Board & Leadership – The Arc LA OC

Meet the Team

At The Arc Los Angeles and Orange Counties, we’ve built our Leadership Team and Board of Directors with individuals from diverse backgrounds, with varying interests and areas of expertise, but with the common desire to support our participants as they work toward and achieve their goals, live as independently as possible, and enjoy rewarding experiences and friendships. Get to know our dynamic team.

Leadership

Emilio Sosa

Phone: 562-855-3461
Email: esosa@thearclaoc.org

Emilio has over 25 years of experience in Executive Management within nonprofit organizations. As the CEO of The Arc Los Angeles and Orange Counties, he brings a wealth of experience ranging from innovation and planning, effective teambuilding, data analysis and metrics, ensuring diversity and inclusion, and fiscal management. He is passionate about working with underserved, at-risk communities and strives to advocate, bring awareness, and increase access and resources to underserved communities through strategic planning, community engagement, board development, and fundraising.

Emilio holds a bachelor’s degree in human development from Pacific Oakes College. He has been elected to serve on the Los Nietos School Board in Whittier, CA for the past 10 years and is the current President of the Los Nietos School Board of Trustees. Emilio is an active member of the Rotary Club of Downey. In the past, he has served on various boards including The Long Beach Community College Foundation, Lakewood Chamber of Commerce, YMCA of the USA Hispanic/Latino Roadmap, as well as Bond Oversight Committees.

Emilio resides in Whittier, CA with his wife Laura and daughters Natalia and Iliana. He enjoys the outdoors, beaches, and spending time with his family and three dogs, Kooper, Lola, and Daisy.

About Emilio

Amy Scott

Phone: 562-855-3462
Email: ascott@thearclaoc.org

Over Amy’s extensive, 25-year+ career in the nonprofit sector, she has deftly handled Operations, Administration, and Accounting and Finance roles. Her expertise lies in budgeting, financial reporting, and software. Prior to joining The Arc Los Angeles and Orange Counties, she spearheaded software conversions and software integration for a $45M nonprofit. She started at The Arc in January 2022 as Controller; she settled in and proved herself indispensable as she navigated The Arc through post-COVID terrain, ultimately restoring its stability. She was promoted to CFO in September 2023 and looks forward to many more years of service to our participants and staff.

Amy holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Child Development from California State University, Fullerton where she also earned a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, was an Honor Society member, made the Dean’s List, and belonged to Delta Zeta International Sorority. After several years working in Accounting, she added another achievement to her résumé with a Graduate Accounting Certification from University of Phoenix. Amy currently sits on the Board of Kiwanis Club of Downey where she connects with likeminded individuals for the mutual benefit of The Arc and the local community.

Amy is fun in the streets, and a superhero in the spreadsheets. She’s generous to a fault, fair and even-tempered, and loves her family and friends fiercely. She lives in Placentia with her husband, a restaurant manager; their twins (a boy and a girl); two cats; and a dog that looks like a coyote.

About Amy

Chief Compliance &
Operations Officer

Christian Videa

Phone: 562-955-5501
Email: cvidea@thearclaoc.org

Christian serves as the Chief Compliance and Operations Officer for The Arc Los Angeles and Orange Counties. He brings nearly 30 years of dedicated experience in the healthcare sector, with a robust background as a healthcare operations executive specializing in compliance, organizational growth, and program innovation. Throughout his extensive career, he has served as a healthcare consultant, successfully delivering strategic operational blueprints for medical groups and physician offices.

At the heart of his role at The Arc, Christian drives the strategic direction and daily operations of all seven of the organization's core programs. He ensures these vital services are structurally seamless, regulatory compliant, and optimized to empower individuals with IDD. To support this programmatic excellence, Christian also guides the vital infrastructure, including comprehensive facility management and transportation logistics, that allows the organization to reliably show up for the communities and families they walk alongside.

