Meet the 2022 Workforce Leadership Network
Cohort

Alejandra Ferreyra
Employment Specialist
Chrysalis
Coro Southern California Cohort
Alejandra Ferreyra is an Employment Specialist with Chrysalis Non-Profit Organization, where she has provided ongoing case management and employment services for 5 years. Alejandra is a first-generation Latina grad as she earned her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. She is an advocate for mental health and strives for access to education and resources to underrepresented communities. Alejandra is a creative individual, and recently took a leap of faith and started her own Photography business, AleLuyaa Photography in May of 2021. Alejandra is excited to join the Workforce Leadership Network and looks forward to the opportunity to network and build relationships with other leaders.

Alejandra Guitron
Senior Port Communications Specialist
Port of Long Beach
Coro Southern California Cohort
Alejandra Guitron is a Sr. Port Communications Specialist for the Port of Long Beach. Alejandra oversees educational outreach, including internships, scholarships, the Academy of Global Logistics at Cabrillo High School, the Maritime Center of Excellence at Long Beach City College, and the ACE Academy at Jordan High School. With a B.A. degree in Human Development from Cal State, she is the first in her family to attend a four-year university and is passionate about education programs that develop workforce opportunities for youth. A first generation Mexican American, Alejandra is a native of Long Beach, where she and her husband and daughters still live.

Alexandra Shade
Workforce Development Manager
GRID Alternatives Bay Area
Coro Northern California Cohort
Alexandra Shade is the Workforce Development Manager for the GRID Alternatives Bay Area regional office and has been at the organization since 2019. She graduated from MIT with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Sustainable Development and Innovation. She has collaborated with people around the world to work on the product design of low-cost, practical innovations to address global poverty challenges in developing countries. A San Diego native, she returned to California to pursue her interest in inclusive sustainable technology and found GRID Alternatives through their Solarcorps Fellowship program.

Alexandria Baker
South Bay Manager, PowerPathway Program
Pacific Gas & Electric
Coro Northern California Cohort
Alexandria Baker is the South Bay Manager for Pacific Gas & Electric’s PowerPathway Team and Lead for the Women in Trades Initiative. With over 20 years in marketing and program management, she has held a variety of roles, including promoting economic development programs for the Indiana Department of Commerce and serving as a program administrator/adjunct business instructor for Carl Albert State College in Oklahoma. Alex graduated from DePauw University with a degree in Communication and earned her MBA through Indiana Wesleyan University. Through Coro, Alex hopes to gain more insight into workforce strategies and gain skills around leadership, collaboration, and networking.

Candace Wagner
Estimator/Project Manager
RF Contractors
Coro Northern California Cohort
Candace Wagner is a Chief Estimator for RF Contractors and Project Manager. She has 6 years of experience in the commercial, multi-family and residential construction industry. Prior to transitioning to estimating and project management, Ms. Wagner spent 4 years working for a Property Management company working alongside DR Horton to develop single family homes and condos, while managing 17 HOA Communities throughout Texas. Through the Workforce Leadership Network, Candace hopes to build on and improve her leadership skills and develop the necessary tools, knowledge, and abilities to inspire and impact her team, collaborative partners, and community.

Caroline Perry
Senior Account Executive
Elevate Public Affairs
Coro Southern California Cohort
Caroline Perry works for Elevate Public Affairs as a Senior Account Executive where she focuses on strategic communications, media relations and community engagement. Through her work at Elevate, Caroline proactively supports clients in achieving their mission and drives meaningful change in the communities they serve. Caroline is thrilled to join the Coro Workforce Leadership Network and is looking forward to learning from this esteemed group of leaders and building lasting relationships.

Denise Ocana
Emergency Food & Shelter Program and Utilities Specialist
United Way of Greater Los Angeles
Coro Southern California Cohort
Denise Ocana is a social service provider with 9 years of experience. Currently, Denise is the Emergency Food & Shelter Program and Utilities Specialist for the United Way of Greater Los Angeles. Prior to the pandemic, Denise worked on a pilot workforce development program aimed at increasing employment pathways for individuals experiencing homelessness. In her free time, Denise loves volunteering helping immigrant families learn new skills. Denise is the proud daughter of Central American immigrants and a first-generation college graduate. She holds a BA in Political Science from UCLA and an MA in Public Administration from CSUN.

