–
Abby Goldberg
Founder and CEO
Variant Strategies
LinkedIn
Abby is the Founder and CEO of Variant Strategies, a social impact strategy firm and production house. She is an award-winning filmmaker, thought leader, advocate and strategist with over 20 years of experience building and leading human rights organizations and campaigns. Her expertise is in translating complex social justice issues into engaging, relatable formats, resulting in hundreds of thousands of saved lives, millions of dollars in public investment allocated towards critical social needs, and changed laws and policies.
Abby previously co-founded the Global Justice Center, the Haiti Program at Digital Democracy, and the New Media Advocacy Project, and has consulted for the UN and dozens of organizations. She serves on the Global Advisory Board of WorldPulse and recently relocated with her husband and son to LA, where she enjoys hiking and the weather. She looks forward to the leadership experience, friends, and network she will build at Coro.
Andrea Moore
Assistant Director of Community Engagement
University of Southern California, Student Health, Office for Health Promotion Strategy
LinkedIn
Andrea Moore is a public health practitioner with a background in community engagement. She is committed to working towards systemic change to improve health and empowering community members to be leaders in the process. Andrea is currently the Assistant Director of Community Engagement at the University of Southern California’s Office for Health Promotion Strategy. Her department serves as a backbone for the USC Well-being Collective, a coalition of partners committed to strengthening a campus culture driven by well-being. In her role, she builds relationships with partner organizations and supports them in pursuing policy, systems, and environmental changes. Andrea earned a Master’s degree in Communication Management with a focus on Health and Social Change from USC. She is also a proud holder of a Bachelor’s in Theatre and strongly believes that social impact movements can only be strengthened by valuing the wisdom and skills of artists. Through Coro, Andrea looks forward to building her leadership capacity and learning from her fellow cohort members.
Brianna Holmes
Director, Fund Development
California Black Women’s Health Project
LinkedIn
Brianna Holmes is a non-profit professional with 10 years of experience in program and fund development. She has the innovative and entrepreneurial spirit to develop strategies that bring in new opportunities for fundraising, impact, and growth. With a BA in Comparative Women’s Studies from Spelman College, Brianna is now the Director of Fund Development for California Black Women’s Health Project where she has raised over $1 million in funding for programming that empowers Black women to have agency in their health and wellness journey. In her free time, she enjoys cooking and listening to her daughter’s jokes. Through the Coro Women in Leadership program she hopes to refine her vision as a leader and develop the skills to be a strong, thoughtful, and progressive leader in these evolving times.
Chia-Ann Yen
Manager, Chief Executive Office
Los Angeles County
LinkedIn
Chia-Ann is a Budget Manager for the Los Angeles County Chief Executive Office. In her capacity as Budget Manager, she and her staff administrate the budget request process of the Community Services Cluster departments which include Agriculture, Weights & Measures, Animal Care, Beaches & Harbors, LA Library, Parks, Public Works, and Regional Planning. Her team analyzes financial and operational information to make recommendations regarding the allocation of limited resources and also monitors financial performance of the Community Services Departments. She enjoys spending time with friends and exploring the Pacific Northwest Coast on summer road trips with her family. She hopes that by participating in the Women in Leadership cohort, she be inspired by her classmates and bring back what she’s learned from this experience to her staff.
Christina Caballero
Director of Development and Grants Programs
Planned Parenthood of Orange and San Bernardino Counties
LinkedIn
Christina Caballero is the Director of Development at Planned Parenthood of Orange & San Bernardino Counties where she collaborates with a dedicated team of professionals to elevate health equity and increase healthcare access for underserved communities. Her team secures grant awards and implements fundraising initiatives to support the overall organization mission. Additionally, Christina is committed to broadening her network and enhancing her leadership abilities by participating in the Coro Women in Leadership Programming.
Cindy Batres
Program Coordinator
Para Los Niños
LinkedIn
Cindy Batres is a Program Coordinator at Para Los Niños. She is responsible for developing, supporting, and enhancing culturally appropriate services and activities that promote trauma-informed practices. She meets regularly with program staff to provide support with professional development, program planning, and assistance to effectively execute tasks. During her spare time, Cindy enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling with her loved ones. As a Coro participant, she aspires to build a collaborative network of women leaders whom she can work together with beyond the program to address challenges and continue to build upon their leadership and the leadership of others.
