Jennifer Hark Dietz, LCSW

Chief Executive Officer

La Keishia Childers

Chief Compliance and Administration Officer

La Keishia Childers joined PATH in March 2013 and currently serves as the Chief Compliance and Administration Officer, overseeing PATH’s Corporate & Program Compliance, Quality Assurance, and Administrative operations. La Keishia manages a culture of continuous quality improvement and efficacy, emphasizing strategic initiatives that strengthen overall administrative functions, compliance, risk management, and operational improvements.

La Keishia’s professional background includes senior leadership roles in nonprofit operations and administration, corporate and program compliance, program development and evaluation, community engagement and strategic initiatives, and direct practice with vulnerable populations. La Keishia’s overall objective in her career has been to have an effective impact while maintaining a passion for nonprofit administration and the mission of service to individuals and communities.

La Keishia holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, with a Minor in Behavioral Science, from California Baptist University and a Master of Social Work degree with a macro concentration in Community Organizations, Planning, and Administration from the University of Southern California.

Sarah Kolish

Chief Operating Officer

Sarah joined PATH in March 2014 as the Chief Administrative Officer and currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer. Her responsibilities include overseeing several major operating divisions, such as Facilities and Operations, Information Technology, and Human Resources.

With over two decades of leadership and administration experience in both non-profit and corporate sectors, Sarah has significant expertise in leading strategic, operational change, policy and program development, business management and operations, employee development, organizational development, performance management, and developing effective service-oriented organizations. Over the last decade, Sarah has played a pivotal role in the growth and expansion of the organization.

Sarah is a Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) member and a Certified HIPAA Privacy Security Expert (CHPSE). When she is not at work, Sarah prefers to take a break from her busy schedule and spend quality time with her family and friends.

Sandy Oluwek

Chief Financial Officer

Sandy has been PATH’s Chief Financial Officer since 2011 and oversees all financial management activities. She has over 30 years of accounting and finance experience in both the non-profit and for-profit worlds and is a former Certified Public Accountant. Prior to joining PATH, Ms. Oluwek was President of her own company, The Finance Oasis, Inc., which trained companies to understand their financial information and use it to improve their cash flow and profitability. She is the author of the book “Cash Flow Secrets”, an Amazon best seller. Ms. Oluwek has an Master of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Yale University.

Matthew Soto

Chief of Workforce Development

Katie Tell

Chief External Affairs Officer

Tescia Uribe

Chief Program Officer

Tescia Uribe found her calling as a social worker in 2005 and has made an impact in the community by being a leader who puts the people she is serving first. With over 15 years of social work and nonprofit experience, Tescia now oversees PATH’s service-delivery programs throughout the state as chief program officer. She ensures a consistent approach and quality of services across all PATH and PATH Ventures programs, which serves Veterans, families, and individuals with disabilities in interim housing and permanent housing. She also oversees PATH’s outreach and engagement, housing navigation, and case management services across the state.  Since joining PATH in November 2013, she has held positions as the director of veteran clinical services and regional director of Metro LA.  

Tescia’s experience working with vulnerable communities struggling with homelessness, substance use, and mental and physical health difficulties fuels her passion in ensuring PATH’s programs meet every client’s needs. Tescia believes it’s her job to lift the fallen, restore the broken, and to heal the hurting. 

Tescia earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Azusa Pacific University, a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California, and became a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in 2012. In her free time, Tescia visits national parks, travels to tropical destinations, and barbecues with her husband, two kids, and her dog. 

Tamra S. Chávez, Ph.D., LCSW

Regional Director, Santa Clara County

Dr. Tamra S. Chávez has dedicated more than 25 years of her career to specializing in trauma-informed care for various populations. She recently served as the Director of Mental Health at Caminar, a division of Family & Children Services.

At Caminar, her mission was to train and lead staff in implementing inclusive and culturally competent care. Dr. Chávez spearheaded many initiatives, including the Transgender Care Coalition through Santa Clara County’s Behavioral Health Department. Apart from her daily responsibilities, Dr. Chávez serves as an inclusion panelist with NASA’s Astrophysics division.

She is also the CEO of DEW for Change, LLC, which provides  training to businesses and corporations. Additionally, she is the board chair for Project Safety Net, a community collaborative dedicated to promoting youth well-being and suicide prevention.

Dr. Chávez has served as both a university professor and mental health trainer. She obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Social Work from San José State University and achieved clinical licensure in 2008. In 2020, she earned her Ph.D. in social work from Walden University, with a concentration in addiction.

Dr. Chávez is a lifelong San José native who enjoys reading, exercising, and spending time with her husband and three daughters.

Liz Adams

Regional Director, Santa Barbara

Growing up in northwestern Minnesota, Elizabeth Adams (Liz) spent her teen years experiencing the foster care and probation systems and became one of the many youths who exit foster care to become homeless by the age of 26. 