Outside of work, Christian loves heading out on coastal and mountain trips with his family. He is an avid DIYer who enjoys home improvement projects and automotive restorations, and he always makes time for his family and their dogs, Tucker and Rocky Road.

About Christian

Britny Javier

Phone: 562-855-3464
Email: bjavier@thearclaoc.org

Britny wears many hats* as the Administrative Manager at The Arc Los Angeles and Orange Counties. She keeps the day to day business running smoothly, answers the phones, ensures all programs are stocked with the supplies they need, performs IT duties, helps out wherever she’s needed, and so much more. She previously worked at The YMCA and has 14 years of experience with nonprofits. Britny graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a degree in Health Science, now called Public Health, and has always felt passionately about helping others.

Britny played water polo and swam competitively for 8 years. She is also a competitive traveler; so far, her international trips include such destinations as China, Japan, Greece, Italy, South Korea, Bali, and the Philippines. Within the United States, she has visited Massachusetts, Florida, Arizona, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington. She also took a road trip to Portland, OR once. Her likes include grapes and board games; she hates olives. Ultimately, she remains ambivalent with regard to spherical foods.

The second youngest of 7 children and aunt to 12 nieces and nephews, Britny has experience managing chaos and is certain that she will rule the world one day (benevolently, of course). When she’s not assisting somewhere else at The Arc, you’ll find her at the front desk, greeting all comers with a smile.

* Figuratively. Her hair is too pretty to hide under a literal hat.

About Britny

Alison Gray Stewart

Alison Stewart

Phone: 562-855-3473
Email: astewart@thearclaoc.org

Alison grew up in Fullerton, in the office supply and stationery store owned by her parents. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and remains insufferable about correcting everyone’s grammar. After working in fields as varied as trade shows, newspaper ad trafficking, and real estate, she was fortunate enough to land at The Arc in 2022 where she writes and edits, researches grants, and manages this. Very. Website.

After living in Long Beach for 13 years, Alison returned to Fullerton where she lives with her child and more rescued cats than she’s comfortable counting. She loves to read, adores all things vintage, is a little obsessed with office supplies (you can take the girl out of the stationery store…), makes jewelry, wishes she were a better artist but does her best, goes to concerts as often as time allows, and decorates her home in a style that can only be described as maximalist eclectic bohemian genie den.

About Alison

Margoritt Aquije

Phone: 562-855-3467
Email: maquije@thearclaoc.org

Margoritt started at The Arc in 2017 as a Job Coach where she spent 5 years supporting participants in the workplace by fully integrating them into their work environment. She was promoted to Director of Career Development and Supported Employment in 2022, then in 2023 took the Creative Arts Program under her direction as well. She previously worked as a Behavior Interventionalist for children aged 6-13 with autism; it was during this time that she developed her interest in assisting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Margoritt finds her work truly rewarding and loves that she can make a difference in the lives of our participants.

A graduate of UC Riverside, Margoritt holds a BA in Sociology. She is the elder of two siblings and has two children herself. She is of Peruvian descent and lives in Downey, where she loves to spend time with family and friends. She is especially close with her sister, aka her personal stylist, with whom she enjoys shopping. She also loves milk tea boba and discovering new boba spots. Margoritt’s motto is, “Life is too short… make the best of it!”

About Margoritt

Emily McCreary

Phone: 562-855-3465
Email: emccreary@thearclaoc.org

Emily joined The Arc as Director of Programs in 2024. Her aims align with The Arc’s mission perfectly as she strives to build confidence in participants and help them achieve their goals, live fulfilling lives, and maximize their potential. She values communication, forming strong relationships, and understanding participants’ individual needs and desires.

Emily holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Buffalo State University and a Masters Degree in Special Education with an emphasis in Behavior Analysis from Arizona State University, where she graduated with honors. Her background prior to The Arc includes over five years of providing behavioral therapy to adults with developmental disabilities, partnering and working closely with various day programs in this capacity. She taught independent living skills, coping strategies, and maintaining overall health and a positive mindset.

