Jennifer Friend, J.D.

Chief Executive Officer

There is a through line in Jennifer Friend’s life that runs from a childhood without stable housing in Orange County all the way to the helm of one of the most recognized youth homelessness organizations in the country. That chapter of her life was impactful enough to inspire a Broadway play, Nomad Motel, and clarifying enough to shape everything that came after.

She went on to earn a law degree, make partner at a large firm, and build a career in civil litigation and transaction law. But when the opportunity came to join the board of a small nonprofit serving students experiencing homelessness, something pulled her in. And when the organization needed a leader, she stepped forward.

That was one school, one city.

Today, Project Hope Alliance serves students throughout Orange County through age 24, has grown by more than 1,100%, and has built a model for ending youth homelessness that is recognized across the country. The high school graduation rate among PHA students runs more than 30 points above the national average. These are not just numbers. They are what disrupting generational homelessness actually looks like.

Jennifer brings to this work a J.D. from Whittier Law School, a B.A. in Criminology, Law, and Society from UCI, and graduate training in nonprofit leadership from Harvard Business School. She serves as a trustee of the UCI Foundation, an appointed member of the University of California Fiat Lux Alliance, and an advisory member of the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute Advisory Board.

She has been named Costa Mesa’s Woman of the Year, an OC Register Game Changer three times over, and OC Business Journal’s Innovator of the Year, among many other honors.

For Jennifer, the mission has always been personal. Every child PHA serves is not just a life changed, but a cycle broken. One child at a time, that is how you end homelessness for good.

Jennifer lives in Costa Mesa with her husband Rob and is a proud mom to Parker and Beck.

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Shelby Feliciano-Sabala, Ed.D. M.S.W.

Chief Partnership Officer

As a social worker, Shelby has worked in education for the past 15 years. Shelby is passionate about creating a culture of curiosity and infusing storytelling with intentional data collection, strategic planning, and community partnerships. In her role as Chief Partnership Officer, she creates and maintains partnerships with cities, districts, and other public entities to ensure youth experiencing homelessness have the resources and support to thrive. She received her Masters in Social Work from the University of Washington, focusing on community-centered integrative practice. She is currently pursuing her doctorate in Educational Leadership at Cal State Long Beach, studying the ways in which social-emotional learning competencies empower students. As a former AmeriCorps member, Shelby is passionate about the importance of community engagement, creating sustainable systems change, and intentional collaboration. She aims to bring her passion for social justice and systems change to Project Hope Alliance to ensure all youth have the opportunity to thrive.

Lucia Nguyen, M.A.

Director of Programs

Lucia joined PHA as the Director of Programs in Feb 2024. She has been a part of the nonprofit sector in Orange County since 2006. Her journey started with American Family Housing, moving to South Coast Children’s Society, and most recently with Orangewood Foundation, where she served for 11 years. Her experience ranges from case management to program development, implementation, and leadership, supporting various populations from adults, families, and transitional-aged youth experiencing homelessness, children & family services, the juvenile justice system, health care agency, or foster care. She has a passion for empowering others to reach their greatest potential through support, advocacy, and collaboration. She is inspired by PHA’s mission and the approach to supporting the participants of the program. Lucia has her Bachelor’s in Psychology, with a minor in Human Services from Cal State Fullerton, along with a Master’s in Organizational Leadership from California Baptist University.

Shelly Sennikoff, M.S.D.S.

Director of Finance

Shelly Sennikoff joins Project Hope Alliance as Director of Finance and Administration. Shelly is passionate about making a difference in the community, particularly when it comes to providing opportunities for disadvantaged youth. She is an experienced finance professional with 10 years as a budget and financial reporting specialist in the non-profit sector. She has a deep comprehension of non-profit budget and financial controls and has developed systems for scalable growth in these areas. Shelly holds a B.A. in Business Administration and an M.S. in Decision Science, both from California State University, Fullerton.

Annie Song, M.P.A.

Director of Development

Annie joined Project Hope Alliance as the Director of Development in spring 2023. Prior to PHA, Annie held roles at local youth serving nonprofit organizations including Orangewood Foundation and The Wooden Floor and recently served as the Director of Development at Cal State Fullerton’s College of Education. Annie is passionate about PHA’s mission and our thoughtful, long-term approach to addressing youth homelessness. Annie earned her bachelor’s degree in human services and master’s degree in public administration from Cal State Fullerton (Go Titans!)