Edna Rivera
Training Partnerships Manager, SECTOR
Chrysalis
Coro Southern California Cohort
Edna Rivera is the Training Partnerships Manager, SECTOR at Chrysalis. Edna has been a pivotal member of the team in the creation of operational processes and finding additional resources to help and assist participants so they have the tools necessary to succeed. When she was the Administrator with the temporary employment program Roads, she helped justice-impacted individuals attain work experience through Caltrans. Through Coro’s Workforce Leadership Network, she hopes to continue gaining the skills needed to become a better leader by collaborating and learning from peers around her.

Enjema Hudson
Program Analyst II
City of Oakland
Coro Northern California Cohort
Enjema Hudson has over 25 years of experience in workforce development and social services. She is currently a Program Analyst II for the City of Oakland’s Economic and Workforce Development Department, where she oversees the administration of federal and city workforce funding at Oakland’s four America’s Job Centers of California. Prior to the City of Oakland, Enjema worked for Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services. Enjema’s purpose in joining the Workforce Leadership Network is to grow her leadership skills and develop a deeper knowledge base and peer network.

Germaine Davis
Assistant One Stop Operator/Events Coordinator
Oakland Private Industry Council, Inc.
Coro Northern California Cohort
Germaine Davis is the Assistant One Stop Operator/Events Coordinator at Oakland Private Industry Council, Inc. She is dedicated to creating innovative ideals that produce results for job seekers in the Oakland community. Through collaborations with Community Based Organizations and working with Employers, she always reminds them of her common goal that must be shared amongst all, “ONE EMPLOYER, ONE PERSON, ONE JOB AT A TIME!” Germaine is committed to making an impact to secure jobs for Oakland residents as well as creating meaningful business engagements that will last a lifetime!

Giovanna Brasfield
CEO & Principal Consultant
Brasfield & Associates
Coro Southern California Cohort
Giovanna Brasfield (Dr. G) is CEO of Brasfield & Associates. Dr G is an accomplished diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) advocate with over 18 years of experience in construction focusing on leadership and DEI program development, training, education and outreach for the construction industry and construction-related trades. A longtime consultant and advocate for DEI education, workforce issues and small businesses, Dr. G is a change agent across the construction industry. Recent recognition for her work includes 2022 Women of Influence for Construction, Architecture and Engineering – Los Angeles Business Journal, 2021 Outstanding Women In Construction – Construction Business Owner.

Greg Rideout
Chief Program Officer
Seneca Family of Agencies
Coro Northern California Cohort
Greg Rideout earned his bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Elementary Education from Colby College and went on to earn a master’s degree in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis. After two years of direct services in child welfare, Greg launched what has grown into a 25-year career in nonprofit management. After spending the last 20 years leading youth development and workforce development programming in New York City, Greg recently relocated to Northern California and returned to child welfare, serving as Chief Program Officer for Community-Based Programs at Seneca Family of Agencies. He is also an Adjunct Professor at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Services.

Greta Setian
Human Services Administrator I
Los Angeles County Workforce Development, Aging and Community Services
Coro Southern California Cohort
Greta Setian is the Senior Deputy Director for the Los Angeles County’s Workforce Development Board. She is the principle coordinator with the Workforce Divisions planning and policy development and oversees the Innovation Fund Program, board’s day-to-day operations, budgetary, legislative, and strategic planning processes. She strongly believes the unique value and role of local workforce boards as leaders in the regional economy shaping the future of the workforce system. Greta hopes to make a greater impact in the community by
expanding her network of thought-leaders through Coro‘s Workforce Leadership Network and build a long lasting partnership with her fellows.