Originally from Buffalo, NY (Go Bills!), Emily moved to Ventura County, California in 2018, in search of sunnier climes. As of March 2024, she resides in Fullerton with her husband. Emily loves to travel; she treasures time spent with family and friends whenever she makes it back to New York. Her hobbies include reading; thrillers and historical fiction are her favorite genres and she adores anything by Kristin Hannah. She also loves drinking coffee, enjoying good food, and building her California cred by relaxing at the pool.

About Emily

Carlos Martinez

Phone: 562-955-5039
Email: cmartinez@thearclaoc.org

As Facilities & Transportation Director, Carlos keeps things moving at The Arc LAOC. He coordinates the transit of participants; maintains our fleet of minivans and keeps them serviced, safe, and roadworthy; and coordinates upgrades and repairs across the property. Carlos was promoted to Director in January 2023 but he’s been with The Arc since 1994, working in a variety of positions over the years.

Carlos considers it a privilege to work with individuals with IDD and is passionate about serving the IDD community. A genuine lifer, Carlos started out working part-time for The Arc while completing his GED at Paramount High School, then while attending Compton Community College. He is grateful for all of the people he’s worked with along the way, as they have all made a positive impact on his life and, as a consequence, on the lives of our participants.

Over time, Carlos upgraded his driver license first from class C to B with a “P” (for passengers) endorsement, and then to class A with all five endorsements. Safety is his first concern and his driving record proves it. Carlos has taken many courses and trainings in different areas and aspects related to the community he is proud to serve. His ongoing mission is to continue improving himself so he can keep up with the demanding but rewarding work that our participants deserve.

On a personal note, Carlos has practiced deadlifting for many years. He loves taking long walks at the park or beach with Ophelia, his spoiled Yorkie. A travel enthusiast, he has visited ten states and plans to explore the other forty.

About Carlos

Interim Director of Programs: Culinary Arts

Virginia Reynosa

Phone: 562-855-3481 x264
Email: vreynosa@thearclaoc.org

Our sweet and spicy Virginia has been part of the restaurant and hospitality industry since 2007, developing her passion for food service, teamwork, and creating meaningful experiences for others. She joined The Arc in 2013 and worked here until 2016 when she left to focus on her family. By 2022, her children had become more independent, so she returned to The Arc to follow her passion for supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and her belief in The Arc's mission.

Happily married to her high school sweetheart for over 20 years, Virginia and her husband have raised three children together: Daniella, Gerson Jr., and Camilla. Along with their dog Bruno, they have been proud to call Downey home since 2012. As a family, they enjoy spending time together, whether it's watching movies in the theater, trying new coffee shops, attending Dodgers games, or cheering on the Dodgers from home. They also love cooking together and experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen. Weekends are often spent at baseball tournaments for their son, while their daughters enjoy volunteering with their local Little League and spending time with their extended chosen family.

About Virginia

Interim Director of Programs: Community Integration Program, ExCELS, Seniors

Rushmi Patel

Phone: 562-855-3465 x236
Email: rpatel@thearclaoc.org

Rushmi joined The Arc family in a direct support role over 12 years ago; she followed her passion and worked her way up to program leadership. This career path has truly shaped who she is, both professionally and personally, giving her a deep appreciation for what quality care really looks like from the ground up. As Director of Programs, Rushmi oversees a range of services supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She's passionate about creating environments where every person feels seen, respected, and empowered to reach their goals.

Rushmi's devotion to this field originated in high school, when an alumnus challenged her and seven others to start a school club with one condition: it had to help someone and had to be an out-of-the-box concept. Their group came up with Project Impact, an initiative to include students from special education classes in everyday school activities like football games, prom, pep rallies, and dances. That experience planted a seed that never stopped growing. She went on to earn her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from California State University, San Bernardino, which gave her the foundation to understand people more deeply and show up for them in a meaningful way.

