Alma Terranova

is the former Vice President, Human Resources of the Newhall Land and Farming Company/FivePoint who recently retired after 36 years in Human Resources.

As a lifelong resident of the Santa Clarita Valley, Alma feels the importance of giving back to the community by volunteering is essential. Over the years, she has been involved with a number of civic organizations including Golden Oak Adult Education, United Way, Zonta, American Cancer Society, Boys and Girls Club and the SCV Sheriff Foundation.

She has been a member of the SCV Mayors Committee for Employment of Individuals with Disabilities since 2004 and currently serves as the Committee’s Treasurer responsible for maintaining accurate and complete financial statements and reporting while adhering to all Federal, State, and local laws.

Bret Lieberman brings over 22+ years of experience as a mild/moderate special education teacher specializing in supporting young adults on the autism spectrum. He holds a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction from California State University, Bakersfield, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from California State University, Northridge. Lieberman is a Certified Autism Specialist through the International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards (IBCCES) and a certified New World of Work Instructor. This curriculum was developed under the **Doing What MATTERS for Jobs and the Economy** framework of the California Community Colleges system—the largest higher education system in the nation, comprising 72 districts and 115 colleges serving over 2.1 million students annually. Throughout his career, Lieberman has earned significant recognition for his contributions to education and community service. He received Golden Valley High School’s inaugural Teacher of the Year award in 2005 and was named one of Santa Clarita’s 51 most influential people by the Santa Clarita Signal in 2010. In 2014, the Magazine of Santa Clarita honored him as one of their “40 Under 40” for his impact on the Santa Clarita community. He was also distinguished as one of Canyon High School’s Most Influential Teachers. Lieberman also sits on the board of The Santa Clarita Valley Mayor’s Committee for Employment of Individuals with Disabilities, which has the mission to educate employers on the benefits and social responsibility of employing individuals with disabilities while reducing barriers to employment. Beyond his work in education, Lieberman has spent over two decades producing musical events throughout the greater Los Angeles area and Santa Clarita Valley. He is the executive producer and creator of the Summer Meltdown Arts and Music Festival—the world’s only festival where young adults with disabilities collaborate with entertainment industry professionals to produce a concert event.

Scott Sheppard has been an adjunct faculty member in the Dept. of Special Education at CSU Northridge since 1990, and has worked 40 years in the field providing employment and other community supports for youth & adults with intellectual & developmental disabilities (IDD). He is currently the Executive Director at Avenues SLS, a non-profit supporting adults with IDD in the North LA County area.

http://www.AvenuesSLS.org

Karen Navarro has been dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities in the greater Los Angeles area since 2006. With a strong foundation in direct support, staff training, and employment services, Karen brings nearly two decades of experience in advancing inclusion and independence for individuals with developmental disabilities.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master of Public Administration with distinction from California State University, Northridge. Karen is well-versed in Regional Center and Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) employment services, the Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work program, and VITA free tax assistance.

Karen actively contributes to several local and regional initiatives, including the Santa Clarita Valley Mayor’s Committee, the North Los Angeles County Regional Center’s Local Partnership Agreement (LPA), and APSE, California chapter as the co-president. Through these efforts, she collaborates with community partners to promote access to education, employment, and community integration.

Karen is passionate about helping individuals with disabilities live and work in their communities and achieve their highest level of independence.

Denise Redmond has spent her career combining passion with profession. After graduating from Cal State University, Northridge with a degree in Journalism/Public Relations, Denise spent 12 years working at another equestrian therapy program and then as Development Director at a private day school. In 1997, she and Becky Graham founded Carousel Ranch, beginning with one student and one horse, in Becky’s backyard. Today, the program has grown into more than was ever imagined, serving over 100 individuals each week within both the equestrian therapy and Ready to Work vocational training programs. After 26 years, Denise resigned as Executive Director in January, 2023 and remains on staff as Co-Founder/Executive Director Emeritus. In this role she focuses on fundraising, grants, donor relations, communications and program development. It is truly the passion for these incredible children and young adults that has brought so much purpose to Denise’s long career in the non-profit sector.
I serve on this committee because of my strong belief in the mission which is a perfect blend with the Carousel Ranch’s mission for the Ready to Work program.

Jeff Whiteford is the Deputy Director for Desert Haven Enterprises–a private, nonprofit organization dedicated to developing, enhancing, and promoting the capabilities of over 500 persons with developmental disabilities through vocational training and community-based employment in the Santa Clarita and Antelope Valleys.

Jeff has been employed with Desert Haven for over 20 years and as Deputy Director, is responsible for being a facilitator in creating partnerships in the business community to secure meaningful employment opportunities for consumers.

Tony Pennay serves as the SVP of Strategic Growth for New Horizons, an agency with a 71 year track record of supporting individuals with I/DD. He works with the Employment Services and Youth Services teams to grow the number of individuals on the pathway to competitive, integrated employment. He serves as Co-Chair of the Santa Clarita Valley Mayor’s Committee for the Employment of Individuals with Disabilities, is a Board Member for California APSE, and is a Board Member and Chair of the Not-for-Profit Committee for the Valley Industry and Commerce Association.