Clare Tobin
Director of Economic Intelligence
Do Good LLC
LinkedIn
Clare Tobin is the Director of Economic Intelligence for Do Good LLC, a public affairs consulting firm based in Salt Lake City, where she develops economic and public policy analyses and insights to drive social impact. Prior to Do Good, she served as a leader in the Utah State Legislature’s nonpartisan budget office. Clare recently relocated to Los Angeles and, though still working remotely, has connected with the local community by serving as the board treasurer for Insight LA Meditation. She is excited for the opportunity to build more connections in Southern California through the Coro WIL program.
Crista Campos
Marketing Manager
The Music Center / Gloria Molina Grand Park
LinkedIn
Crista Campos is currently engaged in her role at Gloria Molina Grand Park, powered by The Music Center. Here, she focuses on devising and executing marketing strategies to elevate the park’s profile, extend the reach of its year-round programs throughout Los Angeles, and forge stronger connections with diverse communities. Over the past year, Crista has led a team of two full-time members and six part-time staff, directing marketing efforts for eight cultural programs, one of which drew an impressive attendance of 25,000.
Prior to this, as the Community Outreach and Mobilization Manager at CORE, a global nonprofit, Crista played a pivotal role in expanding impactful community engagement initiatives across Los Angeles County. She also spearheaded business development efforts with Community Development Financial Institutions, prioritizing outreach to underserved Latine communities.
Outside of work, Crista enjoys spending time with her two dogs, Churro and Cinnamon, and actively participates in running with her community group and F45 workouts. Through her involvement in this program, she seeks to enhance her leadership skills and broaden her community network, drawing insights from diverse perspectives and innovative leadership models to address complex challenges and drive meaningful change.
Diédra Washington
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
Beckman Coulter
LinkedIn
Diédra Washington serves as the Senior Manager of Corporate Communications at Beckman Coulter, where she spearheads the development and implementation of impactful communication strategies company-wide. Outside of her professional endeavors, Diédra finds fulfillment in volunteering within her community. Through Coro Women in Leadership program, she looks forward to enhancing her management and leadership skills and fostering connections with other women leaders.
Edna Degollado
Executive Director of Multicultural Affairs
Lee Andrews Group
LinkedIn
Edna Degollado is the Executive Director of Multicultural Affairs at Lee Andrews Group. In her capacity, she plays a pivotal role in driving the firm’s multicultural marketing efforts. With her unique cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary approach, Edna is at the forefront of developing insights-driven strategies that not only acknowledge cultural diversity but harness it to drive consumer action. Her expertise lies in creating campaigns that resonate deeply with multicultural audiences, ensuring that messaging is not just relevant but genuinely meaningful.
Edna is looking forward to developing the skills required to navigate complex challenges, inspire teams, and lead with resilience. She also hopes to connect with a diverse cohort of women leaders whom she can lean on for wisdom, share insights with, and collaborate to foster a supportive community for women. Edna aspires to achieve her professional goals and contribute to other women on their leadership journeys.
Erika Sanchez
Senior Manager of Community Impact
Angel City Football Club
LinkedIn
Erika Sanchez was born and raised in East Los Angeles and is the proud daughter of Mexican immigrant parents. Throughout her career, she has sought opportunities that allow her to blend her passion for sports entertainment with her passion for uplifting her community. Erika is the Senior Manager of Community Impact at Angel City Football Club. In her role, she implements ACFC’s unique sponsorship model, which reallocates 10 percent of each club sponsorship deal back into the LA community via strategic partnerships and programs. In her free time, Erika volunteers with organizations such as Women in Sports and Events LA and enjoys watching sports and listening to music. Community and mentorship have been pivotal in Erika’s career; thus, she is excited to join CORO’s Women in Leadership program and get the opportunity to meet other women in cross-sector networks, learn from them, and support them in their career paths.