Liz has more than 17 years of experience creating and implementing fund and program development plans and data collection, analysis, and reporting systems to set goals and priorities, assess challenges, and identify solutions to challenges. She has expertise in developing and delivering training programs to diverse audiences and cultivating and maintaining collaborative relationships and partnerships with a variety of stakeholders. After seven years in management in public education, in May 2023, Liz joined the PATH team as Santa Barbara Regional Director.

She received her Bachelor of Arts from the University of Minnesota in Duluth, where she studied English – Literature, Language, and Culture; Political Science; and Communications. She then moved to Los Angeles and obtained her Juris Doctorate from Southwestern Law School, where she specialized in juvenile and education law and served as president of several school clubs, including their General Relief Advocacy Project, Teen Court, and Public Interest Law Committee.

Sasha Morozov

Regional Director of Supportive Services

Sasha is an experienced and passionate homeless services professional who has spent the last decade working to support vulnerable communities in the Greater Los Angeles area.  She brings a focus on strategic development, housing operations, interagency coordination, and community engagement. Sasha’s dedication to the mission of eradicating homelessness has seen her in a variety of front-line and strategic positions at leading agencies, including SSVF Program Manager, Outreach Strategy Manager, Director of Housing Navigation, and Associate Executive Director.  She has served the city of Los Angeles as a Homeless Issues Response Consultant for Los Angeles World Airports and enjoys assisting smaller agencies in achieving their strategic goals as a non-profit consultant. 

Sasha joined the PATH team in August 2023 as the Regional Director of Supportive Services LA and is responsible for overseeing PATH’s work in outreach, housing navigation, time-limited subsidies, interim housing, families, and veteran services. Sasha is a passionate advocate and frequent public speaker on maternal mental health. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master of Social Work from Cal State University Northridge and a Bachelor of Arts from Rider University. When not working, Sasha enjoys traveling and spending time with her partner and two very energetic boys, who keep her very busy.

Melanie McQueen

Regional Director, Orange County

Melanie is regional director for PATH Orange County, overseeing the Yale and Placentia Navigation Centers, rapid re-housing and other regional programming. Melanie has over 20 years’ experience in homelessness, housing, supportive services and criminal justice fields. Prior to joining PATH in June 2022, Melanie managed care coordination for the County of Orange, supporting regional initiatives to reduce and prevent homelessness. She has formerly held leadership positions in five nonprofits and has extensive operations and programmatic experience, developing and managing interim housing, shelter, outreach and prevention projects for vulnerable populations.

Melanie is passionate about evidencing social impact and is skilled in developing performance frameworks, quality standards, outcome measures and audit tools, to support teams in achieving their potential. Achievements have included developing a tenancy ready toolkit to improve the independent living skills of those exiting homelessness and institutions; establishing a multi-sector, city wide hoarding protocol for vulnerably housed adults, implementing case management re-entry services for those leaving jails; and, implementing the UK ‘Making Safe’ program for domestic violence survivors and perpetrators.

Melanie holds a bachelor’s degree in applied social sciences, a professional trainer certification and accreditation as a domestic violence practitioner.

Hanan Scrapper

Regional Director, San Diego

Hanan Scrapper leads PATH San Diego as its regional director, overseeing its mission to bring equitable housing solutions to San Diegans experiencing homelessness. In her role, she oversees the region’s comprehensive programming that helps people move from street to home. Driven by the desire to help others and the community, she has extensive experience working with marginalized populations to overcome the most extreme adversities caused by homelessness, domestic violence, political torture, and human trafficking. Hanan leverages her 14 years of nonprofit leadership experience to oversee a team of 150 employees and help them achieve their vision of a world where everyone has a home.

Prior to arriving at PATH San Diego in 2018, Hanan served as PATH San Diego’s director of programs, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the several programs, including interim housing, rapid re-housing, permanent supportive housing, Whole Person Wellness, Health Homes, Community Care Coordination, and Coordinated Street Outreach. She comes to the agency from Veterans Villages of San Diego, where she led their Supportive Services for Veteran Families and Veterans Homelessness Prevention Demonstration programs.

Hanan holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with a minor in psychology from George Mason University.

Dr. Casey Adamson
Director of Community Care, San Diego

Amanda Almendarez, LCSW

Director of Programs- Veteran Services

Amanda was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She received her Bachelor’s from UCLA and her Master’s from USC. She considers herself a “Brojan” and loves both schools equally. Amanda began her career in the field of mental health in 2007, working with children and adolescents suffering from severe emotional disturbances (SED) in a group home setting. Her passion to help others experiencing crisis continued to grow, which led her to pursue her master’s degree. Amanda graduated from USC in 2016 with a Master’s in Social Work, concentrating in Military Studies. She worked towards licensure, focusing on the adult population, specifically individuals suffering from acute psychiatric disorders, chronic homelessness, substance use disorders, military trauma, and recently incarcerated individuals. Amanda’s experience consists of providing therapeutic services in psychiatric hospitals, shelters, and residential group homes. She has a profound passion for working with the veteran population as she comes from a military family herself and understands the importance of providing services through a trauma-informed lens.

