3rd Annual South LA All In Meeting of the Minds Symposium

Stacey Yoo

Director of Human Resources

Stacey Cabling is the Director of Human Resources at CRCD, where she leads efforts to align human resources strategies with the organization’s mission and values. She oversees employee relations, recruitment, policy development, training, and compensation, always working to build systems that support both people and performance.

Stacey’s leadership is grounded in accountability, integrity, and the belief that people matter more than titles. She sees herself as a bridge—connecting leadership and employees, strategy and empathy—ensuring that CRCD remains a place where people can grow and feel valued. A defining moment in her career was when a caring HR leader supported her during a difficult time. That experience still shapes how she leads and shows up for others.

With more than 10 years of experience in the field, Stacey has helped modernize CRCD’s HR systems by streamlining onboarding, performance evaluations, and benefits administration. Her focus on automation and process improvement has reduced manual errors and created more space for meaningful employee engagement and growth.

Stacey holds a B.A. in Communications from Cal State Fullerton.

Diego Sepulveda

Director of Development

Diego Sepulveda serves as the Development Director at CRCD, where he leads the organization’s fund development strategy and oversees grants and revenue growth across all programs. He works closely with finance, program, grants, and communications teams to ensure a collaborative, data-informed approach to fundraising and relationship-building with key partners.

Diego’s leadership is grounded in inclusive, authentic practices with a focus on justice and opportunity. Born in Mexico and raised in Huntington Park—a city in Southeast Los Angeles known for its resilient and transformative community—Diego proudly carries the lessons and strength of his hometown into every aspect of his work.

With over 10 years of experience, Diego specializes in building strategic, diversified fund development portfolios. He has a proven track record of securing transformative gifts that help nonprofit organizations grow and deepen their impact.

Before joining CRCD, Diego served as Senior Advisor of Philanthropy at Liberty Hill Foundation and Donor Relations Officer at California Community Foundation. He currently serves as a board member for the Foundation for the Los Angeles Community Colleges and as Board Treasurer for The LGBTQ Center Long Beach.

Diego holds a B.A. from UCLA, an M.B.A. in Enterprise Management and Social Impact from American Jewish University, and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education in Organizational Change and Culture at the University of Southern California (USC).

Timothy Huy Tran

Director, Learning & Evaluation

As the Director of Learning & Evaluation at the Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD), Timothy leads the organization’s data and evaluation work to support learning, accountability, and program improvement.

In this role, Timothy oversees data collection, governance, validation, and reporting across CRCD’s ecosystem. He works closely with teams to ensure data is accurate, accessible, and useful, helping translate insights into practical actions that strengthen programs and better serve the community. His approach centers on building clear systems that support informed decision-making and reflect real community needs.

Timothy brings more than four years of experience as a data analyst and previously served as Senior Data Analyst at CRCD, supporting workforce, clean energy, and regional initiatives across South Los Angeles. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Information Systems from Cal State LA. Born in Vietnam and raised in Oxnard, Timothy is committed to using data to help programs achieve meaningful, lasting impact in South LA.

Alex Medina

Director, South LA All In (SLAAI)

As the Director of Marketing & Communications at CRCD, Alex serves as the agency’s marketing and communications professional to develop and implement effective strategies for CRCD and its programs in support of the organization’s strategic plan.

Alex brings more than 15 of non-profit communications experience and has served as the Director of Marketing and Communications at the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation. In this role, he developed comprehensive strategies that significantly increased audience engagement and brand visibility throughout Los Angeles County while also working to improve internal communications. Alex’s professional journey includes impactful tenures at APLA Health and the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County. His strategic insight and leadership have been instrumental in launching new digital platforms and producing engaging promotional media content. Beyond his professional achievements, Alex is also a governing board member of the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council, demonstrating his dedication to community service and local engagement.

He holds a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications from Kansas State University and an MA in Political Communications, Advocacy and Campaigning from Kingston University.

Aja Adeagbo

Associate Director, South LA All In (SLAAI)

Aja Adeagbo is the Associate Director of South LA All In (SLAAI), bringing over a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector with expertise in program operations, case management, and community engagement.