Annie Weir, J.D.

Director of Operations

Annie joined Project Hope Alliance in 2014 as the Director of Operations. She left in 2019 to raise her growing family and consult for other nonprofits’ strategic plans. She returned to PHA in February 2022 to support the grant writing and development team. Prior to joining Project Hope Alliance, Annie worked as a lawyer. Annie was excited to return to PHA because she wholeheartedly believed in the mission and was thrilled to pick up where she left off, making a difference for students experiencing homelessness.

Chrissie Lee, M.S.W. PPSC

Manager of Community Based Services

Chrissie joined Project Hope Alliance in 2013 and has supported our youth and mission in a variety of roles. In her current role of Manager of Community Based Services, Chrissie provides support to our Transitional Age Youth (TAY) upon their high school graduation. Chrissie also oversees our internship program connecting local college interns with Project Hope Alliance to gain experience and support our program, marketing, and administrative needs. Prior to joining PHA, Chrissie served as a Personal Services Coordinator for the Vietnamese Community of Orange County and an Educational Case Manager Intern for the Orange County Department of Education, Foster Youth Services. She holds an M.S.W. with a Pupil Personnel Services Credential from the University of Southern California and a B.A. in Human Development with a minor in Human Resources from California State University, Long Beach.

Amy Carillo

Program Manager

Fatiha Small

Case Manager

Fatiha (Tia) joined Project Hope Alliance in January 2017 as an Operations Assistant and has since advanced to Program Coordinator. In her role, she serves as the first point of contact for many families enrolling in PHA’s programs, providing phenomenal support and service to every individual who walks through the organization’s doors. Fatiha also supports the day-to-day functions of all programs, including front office support, resource database development, food pantry maintenance, program screenings, procurement of extracurricular activities for children and youth, and facilitation of financial assistance requests and referrals for families. Prior to joining PHA, she served as a Community Leader Liaison for the City of Irvine. Fatiha holds a B.A. in Business Administration from California State University, Fullerton.

Kimberly Garrido

Case Manager

Kimberly joined Project Hope Alliance (PHA) in the summer of 2021 as a Case Manager. Kimberly graduated from the University of California, Irvine, where she studied psychology and social development. Prior to PHA, she was an ABA therapist, working with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Kimberly comes from a single-parent household and relates to many of the barriers that PHA parents, children, and families can face when attempting to pursue their education. Kimberly loves being able to help children grow to their highest potential and being able to share that success with them and their families.

**Hablo Espanol**

Kirya Valle

Case Manager

Kirya joined PHA as a case manager Fall of 2021. Kirya graduated from the California State University of Long Beach with a B.A. in psychology. Before working at PHA, Kirya worked at a mental health facility working with adults going through a mental health crisis and learning to practice independent living skills. Kirya enjoys working with the youth and being in a position to build up and encourage them and their passions.

**Hablo Espanol**

Nidia Pravongviengkham, M.A.

Case Manager

Nidia joined Project Hope Alliance (PHA) in the winter of 2022 as a Case Manager. She graduated from Mount St. Mary’s University with a double major in Business Administration and Sociology. She holds a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy. Prior to PHA, Nidia worked with foster care youth as an investigator for minors’ counsel at the juvenile dependency courts and as a social worker in a foster care agency. Nidia enjoys field and school-based assignments that allow her to interact and directly advocate for youth and families in the community.

**Hablo Espanol**

Vanessa Praguedes

Case Manager

Vanessa attended the University of California, Riverside, and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. Prior to PHA, she worked as a Residential Counselor/Youth Care Worker, working with immigrant, refugee, and system-involved youth. She has helped youth from the ages of 8-17 years old by being trauma-responsive to heal childhood trauma in a culturally sensitive manner.

“I truly believe one’s past/background does not define who they are and what they are capable of. Growing up, I knew of many youth in my city who were capable of so much in life but didn’t have access to enough resources or the right support to achieve their dreams. I was inspired by Project Hope Alliance’s mission because we get to help break that cycle and remove barriers our youth may have to achieve their educational/life goals which is the most fulfilling feeling ever. I’m excited to hear all about our youths’ accomplishments.”