Outside of work, Rushmi is a California native through and through. She loves spending time with her family and friends, and you can usually find her exploring a new coffee shop on the weekends.

About Rushmi

Board Members

Gil Legaspi

Gil is an accomplished professional with an impressive track record in the real estate industry. He brings a wealth of expertise to his clients with over 23 years of experience as a real estate broker, 20 years as a general contractor, and 12 years as a certified property manager. Currently, Gil successfully manages a diverse portfolio of over 300 commercial and residential rental units.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Gil actively participates in various community service initiatives. As a member of the esteemed Downey Rotary Club, he finds great fulfillment in serving his community. Additionally, Gil contributes to the local Downey Chamber of Commerce as an ambassador, leveraging his expertise to support its endeavors. Moreover, he dedicates his time to working with nonprofit organizations that aim to address the issue of gang-related activities in Downey, reflecting his commitment to making a positive impact.

Gil’s personal life is equally fulfilling. He has been happily married for 9 years and is the proud parent of three children. His dedication to his family provides a solid foundation for his professional and community pursuits, demonstrating his ability to balance multiple responsibilities and commitments.

About Gil

Raul Lopez

Raul has been an active member of The Arc's Board of Directors for over 30 years, and he served as Board President from 2009-2011. He has been an avid volunteer and contributor to The Arc during that time. Additionally, Raul was President of the Downey Rotary Club from 1994-1995 and President of Gangs Out of Downey (GOOD) from 1999-2000. Currently, he is the Chair of the Board of Downey Federal Credit Union and Board Member of the Downey Police and Fire Foundation.

Raul is a retired business owner; he sold his Downey insurance company 20 years ago. He's been happily married for 44 years to Arlene, a retired CPA and former partner at a Downey firm. They have lived in Downey for many years and they have 5 grown children, 13 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandkids.

About Raul

Mel Sanchez

Coming Soon!

About Mel

Nannalee Haywood

Nannalee is the Senior Vice President of Member Services for the Automobile Club of Southern California (ACSC), the nation’s largest AAA-affiliated motor club and insurance company, operating in 23 states with over 18 million members and over 4 million insurance policyholders. Nannalee’s responsibilities include oversight of Emergency Road Service Operations, the Insurance Policy Management Group, and Administrative Services (real estate, security, procurement, facilities, etc).

Since 1998, Nannalee has held positions of increasing responsibility in automotive, contact centers, technology transformation and vendor management. Nannalee became the Vice President of Automotive Services in 2021 and advanced to Senior Vice President in 2024. She has led many strategic initiatives including technology stack transformations, contact center distribution strategies, member service and mobility initiatives.

Nannalee earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from National University and holds an Executive Leadership Certification from the University of California, San Diego, as well as an Associate’s Degree in General Insurance. She has served on the Board of Directors for Reel Warriors Foundation 501(3)(c) as the Secretary and received a First Responder’s Award from the Orange County Business Council in 2024.

She is a resident of Lake Forest, CA. She and her husband Josh have been married for 23 years, and they have four children. Nannalee enjoys spending her spare time with family, traveling and playing golf.

About Nannalee

Steve Guzman

Coming Soon!

About Steve

Jodi Chapin

Coming Soon!

About Jodi

Dianne Lumsdaine

Dianne Niethamer was born in Secaucus, New Jersey. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, and a law degree from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. Dianne practiced law in Estate Planning, giving her clients peace of mind by carefully laying out their heirs’ inheritance as well as the care of their young children.

While in undergrad, Dianne met the love of her life, Joe Lumsdaine, and they were married shortly thereafter. Dianne and Joe started their family during Dianne’s 3rd year in law school. Their family consists of daughter Jodi and husband Richard with granddaughters Phoebe and Lorelei; daughter Jenny and partner Niles; son Paul and wife Tiffany with grandson Owen and granddaughter Juniper; and son Casey and wife Miki.

