Yesenia Velez Ochoa is the Chief Executive Officer for the Multi-Ethnic Collaborative of Community Agencies (MECCA). Prior to joining MECCA, Yesenia served as the executive director for Oak View Renewal Partnership where she led key community initiatives focusing on long-term community impact and sustainability through collaborative efforts. Other positions have included Director of Community Development for Orange County United Way and Program Officer for the Merage Foundation for the American Dream where she developed programs engaging non-profits, public and private agencies for the economic empowerment of minority groups. She is currently the immediate past chair for the Orange County Community Housing Corporation’s Board of Directors where she has volunteered 15 years. Throughout her career, Yesenia has served on various committees and advisory boards dedicated to creating access and awareness of services for the underserved.

Rhiannon Doscher is the Chief Program Officer at MECCA, where she leads the development of culturally responsive programs that uplift and empower Orange County’s diverse communities. With more than a decade of experience building and guiding initiatives, she thrives on human connection, believing deeply in the power of relationships to inspire growth, resilience, and collective success. Her natural ability to connect with people from all walks of life, particularly communities of color, drives her passion for creating spaces where people feel seen, valued, and supported in ways that honor their lived experiences.

Rhiannon’s career began in youth development, where she discovered her calling to serve entire family units and communities. Since then, she has dedicated herself to advancing equity, fostering collaborative partnerships, and empowering teams to lead with compassion and purpose. She is especially committed to meeting people where they are, ensuring programs are designed with approaches and modalities that reflect the strengths, needs, and cultures of the communities they serve. Whether designing initiatives, supporting staff, or engaging directly with community members, Rhiannon is most energized by seeing people flourish and realizing the strength that comes from working together.

Paige Medina is the Director of Health Programs at the Multi-Ethnic Collaborative of Community Agencies (MECCA). Since 2019, she has worked in substance use prevention and public health across federal, state, and county initiatives focused on delivering comprehensive, culturally responsive health education. Paige earned her Bachelor’s degree in Community Health Education and a Master of Public Health with an emphasis in Epidemiology. She also serves on the Executive Committee for the Orange County Prevention Network.

With over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Jesus is a passionate Program Manager at MECCA, dedicated to creating meaningful impact within the community. Throughout his career, Jesus has been committed to serving underrepresented populations, developing programs that foster collaboration, and ensuring that communities have access to the resources and support they need to thrive. At MECCA, his work is rooted in a deep belief in the power of collective action and amplifying the voices of those who are often unheard. Outside of work, Jesus is an avid record collector with an extensive collection of vinyl records. From time to time, he channels his passion for music into DJing, combining his love for music with community events and gatherings.

Kaveh Farahanchi is the Data & Evaluation Program Manager at MECCA, where he supports the organization’s mission by strengthening data systems, program evaluation, and performance measurement across community-based public health initiatives. In this role, Kaveh works closely with program leadership and staff to design and implement evaluation frameworks, analyze program outcomes, and translate data into actionable insights that support continuous improvement and health equity.

Kaveh holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy from the University of California, Riverside, and a Master of Public Health from California State University, Fullerton, with a focus on health administration, program management, and health systems. His academic and professional experience centers on public health systems, behavioral health, and community-based interventions.

Prior to joining MECCA, Kaveh worked in higher education, healthcare, and local government–adjacent settings, where he supported research initiatives, coordinated community health programs, and improved operational workflows through data analysis and process evaluation. His work has included program evaluation, stakeholder coordination, compliance support, and the development of standardized processes to improve service delivery and accountability.

Passionate about using data to drive equitable and effective health systems, Kaveh is committed to supporting programs that expand access, improve outcomes, and strengthen the capacity of organizations serving diverse communities. Outside of work, he enjoys staying engaged in public health policy, systems improvement, and professional development within healthcare administration.