Graciela Moran
Associate Director of Policy and Community Engagement
Inland Empire Community Foundation
LinkedIn
Graciela Moran is the Associate Director of Policy and Community Engagement at the Inland Empire Community Foundation. In her role, she oversees the Office of Policy and Engagement, leading the Foundation’s public policy initiatives and community engagement efforts. Graciela is dedicated to fostering institutional relationships and cultivating partnerships with elected leaders on IECF’s pillars of Inclusive Economic Development, Education Equity, Health, Housing, and Climate and the Environment.
As the proud daughter of Mexican immigrants from Colima, Graciela’s commitment to public service in the Inland Empire is reflected in her academic background, holding a Bachelor’s degree in Global Studies from California
State University San Bernardino and a Master’s in Public Administration from San Diego State University.
Driven by a passion for community impact, Graciela looks to gain confidence, career navigation tools, and a supportive network of accomplished women through her participation in Coro, fostering a lifelong support system for her career.
Janelle Parra
Property Manager
City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering
LinkedIn
Janelle Adeloga A. Parra is currently a Property Manager for the City of Los Angeles (City), Bureau of Engineering (BOE). She is a licensed real estate broker with approximately 24 years of City experience and 31 years of real estate experience in the purchase and sale of real properties in the private sector. At BOE, she assists in the planning, and directing of a comprehensive program of real property appraisal, acquisition, disposition, relocation, and right-of-way certifications for multi-billion-dollar-infrastructure-related projects.
To give back to the City and other local agencies, Janelle serves as the President of the Los Angeles Filipino Association of City Employees representing the 6,000+ Filipino-Americans and other City employees. She also serves as the President-Elect for the 2,000+ members of the International Right-of-Way Association, Local Chapter 1.
Janelle hopes to gain a solid network of women and learn more leadership tools to effectively serve the organizations she represents.”
Janka Bond
Assistant Director
UC San Diego MRSEC, Nanoengineering
LinkedIn
Janka is the Assistant Director of the UC San Diego Materials Research Science & Engineering Center (UC San Diego MRSEC) – a major research center funded by the National Science Foundation located at the University of California San Diego. In her role, Janka oversees all managerial, operational, programmatic, student affairs, and budget functions of the Center and collaborates with the Center Leadership on organizational planning and management. Janka currently serves as the President of the UCSD Torrey Pines Speakers Toastmasters, one of the clubs under Toastmasters International, a nonprofit educational organization that builds confidence and teaches public speaking skills. In addition to gaining valuable insights from the experience, Janka has especially enjoyed encouraging and supporting others in their professional development journeys. In her spare time, Janka likes to connect with her birth cultural heritage as an active member of the Slovakian Folk dance group Karicka.
Klaudia Malta
Operations Manager
Inner City Law Center
LinkedIn
Klaudia Malta is the Operations Manager at Inner City Law Center, a nonprofit dedicated to combating homelessness through legal advocacy and housing initiatives. With a background in operations and project management within the marketing industry, Klaudia transitioned into the nonprofit sector, driven by her long-standing passion for social justice and advocacy. Possessing a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative World Literature and a minor in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from CSULB, she brings a diverse perspective to her role. Klaudia focuses on strategic leadership and system enhancements to achieve organizational goals. Klaudia is motivated by a desire to streamline processes and drive organizational success. Through her participation in Coro, she aims to cultivate new leadership skills and foster a supportive network of women leaders.
Margery Weller
Associate Director, Human Resources/Student Success
Para Los Ninos
LinkedIn
Margery Weller is the Associate Director of Human Resources/Student Success for Para Los Ninos (PLN). In this capacity, she provides service and guidance in the area of Human Resources for PLN’s Charter Schools, After School and, Early Education Programs. Her position provides thought partnership to the education leadership team to support the division and provide HR service to PLN education employees. Margery enjoys spending time with her family, she’s an active member of her church, and enjoys baking. She’s very excited to join Coro’s Women in Leadership and looks forward to growing her expertise and professional network.
