Isabel Becerra

President & Chief Executive Officer

With 27 years of dedicated service in public health, Isabel has focused her career on advocating for underserved communities, particularly those served by community health centers. Throughout her career, she has spearheaded initiatives that empower communities nationwide to overcome barriers to health equity. Isabel currently serves on the Board of Directors for the California Primary Care Association, CalOptima Health, Waymakers Foundation, and the Latino Coalition for a Healthy California. In addition, she actively participates on various committees and has been recognized with multiple awards for her contributions to public health. Since 2000, Isabel has been a steadfast leader in her hometown of Orange County, representing vulnerable communities. As the Chief Executive Officer, she spends her days forging and strengthening relationships with partners to ensure equal access to high-quality, affordable, and culturally competent healthcare for all. Outside of her work with the Coalition, Isabel enjoys spending quality time with her family, either at home or exploring the great outdoors, both locally and across the country.

Isabel holds a degree in psychology from Pomona College of the Claremont Colleges. In addition, she has completed programs in leadership and advocacy from UC San Diego.

Personal Motto: Be the voice for the voiceless.

Ryan Yamamoto

Chief Operating Officer

As Chief Operating Officer, Ryan is responsible for ensuring that the organization, its staff, and member clinics have the resources and capacity needed to effectively serve their patients and communities. With over fifteen years of experience in health philanthropy and six years working with health and human services organizations, Ryan has had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the countless acts of advocacy and the power of empowered communities fighting for their health on both local and national levels. Ryan returned to Orange County and joined the Coalition in late 2018, bringing his extensive experience to further the organization’s mission. Outside of the office, Ryan enjoys spending time at home, on the golf course, exploring the outdoors, or sampling the diverse offerings of Southern California’s vibrant restaurant scene.

Ryan holds a degree in health science, with a concentration in community health.

Personal Motto: People who wonder if the glass is half empty or full miss the point. The glass is refillable. – Unknown

Thomas Sheil

Chief Financial Officer

Tom brings extensive finance and accounting expertise to his role as Chief Financial Officer at the Coalition. Throughout his career, he has dedicated much of his professional life to serving nonprofit organizations both nationally and internationally. In addition to his nonprofit experience, Tom has a strong background in consulting, tax, and business planning. He thrives on working with people in diverse roles, always recognizing that everyone has something unique and valuable to contribute.

Tom holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting Theory.

Personal Motto: Be the person you want to see in the mirror at the end of the day.

Sonia Shah, MPH

Vice President, Healthcare Operations

Sonia is the daughter of immigrant parents from India. Although her father was trained as an accountant, he ventured into entrepreneurship after arriving in New York City. As a result, her family lacked insurance coverage, and Sonia spent much of her early childhood receiving care at Community Health Centers in the city. This experience not only introduced her to the high-quality care provided by these centers but also gave her a firsthand look at the challenges of living without health insurance. Watching her parents navigate complex systems and resources with limited English skills and a lack of familiarity with American culture deepened Sonia’s understanding of the barriers that many communities face in accessing essential healthcare. Sonia has always been passionate about connecting people, whether it’s her close-knit circle of friends or broader communities. Working at the Coalition allows her to merge this passion with her skills, finding innovative ways to support member health centers and the communities they serve.

Sonia holds a Bachelor of Science in Biology and a Minor in Psychology and a Master in Public Health with a focus on Hospital and Health Administration.

Personal Motto: The only limit to your impact is your imagination and commitment. – Kobe Bryant

Alejandra Hernandez, CEC

Healthcare Navigator

Alejandra holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice & Human Services from University of Phoenix and an Associate of Arts in Radio/TV Media Communications from Saddleback College.

Personal Motto: When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don’t throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer. The measure of a life, after all, is not its duration, but its donation.– Corrie Ten Boom

Andrew Niiro, MPA

Director, Health Information Technology

Andrew is no stranger to community health centers, bringing valuable experience from his work in two community health center systems and a large healthcare provider in Orange County. With expertise in healthcare technology applications and data analytics, Andrew has held roles in quality and performance improvement, as well as program management. Most recently, he served as chair of the Data Governance Committee within the Coalition’s Health Center Controlled Network. After completing graduate school, Andrew began his career at a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) and quickly developed a deep passion for the work. He witnessed firsthand how community health centers provide high-quality care with dignity to those who have nowhere else to turn for healthcare, fueling his ongoing commitment to this vital and valuable sector.