Prior to joining New Horizons, Tony served as the Chief Learning Officer at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation where he helped grow national education programs and scholarships that served more than 500,000 students and 25,000 teachers over his 12+ years. He is the author of The Civic Mission of Museums as well as a variety of other books, chapters, and articles about history and museum education. He is the proud father to Lia, Makaina, and Xander.

Kai Brennan has a Bachelors of Science from Oregon State University with a Minor in Film Studies. He started his career as a Job Developer in Oregon and began working as the NLACRC Employment Services Specialist in March 2024. He works in supporting and increasing the total number of consumers to obtain and maintain integrated, competitive employment and/or internship opportunities.

Duane Galila serves as the Employment Initiatives Manager at Tierra del Sol Foundation, where he leads the Employment Initiatives Team in collaborating with government agencies, employment partners, associations, and other stakeholders to expand employment opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities.

With more than a decade of experience in workforce development, behavioral services, and program management, Duane has developed strong partnerships with the Department of Rehabilitation, Regional Centers, and community organizations.

He holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from California State University, Northridge, and is passionate about promoting inclusion and self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities. Duane proudly serves on the Santa Clarita Valley Mayor’s Committee for Employment of Individuals with Disabilities to help advance opportunities for a more inclusive workforce.

Ricki has dedicated her entire career working for non profit organizations. With early interest in mental health services, she began her non profit career working in residential treatment services for abused children with significant behavioral challenges while studying Marriage and Family Therapy at CSUN. Eleven years later she shifted gears and transitioned to working in disability services as a Service Coordinator at North Los Angeles County Regional Center. Ricki valued this role, working to identify necessary services for individuals with developmental disabilities, services that would enable those she served in living fulfilling and satisfying lives.

After 11 years with Regional Center, an opportunity with Pleasantview Industries was presented and allowed her to develop a community based program that would support local businesses and individuals with developmental disabilities through volunteer and internship programs. In early 2020, Ricki was promoted to Executive Director at Pleasantview with the vision of making Pleasantview a recognized name in our community and among local businesses who could see the value in hiring individuals with developmental disabilities.

Ricki has served on the Mayor’s Committee for two years and has enjoyed the participating in the post COVID growth and success this committee has created.

Outside of work, Ricki spends her time with her husband, three kids, one spoiled Corgi and red eared slider. Ricki is also a full fledged Band Mom and serves as Vice President of the Saugus Instrumental Music Booster Association.

Amy Shaw is a seasoned procurement professional with 27 years of experience in purchasing and supply chain management. Born and raised in Santa Clarita, Amy was deeply influenced by her mother’s work in special education, which instilled in her a lifelong commitment to inclusion. Throughout her career, she has championed accessibility in the workplace, initiating three supported employment programs for individuals with disabilities at companies where she worked. Outside of her professional life, Amy enjoys hiking, spending time with her dogs, attending Dodger games, and advocating for employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Natalie Vowell is a dedicated leader with a distinguished background in activism, public service, and community engagement. With extensive experience in governance, policy advocacy and organizational leadership, she brings a strategic, people-first approach to fostering economic growth and community resilience.

Before joining the Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation, Vowell served as a two-term senior Board Member of the St. Louis City Board of Education, including terms as Vice President and Secretary. During her tenure, she played a critical role in policy development, legislative affairs and community relations, championing initiatives that promoted transparency and created vocational and economic opportunities for students and residents.

Natalie also held leadership positions in nonprofit organizations, notably as the Executive Director of a Bentonville, AR-based nonprofit, where she promoted corporate and community support for workforce accessibility. Furthermore, she served as a Commissioner for the St. Louis Land Reutilization Authority, which supervises the St. Louis Development Corporation’s efforts to redevelop vacant properties, aiming to revitalize neighborhoods and stimulate economic investment. The LRA is responsible for managing St. Louis city’s land bank, which consists of over 12,000 city-owned parcels. It is the first and oldest land bank in the country.

Vowell studied computer science and music theory at the University of Arkansas, where she made history as the university’s youngest and first female computer lab manager. In 2010, Vowell moved to St. Louis, continuing her dedication to technology education as the Development Director and a board member for the North St. Louis nonprofit WITS Inc. There, she rebuilt unwanted electronics into computers for students and schools and led workshops teaching low-income families how to assemble their own computers from recycled parts. She has provided over 1,000 free computers for families in need. She remains an advocate for amplifying value-added diversification in STEAM industries and fostering economic opportunities through innovation and education.

With a passion for sustainable development and economic empowerment, Vowell founded Project Raise The Roof in St. Louis in 2013, a nonprofit focused on preventing homelessness, promoting homeownership, and strengthening local economies. This project assisted over 80 marginalized families in stopping the seizure of owner-occupied homes at city Sheriff’s auctions, contributing to housing on the tax rolls, generating school funding, growing generational wealth, and preventing property vacancy.

Vowell’s expertise encompasses various disciplines, such as policy analysis, business development, state and local government relations and strategic planning. She obtained Advanced and Master Certifications from the Missouri School Boards’ Association and served on MSBA’s Executive Committee.

With extensive knowledge in leadership, development, and community-guided initiatives, Vowell is dedicated to driving meaningful progress and strategic growth to positively contribute to the quality of life for all residents in the Santa Clarita Valley. Natalie Vowell is a mom and musician delighted to make Valencia her new home.