Previously, Aja served as the Community Engagement Manager for SLAAI, where she led initiatives such as the CD9 Grants Program, Best Start Region 2 Initiative, and the Evermont Project. These initiatives focused on addressing socioeconomic disparities and empowering marginalized communities in South LA. Her innovative outreach strategies enhanced SLAAI’s visibility and impact, while her collaborative approach fostered partnerships that created sustainable solutions for racial and economic equity.

Aja’s professional journey includes roles as Care Coordinator at Children’s Institute, Inc., Administrative Manager at the Yetunde Price Resource Center, and Cultural Broker Coordinator at Shields for Families. In these roles, she tackled systemic disparities and developed trauma-informed programs. She also contributed to the Compton Pledge Guaranteed Basic Income Program, documenting the transformative impact of economic support for marginalized families.

Deeply connected to South LA’s faith-based community, Aja is creating a collaborative network to enhance regional partnerships. As an ordained minister at Bryant Temple A.M.E. Church, she merges spiritual leadership with community involvement advocacy.

Aja earned a BA in Advocacy & Social Justice from Pacific Oaks College and a certificate in Nonprofit Management from the Center for Nonprofit Management.

Christiana Faulkner

Director, South LA All In (SLAAI)

Christiana Faulkner is the Director of South LA All In (SLAAI), where she leads collaborative efforts to align housing, workforce, and community investment across South Los Angeles. An Inglewood native, Christiana’s leadership is rooted in service, relationship building, and accountability to community. Her work is deeply personal, shaped by lived experience and a belief that intentional investment can strengthen families, neighborhoods, and local economies. She brings over a decade of experience in strategic partnerships, advocacy, and systems building. Christiana holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Victimology from California State University, Fresno, and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Phoenix.

Veronica Vitela

Director of Economic Development

Veronica Vitela is the Director of Economic Development at the Southeast Los Angeles BusinessSource Center, operated by CRCD. With over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Veronica leads initiatives that empower underserved communities through small business development & financial education.

She oversees a wide range of services to support entrepreneurs and small business owners, including access to capital, business planning, permitting, certifications, and workforce development. Veronica also manages CRCD’s Financial Education Services, including the VITA Tax Assistance Program, with a focus on current and former foster youth. Her team delivers workshops and coaching on budgeting, credit building, banking, entrepreneurship, and soon, homeownership. Equipping individuals and families with tools for long-term financial stability.

As a former small business owner herself, Veronica brings a personal connection to the work. It feels especially meaningful to now support other entrepreneurs through their journeys, offering the guidance and resources she once needed. Her lived experience helps her serve as both a coach and a connector, making sure no one feels like they have to figure it out alone.

Veronica studied psychology at Cal State LA, which continues to shape how she approaches economic development. She understands that building a business or changing financial habits isn’t just about tools, it’s also about mindset. The psychology of money and entrepreneurship plays a big role in how people take risks, recover from setbacks, and build confidence in their own potential.

Jerry Walker

Associate Director, Workforce Development

Jerry Walker serves as the Associate Director of Placement at CRCD, where he connects workforce programming with business development efforts to create lasting, meaningful job placements for South Los Angeles residents. With over 20 years of experience in financial services, business development, and the nonprofit sector, Jerry specializes in building partnerships that support wage growth and expand access to economic opportunities for underserved communities.

His leadership is grounded in the belief that while good things can be achieved individually, truly great things happen through collaboration. Jerry works across CRCD’s ecosystem to ensure programs align with employer needs, resulting in sustainable employment pathways for participants.

A strong advocate for economic equity, Jerry is driven by the understanding that job and wage growth are essential indicators of a thriving city. He takes pride in helping bridge opportunity gaps in Los Angeles—one of the largest economies in the world—by fostering access and equality for the communities CRCD serves.

