operations of the case management department, ensuring that individuals and families experiencing vehicular homelessness receive high-quality, compassionate services. She leads and supports case management staff while fostering a collaborative, client-centered approach to service delivery.
Mirna is actively involved in community engagement and outreach. She works to educate community members, partners, and stakeholders about vehicular homelessness, helping to build awareness, reduce stigma, and strengthen partnerships that support individuals living in their vehicles.
Outside of her professional role, Mirna is deeply committed to serving her faith community. At her church, she oversees the VIP Ministry, where she leads follow-up efforts with first-time visitors to ensure they feel welcomed, connected, and supported as they become part of the church community.
Through this leadership opportunity, she hopes to strengthen her leadership skills, expand her confidence as a leader, and develop practical strategies that she may share with and implement alongside her team. She seeks to grow in her ability to confidently advocate for herself and her department, particularly when navigating leadership conversations and decision-making within a predominantly male-led organization. Her goal is to become an even more effective, influential, and empowering leader who champions both her staff and the communities she serves.
Nadine Levyfield
Consultant
Sunflower Strategies LLC
Nadine Levyfield is the founder and consultant at Sunflower Strategies LLC, a boutique consulting firm that supports nonprofit organizations with communications, fundraising, and strategy. Her specialty is working with executive directors to strengthen institutional knowledge and philanthropy goals.
Before launching her company, Nadine spent 12 years advancing social, racial, and economic justice in Los Angeles through capacity building, community organizing, and leadership development at nonprofits including Executive Service Corps of Southern California (ESC) and Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy (LAANE). She holds a Master’s in Human Development: Leadership in Education and Human Services from Pacific Oaks College and a Bachelor’s in Media Studies from UC Berkeley.
Nadine is eager to learn and grow collaboratively with the Women in Leadership cohort, explore her leadership journey as a mid-career professional, and make lasting connections in the Coro community. She is a native Angeleno who lives with her husband, son, and daughter in Eagle Rock.
Paola Fernandez
Government and Public Affairs Consultant
Paola is a senior public sector consultant and mission-driven leader who most recently served as a Manager in Deloitte’s Government and Public Service practice, where she partnered with government, nonprofit, and private sector organizations to turn strategy into meaningful impact. With more than a decade of experience, she has a proven track record of translating vision into operational excellence.
As a proud daughter of Ecuadorian immigrants and lifelong Angeleno, Paola is deeply committed to advancing equitable opportunities through civic leadership. She serves as Membership Director for Latinas Lead California, a member of the Board of Governors for the University of Southern California’s Alumni Association, and Community Partnership Lead for the Latino Community Foundation’s Los Angeles Latino Giving Circle. Through Coro’s program, she hopes to deepen her leadership skills, learn alongside a diverse cohort of changemakers, and build lasting relationships that strengthen her impact across sectors.
Shani Carter McKinney
Senior Strategy Officer
Conrad N. Hilton Foundation
Shani is a Senior Strategy Officer at the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, where she leads strategic plan development, advances management and capacity for program-related investments, and strengthens grantmaking systems. Previously, she advised the Chief of Schools at Los Angeles Unified School District on district-wide strategy and led economic development strategy at HR&A Advisors.
Outside of work, she serves as Board Member of LocoL (dba Alta Community) in Watts, a nonprofit community-based restaurant and training hub that expands access to affordable, high-quality food while creating career pathways and entrepreneurial opportunities for local residents. She recently welcomed her first child.
Shani holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, a Master in Urban Planning from Harvard’s Graduate School of Design, and a BBA from Howard University. Through the Women in Leadership program, she hopes to build community with women leaders, refine tools for navigating change, and advance wellbeing for Angelenos through cross-sectoral partnerships.