Jana Lesh
Controls Mechanic
Los Angeles Department of Water and Power
Coro Southern California Cohort
Jana Lesh is employed with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power as a Controls Mechanic. She founded a tradeswomens solidarity group which has partnered with LADWP executive management to develop ways to improve recruitment and retention of women in skilled-trade jobs. Prior to her work with LADWP, she worked in Strategy and Operations in the K-12 progressive education movement, specializing in leveraging community partners to improve learner engagement and connect curriculum to the real world. She has a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Studies and a master’s degree in Energy Management.

Jorge Orozco
Director of Youth Workforce Services (YWS)
Para Los Niños (PLN)
Coro Southern California Cohort
Jorge Orozco joined Para Los Niños (PLN) in 2005 and currently serves as Director of Youth Workforce Services (YWS). In this position, Jorge’s responsibilities include supervision of YWS staff, workforce and education programs supporting over 2,000 youth ages 14-24 including paid internships, vocational training, college preparation and success and high school dropout recovery. Jorge earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from California State University, Los Angeles, and several leadership fellowships and certifications, including Leaders L.A. and Next Leaders Development Program and USC’s Nonprofit Resilient Leaders and Capacity Building Program.

Kriztina Palone
Workforce Development Manager
City of Sacramento – Office of Innovation & Economic Development
Coro Northern California Cohort
Kriztina Palone is a Sacramento native who currently serves as the Workforce Development Manager in the Office of Innovation & Economic Development for the City of Sacramento. In this role, she leads a portfolio of workforce development initiatives and programs focused on addressing the workforce needs of marginalized and vulnerable communities. Kristina has 17 years of experience working in local government, with 10-years in the San Francisco Mayor’s Kriztina holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work, from San Francisco State University.

Latoya Reed
Management Analyst
Alameda County Workforce Development Board
Coro Northern California Cohort
Ms. Latoya Reed is a Management Analyst at the Alameda County Workforce Development Board (ACWDB). Ms. Reed leads analytical endeavors for ACWDB, as well as program policy development, strategic local planning, labor market analyses, and leads the department’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, while collaborating on special initiatives that dually support department and agency goals. Ms. Reed earned a master’s degree in Social Welfare from UC Berkeley, with an emphasis in Management and Planning. As an American-born West African with Tennessee and Bay Area roots, Ms. Reed is also passionate about fostering Pan- African collaborations.

Leslie Alfaro
Policy Manager
Bay Area Council
Coro Northern California Cohort
Leslie Alfaro is a Policy Manager at the Bay Area Council, focusing on the Workforce of the Future Initiative and gender equity and diversity issues. As a first-generation college student, Leslie is passionate about creating a more equitable education system that works for all students. Prior to joining the Bay Area Council Leslie worked with families in East Oakland for Children’s Home Society of California. Leslie also served as a VISTA Volunteer for the City of San Antonio’s Head Start program. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a major in Sociology and a minor in Global Poverty & Practice. In her free time Leslie enjoys watching live music and spending time outside.

Linda Liu
Junior Management Assistant, Strong Workforce Program
City College of San Francisco
Coro Northern California Cohort
Linda Liu works at City College of San Francisco managing workforce development grants to fund career technical education courses and programmatic supplies. Her passion is in workforce development, to ensure people have access to job opportunities, to allow them to live, work and thrive in San Francisco. Her dream is for public, private, and nonprofit sectors to work together and create access to job opportunities in high-demand industries. Linda also serves on the Board of Directors for San Francisco Women’s Political Committee. She graduated with a BA in Political Science and Ethnic Studies at the University of California, San Diego, and a MA in Public Administration, at the University of San Francisco.

Lynley Closson
Program Officer, Economic Mobility Team
United Way of Greater Los Angeles
Coro Southern California Cohort
Lynley Closson works as a Program Officer on the Economic Mobility team at United Way of Greater Los Angeles. Her north star is to “listen first” and meet people and communities where they are. At United Way, Lynley supports the Los Angeles community by making and advancing investments in crisis supports, stabilizing supports, and wealth building supports to promote the economic well being of Angelenos. In her free time, she serves on the board of Happy Valley Conference Center in Santa Cruz, CA, and as Vice President of the Graceland University Alumni Board. As a newer Angeleno, Lynley hopes to deepen her connections and learn from her peers through the Coro Workforce Leadership Network.

