BOOST Ambassadors
Diego Arancibia, Coordinator
ASAPconnect, San Jose, CA
Diego Arancibia has worked in the field of After-School for over 15 years. His experience ranges from working with elementary, middle school and high school students at the various programmatic and administrative levels. His innovative methods in marketing and programming has produced some of the most successful programs in the nation. Additionally, he has traveled across the nation training youth program advocates in consensus building, action planning, and programming. Currently, Diego is the Coordinator with ASAPconnect and lives in the Bay Area with his beautiful wife and his amazing son and daughter.
Gabriela Baeza, Program Specialist II
San Diego County Office of Education, San Diego, CA
Gabriela Baeza joined the San Diego County Office of Education in 1999. As a Project Specialist for violence prevention programs, Gabriela assists schools with the implementation of youth prevention programs, school safety plans, and violence prevention strategies. She provides training in gang awareness, human trafficking, female aggression, and other gender-specific topics to administrators and community agencies.
Gabriela has a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration and Sociology from San Diego State University.
Mark Blackshear, Youth Leadership Trainer
Mental Health Systems Inc., San Diego, CA
Mark Blackshear is an extraordinary young man and an inspiring trainer. He has been in the youth development field for ten years, coaching and counseling youth in a variety of settings including high schools, youth camps, faith-based organizations, and non-profit organizations. He has also counseled and mentored severely emotionally disturbed, at risk and system involved youth. Mark is a 2002 Graduate of the Oracle Program at Garfield High School in San Diego, CA. As a former "system involved youth" Mark became a founding member of the Take Wing Youth Advisory Board at San Diego Youth Services.
His example of overcoming challenges and creating success, he provides inspiration and insight to both youth and adults. Mark has been the Youth Leadership Trainer for the Caring Helpers Leadership Training Program of Mental Health Systems, Inc., since 2007 where he has contributed to the development of numerous character development and leadership training courses. He trains and teaches approximately 2,000 youth and adults per year in youth development and leadership skills, and he has spoken at conferences and programs across California, on topics relating to youth issues. In addition to his numerous accomplishments, Mark coaches track and field, volunteers as a ministry leader and serves as a mentor for The Foster Youth Mentor Program of San Diego County.
Julia Gabor, Senior Programs Manager
Tiger Woods Foundation, Irvine, CA
Julia Gabor is the Senior Programs Manager at the Tiger Woods Foundation (TWF). Julia develops specialized programs ranging from activity based curriculum in a variety of different educational areas to creating a colligate mentor program. While at TWF Julia managed a national character education program called- Tiger's Action Plan (TAP). TAP is a free youth development curriculum that focuses on leadership, goal setting, service learning and career exploration. Julia currently trains and facilitates workshops for educators, mentor professionals and students. She develops implementation strategies across the nation for several types of educational programs in order to enhance student success towards a productive future. Prior to joining TWF, Julia was a Coordinator for the After School All Stars in Los Angeles, where she taught a range of middle school enrichment classes- from personal leadership to sports, to performance and visual art classes. Julia has been teaching/leading groups since she was a teenager working alongside her mother, who is an acting teacher, and coach in the USA and Europe. Julia has served as a trainer/facilitator in disguised learning and cultural diversity throughout California. In 2009, Julia received the Honored Educator Award from Cal State Fullerton for dedication to education in the Orange County Community. Miss Gabor is a graduate of the State University of New York, Fredonia receiving her bachelor's degree in the Fine Arts. She is currently studying for her masters in educational leadership and change at Antioch University.
Elizabeth Parker Phillips, Program Development Director
CDI/CDC, Sacramento, CA
ElizaBeth Parker Phillips has been working in school age and recreation programs for over 15 years. She places a priority in creating high quality programs that are inclusive of all. She focuses on creating innovative programming and environments for children that engage and inspire. She believes that school age care & afterschool programs have the unique position to empower children in their learning, leisure lifestyle & life skills. She works with programs to include all stakeholders in planning services to create a community hub. ElizaBeth currently resides in Sacramento but dreams of returning to Southern California. In her spare time, she enjoys relaxing in the pool, being active with her family, co-leading a Brownie Troop, and desserts. She recently has become one with her inner-geek and one day hopes to go to Comic-Con.