Jerry holds certifications in Mortgage Lending, Commercial Real Estate, and Data Analytics & Visualization. Prior to CRCD, he held roles as a Commercial Banker and Relationship Manager at Chase Bank and City National Bank, and as an Account Manager and Staff Accountant in Business Management. He has partnered with key agencies including the City of Los Angeles, LAHSA, LAWA, LA Metro, and LADWP.

Ro’Lesha Coleman

Associate Director, Workforce Development

Ro’Lesha Coleman brings over 10 years of experience in workforce development, program design, and team leadership. As Associate Director of Workforce Development at CRCD, she oversees the daily operations of workforce programs, leads program design and implementation, supervises staff, and ensures program compliance and performance outcomes. Ro’Lesha specializes in building effective systems that remove barriers for participants and foster growth for both staff and community members.

Her leadership is rooted in collaboration, equity, and the belief that strong programs begin with empowered people. She sees herself as both a builder and a teacher—committed to sharing knowledge, guiding her team, and creating spaces where transformation is possible.

Born in Louisiana and raised in Georgia, Ro’Lesha’s dedication to community service began early, through volunteering in community centers and mentoring youth in her church. These experiences shaped her lifelong commitment to ensuring every young person has access to guidance, opportunity, and a support system that believes in their potential.

Ro’Lesha earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Savannah State University. Prior to CRCD, she held leadership roles at WorkSource Cobb/CobbWorks Inc., where she led Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs and collaborated with partners to expand access to education and sustainable career pathways.

Krystal Rivera

Associate Director, Workforce Development

Krystal Rivera brings over 15 years of experience in youth development, education, and community engagement. At CRCD, she leads programs that connect young people ages 16–24—especially those facing systemic barriers—to education, careers, and support services. Her work includes overseeing youth employment initiatives, managing state and federal grants, and building strong partnerships with employers, educators, and community organizations.

Grounded in equity and empathy, Krystal is committed to transforming systems for foster youth, opportunity youth, and those navigating reentry or housing instability. Her previous roles include leadership positions at Alliance College-Ready Public Schools, Upward Bound House, and the Los Angeles Education Partnership.

She holds an M.A.Ed in Education, Equity & Social Justice from Cal State Long Beach and a B.A. in Child & Adolescent Development from Cal State Northridge.

Latea Davis

Director, Workforce Development

Born and raised in South LA, Latea Davis witnessed the everyday struggles of our service population and the barriers they are faced with daily. In August of 2012, Latea began her workforce development career with CRCD as an intake specialist, was promoted to youth advocate, later assumed a leadership role as the VCN YouthSource Center Manager, and most recently, stepped into the South Los Angeles YouthBuild Manager role.

As the Associate Director of Workforce Development for Youth, Latea leads a team of service providers and education professionals that work collectively to operate innovative workforce development and education programming for youth in the South LA area that face barriers when seeking education and employment. Latea oversees the daily operations of all youth workforce development and education programs while ensuring the implementation of CRCD’s client-focused service delivery model, confirming data entry, and safeguarding grant performance.

Latea’s leadership, youth development experience, and dedication to serving our South LA community exemplify CRCD’s core values. She holds a degree in Elementary Education/ English from Paul Quinn College in Dallas, Texas.

Jose Guadron

Senior Director of Workforce Development

As the Senior Director of Workforce Development, Jose Guadron leads a dedicated team of workforce development, education, and economic development professionals to deliver innovative programming and services for youth, adults, individuals returning to society, and families in South Los Angeles.

Working closely with the Workforce Development team – the largest at CRCD – Jose strives to develop and implement services that eliminate barriers to employment, quality training, education, and high-touch case management. Jose Guadron previously served as the Director of Youth Development Programming at CRCD, where he provided oversight and guidance on the various education and workforce development programs for youth devoted to transforming the lives of young adults throughout South Los Angeles. As Director of Youth Development Programming, he supervised all workforce development and education programs’ daily operations while monitoring service implementation, data entry, and grant performance.

Jose has more than 15 years of nonprofit experience working to improve the lives of disconnected young adults through employment, training, and education. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies from California State University Northridge and a master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from Antioch University Los Angeles, where he also became a Certified Nonprofit Professional through the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance.