Amanda is happily married with a young daughter and a pug. When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and taking trips to Disneyland.

Kayhan Azadi

Director of Philanthropy and Community Affairs

Kayhan Azadi joined PATH in 2023 with 14 years of experience in fundraising and community engagement. He managed comprehensive fundraising programs across different landscapes in education, previously working at Polytechnic School, Cal Poly Pomona, and Occidental College, raising funds for financial aid, student equity services, and more. He brings a people-centered and data-driven approach to PATH’s statewide external affairs team, using principles of transformative philanthropy to inspire individual action and activate meaningful engagement.

As a lead support for donor and volunteer programs of the organization, Kayhan enjoys engaging with the people, internally and externally, who make so much possible for PATH and the community. Kayhan is a queer artist and organizer of Iranian and Kurdish descent who lives in Los Angeles on Tongva land.

Tomasz Babiszkiewicz

Director of Programs, Metro LA

Matthew Brewer

Director of Interim Housing, Greater Los Angeles

Matt’s journey into human services began after a successful career as a machinist. Motivated by life experiences that mirrored those of many PATH participants, he decided to change careers and earned a degree in Human Services. Since 2011, Matt has dedicated himself to working with homeless veterans and individuals with high-acuity mental health needs.

Joining PATH in 2015, Matt has held several roles, including case manager and program manager, where he managed ICMS, ODR, COVID quarantine and isolation sites, crisis housing, and an Inside Safe site. His person-centered approach is key to helping individuals thrive in their own way.

In his current role as Director of Interim Housing for Greater LA, Matt oversees multiple interim housing sites, including shelters for single adults and families. Outside of work, Matt enjoys spending time with his family, exercising, and practicing Tang Soo Do.

Brian Byron

Senior Director of Facilities and Operations

Brian joined PATH in January 2021 as the Senior Director of Facilities and Operations, with over 10 years of experience overseeing policies and procedures for facilities, procurement security, and fleet management.

While Brian has tenure in upscale hospitality and has worked at companies such as Google and YouTube, he found himself gravitating toward the nonprofit realm and hasn’t looked back since; from career development and rehabilitation for former inmates, to enhancing the environments of youth with developmental delays and disabilities. He looks forward to continuing a meaningful career at PATH.

In his spare time, Brian enjoys going on hikes with his growing family and three dogs, adding accessories to his classic Volkswagens, and traveling abroad.

Bernard Cody

Controller

Bernard Cody oversees PATH’s daily accounting operations which includes planning, directing, and managing the accumulation and consolidation of all financial data necessary for an accurate accounting of PATH’s business results. Bernard has been with PATH since October 2016.

Bernard has over 25 experiences in the financial reporting field. Bernard’s accounting career has span between both profit and non-profit industries.

Bernard earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from New York State University and his mechanical engineering degree from Grumman’s Aerospace Program.

Chaz Cruz

Director of Workforce Development and Culture

Kimberly D’Amico

Director of Programs, SPA 5 & 8

Kimberly D’Amico, LCSW, director of programs, oversees all programs in Los Angeles Service Planning Areas (SPAs) 5 and 8, including outreach and interim housing. Originally joining PATH’s team in 2013 as a regional clinical supervisor for the VASH program, she entered private practice before returning to PATH in 2017. Her background includes nearly 15 years of experience in homeless engagement, advocacy, outreach, and working with nonprofits in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Kim received a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara where she studied sociology. She also holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Southern California. Kim has been a licensed clinical social worker since February 2012. 

Trisha Davis

Director of Marketing

Trisha joined PATH in 2021 as the Director of Marketing, bringing over 25 years of expertise in public relations, entertainment, non-profit, travel, and lifestyle industries. A skilled relationship builder, she has led innovative media campaigns, global brand activations, and high-profile events, achieving top-tier media coverage worldwide.

Her passion for philanthropy began while working on NBC’s Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope, which raised $18.3 million for the American Red Cross International Response Fund. Witnessing the power of people coming together to help others inspired her commitment to mission-driven work.

Her portfolio includes iconic activations for Stranger Things, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, The Boys, The Expanse, and Carnival Row, as well as major events like Comic-Con, Coachella, the AFI Festival, and SXSW. Most recently, Trisha managed PR for the Oscar-nominated short film The Last Ranger (2025), amplifying its powerful message on a global stage.

