San Gabriel Valley, CA – July 31, 2025: San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity (SGV Habitat) is proud to announce the appointment of Michael Bridges as its new Senior Director of Development.
Michael brings over 15 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors, with a strong track record of building high-impact partnerships and driving community-centered growth. Most recently, he served as Director of Development at Parks California, a statewide nonprofit partner of California State Parks, where he successfully increased both institutional and individual giving, expanded donor engagement, and launched innovative revenue-generating events and partnerships.
“I am thrilled to join San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity and to help build homes, hope, and community,” says Michael. “I love seeing philanthropy in action, especially when funding is multiplied by volunteer action, decades of organizational experience and expertise, and a committed group of mission-driven professionals and partners to deliver life-changing impact and positive lasting change.”
Through home construction, repair programs, and housing advocacy, SGV Habitat partners with local families to create affordable pathways to homeownership. SGV Habitat believes that everyone deserves a safe, decent, and affordable place to live—and is committed to making that a reality in the communities it serves.
“We are very excited to welcome Michael to the SGV Habitat team,” says Bryan Wong, CEO. “His extensive expertise and vast experience align with our vision for growth. I look forward to many new partnerships under his leadership as we expand our impact in the communities we serve.”
About San Gabriel Valley Habitat for Humanity
Founded in 1990, SGV Habitat is a local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, serving communities across the San Gabriel Valley. SGV Habitat partners with individuals and families to build and improve homes through affordable homeownership and critical repairs. With the help of donors, volunteers, and community partners, SGV Habitat works toward a vision of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. For more information, visit: https://www.sgvhabitat.org
About Envision Consulting
Based in Los Angeles, Envision Consulting, LLC specializes in providing leadership strategy and search solutions exclusively to nonprofit organizations. After both founding and running nonprofits for a combined 20 years, our founders built a company that supports and guides the same organizations they were so inspired by and has blossomed into a suite of comprehensive services designed to empower nonprofits to better leverage existing resources for stronger results. Envision often partners with organizations experiencing significant transition, such as programming, leadership, and operational growth, restructurings, and changes in business models including mergers and acquisitions.
Whittier, CA – July 22, 2025: The Whole Child is thrilled to announce that Harlyn Santos has joined the executive leadership staff as their new Chief Operating Officer. Harlyn brings over two decades of leadership in the nonprofit sector, most recently as Executive Director of Think Together, where she oversaw a portfolio of 60 school sites across Riverside County.
Harlyn is a seasoned executive known for driving strategic growth, operational excellence, and team development across complex, multi-site organizations. At Think Together, she led a transformative expansion, tripling regional revenue from $11 million to $35 million in just three years, while maintaining operational integrity, program quality, and stakeholder trust. Her ability to integrate data-driven planning with mission-focused execution has consistently positioned organizations for scale and sustainability.
“Harlyn’s deep operational expertise, strategic mindset, and commitment to strengthening communities make her an exceptional fit for this next chapter at The Whole Child,” said CEO Constanza Pachon. “She brings not only a strong track record of results but also a collaborative spirit that aligns with our values and mission. I’m confident she will be a trusted thought partner to me, our Board, and our leadership team as well as a true champion for our staff and the children and families we serve. Her keen eye for systematization and operational efficiency will be invaluable as we continue building on the tremendous growth of the last seven years, strengthening our infrastructure and positioning The Whole Child for long-term sustainability and impact.”
As COO, Harlyn will lead the operational backbone of The Whole Child in advancing organizational infrastructure, aligning policies and procedures with strategic goals, and fostering a culture of performance, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Her areas of focus will be strengthening cross-functional systems, supporting staff development, and stewarding the continued growth and innovation that have defined The Whole Child over the past seven years.
“I am honored to join an organization with such a powerful mission and impeccable track record of impact,” said Harlyn Santos. “The Whole Child’s work resonates deeply with my own values as a servant leader. I look forward to partnering with the team to build on the strong foundation in place and help position the organization for even greater reach and resilience.”
Harlyn holds a Master of Arts in Organizational Leadership from Azusa Pacific University and a Bachelors of Arts in Psychology from California State University, Long Beach. She is also fluent in Spanish and brings a lived understanding of the communities we serve.