Melanie Fujii
Grants Manager
The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation
LinkedIn
Melanie Fujii currently serves as a grants manager at The Ralph M. Parsons Foundation, which makes grants to nonprofit organizations serving Los Angeles County residents in the arts, education, health, and human services. She provides grants management support both internally and externally and facilitates the grantmaking process from initial inquiry to grant closure in service to the Foundation’s mission to improve the lives of Angelenos. Beyond her professional role, Melanie enjoys being involved in her church community and continually striving to live a more environmentally conscious lifestyle. She looks forward to connecting and learning with other women through Coro Women in Leadership and hopes to develop greater self-awareness and practice new communication skills.
Melissa Constantino
Music Program Associate Director
Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA)
Melissa Constantino is the Associate Director of Music Programs at Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA) where she oversees the execution and operation of youth music programs and acts as direct supervisor to
music teaching artists and staff. She is a singer, and songwriter with a combined passion for music, community building, and cultural activism. Melissa holds a B.A. in Sociology from UCLA and a Master of Arts in Teaching from Longy School of Music. Through the CORO program, she hopes to develop skills in the areas of adaptive leadership, managing diverse teams, peer-to-peer feedback, and systems thinking.
Melissa Flores
Director of Programs
Arts for LA
LinkedIn
Melissa Flores is a Program and Operations specialist with demonstrated experience interacting with diverse community members and creating positive relationships to further various program outreach. Melissa brings strategic management, holistic program development and thoughtful user experiences to each project. Prior to Arts for LA, Melissa worked with the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator where she helped curate their member experience and bring its community together virtually. Melissa has also worked at The Gabriella Foundation, spearheading various projects including the expansion of their summer camp program to low-resource communities in Los Angeles. In her downtime, Melissa can be found rooting for her favorite team (Go Clippers!), ambitiously working on her running pace, exploring different foods in Los Angeles or having passionate discussions about various prestige TV. Through Coro, Melissa looks forward to strengthening her leadership and learning from other strong women cross-sectorally in Los Angeles.
Monica Banks
Coordinator, Professional Learning and Family Philanthropy
SoCal Grantmakers
LinkedIn
Monica currently serves as the Coordinator for Professional Learning and Family Philanthropy at SoCal Grantmakers. In her role, she leads and supports transformational leadership and family philanthropy programming that equips grant-making professionals with the tools and skills needed to engage in self-reflection, build equitable organizational cultures, and implement equitable grant-making practices. Monica is a lifelong learner passionate about social justice and how the social sector can lead transformative change internally through equitable work cultures and externally by resourcing community leaders and grassroots organizers with the tools to better serve their communities. Through Coro, she hopes to continue refining her unique leadership style and capacity while also cultivating deep relationships with other fellow change makers. In her spare time, Monica enjoys cooking new recipes, reading, and traveling.
Monica Garcia
Associate Director for Grants Management and Compliance
Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority
Monica Garcia has been an integral part of the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA) since 2005, presently holding the role of Associate Director for Grants Management and Compliance. In this capacity, she oversees the daily operations of the Grants Management Unit, ensuring compliance with contractual, statutory, and financial reporting requirements associated with various Funder and Grant Agreements. Monica’s commitment extends to her pursuit of a Doctorate in Business, reflecting her dedication to continuous learning and professional development. Beyond her professional responsibilities, Monica actively engages in civic and extracurricular pursuits. As a participant in Coro Southern California, she aspires to enhance her leadership skills, broaden her understanding of community dynamics, and contribute more effectively to addressing complex social issues.
Naushin Kamal
Senior Civil Engineer
Bureau of Engineering, Department of Public Works, City of Los Angeles
LinkedIn
Naushin Kamal is a Senior Civil Engineer and Assistant District Engineer at the City of Los Angeles, Bureau of Engineering. In this capacity, she oversees Excavation “U” permits issued to utility companies for construction activities in the public right-of-way. In addition, she oversees the Above Ground Facility permits. Naushin started her career as a student intern and has grown and honed her skills in the 20 years she’s been employed with the Bureau of Engineering. She has extensive Project Management and Construction Management experience, while designing and constructing dozens of Proposition O projects, as well the Measure W-Safe Clean Water Project in the City of LA. Her interests include painting, listening to audio books, and taking short hikes with her children. Naushin is excited to join Coro Women in Leadership to network and meet other motivated women. In addition, she looks forward to learning and developing her skill set through this program to be poised as an effective leader.