At PATH, Trisha is passionate about advancing the organization’s mission to end homelessness. She leads efforts to drive engagement and create opportunities for lasting change across PATH’s statewide movement.

Gen Escobosa

Director of Programs, Veteran Services

Gen Escobosa, MSW, recently came back to PATH in April of this year in the role of Director of SSVF and Veteran Interim Programs. Prior to this, she served as the Veteran Systems Coordinator at LAHSA where she led several county-wide initiatives resulting in a 19% increase in successful permanent housing placements for Veterans in the Greater Los Angeles VA catchment area. Her background includes nearly 19 years of experience working in homeless services including case management, outreach and housing navigation working with nonprofits in Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Also, she has served as Planning Commissioner for the City of Baldwin Park since 2021, where she has advocated for an increase in local shelter availability for people experiencing homelessness

She holds a master’s degree in social work from the University of Southern California and during her free time, she enjoys volunteering for Veteran organizations, going to Disneyland, and catching a Dodgers game. 

Mayra Esparza

Director of Family Services

Tina Estedabadi

Senior Director of Metro LA Programs

Tina Estedabadi is the Senior Director of Metro LA Programs at PATH with over a decade of experience in system change management, and program development. Before joining PATH, Tina held leadership roles at LA Family Housing (LAFH) where she oversaw key operational functions and developed innovative programs including the Lived Expertise Cohort and the Key to Success Initiative aimed at improving organizational efficiency and impact.

Earlier in her career, Tina led staff development efforts at LAFH, managing professional growth programs for over 500 employees and launching the agency’s first-ever Employee Emergency program, Professional Development Fund, and Wellness Initiative focused on mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

Her extensive experience also includes roles at LAHSA where she contributed to the creation of the Coordinated Entry System for Youth, and at United Way of Greater Los Angeles where she provided strategic guidance to address homelessness. Tina holds a Master of Social Work, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and is deeply committed to building inclusive systems that improve outcomes for underserved communities. In her free time, Tina enjoys watching movies and working out.

Christine Evans

Director of Human Resources

Christine is excited to join the PATH team as one of two Human Resource directors. Christine was born in Okinawa, to a Japanese native and an American military father, and grew up in San Diego. She went to college to pursue a career in social services. After graduation, she found a position as a human resources clerk. She soon learned that this was a career she wanted to pursue. She found a mentor who inspired and encouraged her growth and has been working in human resources for over 27 years in manufacturing and mental health care sectors. She earned her bachelor’s degree in behavior science from Oklahoma Wesleyan University and a Master of Business Administration from University of Phoenix. When not at work, Christine spends her time either camping or off-roading in the desert or playing in the ocean with her husband and daughter. Christine’s son is currently serving in the Army and she is excited to see him return from an international tour later this year. 

Steve Fiechter

Senior Director, Clinical Services

Steve joined PATH’s Veteran Services Department in 2013, and in 2015 co-lead PATH’s Intensive Case Management Team. Now, as Senior Director of Metro Los Angeles, Steve oversees PATH’s outreach, interim housing, and supportive service programs in metropolitan Los Angeles. 

Steve has long been an advocate for change and the application of theory into effective practice. Whether working with community and faith-based groups through transformational processes or working to assist people experiencing homelessness struggling with mental illness, his work has focused on helping people thrive. Steve is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, who received his MSW from CSU-Dominguez Hills, his BA in Economics from Montclair State University, and Master of Divinity from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg.  If you’re looking for him when he’s not at work, you might find him jogging somewhere in Hollywood or working in his garden.  

Haley Fuselier

Senior Director of Greater Los Angeles

Haley Fuselier, LCSW joined PATH in April of 2015. On initially joining PATH, she was overseeing the Veteran Interim Housing Program. Within a few months, she expanded her leadership role to oversee interim housing, outreach in the WLA area, and rapid rehousing programs as a Regional Director.  Haley is extensively involved in collaborations that work tirelessly to reduce instances of homelessness throughout Los Angeles County, while finding innovative ways to address the ongoing issues associated with homelessness.

Haley received her MSW from the University of Southern California in 2005. She has extensive experience in the area of Child Welfare and worked at the Department of Children and Family Services before moving into homeless services in 2008.  She successfully ran a homeless access center in Venice for 7 years focusing on harm reduction, housing the chronically homeless and mental health needs for dual diagnosis individuals.

Claudia Garcia

Director of Intensive Case Management Services

Claudia Garcia joined PATH in 2011 and currently serves as the Director of Intensive Case Management Services. She oversees scattered site permanent supportive housing, re-entry services, the outreach task force at Harbor/UCLA hospital, and care management and coordination for the Health Homes Program via Molina Healthcare. She is interested in organizational development, program management, and strategizing. Claudia strives to ensure her team has a supportive foundation to assist participants in making it home to live stable and enriched lives. 

