After 10 years of service at East Los Angeles Women’s Center (ELAWC) and 40 years in the field, Rosemarie retired from her position as Clinical Supervisor at ELAWC. She has dedicated her life’s work to working alongside vulnerable families facing the most difficult period in their lives.

From teen parenthood, substance, abuse, domestic violence, poverty, post-traumatic stress disorder, child abuse and neglect, and sexual abuse, Rosemarie’s leadership guided her ELAWC’s staff and helped the organization evolve into a trauma informed organization. Her commitment to those she served included counseling, teaching, training, facilitating, and mentoring both staff and students.

Jocelyn has been in the Early Care and Education field for over 25 years. She also is an adjunct faculty member at Cal Poly Pomona University and UC Riverside Extension. From 2013 to 2016, Jocelyn completed a 3 ½ year contract with the Los Angeles County-Office of Child Care’s Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge Grant, and served as the Lead QRIS Consultant on that project.

Her professional career began as a teacher’s aide in an infant care center and prior to her current position she has held such positions as pre-school teacher, teacher trainer, workshop facilitator, program specialist, parent educator, director of program operations, early education coach, and college instructor. Her most memorable experience was traveling to Chad, a country in East Africa, to start a preschool program in a refugee camp for the people from Darfur. This was called the Little Ripples project.

Other career highlights include an interview, based on her work as a parent educator, featured in Ebony Magazine, serving as guest “expert” for 8 episodes of the PBS show “A Place of Our Own,” traveling to Germany to facilitate a training for the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC), and presenting a workshop for the European chapter of the Association for the Education of Young Children (AEYC). The conferences that where she has presented include, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the National Black Child Development Institute (NBCDI), the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC), and the National Association for Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA).

She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from UCLA and Master of Arts degree in Human Development, Specializing in Leadership in Education, from Pacific Oaks College. She’s also completed the coursework for a Doctorate in Education, Specializing in Training and Performance Improvement, at Capella University.

After working as an animator for 8 years, Ji traveled the world to explore her passion for children and art. During her travel, Ji volunteered at orphanages, practiced mindfulness, and explored many different cultures. Upon returning to Los Angeles, she founded Million Little to provide a place where people can heal and transform their lives using the power of creativity. Ji conducted and published her research on The Power of Creativity and Its Potential for Positive Change at three locations in 2013-2014 – a domestic violence center, a local after-school program, and a special education classroom in a public school.

Ji serves as an Executive Director for Million Little, and she is also a Director Mentor for early childhood educators through California Mentor Program, a state-wide and state-funded program. Ji is an approved Gateways Trainer Registry trainer of the Child Care Alliance of Los Angeles (CCALA), and she is a trained mindfulness facilitator through U.C.L.A. Mindful Awareness Research Center at Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior.

Ji holds her BFA in Computer Arts and her MA in Human Development with a specialization in leadership in education and social services. With her unique background and experiences Ji will continue to heal, empower, and transform the lives of children and families in need.

Ijumaa is a black cis-gendered woman (she, her, hers) daily engaging in the beautiful struggle of life, doing the internal and external work to abolish systems of oppression such as racism, sexism, transphobia, and classism, etc.

She shows up for this work with intensity and passion, being joyful, thinking critically, and holding a learning space with care and grace. She is an education consultant who offers professional development in reflective practice, culturally relevant, and anti-bias education for educators.

Violet has worked at Journey Out, Los Angeles-based nonprofit that helps victims of commercial sexual exploitation and sex trafficking as a case manager. With her calm spirit and strong problem-solving skills, Violet has a history of helping people to navigate through tough situations.

Prior to Journey Out, she served as an intern at a private psychology practice, where she assisted in interviewing incarcerated juveniles and their families. Additionally, she took part in research to assist first responders with PTSD, and also provided 1:1 therapy to clients. Violet also has experience working with individuals involved in sex trafficking and sexual exploitation, having worked on a crisis hotline as well as in case management. Previously, she served for four years as a 911 dispatcher. Earlier in her career, Violet served as a special education teacher, working to empower children and youth to overcome a variety of challenges.