Neri Rivas

Associate Director, Housing and Support Services

Neri brings over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, including six years serving people experiencing homelessness in SPA 4. His work has included providing services in interim housing settings and supporting the Inside Safe initiative, which helps people move from the streets into motels with services and prevents encampments from returning.

At CRCD, Neri has been appointed Associate Director, overseeing new Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) projects in Skid Row. These projects provide Intensive Case Management Services (ICMS), including wraparound support to assist participants with housing stability, physical and mental health care, substance use support, money management, community connection, and strengthening family and social support systems.

As Associate Director, Neri brings strong leadership to the development and expansion of Skid Row and other PSH projects, while building effective partnerships with property management and the surrounding community.

Neri earned a bachelor’s degree in History from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and a master’s degree in Psychological Education from California State University, Long Beach.

Ileana Martinez

Associate Director, Housing & Support Services

Since joining CRCD in 2018, Ileana has been a tireless advocate for youth, adults, and families across South Los Angeles. In her new role, she will oversee Time-Limited Subsidy Housing, Permanent Housing, and the Coordinated Entry System—advancing CRCD’s mission to foster housing stability and opportunity in our communities.

Ileana began her journey at CRCD as a Housing Navigator at Ruth’s Place Access Center, where she helped unhoused transition-age youth (TAY) secure housing. She later served as an ICMS Case Manager on the Scattered Site team, assisting participants in obtaining permanent housing through Section 8 subsidies. In 2021, she was promoted to Program Manager, where she oversaw contracts funded by LAHSA, DHS, and private foundations, while also building strong partnerships with landlords to support long-term housing outcomes.

As Associate Director, Ileana will provide strategic leadership for CRCD’s growing Scattered Site Programs and play a key role in expanding both scattered site and project-based permanent supportive housing. With deep experience in housing services, mental health, and substance use support, her leadership will help guide the next phase of growth and innovation in the Housing and Support Services Department.

Nelson Murcia-Chavez

Associate Director, Housing & Support Services

Nelson Murcia-Chavez joined CRCD in 2022 and has played a key role in the expansion, lease-up, and operation of permanent supportive housing (PSH) sites, while strengthening client service delivery through strategic partnerships with county agencies and community stakeholders to advance housing stability.

With more than 18 years of experience in housing and social services, he has served transitional-aged youth (TAY), individuals with foster care experience, and families experiencing homelessness. Prior to CRCD, he served as Assistant Director of Supportive Housing Programs at St. Anne’s Family Services, overseeing Transitional Housing (THP) and Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) programs while contributing to countywide initiatives supporting youth and other vulnerable populations.

As Associate Director of Housing and Support Services, Nelson provides leadership for multidisciplinary teams delivering project-based supportive services across multiple sites. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Certificate in Spanish Translation and Interpretation, and is committed to collaborative leadership, Housing First, trauma-informed care, and comprehensive housing solutions.

Carolina Cortazar

Chief Human Resources Officer

Carolina joined CRCD in February 2021 as Director of Housing and Support Services. She brings her enthusiasm and passion for working with special needs populations, while providing strategic leadership and program oversight for CRCD’s housing initiatives.

Carolina has over 18 years of experience in mental health and housing support services within nonprofit organizations. She has successfully led and managed all operational aspects of permanent supportive housing (PSH), emergency shelters, bridge housing, recuperative care contracts, and affordable housing. For the past 16 years, she has focused on supporting executive leadership in expanding and launching new projects as a Senior Manager.

At CRCD, Carolina contributes her extensive knowledge, analytical and record-keeping skills, program development expertise, and dedication to addressing homelessness. She plays a key role in growing CRCD’s housing programs and managing relationships with both private and public sector partners.

As Senior Director of Housing and Support Services, Carolina oversees CRCD’s housing-based and Scattered Site service coordination, Coordinated Entry System for Youth programs, Time-Limited Subsidy, Drop-In Center, Housing Navigation, and partnerships with private foundations serving youth, families, and single adults in need of housing. She also leads special homelessness service initiatives and is responsible for tracking and reporting program metrics to CRCD’s executive leadership.