Claudia is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She earned her Master of Social Work in 2010 from the University of Southern California, where she also completed her undergraduate studies, earning a Bachelor of Music Industry, and two Minors in Sociology and Photography. 

When she’s not at work, she can be found reading to expand her worldview, organizing playlists on Spotify, and spending time with her daughter. 

Nada Geha, Esq.

Director, Contracts Administration & Legal Analysis

Nada joined PATH in 2024 as a member of the Contract Administration team, bringing a wealth of experience in legal services and advocacy for unhoused and at-risk individuals. Before transitioning to contracts administration, Nada dedicated her career to fighting homelessness and housing instability through the legal field.

Her previous roles include serving as the Director of the Preventing and Ending Homelessness Project at Inner City Law Center, Deputy Director in the Housing Unit at Legal Services NYC, a staff attorney at The Legal Aid Society of New York City, and a staff attorney at Safe Horizon’s Domestic Violence Law Project. Nada is licensed to practice law in New York. Outside of work, Nada enjoys spending time with her family and connecting with nature.

Korisha Hamblet

Director of Programs, Downtown Los Angeles

Korisha became the Director of Programs at PATH in May 2023, after working for eight years in Permanent Supportive Housing in the Skid Row area. Her journey began in 2015 as a Case Manager for interim housing, followed by positions as an Intensive Case Manager through DHS, Engagement Coordinator, Program Manager, and Associative Director. During the last eight years, Korisha has collaborated with local, county, state, and federal agencies to minimize the impact of housing insecurity. After joining the Skid Row community, she decided to further her education and earned a Master’s degree in Psychology to better serve and empathize with those experiencing mental disorders, cognitive disabilities, as well as a lack of stability and housing. Korisha enjoys walking around the Skid Row community, connecting with friends, and breathing fresh air among like-minded people.

Andy Haverstick

Director of Programs, Permanent Supportive Housing

Andy started working with PATH’s ICMS Department in 2019. Since then, he has played a vital role in the department’s growth and development. He has worked on several projects that focus on the needs of vulnerable populations, ranging from people experiencing chronic homelessness to individuals re-entering society after being involved in the criminal justice system. Andy is particularly interested in mental health and community integration, and he constantly advocates for identifying new practices and best next steps to bring resources, community, and quality of life to the people they serve. He received his BA in Psychology and Sociology from the University of Missouri, his Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Capella University, and is an Associate Clinical Counselor pursuing licensure to provide mental health services to those in need. When he’s not at work, you might find him camping in the local mountains or working on his motorcycle.

Brutus Lamour

Director of IT

Brutus Lamour joined PATH in 2019 and is the IT Director with responsibilities ranging from vendor management to system enhancements. Brutus has played an instrumental role in bringing the IT department to a mature stage with excellent leadership and collaboration skills. One of his primary focuses from the start was choosing a provider that can support PATH’s growth and evolving technology needs. Other projects Brutus led involve optimizing PATH’s IT infrastructure, streamlining operations, and creating better lines of communication.

Brutus comes to PATH with a breadth of IT experience, spanning from the service industry with Marriott Hotels to a large conglomerate like Equinor. He successfully managed diverse projects, such as setting new office infrastructure in remote locations, adding new technology to conference rooms, and moving 900+ work staff to a new workspace.

In his spare time, Brutus enjoys woodworking and travels with his family.

Marisol Lara

Director of Care Coordination Services

Marisol joined PATH in November 2022 as the director of care coordination services. Marisol oversees PATH’s care coordination and encampment resolution programs in the central and south regions of Orange County. Marisol has over 10 years of experience leading specialized teams on multi-disciplinary research projects, health and public policy, outreach and engagement, advocacy, program development, and monitoring and evaluation. While Marisol has worked in various public health disciplines, her passion and drive in life has been focused on supporting resiliency in marginalized populations, specifically youth and adults experiencing homelessness, and people struggling with mental health illnesses.

Marisol received her Master of Public Health from Loma Linda University and a bachelor’s in molecular biology from the University of California, Riverside. She also holds publications in the Harvard Public Health Review, Journal of Health Science, and Ardmore Institute of Health.

During her free time, Marisol can be found mentoring high school youth, planning for her next oversees adventure, and having movie marathons at home with her husband, daughter, and two pets.

Yesica Leiva

Senior Director, Finance Grants Management

Yesica Leiva has been working for PATH as a consultant overseeing the restructure and expansion of grant billing, compliance, and grant budgets management since 2016 and officially joined as PATH’s director of grants budgets & analysis in October 2021. 