Rachael Acello
Owner
Acello Leadership Coaching & Development
LinkedIn
A clinically trained leadership coach, facilitator, and trainer, Rachael has over 20 years of experience in mental health, education, and workplace readiness. Her belief that “who we are is how we lead”, inspires Rachael to take a holistic approach to her work, honoring the minds, emotions, and embodied experience of her clients. Her education combines a B.S. in Organizational Communication from Pepperdine University, Dual Master of Divinity and Master of Marriage and Family Therapy degrees from Fuller Theological Seminary, and Relational Neuroscience training from the Mindsight Institute. She delights in helping leaders build the capacity and practices necessary to navigate complexity with composure and show up as their best self in all relational contexts. Outside of work you’ll typically find her reading, walking, watching English Premier League football, or playing complicated board games with friends and family. She looks forward to learning from, supporting, and laughing with her cohort as they explore and practice leadership together.
Rachel Zimmerman
Program Officer
Sequoia Climate Foundation
LinkedIn
Rachel Zimmerman is a program officer at Sequoia Climate Foundation, where she supports grantmaking strategies to decarbonize the United States and the global economy. Rachel holds a M.A. in law and diplomacy from The Fletcher School at Tufts University and a B.A. in international relations from Pomona College. Rachel has long admired Coro’s mission to develop leaders in public affairs to safeguard democracy. She looks forward to growing with this cross-sector cohort of women on her leadership journey.
Stephanie Orozco
Program Officer, Public Policy and Early Care and Education
First 5 LA
LinkedIn
Stephanie Orozco is a Program Officer at First 5 LA on the Public Policy and Early Care and Education team. As a former early educator, Stephanie is passionate about ensuring that every child receives high-quality care and equitable opportunities during the first five years of life. She is an advocate for the ECE workforce, and at First 5 LA, Stephanie works on initiatives that bolster the home-based child care system in LA County by co-designing systems change strategies directly alongside home-based child care providers. Leading this work allows her to live into her belief that efforts to transform systems must be informed by those most impacted by the work.
Stephanie holds an undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley and a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Pacific Oaks College. She is looking forward to connecting with other women in the cohort and gaining confidence as a leader.
Tracy Serrano
Director of Office Operations and Board Relations
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
LinkedIn
Tracy Serrano currently serves as the Director of Office Operations and Board Relations at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes. In this role she works closely with the CEO and Deputy Director to optimize museum operations throughout LA Plaza´s 2.2-acre campus. As the liaison to the Board of Directors, she supports the cultivation of new board members while creating entry points for the board to support multiple facets of LA Plaza´s work. With an academic background in Communications, Tracy is passionate about museums and the preservation of National Parks. In her spare time, she supports the diversification of spaces, most recently as a member of the Latina Golfers Association. Tracy looks forward to the leadership development opportunities provided by Coro´s Women in Leadership. She wishes to enhance her confidence as a leader while being part of a network of inspirational women.
Tshema Nash
Access to Care Program Officer, Community Benefit Giving Office
Cedars-Sinai
LinkedIn
Tshema [Tesh-ma] is a Program Officer in Cedars-Sinai’s Community Benefit Giving Office who is focused on building equitable communities so all have an opportunity to thrive. In her current capacity, Tshema mobilizes fiscal resources and programmatic support to community health clinics, behavioral health organizations, and other non-profits that comprise the Los Angeles County healthcare safety net. Her prior professional experience includes domestic work at the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as well as in-country global work in Ecuador, Bangladesh, South Africa, and Lesotho. Through Coro, Tshema is looking to broaden and deepen her leadership skills while building meaningful connections with fellow women leaders in different sectors. Outside of work, Tshema is enthusiastic about exploring all that the world has to offer in culture, nature, and food.
