Advisory Board
Dr. Steven Abelowitz, M.D. FAAP
Board Certified Pediatrician
Dr. Steven Abelowitz, M.D. FAAP, is Board certified in Pediatric Medicine and has been practicing for over 20 years.
Steven’s Full Bio >
Kenneth A. James, M.D.
Obstetrician-Gynecologist
Kenneth James is an Obstetrician-Gynecologist who is Head of the Midwifery Program at Mission Hospital, Mission Viejo, CA and Orange Coast Women's Medical Group, an affiliate of Hoag. Kenneth’s Full Bio >
Renata Ururahy
Dietitian and Holistic Therapist
Renata is a Brazilian Registered Dietitian BR-R.D., has a M.S.in Holistic Nutrition, is a Body-Mind Therapist, C.B.P. and is the Founder and Practitioner at Body-Mind Healing Center in Dana Point CA.
Renata’s Full Bio >
Kevin Alexander, DBH, MC, LPCC
Therapist
Dr. Kevin Alexander, DBH, MC, LPCC has been supporting the diverse mental health needs of children, families and vulnerable adults for more than 25 years. Kevin’s Full Bio >
Adrienne Matros, Psy. D
Psychologist and Mental Health Advisor
Adrienne Matros is a licensed Clinical Psychologist with over 30 years' experience in the healthcare industry. Adrienne currently serves on several non-profit boards. Adrienne’s Full Bio >
Ann Corwin, Ph.D., M.Ed.
Marriage, Family, and Child Therapist
Dr. Ann Corwin has the unique talent of transforming the thousands of stories parents and professionals have shared with her over the past 35 years by first, explaining that kids behave because of the way they feel. Ann’s Full Bio >
Lina Ponder, Psy.D., PPS
Clinical Psychologist
Lina is a Clinical Psychologist who specializes in working with developmental concerns in young children and adults. She has published in the area of parent-child relationships. Lina’s Full Bio >
Jessica Borelli, Ph.D
Therapist
Jessica is Associate Professor of Psychological Science, UC Irvine, Director of THRIVE Laboratory and founder of emPATH Clinical Services. Jessica’s Full Bio >
Mark Zigner
Business Executive
Mark, an international entrepreneur, grew up in Orange County and double majored in Psychology and Business. He is passionate about helping families who struggle with mental health challenges.
Mark’s Full Bio >
Amy Hamilton
Business Advisor & Medical Intuitive
Amy is a Business Advisor and Medical Intuitive. Working as a Psychic, Medium and Medical Intuitive since 2010, Amy has provided countless people across the world with direction and connection in their lives. Amy’s Full Bio >
Susan Kenny
Chief Advancement Officer, Court Appointed Special Advocates of Orange County
After 10 years in the for profit world, Susan found the opportunity to marry her love of volunteering and business development to start a fundraising career. Susan’s Full Bio >
Sheryl Erani
Associate Director, Meeting Planning – Speaker Bureau Services
Sheryl is a medical meeting planner, aka “Meeting Planner Extraordinaire.” She wonders if virtual meetings can ever truly take the place of face-to-face meetings as the world becomes more and more “virtual.” Sheryl’s Full Bio >
Naresh Worlikar
Business Executive
Naresh is a forward-thinking executive with over 30 years of experience in international markets. He has worked in operations and sales for large corporations across Asia, Europe, the Pacific and the Middle East. Naresh’s Full Bio >
Rachel Nelson Peterson
Yoga Instructor
As the oldest of six children, Rachel Peterson developed her leadership and teaching skills from an early age. Throughout her career, she has spent more than 15 years in the non-profit space working to better the lives differently-abled and critically-ill children in Orange County. Rachel’s Full Bio >
Carrie Cesario
Transpersonal Hypnotherapist
Carrie was born and raised in Southern California. Though she lived abroad and in Los Angeles for several years, she’s primarily lived in Orange County where she has been raising her two children for the past 10 years. Carrie’s Full Bio >
Chris DiFonso, MBA
Financial Professional
A versatile finance professional, Chris has applied his talents to a variety of organizations over his career, from an independent physician association to a non-profit hospital and a national healthcare insurance company. Chris’ Full Bio >
Brett Patterson, Ph.D.
Behavioral Doctor
Brett is owner of the clinical practice Progressive Interventions and founder of the Behavior Compass Academy, an online behavior education resource for parents and caregivers. Brett’s Full Bio >
Hoda Shawky, NP
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Hoda Shawky is a pediatric nurse practitioner, certified in behavioral health and lactation who has been working with First 5 Orange County, on systems level approaches to addressing perinatal mental health as the foundation to social and emotional development of infants and toddlers. Hoda’s Full Bio >
Jennifer Annes
Business Executive
Jennifer currently serves as the Board Chair for 100 Women Orange County and as an executive at Enterprise Data Solutions. Her career has included non-profit work in management, community outreach, employee and donor engagement, and event planning.
Jennier’s Full Bio >
Deborah Hartnett
Executive Coach
Deborah Hartnett is an executive coach and corporate trainer specializing in human performance. She has 15 years of experience in consultative sales as well as training and facilitating executive teams, non-profit boards and individuals in causing breakthrough performance. Deborah’s Full Bio >