Yesica has over 12 years of experience in contracts, grants, and partnerships management with many local and federal level funders. From 2010 to 2016, Yesica worked at the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority as a fiscal auditor, CoC program finance analyst, and grant accountant before becoming professional consultant where she put her education and experience into helping numerous LA based non-profits improve their budget management, compliance, and contract billing procedures. Her contributions have been instrumental in helping organizations such as PATH through rapid growth and restructures. During her time off work, Yesica spends time with family and enjoys helping her community. 

Swetha Medepalli

Director of Grants

Swetha joined PATH in April 2019 and currently serves as the director of grants. Prior to this role, she oversaw the management and administration of the agency’s 150+ government contracts. Swetha brings over a decade of experience in working with California’s most vulnerable residents, having held management positions at Blue Shield of California and Molina Healthcare where she worked to implement the Affordable Care Act.

Swetha holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of California, Berkeley. In her spare time, she enjoys watching movies and exploring Los Angeles with friends and family.

Stephen Meyerson

Director, Accounts Payable

Stephen joined PATH in 2024 as the Director of Accounts Payable, bringing his expertise in financial management to support the organization’s mission. Stephen is a seasoned finance professional with extensive experience in accounts payable and back-office operations. He began his career in the film industry, working in development for eight years before transitioning into corporate finance. Over the years, he has held key roles at major organizations, including Television City Studios, Picture Head, and Stamps.com, where he specialized in full-cycle accounts payable processing, vendor management, and financial operations.  He holds an MBA from UCLA Anderson and a BA from the University of Pennsylvania.

Herschelle Milford
Director of Programs, Santa Barbara

Gary Nay

Director of Administration and Campus Operations, Metro LA

Gary joined PATH in October 2024, bringing two decades of experience in administration and a broad background across industries such as communications, clinical laboratories, pharmaceuticals, transportation, higher education, and small business development. Throughout his career, Gary has held senior leadership roles, guiding teams in sales, marketing, and operational development. His approach to leadership focuses on building meaningful connections, fostering trust, and ensuring a job well done.

In his current role as the Director of Administration & Campus Operations for Metro Los Angeles, Gary oversees all campus operations, acting as the central hub for administrative and operational services for onsite departments and community partners.

Gary earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Management from the University of Redlands and a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Project Management from Keller Graduate School of Management.

Outside of work, Gary enjoys landscaping and takes pride in planting trees, flowers, and shrubs, finding joy in watching them thrive and beautify their surroundings.

Tara Pak

Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships

As senior director of strategic partnerships, Tara Pak oversees PATH’s government, foundation, and corporate grants across California. She works alongside local stakeholders to invest capital into permanently resolving homelessness. Tara and her team’s efforts have supported the PATH’s revenue growth from $35M in 2017 to $172M in 2023 by securing public and private funds.

Tara brings 13 years of experience leveraging institutional giving opportunities to advocate for our most under-resourced neighbors. During her career, Tara has led and been part of teams that have raised $152M in grants to advance critical issues such as homelessness, youth development, and public health.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in literary journalism with a minor in women’s studies from the University of California, Irvine.

Monica Quezada
Senior Director of Interim Housing Programs LA

Veronica Razo

Director of Grant Billing and Reporting 

Veronica Razo joined PATH as the Director of Grant Billing and Reporting in 2024, bringing 25 years of experience in the non-profit and educational sectors. She has held multiple leadership roles at the Children’s Home Society of California, an organization dedicated to helping at-risk children and families achieve self-sufficiency and independence. Additionally, Veronica served as the Assistant Director of Finance and Administration for International Programs at California State University, Office of the Chancellor, assisting both local and international students in achieving their educational goals worldwide.

Throughout her career, Veronica has successfully managed large teams, overseen accounting and grant management operations, and enhanced budget management practices while ensuring compliance with financial regulations. These efforts resulted in improved resource allocation and financial planning. She has effectively managed multi-million-dollar grants and contracts, contributing to the sustainability of the organizations with which she has been associated. Veronica’s leadership has been pivotal in driving growth as well as mentoring and developing her team members.

Veronica holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the Autonomous University of Sinaloa in Mexico. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys spending quality time with family and friends. Veronica looks forward to making a meaningful impact on PATH’s mission of providing supportive housing services to individuals in need.

Tyler Renner

Senior Director of Communications

Tyler Renner has worked in a variety of public service roles focused on underrepresented communities. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara and began his career as a Behavioral Therapist for youth on the Autism Spectrum. He dedicated several years to LGBTQ advocacy by working at LGBTQ and HIV/AIDS Community Centers in Santa Barbara and San Diego, serving as a Program Coordinator, Development Associate and HIV Test Counselor. Most recently, he served as Director of Community Outreach for San Diego City Council, District Three. There he focused on constituent engagement, communications and advancing policies that reduce homelessness.