Andrew holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master in Public Administration from Cal State University Long Beach.

Personal Motto: Everyone deserves to be treated with kindness.

Aurora Garcia-Barrera

Director, Policy & Government Affairs

Aurora has dedicated the past 13 years to working in the nonprofit sector, organizing for social justice and equity for the most vulnerable populations. Throughout her career, she has served as an organizer with organizations such as The Children’s Partnership, Health Access, California Partnership, and Young Invincibles, where she has led numerous initiatives to ensure all Californians—particularly low-income communities and communities of color—have access to quality, affordable healthcare, among other critical issues. Her work has spanned engaging community members from diverse backgrounds, collaborating with state and local representatives, advocating for policy changes related to the state budget and legislation, and coordinating regional coalitions. Aurora also gained valuable fundraising experience as a Development Associate at the Council of Mexican Federations, where she was involved in all aspects of fundraising. As the Director of Policy and Government Affairs at the Coalition OC, Aurora leads policy and advocacy strategies and campaigns that address the unique needs of Community Health Centers and the patients they serve.

Aurora holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Minor in Chican@ Studies from University of California, Los Angeles.

Personal Motto: In a world where people throw bricks at others, be the one who builds bridges with them.

Dani Bryant, MPH, CPH

Program Manager, Policy & Government Affairs

Dani is a passionate health equity professional with over four years of diverse experience in the nonprofit sector, specializing in community outreach, research, data visualization, and program evaluation and implementation. A proud native of Southern California, Dani is deeply committed to serving and empowering her local communities. She believes that dismantling systemic barriers, addressing bias, fostering sustainability, and embracing radical empathy are essential for building a more equitable world. Outside of her professional work, Dani enjoys live music, expanding her vintage vinyl record collection, and spending time at her local library.

Dani holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Biola University and a Master in Public Health from University of California, Irvine.

Personal Motto: “You have to act as if it were possible to radically transform the world. And you have to do it all the time.” -Angela Davis

Elizabeth Cuevas, CEC

Healthcare Navigator

Elizabeth brings over 10 years of experience in the healthcare industry, with a background that includes serving as a Financial Counselor at Rady Children’s Hospital of San Diego. In this role, she proudly assisted families in accessing county and state programs to support their children’s healthcare needs. Working within a multicultural community, Elizabeth particularly enjoyed helping families who had resettled in San Diego from various countries, which deepened her passion for making a meaningful difference in people’s lives. A proud mother of three, Elizabeth is also a supportive partner to a business owner. Outside of her professional and family commitments, she enjoys walks in the park, spending time with close friends, and cherishing peaceful evenings with her family.

Personal Motto: The purpose of life is to contribute in some way to making things better.

Erick Delgado

Project Manager, Healthcare Operations Population Health

Erick brings a diverse and multifaceted background, with experience spanning the service industry, role as a worship director, and pastoral work. His most recent previous roles include serving as a Client Relations Coordinator for a national copyright law firm, where he guided clients through the onboarding process and assisted in finalizing pre-litigation settlements. He also worked as a Conventional Negotiator for a debt settlement firm, helping individuals achieve financial freedom by negotiating with financial institutions on their behalf. Through these roles, Erick has developed strong skills in navigating complex systems, managing processes, and negotiating favorable outcomes for both clients and organizations. Outside of his professional life, Erick enjoys serving as a musician at his church, as well as reading, watching movies, and skateboarding in his free time.

Erick holds an undergraduate degree in political science with a minor degree in Biblical studies.

Personal Motto: One more. This motto comes from Erick’s time playing football and has seeped into all facets of his life. It was a useful reminder to keep going when the workout got too hard, when he got hit too hard and didn’t want to get up. Erick also has the motto, “just keep going” that motivates him when he’s scared but the work is too important, too critical for him to quit.