Carolina holds an Associate of Arts degree in Psychology from Cerritos College and a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services from California State University, Dominguez Hills.

Veronica Garcia

Chief Human Resources Officer

Veronica Garcia is an accomplished Human Resources Professional with more than 15 years of experience. She has held various roles within the Human Resources from Administration, Payroll Specialist, Generalist, HR Manager, Director, VP of Human Resources and Talent Management, and presently as the Chief Human Resources Officer at CRCD. She has worked in for-profit and non-profit organizations, having served the non-profit sector for the past 12 years. Before coming to CRCD, Veronica spent 8 years serving the formerly unhoused on Los Angeles skid row. Her expertise lies in aligning HR strategies with business objectives, playing a pivotal role in shaping the HR landscape and fostering a positive work environment.

Her education, various certificates, and a member of various organizations, including the Professional in Human Resources Association, Society for Human Resources Management and National Human Resources Association, and 2022 National Human Resources Nomination for Los Angeles Executive of the Year have propelled her to continue to pursue her passion within the Human Resources space. Veronica is a Southern California native, fluent in Spanish, who is family-oriented and enjoys hanging out with family, kayaking, hiking, and bowling.

Kenta Estrada-Darley

Chief Community Innovation Officer

Kenta Estrada-Darley has over 15 years of experience working in the social justice sector with a specialization in community economic development in New York City and Los Angeles.

Since joining the Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD) in 2017, Kenta has spearheaded various initiatives that have improved the lives of South LA’s most vulnerable community members while uplifting innovative and community-driven approaches to economic development.

Kenta currently serves Chief Community Innovation Officer at CRCD and leads South LA All In, a collaboration driven, transformative initiative to address deep-rooted racial and socio-economic inequities in South Los Angeles.

Kenta has a Bachelor of Arts from the Gallatin School of Individualized Study from New York University and a Master of Arts in Nonprofit Management from Antioch University Los Angeles.

Alejandro Martinez

President, CRCD Partners, LLC

As an Affordable Housing Executive, Alejandro has dedicated his professional career to ensuring that underserved communities have access to quality affordable housing and appropriate supportive services in Boyle Heights, East LA, and throughout the City and County of Los Angeles. Alejandro has seen how developing affordable housing in these communities is not only a great tool for revitalizing the built environment but also the human spirit, which in turn inspires people in these communities to participate in civic and social engagement. Alejandro began his affordable housing career in 1999 and has developed many affordable housing projects throughout the City of Los Angeles and in unincorporated East Los Angeles.

Before joining the Coalition for Responsible Community Development as Chief Real Estate Officer, Alejandro was the Vice President of Real Estate and Asset Management at East LA Community Corporation (ELACC), where he led a team of 10+ that included the Real Estate Department, the Asset Management Department, and the Property Management Department. The Real Estate Department utilized every local, state, and federal program imaginable to develop a variety of project types, including single-family subdivisions (for-sale), acquisition/rehab of single-family homes (moderate-income for-sale), permanent supportive housing, and affordable rental housing for seniors, veterans and large families. During his 10-year tenure at ELACC, Alejandro developed more than $250 million in affordable housing projects and an additional $400 million+ in projects in pre-development.

Jahrell Thomas

Chief Operations Officer

As the Chief Operations Officer at the Coalition for Responsible Community Development, Jahrell works closely with the President & CEO while supporting Director-level leadership, which includes Human Resources, Facilities, Learning and Evaluation, Marketing and Communications, and Fund Development, with an overarching goal of securing the functionality of the business and driving extensive and sustainable growth. This includes programmatic projects and other special activities that magnify the CRCD brand and family of services.