Michelle Rivera

Senior Director of Procurement

Originally from Irvine, CA, Michelle began her passion for nonprofit work at Pretend City Children’s Museum, providing information on developmental milestones for adolescents, access to free health screenings, and the startup of an autism-based event, providing safe interactions with local families and practitioners. While assisting with floor staff management, she discovered her drive to reduce costs, create local partnerships and develop companywide efficiencies.

Michelle relocated to Los Angeles and felt drawn back to the nonprofit world, specifically supporting our unhoused neighbors. After 10 years in purchasing, she joined PATH in 2019 to start the procurement department, constantly improving her skill set to best support PATH and our internal/external connections. Michelle carries a deep love and passion for PATH’s mission and plans to continue to dedicate her time and efforts to supporting our team’s out in the field, whose dedication changes lives daily.

Zachary Schlagel

Senior Director of Public Policy

As the Senior Director of Public Policy at PATH, Zach Schlagel leads government and community affairs across the State for this homeless service provider that serves over 10% of California’s homeless individuals. Mr. Schlagel is actively working with Federal, State and Local elected officials to collectively address and end the homelessness epidemic.

Prior to his arrival at PATH, Mr. Schlagel ran an award-winning government affairs program at UC San Diego Health. While there, he led the public outreach campaign that successfully built support for the $2B Hillcrest Health Campus Long Range Development Plan. He was also instrumental in the passage of a partnership with the County of San Diego around behavioral health.

Sara Sgarlata

Program Compliance Director

Sara Sgarlata joined PATH in September 2020 and currently manages programmatic compliance and quality assurance strategies. Sara brings over 12 years of nonprofit experience, overseeing program operations, community organizing, capacity building, and a strong commitment to addressing financial insecurity for Angelenos.

Sara received her Master of Social Work with an emphasis in Community Organizing, Planning, and Administration from the University of Southern California. She is a certified income tax preparer and financial coach, serves as the board chair for Legacy LA, sits on California State University Los Angeles’s field education advisory board, and provides field instruction to student interns around Los Angeles. Sara enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time with her wife and dogs.

Terra Simms
Director of Programs, Housing Location

Angie Striepling

Director of Housing Initiatives

After many years of collaborating with and supporting PATH events, Angie Striepling officially joined PATH San Diego in October 2022 as the director of housing initiatives. She currently oversees the Homeless Response Center, permanent supportive housing programs, interim housing and outreach.  

Angie began her career in Milwaukee, WI where she spent 11 years working for a Veteran service organization that provides housing and supportive services for Veterans and their families, and where she found her passion for serving the homeless population. This opportunity afforded her opportunities for advancement, where she ultimately became the director of programs, overseeing multiple grant and per diem programs, permanent housing and employment programs throughout the state of Wisconsin.  Prior to joining PATH, Angie worked at local nonprofit, Adjoin, where she spent 6 years as the director of veterans services, expanding their veterans services programming to increase the number of veteran households served, as well as funding. Angie was recently asked to co-chair the San Diego Veterans Consortium, a committee of the local Continuum of Care, and is a member of the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans and of the local San Diego Shared Housing Collaborative.    

Angie received her bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work from the University Wisconsin-Milwaukee. During her time off, Angie enjoys traveling with her partner both domestically and internationally, hiking, concerts, and spending time with friends, family, and her sweet kitty. 

Elizabeth Suarez

Director of Grant Billing and Reporting

She/her/hers
Los Angeles

Elizabeth Suarez manages all of PATH’s disbursements for PATH. Elizabeth has been with PATH since April 2017.

Elizabeth has over 11 years of experience in finance and business analysis in both for-profit and non-profit settings. Additionally, she has 15 years of research, project management, and data analysis experience in academia.

Elizabeth earned her Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Loyola University of Chicago and her Master of Business Administration in Finance from the Graduate School of Business, University of Chicago. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a PhD in Chemistry from Northwestern University.

Nikki Thomas Rhoden

Senior Director of Supportive Housing Services

Nikki joined PATH’s supportive housing services team in 2019. Nikki oversees scattered sites and project based permanent supportive housing services in Los Angeles. She has been in social services for over 15 years. She has worked with homeless youth in crisis on the west and east coast, intensive case management services, started drop in sites for transitional age youth, and worked on integrating individuals with intellectual disabilities into homes in the communities after being institutionalized.

Nikki has a MSW from Simmons University, a MPA from Cal State East Bay, and a BA in Psychology from Stockton University. Nikki is passionate about working for and with vulnerable populations in assisting them with living their best lives. When Nikki is not working she loves spending time with her family.

Brenda Thomas

Director of Interim Housing for Metro Los Angeles 

Brenda Thomas serves as the Director of Interim Housing for Metro Los Angeles at PATH, where she leads efforts to provide safe, supportive shelter for individuals on their journey to permanent housing. With a deep commitment to community service, Brenda brings decades of experience in social services, housing programs, and compliance.