Violet is currently a doctoral candidate for her PsyD in Psychology. Her main interests are in law enforcement and criminal psychology. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Psychology.

Donald Hellwig is a graduate of UCLA with a major in Business Administration. Don has been a CFO for many companies, helped start up and fund several non-profits, has served on many corporate Boards, volunteers on many community and religious organizations, and continues his private financial consulting practice for many corporations, trusts, and individual tax clients.

Don lives in Los Angeles (Ladera Heights), enjoys world-wide traveling, golf, and especially getting to Maui several times a year. He presently serves on the City of Los Angeles Neighborhood Council of Westchester/Playa as Treasurer and a member of the Planning and Use Committee. Don has taken an active role in fundraising for Million Little and believes in its mission.

Karen served as Executive Vice President Human Resources for Datasat Digital Entertainment where she directed all aspects of Human Resources including leadership development, creation of human resources policies and practices, as well as employee health and safety and managing payroll.

Prior to the sale of the Digital Cinema Division to Datasat Digital Entertainment, Karen was the Director of Human Resources for DTS, Inc. where she led the human resource efforts in business strategy and several acquisitions and mergers. She joined DTS from VPA, Inc. where she supervised the daily operations of the human resource department including training and ergonomic evaluations.Karen held the position of Human Resource Develop Representative with Intel for the Mobile Communications Division, formerly Xircom, Inc.Karen brought Intel’s corporate initiatives to the division and provided coaching, guidance, training, and support in addition to managing several, legally sound reductions in force. At Xircom, she was responsible for managing benefits, compensation analysis, HRIS, as well as generalist duties. Prior to Xircom, Karen was the Senior Human Resource Generalist for Price Pfister, a Black and Decker Company where her primary responsibility was employee safety. Karen has held generalist positions at the Amador Ledger Dispatch a McClatchy Newspaper, Cameron Newell Advertising, and Valley Presbyterian Hospital.

Karen earned her SPHR designation in 2005; she is a Board Member for the Professionals In Human Resources Association (PIHRA) and a member of the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM). She volunteers for SHRM supporting students studying the field of human resources and for the Women’s Economic Ventures of Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties. She is an advocate and Board Member for Habitat for Humanity Ventura County, has previously served as Treasurer for NPHS Baseball Boosters and held various leadership roles with the Boy Scouts of America.

Cynthia majored in sociology/criminology at San Jose State University (1979) and had an internship at Green Valley preschool (1978). Her initial passion after graduating was to work with children as a mentor through affiliation with the public school system in low-income communities.

However after completing school she worked with Friends Outside, a non-profit organization in San Jose, CA for approximately four years as a volunteer to counsel juveniles who had gotten into trouble and entered the judicial process at an early age. Her professional career included holding a number of positions in the Medical Device industry over a period of sixteen years and is certified in Regulatory Affairs (RAC). Cynthia’s passion remains with helping children.

Sheetal comes with over 20 years of experience as a journalist, engineer, as well as product and marketing manager, largely focused on the product development initiatives and their marketing. As a Principal at Mitr Consulting, Santa Barbara, California, Sheetal advises businesses on successful development and commercialization of their ideas and innovations.

Sheetal is also a lecturer in the Technology Management Program at University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), where she also co-advises UCSB’s student chapter of American Marketing Association (AMA). Passionate about children’s education and empowerment, Sheetal has been guiding them at various ages — elementary to graduate school — as a mentor, teacher, and advisor.

Karen's 37-year career started when she was a public health nurse with the Los Angeles County Health Department and continued with her tenure as a nursing professor at El Camino College in Torrance, Calif.; during that time she also spent 24 years in home care nursing.

Her most recently published article, “Caring for Vulnerable Children in Cambodia,” is the photo-essay of her travels with pediatric home health nurses who care for children with AIDS and other chronic conditions in rural Cambodia. Among her career accomplishments, Hellwig developed and implemented the certified home health aide course at El Camino College; developed and taught a real-time Internet nursing series to nursing students in Osaka, Japan; and developed and implemented a psychiatric case manager program for four home health agencies. She has also used her nursing skills in many volunteer capacities. Hellwig assisted with the establishment of The Chironians, the fundraising arm of the UCLA School of Nursing, and served as chair for five years.