Dianne’s service to The Arc began in the 1980s, when Dianne was asked to serve on the Board of Directors. She has held various offices and committee assignments through the years, including the Board presidency. She counts her time spent working for and with The Arc’s participants among her fondest memories and recognizes that the gifts and heart they possess far surpass any “disability” society labels them with. Both she and Joe, also a past president and current member of the Finance Committee, consider their time spent in service to The Arc a true labor of love.

Dianne and Joe have always believed in volunteerism and service to their community and church. In addition to their long history with The Arc, organizations benefitting from their service include Girl and Boy Scouts, Kiwanis, Soroptimist, YMCA, Habitat for Humanity, Youth Baseball, and Kaiser Spiritual and Hospice Care, to name a few. Dianne was also a Planning Commissioner for the City of Downey in the late 1980s and 90s. She currently serves as a Personnel Commissioner for the Downey Unified School District, a position she has held for the past 30 years.

About Dianne

Enrique Martinez

Enrique Martinez has been the Senior Manager of Operations for Stonewood Center since 2017. He has been with Macerich, the owners of the mall, for 27 years, working at not only Stonewood but also at Lakewood Center, Los Cerritos, where he was responsible for the physical management of all facilities, tenant construction, and upkeep of those shopping centers.

He is an active member of Downey Rotary, serving as Club President from 2024-2025. He has been very supportive of The Arc Fishing Derby, The Arc Walk, and the Annual Swing for Abilities Golf Tournament, working to consistently secure funding and sponsorships. He and his wife Cindy have been married for 18 years and, along with their three children, are lifelong Dodger fans.

About Enrique

Alex Triay

With over 30 years of printing experience, Alex Triay is a third generation printer and owner of Rapid O Print, a full service printing company specializing in commercial and large format printing. With a client base which includes AT&T, Duty Free of America, T Mobile, Screen Actors Guild, CAA Agency, and Kaiser Permanente, Alex ensures high quality, efficient and trustworthy printing in all concepts.

Alex lives in Downey and is a community-serving leader, giving back to the communities he serves. He enjoys being of assistance to underserved communities, providing resources and opportunities where possible.

About Alex

Lissette Rivera

Lissette is an accomplished local business owner, a dedicated public works commissioner, and a prominent Downey Chamber of Commerce ambassador. As a founding member and President of the War on Lethal Fentanyl (WOLF), she leads efforts to combat this crisis in collaboration with the Downey Unified School District, raising awareness across Downey and its surrounding areas. With over 30 years of management experience in non-profits, SAG-AFTRA, and Los Angeles County Public Health, Lissette enhanced her expertise by obtaining a certification from the prestigious UCLA Anderson School of Management in Human Resources Management.

She is a dynamic force in the community. She is actively involved in several key organizations, including the Downey Chamber of Commerce, the Downey Rose Float Association, the Downey Association of Realtors, and the Rotary Club of Downey. As a board member of The Arc Los Angeles & Orange Counties, she demonstrates a strong commitment to effecting positive change. Her engagement in these groups highlights her dedication to significantly impacting the community.

With over ten years of experience as a dedicated special needs advocate, she empowers parents to navigate the complex landscape of EIPs and 504s within local school districts confidently.

As a proud wife of a Navy Veteran and a devoted mother of four, Lissette is dedicated to championing mental health awareness, ensuring early intervention for children with special needs, and delivering robust social support for all children within the community.

The 2024 Woman of Achievement for the 30th Senate District, representing the City of Downey, has been honored with the prestigious first-place award of the 2024 DAOR Good Neighbor Grant. This recognition highlights her significant contributions to the Downey community and celebrates her leadership as the co-founder and President of War on Lethal Fentanyl (WOLF).

About Lissette

Board Member

Andrew Prompongsatorn

Coming Soon!