About The Whole Child
Founded in 1957, The Whole Child is dedicated to empowering vulnerable families, especially those experiencing housing instability, by providing comprehensive, holistic supports. They offer mental health counseling for children and families, interim housing and family stabilization services, parenting education and home visits, plus nutrition and physical wellness programs. Their mission is “to help families raise emotionally and physically healthy children and have a place to call home,” striving to integrate healing, education and stable housing under one roof.
About Envision Consulting
Envision Consulting is a boutique firm that specializes in executive search, organizational strategy, merger exploration, and executive leadership transitions exclusively for nonprofit organizations. With offices in Los Angeles, Denver, and New York, Envision’s commitment to nonprofit excellence is integrated throughout its practices, which include structured hiring practices, data-informed processes, and collaborative decision-making. Our team includes seasoned nonprofit executives and strategic advisors with decades of frontline experience, bringing a deep understanding of sector challenges and opportunities. We are proud to support clients with a holistic approach to leadership placement, strategic planning, and long-term partnership development—equipping mission-driven organizations to thrive in complexity and scale their impact with clarity and confidence.
Jasmine Griffis Named Senior Director of Programs at Connections for Children
Los Angeles, CA (June 24, 2025) - It is with great excitement that Connections for Children, a steadfast advocate for the nurturing and educational needs of children and meeting the changing demands of the community, announces the appointment of Jasmine Griffis as its new Senior Director of Programs. Ms. Griffis’ leadership philosophy is rooted in achieving the best possible outcome measures for program participants by fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous growth and aligning team strengths with strategic objectives.
In her capacity as the Senior Director of Programs, Ms. Griffis will be responsible for leading program growth, ensuring program contract compliance, and setting standards for program data collection and results. She will be the principal advisor and key partner to the Chief Program Officer. Jasmine Griffis is a mission-driven leader in human services with a strong foundation in organizational leadership, trauma-informed care, and strategic program development. She has successfully directed multi-million-dollar initiatives supporting vulnerable youth, including unaccompanied minors and foster care populations, by fostering high-performing teams and ensuring regulatory compliance. Currently pursuing her doctorate in Human Services, Ms. Griffis continues to elevate service delivery through data-driven practices, cross-sector collaboration, and a deep commitment to empowering communities.
“I’m grateful to be entrusted with this incredible work. For me, it’s a form of stewardship of my gifts, my faith, and the communities we serve. I’ve always believed we are called to serve where we are most needed, and I’m honored to answer that call in this new role. I’m thrilled to be part of Connections for Children’s beautiful history and its diverse community of helping professionals. My leadership continues to be guided by values deeply rooted in faith and service”, said Jasmine Griffis.
"Jasmine's passion for our mission and commitment to serve the CFC community is evident with every individual she interacts with. We are excited to continue the growth of Connections for Children with Jasmine as an integral member of our Leadership Team", said Dr. Jessica Reynaga, EdD, MSW, Chief Program Officer
With Jasmine Griffis on board, Connections for Children will continue to champion quality improvement by standardizing care practices and ensuring programs meet high service standards for families and childcare providers. With strong leadership collaboration, they will ensure community engagement to strengthen the agency’s impact and sustainability. Jasmine Griffis was chosen as the next Senior Director of Programs after an extensive search led by Connections for Children and facilitated by Envision Consulting. For more information about Ms. Griffis’ appointment or Connections for Children, please contact Melissa Montoya, Director of Search Services at Envision Consulting.
Envision Consulting is a boutique firm that specializes in executive search, organizational strategy, merger exploration, and executive leadership transitions exclusively for nonprofit organizations. With offices in New York, Denver, and Los Angeles, Envision’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is integrated throughout its practices, which include a structured hiring process and anti-biased decision making. In 2023, Envision was named by the Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy as a Top 10 Search Firm that Works for Women of Color for the third year in a row.
San Fernando Valley, CA, May 30, 2025 – The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of the San Fernando Valley (NCADD-SFV) is proud to announce the appointment of Christopher Botten as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Chris is a seasoned behavioral health executive with over 12 years of experience within the Los Angeles County Substance Use Disorder (SUD) system of care. He brings extensive expertise in nonprofit and public sector leadership, with a particular focus on financial management, regulatory compliance, and operational transformation. Chris holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Business from California State University Channel Islands.