Mae Alfaddaghi is a Program Manager at the Multi-Ethnic Collaborative of Community Agencies (MECCA). Mae has a Bachelor of Science in Anthropology from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. Prior to joining MECCA, Mae worked as an intensive Case Manager for system involved youth at the Children’s Law Center of California. In this role, she worked closely with social workers, legal counsel, youth, young parents and caregivers and found joy in supporting family and human connection. Mae also worked with OC SSA contractor to support families with gaining employment and achieving self-sufficiency. Mae is an avid volunteer and has over 15 years of experience serving with agencies that support diverse marginalized populations with a variety of needs including homelessness, mental health, food insecurity, lowering recidivism, promoting access to education and community building.

Matt Haines is the Communications and Development Manager for the Multi-Ethnic Collaborative of Community Agencies (MECCA). Before joining the team at MECCA, Matt served as a Communications Specialist for the Orange County Board of Supervisors where he specialized in social media, digital communications, community relations and outreach, and a broad range of writing. The years he spent in government inspired Matt to continue to pursue a career of service, leading him to join MECCA and its mission to serve the diverse communities of Orange County. Matt is a passionate communicator who holds a BA in Communication Studies from California State University Long Beach and a MA in Professional Communications from California State University Fullerton. For fun, Matt likes to spend his free time outdoors, primarily hiking and camping.

Michelle Nieto Torres is the Health Program Manager for the Multi-Ethnic Collaborative of Community Agencies. She is passionate about addressing health disparities and promoting wellness among underserved communities, drawing on her lived experiences as a driving force for positive change. She believes in the power of education, outreach, and collaboration to create lasting positive change in communities. She holds a bachelor’s degree in human services with an emphasis on Mental Health and Substance Abuse. She has over 5 years of experience in Public Health, primarily focusing on substance use prevention and community outreach and advocacy through the promotion of tobacco control policies throughout Orange County. When not at work, Michelle enjoys time reading and being outdoors with her family.

Sarah Holman De Bruyn is the EIOSA Program Manager for MECCA, where she is dedicated to advancing health equity and supporting older adults through culturally responsive programs and services. She holds both a bachelor’s degree in public health and a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Gerontological studies from California State University, Fullerton, where she also serves as a Lecturer in Public Health. Sarah brings more than a decade of experience working with older adults and vulnerable populations, beginning as a caregiver and later serving as a case manager intern with the Council on Aging Southern California. She has also worked closely with HIV-positive individuals, an experience that deepened her passion for eliminating stigma and promoting compassionate, inclusive care within the HIV community. At the California Department of Public Health, she assisted in managing the statewide internship program, where she helped expand opportunities for students and emerging professionals to enter the field of public health. Her work continues to inspire her teaching and commitment to mentoring the next generation of public health leaders. Her leadership and expertise have been recognized through several honors, most notably winning the CSU Grad Slam competition, a CSU systemwide recognition of her research and presentation skills for her work on sexual health and STIs among older adults. Passionate about addressing the unique needs of aging populations and reducing stigma in all forms, Sarah believes that policy change, education, collaboration, and inclusive outreach are the foundation of lasting change, and she brings this vision to both her role at MECCA and her teaching. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, musical theatre, preforming within musicals, and spending time with her husband and family.

With a passion for mental health and a background in nonprofit contracts invoicing and administration, Adrienne supports MECCA in her role as HRTP Program Coordinator through research and curriculum development. Adrienne’s years of personal experience pursuing her own mental health allow her a nuanced and compassionate lens to this work. In her time off, she enjoys volunteering (and shopping!) at a thrift shop that supports a domestic violence shelter in her hometown.

Chucks Ordonez is a Program Coordinator at MECCA, where she supports housing stability services for underserved communities across Orange County. Through MECCA’s collaborative, community driven approach, Chucks works to strengthen partnerships and expand access to culturally responsive programs that address systemic barriers. With over seven years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Chucks has dedicated her career to supporting justice-involved and vulnerable populations through person centered and trauma informed care. Her background in Enhanced Care Management (ECM), workforce development, and community resource coordination allows her to bridge gaps between systems and the individuals they serve.

Prior to joining MECCA, Chucks served as a Lead Care Manager at HealthRIGHT 360, where she coordinated comprehensive care and connected individuals to healthcare, housing, and behavioral health services. She also worked as a Career Navigator at Working Wardrobes, supporting justice impacted individuals in building sustainable employment, successfully reintegrating into the community and achieving self-sufficiency. Earlier in her career, she held leadership roles at Mercy House, specializing in data management, program operations, and team support.