Imelda Buncab

Director, Branding & Communications

Imelda brings over two decades of experience in the nonprofit sector, with a strong focus on direct services, program management, and administration. Her expertise covers critical areas such as gender-based violence, human trafficking, and the intersections of homelessness, race, equity, and inclusion. Imelda’s broad background includes collaboration with state and national coalitions and leadership roles in a health center, where she managed social services, community engagement, volunteer programs, and marketing and communications. She has worked closely with the Coalition OC team, playing a pivotal role during the pandemic by facilitating COVID-19 vaccinations throughout the County and later supporting Afghan refugees through health assessments under the Refugee Health Assessment Program. As a committed community advocate, Imelda serves on multiple boards, including Leadership Tomorrow OC and Extera Public Schools in Los Angeles, and has previously served on the boards of Be A Book Worm and the Maria Suarez Foundation. Imelda is deeply passionate about the belief that small acts of kindness and care can ignite transformative change, working toward the vision of a better, more inclusive world for all.

Imelda holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from University of California, Santa Barbara.

Personal Motto: Your words are powerful. Your actions are powerful. Wield them for good.

Isabel Inzunza-Zamorano, CEC

Healthcare Navigator

Isabel brings 25 years of experience dedicated to helping families and individuals access healthcare and essential services. With extensive knowledge of Medi-Cal, Covered CA, CalFresh, and CalWORKS programs, she is also a certified enrollment counselor. Isabel’s passion for community service has driven her to organize outreach efforts promoting immigration and citizenship program services. She is a trusted resource, consistently guiding community members in accessing and navigating medical services. Isabel’s goal is to continue sharing her expertise to empower and support her community in accessing the resources they need.

Personal Motto: Be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud.

Ivonne Magallanes, CPHQ, CPPS

Director, Quality Management

Ivonne is a collaborative leader with over 30 years of experience working across the private, public, corporate, and nonprofit sectors. Her expertise spans a wide range of areas, including business administration, operations management, quality improvement, patient safety, risk management, The Joint Commission Accreditation, regulatory compliance, and employee training and development. Ivonne’s diverse background includes work in primary care, acute care, oral health, behavioral health, and senior programs, with a strong emphasis on serving underserved populations. Her broad experience has equipped her with the skills to drive impactful change and deliver high-quality care in various settings.

Ivonne holds a Bachelor of Science in Management from Pepperdine University. She is a Certified Professional in Healthcare Quality (CPHQ) and a Certified Professional in Patient Safety (CPPS).

Personal Motto: Together, we can make healthy and happy communities a reality.

Jewel Loff

Director, MATCONNECT Program

Jewel brings 32 years of experience in banking and finance, including 24 years as a Vice President. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to community service, serving as a Board Member and Treasurer for the Orange County Rescue Mission. Jewel was also the founding Board Member for the Hurtt Family Medical Group when it became a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).

Later, she accepted roles as Vice President of the Orange County Rescue Mission and Chief Executive Officer of the Hurtt Family Health Clinic, where she served for seven years. Afterward, she founded her own consulting firm specializing in supporting FQHCs. Since March 2020, Jewel has served as Director of the Coalition’s MAT Connect program, playing a pivotal role in expanding access to Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) through the MAT Connect member clinics in Orange County. Jewel is deeply passionate about her work, especially when it comes to addressing the opioid epidemic. She is motivated by the knowledge that behind every statistic is a grieving family, and her work offers hope by helping families seek treatment and potentially save lives. She finds great purpose in knowing that her efforts might prevent another family from experiencing the heart-wrenching loss of a loved one.

Personal Motto: Do what you can, with what you have, where you are. – Theodore Roosevelt. Which means to Jewel that not every action creates significant change, but taking any action is important, even small continual action can create change and make the world a better place.

Jonathan Serrano

Program Manager, Healthcare Operations Workforce

While working at a physical therapy clinic, Jonathan witnessed firsthand how many individuals were unable to access essential care due to a lack of health insurance or financial constraints. This experience ignited a deep passion in him to create meaningful change within the community. Jonathan transitioned to the nonprofit sector, taking on the role of AmeriCorps VISTA Program Manager, where he supported the Los Angeles community by providing critical assistance in areas such as housing, food, and educational opportunities for the next generation. Jonathan is excited to return to the medical field through his role at Coalition OC. He is grateful to be part of a dedicated team and is eager to make a lasting, positive impact on the lives of those who need it most.

Jonathan holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education with a focus in Pre-Physical Therapy.

Personal Motto: Appreciate what you have, for it might be what someone else dreams of.