Lynne Wilkins
Owner/Director
Community English Center
Coro Northern California Cohort
Lynne Wilkins is the Owner/Director of the Community English Center, with 30+ years experience delivering effective communications and digital literacy training to employees and clients of corporations and community partners in the SF Bay Area. Before becoming an entrepreneur, she was the Director of Programs and the Director of Corporate Training for Industry at The English Center in Oakland, CA, helping non-native English speaking job seekers to take advantage of their work experience and life skills to find employment in the U.S. She holds a B.A. from Mills College in Second Language Pedagogy and a M.A. from SFSU in Teaching English as a Second/Foreign Language.

Mariel Estrada Bonilla
Workforce Development Director
Building Skills Partnership
Coro Northern California Cohort
Mariel Estrada Bonilla is the Director of Workforce Development for Building Skills Partnership where she works to provide professional development opportunities to janitors throughout California. Mariel brings years of experience supporting and developing programming for marginalized populations, especially immigrants. Because she is a first-generation immigrant herself, Mariel is particularly interested in exploring the intersection between immigrant labor, workforce development, and education. She is excited to join a cohort of like-minded individuals who care about making a difference in the lives of working people.

Mario Wagner
Board Member
Alameda County Workforce Development Board
Coro Northern California Cohort
Mario Wagner is a local Bay Area Contractor dedicated to his family, work, and community. He is set on enhancing the process of how the community engages the Workforce and businesses as a whole. What inspires him is the efforts within his network and the commitment others take in solving issues that are hardships that hinder growth and equity. Mario is excited to work with so many others to collectively strengthen leadership skills, learning from one another across the workforce sector which will have a huge impact going forward. He believes that lots of people possess the ability to become leaders but it takes a very special person to lead.

Miguel Velasco
Senior Workforce Development Specialist
City and County of San Francisco
Coro Northern California Cohort
Miguel Velasco is an experienced Workforce Development Specialist who brings robust knowledge in the private, nonprofit and public sectors. As a former director of Workforce Development Programs, he brings a foundation in development, implementation, and facilitation of projects aimed towards the community, including job placements and retention, development of technology and basic computer training programs, relief funds, housing support, and community engagement. As an immigrant himself, his goal is to create programs that will enhance community members’ lives, and provide support, especially to monolingual Spanish speakers. He currently works for the City and County of San Francisco.

Dr. Porsha Cropper
Senior Deputy for Legislation, Education, and Workforce Development
Los Angeles City Council District 10
Coro Southern California Cohort
Dr. Porsha Cropper is the Senior Deputy for Legislation, Education, and Workforce Development for Los Angeles City Council District 10 where she leads a number of workforce equity programs. Before joining the 10th District, she served as Assistant Senior Deputy of Education and Workforce Development in Los Angeles County’s Second District where she led the Careers for a Cause Program, a program that connects individuals with lived experience to careers in the homeless service industry. Dr. Cropper graduated from Stanford University with a BA in Political Science. She also earned a Ph.D. in Government and Social Policy from Harvard University.

Rolando Cruz
Senior Program Manager, PREP
A Place Called Home
Coro Southern California Cohort
Rolando Cruz is the Senior Manager of PREP and a long-time fighter of Social Justice with a passion for Los Angeles, employment development, and community organizing. Rolando started his career under the guidance of Fr. Greg Boyle S.J. at Homeboy Industries. Later working for Chrysalis serving Skid Row’s community as an Employment Specialist and then as a Program Manager. He believes that the best way to serve the community is by empowering the community. He has applied this belief both through his career and as a leader of the Boyle Heights Bridge Runners, a community-led running crew that helps runners of all levels to come together.