Chucks holds an Associate of Science degree in Criminal Justice and is passionate about advancing equity, fostering inclusive communities, and empowering individuals to achieve long term stability.

Outside of work, Chucks enjoys spending time with her dog, Shadow a Rottweiler/Staffy mix and exploring new places on drives together.

Elizabeth Miranda is the Program Coordinator for our Community Health Worker (CHW) and Housing and Homelessness Initiative Program (HHIP) initiatives at Multi-Ethnic Collaborative of Community Agencies (MECCA). Prior to joining the MECCA team, Elizabeth spent 10 years at Plaza Community Services a community-based organization in East Los Angeles. There she began her career in the home visitation sector as a Program Support Clerk under First 5 LA Home Visitation program. During her time in home visitation, Elizabeth assisted the program manager and home visitors in maintaining program guidelines and protocols. Outside of Elizabeth’s professional life, she enjoys spending time with her family; husband and 2 sons, going out and creating new and fun memories alongside her family. Elizabeth is yearning to learn and work with the communities in Orange County.

Karen’s lived experience has solidified her drive for serving diverse marginalized populations and believes in meeting people where they are at. She has a history of facilitating support groups as well as individual sessions with those struggling with their mental health, food insecurity, SUD, and homelessness in Orange County. Karen believes in the power of community, humility, and compassion. She has a desire for connecting with all forms of life and knows it’s through connection we can conquer our fears and share our passions. 

Andrew Fahmy currently serves as Executive Director for Orange County United Way’s United for Financial Security Initiative. As a motivated strategic thinker with an entrepreneurial mindset, Andrew brings a fresh perspective to MECCA’s Board. He has extensive experience as a senior nonprofit executive, having worked at Pacific Clinics – Recovery Education Institute, The Olin Group (now Charitable Ventures), and here at MECCA as our previous Director of Partnerships, and Program Development. Andrew is an avid volunteer, giving his time to support Mountain Respite Camp – A overnight camp program for adults living with or affected by mental illness.

Johnice Williams, an avid mental health advocate in Orange County, currently serves as Grantee Liaison with Desert Vista Consulting on the California Accountable Communities for Healthcare Initiative (CACHI). She brings a wealth of lived and learned experience related to mental health care systems here in Orange County and beyond. With her past involvement as co-founder of Peer Voices of Orange County, she possesses both executive and frontline experience providing peer support services for Hope for Orange County, FEMA, and other initiatives in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Johnice serves on a number of Boards, including the Extraordinary Lives Foundation, the Behavioral Health Equity Committee here in Orange County, and Christ Church Unity of Anaheim, among others.

Dr. Karen Kyeunghae Lee joins the MECCA Board, offering a balanced and robust blend of expertise from multiple sectors. As an Associate Professor of Social Work at California State University, Fullerton, her academic work specializes in integrated behavioral healthcare, reducing mental health disparities, and improving care quality for vulnerable populations. These insights are powerfully complemented by her practical experience as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in California’s public mental health settings. Furthermore, Dr. Lee provides crucial leadership as the current President of the Korean American Mental Health Association (KAMHA), giving her valuable expertise in non-profit governance and community impact. To ensure accountability, she also has significant experience serving as a program evaluator for several federal and state grants. Her combined experience in academia, clinical practice, and non-profit leadership offers a comprehensive perspective to the MECCA Board.

Rose Buenaventura serves as Chief Information Officer for the Los Angeles County Department of Homeless Services and Housing, where she leads technology and data initiatives designed to improve services for individuals experiencing homelessness. A lifelong believer in the power of innovation for social good, Rose has built her career around creating systems that connect people to resources, strengthen organizations, and turn complex challenges into practical solutions.

Throughout her career, Rose has led large scale technology transformations across government and nonprofit organizations, with expertise in data strategy, cybersecurity, cloud technologies, and human centered service delivery. She is particularly passionate about using technology to advance equity, improve outcomes, and empower the people doing the work on the front lines of community services.