“I am honored to join NCADD-SFV and lead an organization with such a powerful legacy of service, advocacy, and recovery,” says Botten. “As someone deeply committed to advancing behavioral health and equity in our communities, I see this as an extraordinary opportunity to build on that legacy by modernizing our approach, expanding our reach, and driving meaningful outcomes for those we serve. I look forward to working alongside our dedicated team, partners, and board to shape the future of addiction treatment and recovery in the San Fernando Valley.”
NCADD-SFV is a mission-driven organization dedicated to providing prevention, education, treatment, and referral services to individuals and families impacted by substance use disorders. Founded on the belief that addiction is a family and societal disease, NCADD-SFV works to eliminate stigma and promote recovery through compassionate, community-based care. Its comprehensive services include substance use counseling, parenting and family programs, DUI education, medication-assisted treatment (MAT), and care coordination with hospitals, detox centers, and sober living facilities.
"Everyone here at NCADD-SFV is looking forward to working with Chris,” says board member Julie Powers. “His experience, work ethic, and overall positive presence make him an incredible asset to our team and we can't wait to see what he does for the community we serve."
About NCADD-SFV
The National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence of the San Fernando Valley (NCADD-SFV) provides high-quality, culturally responsive prevention, education, treatment, and referral services related to substance use disorders. With a vision that every person has the right to be free from addiction, NCADD-SFV offers services that span from youth prevention programs to adult treatment, working closely with the court system, community providers, and families. For more information, visit: https://ncadd-sfv.org
About Envision Consulting
Envision Consulting is a boutique firm that specializes in executive search, organizational strategy, merger exploration, and executive leadership transitions exclusively for nonprofit organizations. With offices in New York, Denver, and Los Angeles, Envision’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is integrated throughout its practices, which include a structured hiring process and anti-biased decision making. In 2023, Envision was named by the Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy as a Top 10 Search Firm that Works for Women of Color for the third year in a row.
Stockton, CA - April 22, 2025 - Parents by Choice is proud to announce the appointment of Charlene Harrison as its new Deputy Director.
Charlene is a citizen of the Walker River Paiute Tribe of Nevada and is Pomo from Northern California and Navajo from New Mexico. She has 18 years of experience working in non-profit organizations in both Alameda and Los Angeles Counties. Charlene has a long track-record of service to others in operations and leadership, including over 17 years of service with Native American Health Center. Charlene earned her undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Master of Business Administration, both from Mills College.
"I'm very excited to begin working with Parents by Choice and supporting its mission,” Charlene says. “I’m looking forward to being a part of Tony's amazing team and to supporting the youth and families in the community.”
Based in the heart of Stockton, Parents by Choice is dedicated to providing hope and healing to children, youth and their families. They provide foster care, transitional housing, mental health services, parenting programs and workforce development to Central Valley communities. Their daily motto is “whatever it takes,” reflecting deep care about each and every person they serve.
"We are excited to welcome Charlene to the Parents by Choice team!” says founder and CEO Tony Yadon. “Her experience, work ethic, and overall positive presence make her a valuable addition to our team and we look forward to seeing our combined impact on youth and families in San Joaquin County."
About Parents By Choice
Parents by Choice (PBC) was founded in 2006 as a “Foster Family Agency,” an
organization that was built to serve the needs of children and youth in the child welfare system. Starting in 2011, programs were added to holistically meet the needs of the children and families they serve. The organization offers a broad array of programs and care for families and children, providing excellent care from experienced staffers as well as highly qualified and licensed clinicians. For more information, visit: https://parentsbychoice.net/
About Envision Consulting
Envision Consulting is a boutique firm that specializes in executive search, organizational strategy, merger exploration, and executive leadership transitions exclusively for nonprofit organizations. With offices in New York, Denver, and Los Angeles, Envision’s commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is integrated throughout its practices, which include a structured hiring process and anti-biased decision making. In 2023, Envision was named by the Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy as a Top 10 Search Firm that Works for Women of Color for the third year in a row.