Carola Secada, Operations and Training Director
Downtown Community Development YMCA, Long Beach, CA
Carola Secada, B.A. in Psychology and Social Behavior from University of California, Irvine, has 6 years of experience working with school age children and 3 years of experience working with high school youth. Carola has been working for the YMCA for the past 7 years and is currently the After School Operations and Training Director. She oversees grant requirements are fulfilled for the 21st Century Community Schools and ASES After School programs, including the successful implementation of the balanced literacy program. She is also the lead for After School University, which is a comprehensive practitioner based training program for after school staff with the ultimate goal of helping children succeed in school, at home and in life. Carola specializes in Diversity, Youth Development & Program Development trainings covering topics such as Communication, Leadership Styles, Conflict Resolution, & Staff Development.
Tiveeda Stovall, Executive Director/Founder
eXcel Youth Zone (XYZ), San Diego, CA
Tiveeda Stovall is the Executive Director and Founder of eXcel Youth Zone (XYZ), a statewide nonprofit which engages K-12 youth in service-learning opportunities. Ms. Stovall is a state Certified Trainer of Service-Learning through the California Department of Education and Youth Service California and has served as an adjunct professor of Sociology/Psychology. Tiveeda Sotvall received her Master's in Social Work from the University of California, Berkeley. She has had over 20 years of social work and counseling experience with children, adolescents and families in community, educational and medical settings. She has consulted for schools, public health departments, medical professionals and community organizations on psycho-social issues of youth and families. Ms. Stovall was the recipient of the 2007 Congresswoman Susan Davis Award for an Adult Actively Engaging Students in Service.
Dr. Katherine Bihr is the Vice President and Executive Director of the Tiger Woods Learning Center. Her responsibilities include providing direction to the personnel, programs and operations of the Tiger Woods Learning Center.
Prior to joining TWLC, she was the Principal of Vista View Middle School in Fountain Valley, CA. While there the school received recognition as a California Distinguished School, and Katherine was recognized for her leadership by the Council for Special Education. Additionally, Katherine served on the Superintendent’s Cabinet in the Ocean View School District providing guidance in the areas of physical education and the visual/performing arts.
Dr. Bihr serves on the board of directors for the El Viento Foundation which provides education and enrichment opportunities for at-risk students from grades 4-12; and Project Tomorrow which supports the innovative uses of science, math and technology resources in K-12 schools and communities. In addition, Katherine sits on the Department of Education Leadership Council for the University of California, Irvine and California State University, Fullerton. Dr. Bihr has presented twice at the United States Department of Education and was an invited panelist in an International Education Forum at the United States Department of Education in November of 2008, focused on Fostering Global Responsibility and Leadership.
Her undergraduate degree in kinesiology was completed at Long Beach State University and she holds a Masters of Educational Administration from Azusa Pacific University. Katherine received a doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California, Rossier School of Education.
The Tiger Woods Learning Center provides career exploration and college preparation programs to high potential, low opportunity youth and families. During the school day, elementary students and their classroom teachers embark on a one-week indepth study of science. While students become marine biologists and forensic scientists, classroom teachers are provided instruction in developing and delivering hands-on science lessons and the effective use of technology in the classroom. After school junior high and high school students participate in hands-on career exploration activities that help bridge the gap between school and the real world. Outreach programming is also available for families to help them navigate the college application and financial aid processes – helping parent and child understand that going to college is not only affordable, but attainable. In 2008 the Tiger Woods Learning Center was recognized at the state level by the Association of California School Administrators as a Partner in Educational Excellence for its unique programs offered to young people ages 9-18.