Kevin Tygard

Project Manager, MATCONNECT Program

Kevin brings over 20 years of lived experience in recovery, having worked in various roles such as support staff, client peer navigator, intake coordinator, and project manager within recovery programs. His personal journey of recovery fuels his passion for helping others, and he finds deep fulfillment in witnessing the success of individuals in treatment. Kevin provides essential support to those struggling with addiction and mental health issues, offering services such as medication, case management, therapy, and medical care. Committed to raising awareness, Kevin works tirelessly to highlight the challenges faced by those seeking Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) through community presentations and speaking engagements. By sharing stories of client success, he strives to change negative attitudes and misconceptions about MAT. Kevin is happily married and the proud stepfather of four children.

Personal Motto: Be that change you want to see in the world. – Ghandi

Melissa Guerrero

Executive Assistant

Melissa brings extensive experience across diverse administrative functions, including scheduling and project management. Her professional journey has allowed her to refine her skills, adapting them to meet the unique needs of a wide range of clients. Melissa excels at engaging directly with both prospective and current clients, leading to significant improvements in customer satisfaction at multiple organizations. In addition to her role as an executive assistant, Melissa is deeply involved in her local community, dedicating her free time to volunteer efforts. Her passion for helping others fuels her commitment, and she views her work with the Coalition OC as a meaningful way to continue supporting and uplifting communities.

Melissa holds a degree in business administration from Cal State University Fullerton.

Personal Motto: “Efficiency in every endeavor,” reflects her unwavering dedication to optimizing processes and facilitating success for those she serves.

Mourad Lamey

Data Analyst

While working as a civil engineer at GE, Mourad developed a strong desire to make a direct, positive impact on people’s lives. Motivated by this passion, he decided to transition into healthcare. Mourad’s diverse experience includes working in the IT departments of various dental clinics, a PACE Program, and an FQHC, where he honed his skills in data analytics, blending academic knowledge with hands-on experience. Beyond his professional role in healthcare, Mourad is deeply committed to giving back to his community through his involvement in church scouts and choir activities. His dedication to both his career and community reflects his ongoing drive to make a meaningful difference.

Mourad holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and project management from Egypt, as well as a bachelor’s degree in public health from the University of California, Irvine.

Personal Motto: Service with kindness is the main recipe for non perishable happiness.

Nancy Ruelas-Lopez, CEC

Healthcare Navigator

Nancy is an experienced healthcare navigator and enrollment counselor, dedicated to helping community members navigate the complexities of the healthcare system. Her primary goal is to empower individuals by helping them understand the importance of health coverage and providing guidance on their care and coverage options. Nancy assists with enrollment services for Covered CA, Medi-Cal, CalFresh, and CalWORKS, drawing on her extensive background in human and social services. With years of experience in this field, Nancy is passionate about ensuring that everyone has access to the resources they need for a healthier life.

Nancy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Cal State University San Bernardino.

Personal Motto: Be the reason someone smiles today.

Scott Serpa

Data Analyst & Integration Coordinator

Scott is the Integration Coordinator and Data Analyst for the Coalition OC. With expertise in data analysis, Scott plays a key role in managing the data for the Coalition OC’s MAT Connect program. He is also responsible for validating data for the Coalition OC’s analytics platform, Relevant, ensuring accuracy and integrity in the information used for decision-making and program evaluation.

Robert Salcedo

Program Manager, MATCONNECT Program

Stephanie Hernandez, CEC

Program Manager, Healthcare Operations Care & Coverage

Stephanie, a Santa Ana native, has a wealth of experience in community health, particularly in helping the uninsured in Orange and South County access the care they need. She previously worked as a program lead for Covered California at North Orange County Community Health Centers, now known as Family Health Matters, where she gained invaluable experience. Stephanie now leads Covered California, Medi-Cal Redetermination, and Expansion programs for the Coalition, bringing her dedication to ensuring patients find the best healthcare coverage to meet their needs. Certified as a Covered California Enrollment Counselor, BenefitsCal specialist, and Immigration Accredited Representative, Stephanie is also an active member of the CalOptima Advisory Committee and the Orange County Task Force Steering Committee, where she serves as the Certified Enrollment Counselor lead. Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her children and participating in their sports activities. In her free time, she loves cooking, baking, and reading, with a particular interest in emotional and mental health topics.

Stephanie holds associate degrees from Santa Ana College in liberal arts/humanities/communication, community social services, social and behavioral science, psychology and social service.

Personal Motto: Back of the Clouds the sun is always SHINING.