Her career began in the early 2000s with the Demonstration Program, where she played a pivotal role in helping transition over 300 families from Skid Row into permanent housing. She later took on a leadership role supporting Veterans, overseeing the SSVF Program, and serving as the agency’s CARF representative, securing a three-year accreditation. Brenda later continued her CARF expertise as Compliance Manager for Veterans Services, leading another successful three-year accreditation process. Before joining PATH, she led interim housing operations for SPA(s) 5 and 6.

Brenda holds a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services and a Master of Business Administration. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, hosting, and spending quality time with her two daughters while also caring for her elderly mother.

Janeth Ventura

Director of Programs, SPA 7  

Janeth joined PATH in 2016 as the Associate Director of SPA 7 Housing Programs, overseeing CES Rapid Re-housing, CES Homeless Prevention, Housing and Jobs Collaborative, Bringing Families Home, and CoC Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Retention Program. She is currently the Director of Programs in SPA 7, fostering community partnerships and seeking solutions to end homelessness.

Janeth holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from California State University Long Beach and a Master of Arts degree in International Relations from Alliant International University. She has over 18 years of experience working in underserved and under-resourced communities in Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, and Imperial County. Janeth began her career advocating for Central American immigrant rights at CARECEN. She sharpened her clinical skills while working in a Strength-Based Full-Service Partnership program based on the principles of psychosocial rehabilitation. During her tenure as the Site Director of Jenesse Center’s domestic violence shelter in South Los Angeles, Janeth dedicated her efforts to advancing social justice for survivors of intimate partner violence. While running the Supportive Services for Veteran Families program in San Diego at Community Catalysts of California, Janeth spearheaded its expansion into Riverside and Imperial Valley.  

Janeth is especially passionate about serving vulnerable individuals, families, and communities. She believes that housing is a basic human right and envisions a world where everyone has a home.  When she is not working, Janeth likes to take Zumba classes. 

Alison Windsor

Director of Grant Billing & Reporting

With over 24 years of experience in nonprofit accounting, Alison has devoted her career to supporting organizations that create a meaningful impact. Her expertise includes supervising daily financial management, grants administration, budgeting, audits, and financial reporting.

A graduate of California State University, Long Beach, Alison earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business with a focus on Accounting. She began her career in Ventura at a CPA firm that specialized in nonprofits and government entities. After obtaining her CPA license, she moved to San Diego, where she is dedicated to strengthening local nonprofits and fostering positive change in her community.

Alison’s career has included positions at organizations of various sizes, such as Father Joe’s Villages as Grants Accounting Manager, Rady Children’s Hospital, and Episcopal Community Services. She has also worked with smaller nonprofits, balancing part-time roles while raising her children.

In her free time, she enjoys staying active outdoors, spending quality moments with her family, and pampering her two dogs, Butterscotch and Chuy.

Aiko Yep

Director of Programs, San Jose

Aiko joined PATH in 2012 and currently serves as PATH San Jose’s director of programs where she oversees all regional programs including outreach, supportive housing, and bridge housing programs. Her background includes a decade of dedication to homeless engagement, advocacy, and outreach and working with nonprofits in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Jose. She has been recognized for her excellence in service to the unhoused community and received various awards including the Champion of Change Award from the National Association of Social Workers and a commendation from the City of San Jose. Aiko received a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Davis where she studied sociology and community and regional development. She also holds a Master of Social Work degree from California State University, Los Angeles. Aiko became a licensed clinical social worker in 2017. In her free time, Aiko enjoys rock climbing, hiking, and traveling.  

Antonio Young

Director of Orange County Programs

Antonio began his career in human services in 2007. In 2014, he joined PATH’s VASH ACT team and later moved to PATH’s ICMS and HDAP Department in 2017. Antonio established the Placentia Navigation Center under PATH’s management in 2020 and now serves as the Director of the Yale Navigation Center located in Santa Ana. Throughout his career, Antonio has advocated for empowering individuals to reach their full potential by applying the growth mindset theory. He has worked with community-based organizations and veteran affairs to assist individuals facing severe mental health issues, substance addiction, and homelessness. His practice has focused on helping individuals improve their circumstances, obtain permanent housing, and thrive. Antonio holds a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Walden University, a BS in Sociology, and a minor in Criminal Justice from the University of Utah. He also played Division 1 football for the University of Utah and the Dallas Cowboys for a year and a half. Currently, Antonio is pursuing his Doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology from Walden University and is expected to graduate in 2024. When he’s not working, you can find him spending time with his two daughters, working out at the gym, attending jiu-jitsu classes, reading, or writing a research paper.