Stephanie Cook
Attorney
Best Best & Krieger LLP
Stephanie is an Environmental Attorney at Best Best & Krieger, where she advises public agency clients on environmental, land use, and administrative law matters. Prior to BBK, she served at the California Coastal Commission, where she supported the agency’s mission to California’s coastline. Beyond her environmental practice, Stephanie has held several public service and community-focused roles, advancing legislation and policy initiatives that support community violence intervention and other public-interest priorities. Together, these experiences reflect her deep commitment to public service.
Stephanie earned her Juris Doctor from Emory University School of Law and holds a Master of Arts, magna cum laude, in Environmental History and a Bachelor of Arts in American History from Seton Hall University.
Stephanie is excited to join Coro’s Women in Leadership program to connect with a diverse network of accomplished women leaders, strengthen her leadership skills, and gain new perspectives that will enhance her ability to make a lasting impact in her community.
Tammy Blount
Director of Children’s Intensive Services
SCHARP, High Fidelity Wraparound and MAT
Tammy is the Director of Children’s Intensive Services at Southern California Health & Rehabilitation Program (SCHARP), where she provides strategic, operational, and clinical leadership for county-funded behavioral health programs serving children, youth, and families throughout Los Angeles County. She oversees High Fidelity Wraparound and the Multidisciplinary Assessment Team (MAT), leading multidisciplinary teams that improve outcomes for youth involved in the mental health, child welfare, probation, and education systems.
A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with more than 12 years of leadership experience, Tammy advanced from Family Facilitator to Director through her commitment to family-centered care, collaboration, and systems transformation. She is passionate about developing emerging leaders, strengthening cross-sector partnerships, and advancing equitable behavioral health services that create lasting, positive outcomes for children, families, and communities.
Yasmin Semerdjian
Vice President; Business Support Manager
Business Banking Centralized Sales West Region; Bank of America
Yasmín is a Vice President, Business Support Manager for the West Region Business Banking Centralized Sales team at Bank of America, where she provides operational and performance support for the West Region team. She partners with leaders to enhance the client experience, manage operational risk, and ensure compliance with federal regulations. Passionate about coaching excellence, Yasmín helps leaders develop bankers’ ability to have holistic conversations that uncover clients’ business priorities and deliver tailored financial solutions that strengthen relationships. She also collaborates proactively with business partners to improve processes and drive operational efficiencies that create a differentiated client experience.
Beyond her day-to-day responsibilities, Yasmín is an active member of Bank of America’s Los Angeles Community Volunteers Council and participates in multiple employee networks. Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her family. Through Coro’s Women in Leadershi program, Yasmín looks forward to connecting with other women leaders, expanding her professional network beyond Bank of America, and strengthening her communication and influence skills.
Yesenia Rodrigues
Program Manager
Liberty Hill Foundation
Yesenia Rodrigues is a Program Manager at Liberty Hill Foundation focused on supporting youth-serving organizations and advancing youth justice efforts. Her work centers on capacity building, partnership development, and community impact. In her free time, she enjoys visiting museums, exploring new restaurants, and spending time with family. Through Coro, she hopes to grow as a leader, learn from diverse perspectives, and build lasting connections with others working to create positive change.
About the Women in Leadership program in Los Angeles
Designed for women and women-identifying professionals, Coro California’s Women in leadership program focuses on self, social, and system awareness to equip women with the practical skills to make progress on the complex challenges they face at work and beyond. Spanning four months and 10 experiential sessions, the curriculum tackles the everyday realities of leading teams as a woman in the workplace through modules on negotiation, communication, and systems thinking. The program blends expert-led discussion with practical, apply-it-tomorrow tools that participants can put to work immediately.
The benefits of the Women in Leadership program
Graduates of the program leave a certificate and the tools to lead more efficiently and effectively. Participants sharpen their ability to manage teams, navigate difficult conversations, and think strategically about the systems they operate within. Just as important is who they meet along the way and the chance to join a lifelong cross-sector network of 15,000+ Coro alumni across the country.
Curious what this program could do for your career? Explore the Women in Leadership program and take the first step toward joining a future cohort of Los Angeles leaders.
Learn more about Coro California’s leadership development programs.
Gohar Chichian
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