Jodi Kurata 
Chief Executive Officer

Jodi serves as ACHSA’s Chief Executive Officer. Prior to this position, Jodi served as the Child Welfare Policy Director and the Mental Health Policy Director at ACHSA. Jodi came to ACHSA from Mental Health Advocacy Services, where she was a staff attorney supervising an advocacy program for youth detained in Los Angeles County juvenile halls. At MHAS, Jodi also represented children with mental and developmental disabilities through advocacy in the special education and Regional Center systems. Before MHAS, Jodi clerked for the Senior Law Project at Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach in San Francisco and the Children’s Rights Project at Public Counsel Law Center in Los Angeles. Jodi obtained her Juris Doctor degree from U.C. Hastings College of Law and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from the University of California, Berkeley. Since becoming a mom, Jodi’s hobbies are whatever her kids want to do. She loves her family, her work, and a full night’s sleep. Her favorite part of working at ACHSA is continuously learning and collaboratively problem-solving.

 

 

 

Sylvia Guan
Child Welfare Policy Director

Sylvia serves as ACHSA’s Child Welfare Policy Director. Sylvia graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, where she received her Master of Science degree in Social Policy and her Bachelor of Arts degree in English. She previously worked as ACHSA’s Mental Health Policy Director. Prior to their work at ACHSA, Sylvia was a Princeton in Asia Teaching Fellow and served as an International Tutor at The Education University of Hong Kong (EdUHK) in Tai Po, Hong Kong. Sylvia is an avid painter. Her favorite part of working at ACHSA is learning about innovative ways to create system-level change.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Danielle Delany
Mental Health Policy Director

Danielle serves as ACHSA’s Mental Health Policy Director. Danielle graduated from the University of California, Riverside, where she received her Doctorate in Developmental Psychology. Prior to her work at ACHSA, Danielle served as the Education Committee Chair for UCR Science to Policy and was a Science to Policy Fellow in Congressman Mark Takano’s district office. Additionally, she was the UCR Graduation Student Association’s Legislative Advocacy Officer. She has also worked in education as a preschool teacher, after school care instructor, and behavior therapist for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Danielle has had her Esthetician’s license for 14 years. Her favorite part of working at ACHSA is using data and research to support our advocacy.

 

 

 

 

 

Naomi Andrews
Child Welfare Policy Assistant

Naomi serves as ACHSA’s Child Welfare Policy Assistant. Naomi received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology, with minors in Dynamics of Early Childhood Education and Human Rights, from the University of Southern California. Naomi is passionate about working with children and improving child well-being, having worked with Jumpstart for Young Children for four years. During her time with Jumpstart for Young Children, an Americorps national early education organization, Naomi led a team of Corps Members in biweekly classroom instruction for preschool students and trained her teams in childhood education. Through this experience, Naomi is deeply familiar with community, family, and partner engagement and is adept in coordinating relationship building. Naomi enjoys reading and design, and her favorite part of working at ACHSA is designing the association’s work documents and materials.

 

 

 

 

Samantha Ruzon
Mental Health Policy Assistant

Sam serves as ACHSA’s Mental Health Policy Assistant. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Theater from the University of Southern California. While attending USC, Sam worked for USC Civic Engagement and Economic Partnerships which supports and promotes more than 400 community initiatives in South Los Angeles. She also recently worked as a Public Policy intern at People Assisting the Homeless (PATH), an organization that provides housing and supportive services to individuals experiencing homelessness. Sam has visited 44 out of 50 states and her favorite part of working for ACHSA is how friendly the staff and member agencies are.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emma Smith
Operations Manager

Emma serves as ACHSA’s Operations Manager. Emma graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a minor in Education. While at Berkeley, Emma volunteered at Oakland International High School’s English immersion program for recently arrived immigrants as a classroom assistant. Prior to working at ACHSA, she worked as a tutor for college-level ESL students and as a tutor for youth with academic challenges, in coordination with an educational therapist. In her spare time, Emma enjoys going on hikes and visiting her neighborhood bookstore. Her favorite part of working at ACHSA is forming connections with nonprofit organizations throughout LA County and learning more about the work they do.

 

 

 

 

 

Olivia Stites
Communications and Membership Coordinator

Olivia serves as ACHSA’s Communications and Membership Coordinator. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Non-Governmental Organizations and Social Change, with minors in Spanish and International Relations, from the University of Southern California. While attending USC, Olivia created communications strategies for student organizations such as the Environmental Student Assembly and the Conscientious Living Organization. She also worked as a tutor for USC Student-Athlete Academic Services and a yoga instructor in local elementary schools with the USC Joint Educational Project. Olivia is passionate about building political power and most recently worked on the Karen Bass for Mayor campaign as a digital organizer. Olivia enjoys embroidery, cooking vegan food, and spending time in nature.