During his 19-year tenure at CRCD, Jahrell has held a variety of positions at CRCD including youth advocate, program manager, associate director, director of youth development, and chief programs officer. As the Chief Programs Officer, he successfully developed comprehensive workforce development programs rooted in trauma-informed care and reinforced best practice programming across CRCD Workforce Development Departments, including youth programs such as South LA YouthBuild (YouthBuild USA), Jobs for Los Angeles Graduates (Jobs for America’s Graduates), VCN YouthSource Center, and Project Tipping Point for current and former foster youth and the City of Los Angeles Economic and Workforce Development Department-funded Vernon-Central/LATTC WorkSource Center for residents 18 years and older. 

Mr. Thomas has been an advocate for workforce development and inclusive education and diversity since joining CRCD in 2005. Since then, he has developed and designed proven model programs for CRCD and expanded services to youth and adults in Los Angeles who experience the greatest barriers to education and employment. After witnessing and personally experiencing social and economic injustices, he decided to prioritize focusing on creating opportunities and alternatives to reduce incarceration, homelessness, and unemployment.

He is currently responsible for the overall administration and operations of the organization. Enhancing the organization infrastructure and internal controls is a key priority for the scalability and sustainability of CRCD. He is responsible for CRCD’s policies and procedures, fund development strategies, learning and evaluation, marketing and communication, strategic planning, and facilities operations. This responsibility allows him to develop systems to scale CRCD’s workforce development, housing and support services, and education services that can be replicated in other communities and community-based organizations. As a professional with lived experience, he is personally and professionally invested in changing the lives of youth and adults who can succeed with the appropriate level of support.

Above and beyond his education and qualifications, Jahrell has extensive experience in partner and funder cultivation that leads to stewardship and commitment of resources that “changes lives and builds neighborhoods responsibly.”

Selerin Ntahitagabira

Chief Financial Officer

Selerin Ntahitagabira is an accomplished business management professional and the current Chief Financial Officer for the Coalition for Responsible Community Development. He has more than 15 years of financial management experience at both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. Selerin brings significant skills in cash flow management, budgeting and forecasting, financial analysis, internal controls design and maintenance, risk management, financial systems conversion, timely and accurate financial reporting, and superior management/coaching of fiscal and administrative teams. In his previous occupation, Selerin served as Vice President & Controller at United States Veterans Initiative from 2008 to 2016.

Selerin holds a Master of Business Administration and Bachelor of Accounting and Finance. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and holds the designation of Chartered Global Management Accountant. Selerin is also active in several humanitarian endeavors, which include acting as board chairman for Burundi Development Initiatives and serving as the treasurer for Rainbow Humanitarian Caretaker Foundation.

Mark Wilson

President & Chief Executive Officer

Mark Anthony Wilson, Jr. co-founded the Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD) in 2005 along with Ruth M. Teague, Noemi Soto, Fernando Miranda, and Hugo Ortiz. Mark served as CRCD’s Executive Director for a decade and now serves as the agency’s President and CEO. Raised in South Los Angeles, Mark previously served as the Director of the Youth Empowerment Project with the Southern Christian Leadership Conference/Martin Luther King Legacy Association, and the Director of Community Development with the Dunbar Economic Development Corporation.

Today, Mark directs CRCD’s comprehensive community development services in housing, education, and jobs for primarily Latino and African American youth ages 16–24 in the Vernon-Central Los Angeles community. He provides leadership on local and national levels to improve the policies, systems, and long-standing neighborhood conditions that impact young people’s lives. In a high-poverty community, Mr. Wilson spearheads effective collaborations with residents, businesses, nonprofits, community colleges, government, and foundations to create real opportunities for youth to stabilize and pursue their dreams. Since 2005, Mr. Wilson has strategically grown CRCD into an agency running 6 housing complexes, a high school, a YouthSource Center, a WorkSource Center, and its separate social enterprise CRCD Enterprises. Mark serves on the board of the Southern California Association of Nonprofit Housing and the LA Community College District Community Advisory Board (representing LATTC). He was recently honored with a YouthBuild USA Rising Star award.

3rd Annual South LA All In "Meeting of the Minds" Symposium

Agenda

Panelists

Our Programs

3rd Annual South LA All In "Meeting of the Minds" Symposium

Agenda

Panelists

Our Programs

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