Jodi is the founder and Chief Creative Catalyst for Success Alliances. She is an entrepreneur, award winning speaker, coach and consultant known for her high energy presentations. Jodi was once described by an LA Times reporter as having “seemingly endless energy.” She works with individuals and organizations who want to challenge assumptions, connect the dots and take their business to the next level.

Jodi is also the recipient of the prestigious Certified Speaking Professional credential. Fewer than 350 women in the world have received this designation from the National Speakers Association and the Global Speakers Federation. Jodi has received the Certificate of Congressional Recognition from Judy Chu Member of Congress, 27th District for recognition of high standards of excellence and outstanding achievements. She also received the CASA-LA 2017 Outstanding Advocate Award for volunteer work as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for foster youth.

Michelle has practiced corporate law since 2000, starting out in Wall Street law firms in New York City. She received a B.A. in Political Science / International Relations from UCLA and a J.D. from Columbia Law School. She has also studied psychology and neuroscience while simultaneously practicing law and plans to pursue a second related graduate degree in the near future.


An avid international traveler, she took a year in 2009 to travel solo around the world, has studied multiple languages, and worked in Belgium and Paris. Michelle only recently moved back to Southern California from New York, but has already started taking advantage of Southern California’s coastline and loves to sail, with one season of amateur racing under her belt. She also volunteers with rescued Arabian horses and is brushing up on her riding skills.

Marina is an Ethics Compliance Coordinator at the Capital Group in Los Angeles. Originally from Brazil, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue work in the entertainment industry; leading to several informative roles in Artist Development, Production and Legal at The Walt Disney Company.

From a young age, Marina dedicated many years to the exploration of Music, Dance and Arts in general. After becoming a mother, she continued to explore her passion for childhood development, and the use of creativity to empower growth.

Su is an artist and educator who strongly believes in lifelong development through the arts. She has 30 years of teaching experience. Su taught preschool for 17 years before teaching Early Childhood Education at Santa Monica College for 13 years. During that time she concurrently taught classes for UCLA Extension. She designed Santa Monica College's course 'Creative Experiences for the Young Child; Art Music and Movement', enriched by her life experience as a professional musician and visual artist.

Su has mentored adults in a variety of settings including her practicum student-teacher relationships, serving on the CA Mentor Teacher Advisory board, and being the 'play coach' for "Play Matters"; a non-profit organization dedicated to enriching constructive play experiences in Los Angeles area preschools.

Su has presented workshops for local and state level CAEYC conferences, Los Angeles Unified School District teacher education workshops, and was a guest expert on four episodes of PBS 'A Place of Our Own'. She was part of an educator's tour of Reggio Emilia schools in Italy, and co-presenter on the experience at Santa Monica College.

Su's undergraduate studies were Fine Arts. She holds an MA in Human Development with a specialization in College Teaching. Her Master's thesis “The Art of Identity,” designed and led a developmental-arts curricula with adolescent girls. Recently, she has been on creative sabbatical: long distance biking and hiking the world, immersed in wonder and play.

Elise has been practicing in the field of intellectual property law since 1989. She received her BA from Tufts University and her J.D from Washington College of Law at American University. Elise specializes in developing global trademark strategies to register, use and protect trademark portfolios for technology, entertainment, apparel, pharmaceutical companies, and consumer product companies.

With experience in the government and corporate sectors, and working with both domestic and international clearance, use, registration and enforcement matters, Elise is adept at maintaining a balance between a company’s business and marketing objectives and the need to create, maintain and enforce a strong worldwide portfolio. Elise remains actively involved in matters impacting children through volunteer work in the school, participation in the Irvine Unified School District Education Advisory Committee and PTSA President. Her passions include working with children, travel and engaging socially with others.