**Hablo Espanol**

Angela Garcia

Case Manager

Angela Garcia joined PHA in February 2024. Prior to working at PHA, she worked at Children’s Bureau providing in-home support services for families working with Orange County Social Services. She was also involved in promoting the development of California Community Schools at Ponderosa Elementary School in Anaheim, fostering collaboration between the school, neighborhood, and community agencies to support student success. As she continues her journey working with youth and their families, she is motivated by the belief that every effort, regardless of size, contributes to making a positive difference in the lives of youth.

**Hablo Espanol**

Alexandra Gomez

Case Manager

Alexandra Gomez joined PHA in October of 2024. She has experience in supporting seniors, teens, children, case management, and families with mental health struggles. Alex graduated from UCI where she was a double major! During her time at UCI, she studied Criminology Law and Psychological Science. Alexandra is passionate about helping youth reach their highest potential and loves being able to share their success with them/their loved ones.

**Hablo Espanol**

Stephanie Solano

Case Manager

Stephanie holds a B.A. in Sociology from Cal State Dominguez Hills (Go Toros!). She is driven by a deep passion to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives, believing that every impact, whether big or small, brings the greatest rewards. Stephanie is grateful to be working alongside the exceptional team at Project Hope Alliance (PHA), where she strongly believes in the organization’s mission and shares its core values.

Stephanie firmly believes that anything is possible for children, regardless of their economic circumstances, and is honored to support them throughout their journey to success. She looks forward to contributing to positive change within the community. **Hablo Espanol**

Michael Yanes

Case Manager

Michael joined PHA as a TAY Case Manager in Nov 2024. He graduated from Cal State Fullerton with a major in Human Services. Michael’s journey started in various human services fields such as the foster care system, wraparound services, juvenile justice system, and mental health services. His background and passion play a large role in understanding the importance of supporting and advocating for youth so they can overcome any challenges or barriers they may face and strive for personal success. PHA’s mission and approach inspired him to embark on this new journey to end the cycle of homelessness, one child at a time.

**Hablo Espanol**

Jessica Sanchez

Case Manager

Jessica Sanchez bio forth coming.

Bertha Mondragon

Case Manager

Bertha Mondragon – Case Manager

Maria Castaneda

Case Manager

Maria Castaneda- Case Manager

Alejandro Ramirez

Case Manager

Alex graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. They worked in Wraparound Services with Phoenix House for five years, supporting underserved youth as they navigated adolescence and the teenage years. They also served as a Deputy Juvenile Corrections Officer at Joplin Youth Center, where they assisted in the rehabilitation of youth and helped prepare them to successfully reintegrate into their communities as productive and responsible individuals.

For the past 10 years, Alex has worked with the Collaborative Courts Full Service Partnership at Waymakers, focusing on providing mental health services to youth and young adults up to age 26. Their goal has always been to make a positive impact in any way possible, whether by connecting individuals to resources that support housing stability, teaching skills to help manage emotional health, or simply serving as a trusted adult they can depend on.

As a member of Project Hope Alliance, Alex is excited to continue helping youth reach their full potential and become the best versions of themselves.

Nathalie Brandon

Case Manager

Nathalie earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from California State University, Long Beach. Her professional journey began in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), where she worked with individuals across the lifespan and received specialized training in crisis intervention. Through this work, she developed strong skills in supporting individuals through challenging situations and helping them achieve positive outcomes.

She later transitioned into the nonprofit sector, starting as a Case Manager and advancing to a Transitional Coordinator role serving youth and young adults ages 13–26. In these positions, she provided mental health rehabilitation services and supported young people as they navigated the path from crisis and dependency to greater stability, independence, and personal growth.

In addition to her professional experience, Nathalie’s personal experiences have given her a deeper understanding of many of the challenges youth face. These experiences have strengthened her commitment to being the supportive and encouraging adult she needed while growing up.

As a member of Project Hope Alliance, Nathalie is passionate about empowering youth to recognize their strengths and potential. She is dedicated to helping young people build confidence, resilience, and a growth mindset so they can pursue their goals, overcome obstacles, and realize that, with determination and support, their aspirations are within reach.