Rose Ivonne Marquez
Program Manager, Breaking Barriers
Chrysalis
Coro Southern California Cohort
Rose Ivonne grew up in Los Angeles, California at a time when incarceration, drug abuse, and homelessness were at an all-time high. It was not until she became a Case Manager that she realized the impact that can be made in an individual’s life once they receive the proper support and resources. Rose Ivonne has partnered with several organizations to help implement new procedures, create programming and facilitate access to resources specific to underserved populations. Her mission is to support individuals break down barriers and overcome obstacles while on their path towards self-sufficiency.

Sam Joo
Vice President of Student and Community Services
Para Los Niños (PLN)
Coro Southern California Cohort
Sam Joo is the Vice President of Student and Community Services for Para Los Niños (PLN). He leads a department consisting of seven Directors, and 100+ employees, who work toward transforming communities, strengthening children and families, and supporting youth transitioning toward higher education and the workforce. Sam currently served on of the Center for Nonprofit Management (CNM) and works with a number of partnerships including the USC Sol Price Center for Social Innovation Steering Committee and the National Academy of Medicine Culture of Health Initiative.

Sandhya Laddha
Advocacy and Policy Director
Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition
Coro Northern California Cohort
Sandhya Laddha is the Advocacy and Policy Director at Silicon Valley Bicycle Coalition where she works with the community members, electeds, decision makers and other stakeholders to make it safer for people walking and biking. She moved to the United States in 2018 from India, where she did her undergrad in Architecture, followed by a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning. She has worked in various sectors, like rural development, parking, and urban street design and waste management. She is a trained classical dancer and an entrepreneur, having started two ventures: one on waste management for a town and another where she made handicrafts with her BFF.

Sofia Andrade
Program Manager, Workforce Development 
CommonSpirit Health
Coro Northern California Cohort
Sofia Andrade is passionate about improving the diversity of our healthcare field in order to reduce health disparities and increase access to high-quality healthcare for underserved communities. She started her career in the California State Capitol, serving as a legislative aide in the Senate and Assembly. Sofia now serves as a Workforce Development Program Manager at CommonSpirit Health, a national not-for-profit healthcare system. There she works with executives, community organizations, and key education patterns in building pipelines for underrepresented communities to enter into the healthcare workforce. Sofia holds a MPH in Health Policy and Management from the University of California, Berkeley.

Taryn Campbell
VP of Program Design and Strategy
Propel America
Coro Southern California Cohort
Taryn Campbell is the VP of Program Design and Strategy for Propel America. She currently focuses on designing jobs-first education programs to support young adults looking to launch their careers into upwardly mobile jobs. Previously Taryn worked for The Broad Academy at The Broad Center, designing and facilitating leadership development programming for superintendents and education leaders across the country. Taryn’s career also includes work in youth development, monitoring and evaluation, and international education. She holds a BA in Classics and Sociology from Colgate University and a Masters in International Relations from Tufts University.

Teresa McGill
Job Developer
Alameda County Workforce & Benefits Administration
Coro Northern California Cohort
Teresa McGill is a dynamic Job Developer with 17+ years of experience delivering workforce development services to diverse and unique job seekers, of which, seven years are with Alameda County Social Services Agency, where she serves as a liaison between clients, and meaningful employment. She firmly believes in career construction, based on identifying transferable skill sets, motivation, and occupational choices. She is passionate about establishing partnerships to gain knowledge, learn about resources, and gather information that will help customers navigate a culture where workplaces are changing rapidly and require endurance and self-determination.

Victoria Ciudad-Real
Project Manager
USC Sol Price Center for Social Innovation
Coro Northern California Cohort
Victoria Ciudad-Real is a Project Manager for the Price Center for Social Innovation. At the Price Center she manages research projects covering workforce development, housing insecurity, economic inclusion, and qualitative analysis. Victoria is a Southern California native and holds a Masters of Public Policy from the USC Price School of Public Policy. As a proud daughter of Salvadoran immigrants, Victoria is committed to using research and data to inform good public policy and social change. Victoria completed her undergraduate education in Public Policy and Global Studies from UC Riverside. In her free time Victoria enjoys listening to podcasts, reading and baking.