About Andrew

Ray Brown

Ray is our newest Board Member and a long-time Chief Financial Officer, serving most of his professional career at All American Home Center, and later as a local Downey business owner. More recently, he has been the CFO of two non-profit service agencies, first here at The Arc LAOC and now at Jewish Long Beach.

Ray and his wife of over 40 years, Kookie, have been very active in many ministries at OLPH Church in Downey, including chairing their finance council. He's been a Downey Rotarian for over 32 years, serving on their Board in many capacities, including a term as President.

Currently, Ray serves as chair of the Supervisory committee at Downey Federal Credit Union. His involvement with The Arc was initiated by his Rotary connections and was cemented when his youngest brother Gregory entered the Arc's Seniors program several years later. Ray was a longtime member of the Board, ultimately serving as Treasurer and then Board President back in 2011-2013. We're thrilled to have him back!

About Ray

Eric Pierce

Eric Pierce is a communications professional, community leader and real estate advisor with more than two decades of experience serving Southeast Los Angeles County.

Eric has been with the Downey Patriot since 2002, where he has played a key role in sustaining one of the region's longest-running independent community newspapers. Through his work in local journalism, he has developed deep relationships across government, business and nonprofit sectors while helping inform and engage residents on issues that shape their communities.

In 2015, Eric expanded his professional portfolio into real estate and currently serves as a realtor with The Roberson Group, advising clients throughout the region. He is also the owner of Downey Social, a marketing and consulting firm that partners with small businesses and public agencies on strategic communications, branding and community outreach initiatives.

Eric maintains an active commitment to civic engagement and nonprofit leadership. He is president-elect of the Community Family Guidance Center and vice president of the Downey Symphonic Society. He also serves on the boards of the TLC Family Resource Center and the 10-20 Club, and is a past president of Gangs Out of Downey. In addition, he previously chaired the Downey Unified School District's Measure O Bond Oversight Committee, providing governance and fiscal oversight for a major public infrastructure program.

Through his professional and volunteer work, Eric has demonstrated a consistent dedication to strengthening communities, supporting families and advancing initiatives that improve quality of life across the region.

About Eric

John F. Casillas

John Casillas

John has served the Downey area for more than 20 years as a banking professional, building strong relationships with community organizations and local businesses. As Vice President of Farmers and Merchants Bank – Downey, he brings extensive experience and a deep commitment to supporting the people and businesses he serves.

Over the years, John has developed lasting client relationships through attentive service and trusted guidance. His connection to Downey is also personal: he first came to the community as a child and remembers his father working as the maintenance manager at Stonewood Shopping Center.

John has been a dedicated Kiwanian for the past 25 years and has served the community through several leadership and board roles, including:

President of Kiwanis and board member of the Kiwanis Foundation
President of the Downey Chamber of Commerce
President of the finance board for the Rancho Research board
Current board member of the Kolar Family YMCA

John resides in Whittier, California, with his wife, Martha, and their four sons: Drew, Jerred, Aidan, and Nicolas. He enjoys traveling, discovering new places throughout the United States and Mexico, and spending time with his growing family and their Golden Retriever, June.

About John

Dr. Rebekah Ruswick

Dr. Rebekah Ruswick serves as the Director of Special Education for the Downey Unified School District, where she leads programs and services supporting more than 3,600 students with disabilities from early childhood through adulthood. A passionate advocate for belonging and opportunity, she works alongside educators, specialists, and families to ensure every student is seen, supported, and able to thrive.

Dr. Ruswick has championed initiatives that expand inclusive practices and strengthen mental health supports for students across the district. She earned her Doctorate of Education in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California and has dedicated nearly two decades to serving students and families in Southern California. Named the Association of California School Administrators' Region 14 Special Education Administrator of the Year in 2023, she remains deeply committed to building schools and organizations where every child and adult, regardless of background or ability, is valued, included, and provided with possibilities that maximize their potential.

About Dr. Ruswick