Danny Martinez

Program Coordinator

Danny earned a bachelor’s degree in Human Services from California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), and has dedicated more than a decade to serving communities through the nonprofit sector. Throughout his career, he has worked alongside diverse populations, including people living with HIV/AIDS, LGBTQ+ individuals, foster youth, low-income families, people experiencing homelessness, domestic violence survivors, individuals who have caused harm, and families with critically ill children. Driven by a passion for advocacy, compassion, and equitable access to resources, Danny is committed to empowering individuals and strengthening communities through meaningful support and service.

**Hablo Espanol**

Jennifer Matsuda

Manager of Program Impact

Jennifer Matsuda is excited to serve Project Hope Alliance (PHA) as their Manager of Program Impact. She will oversee and lead the measurement strategy for PHA. She joined PHA as Manager of Development and Communication in 2019. Jennifer is a highly successful relationship builder and professional communicator with ten years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Jennifer has led communication efforts and delivery with nonprofit boards, donors, and public officials. In addition, Jennifer enjoys creating and aligning systems for streamlining effectiveness and fostering teamwork to support PHA’s mission. She holds a B.A. in Psychology and Sociology from Notre Dame de Namur University.

Celso Fuentes

Partnership Manager

For over 13 years, Celso has devoted his life to advancing youth development and strengthening communities. Grounded in the belief that the most transformative question is not “What’s wrong?” but “What’s possible?”, he brings people, organizations, and resources together to create opportunity and lasting impact.

Along his journey, Celso was uplifted by mentors and leaders who believed in him before he believed in himself. Their faith became his foundation, and today, he strives to be that same source of encouragement, opportunity, and unwavering support for others. He has worked alongside at-promise youth, individuals pursuing workforce development, students with disabilities, and those impacted by substance use—helping build pathways rooted in resilience, purpose, and long-term success.

Celso earned his Bachelor of Science in Human Services from California State University, Fullerton. He proudly walks alongside his community, committed not just to service, but to shared growth and collective impact.

Stephanie Albuquerque

Data & Impact Coordinator

Bio to come.

Marigrace Buendia, M.S.

Grant Writer

Marigrace Buendia joined PHA as a grant writer in July 2025. She graduated from the University of Southern California in 2021 with a B.S. In Health Promotion and Disease Prevention and a M.S. in Global Medicine (Management). After graduating, she completed a Fulbright research grant on the mental health knowledge of community healthcare workers in the Philippines and later served as a Research Assistant at the USC Center for Homelessness, Housing, and Health Equity. Marigrace is excited to apply her analytical and writing skills in supporting Team Kid in their mission to end the cycle of homelessness and help youth achieve their dreams.

Allen Burnett, M.T.S.

Community Engagement Manager

Allen Burnett joined the development team at PHA in the fall of 2022. He is a graduate of U.C. Santa Cruz and holds an M.A. in Theology from Vanguard University. Allen has always loved working with kids and has previously owned and operated childcare facilities that served working families at the poverty line. Before coming on board at PHA, he served as a youth minister at Second Baptist Church of Santa Ana, where he still attends with his wife and daughters and continues to volunteer. Allen is honored to be a member of #teamkid and stands ready to do whatever it takes to end the cycle of homelessness one child at a time and building a stronger community for all.

Erika Rios

Communications & Marketing Manager

Erika joined Project Hope Alliance in the Fall of 2022 and currently serves as Communications and Marketing Manager. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations from California State University, Fullerton.

Prior to joining PHA, Erika worked in social media management and digital marketing within the mobile gaming industry, where she developed a strong foundation in brand strategy, storytelling, and audience engagement. Driven by a passion for volunteering and purpose-driven work, she transitioned into the nonprofit sector to use her skills to make a meaningful impact.

In her role, Erika contributes to communications and marketing efforts that elevate awareness and amplify the mission of ending the cycle of homelessness, one child at a time. She is proud to support the students and families PHA serves and to work alongside a dedicated team committed to lasting change.

**Hablo Espanol**

Janelle Tran

Development Operations Coordinator

Hunter Moreno

Office Manager

Hunter Moreno