Alex is a graduate from Saint Mary’s College of California, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. 

In her role as Marketing and Communication Specialist, Alex helps bring to life the vision of the organization through graphic design, social media content creation and assisting in message development. She also assists in event planning and outreach throughout the San Joaquin Valley. 

Alex was born and raised in Fresno, California, where she witnessed the hardships that pollution brings to Central Valley residents. Alex is passionate about electrifying transit throughout the valley in hopes for a healthier future for all San Joaquin Valley residents.

In her role as an EV Equity Senior Specialist, Alix provides education and assistance to disadvantaged communities to help them create equity through electric vehicle ownership.

Alix is a fifth-generation Fresno resident and grew up seeing the negative environmental and economic impacts the city has faced. At an early age, Alix volunteered with non-profit and local community outreach programs that worked to better the lives of those who the system leaves behind in Fresno. 

Asthma is a disease that has directly affected every member of her family. Alix is drawn to CCAC’s mission of reducing the burden of asthma and making a positive impact throughout the San Joaquin Valley. Alix also feels that she is living out her childhood dream of electrifying transit in the San Joaquin Valley. 

Anabelle is a graduate from the University of California, Davis with a Bachelor’s in Human Development and a Minor in Sociology.  

As the Environmental Health Research Manager, Anabelle coordinates participation of Valley families in investigative research projects enabled by UC Berkeley, UC Merced and CCAC. This research aims to examine determinants of air pollution exposure and understand the human health risks, particularly in disadvantaged communities located in high exposure areas. 

 As a research coordinator at UC Davis, Anabelle was able to identify disparities in the areas of health, employment, and child development among the Hispanic communities. Anabelle aspires to increase access to resources and services and promote health literacy in disadvantaged communities. 

Brianda Castro is the Climate and Environmental Justice Coordinator at the Central California Asthma Collaborative. Through 14+ years of experience in Sales and Marketing she has specialized and has a strong passion for People Relations.  

Through her role at CCAC, she values bringing awareness to help improve the air quality in disadvantage communities throughout the San Joaquin Valley. Brianda supports communication strategies and outreach efforts to increase awareness of organizational programs and activities.  

Brianda immigrated to the United States from Mexico at 2 years of age. She was raised in the small community of Shafter, CA. Being the daughter of farm workers, she understands the dangers that pesticides and harmful chemicals have on people’s health and wellness. Helping people’s voices be heard to create positive change is a top priority for her. 

Cresencio is a Cum Laude graduate of California State University, Bakersfield, where he received a Bachelor’s in Sociology and a Minor in Criminal Justice. 

Cresencio is a Community Health Worker that enjoys providing asthma education to CCAC CARES participants in Kern County. In his role, Cresencio goes to home visits to assess a person’s environment to provide a better understanding of the causes of asthma and how to prevent and manage asthma symptoms.  

Being raised in a poor socioeconomic community, Cresencio understands the hardships caused by unequal opportunities; therefore, he is passionate about helping others living through social disparities. As a Community Health Worker, Cresencio helps people by educating them about their asthma.  

Debra is a graduate of University of California, San Diego where she received her Bachelor of Science in Physiology & Neuroscience and Global Health. She also has two minors in Chicano Latino Studies and Sociology.  

As an Environmental Health Research Coordinator, Debra invites Central Valley families to take part in investigative research projects focused on exploring the factors that contribute to air pollution exposure in disadvantaged communities. In this role, she is responsible for gathering biospecimen samples, health measurements, and administering questionnaires. 

 Debra enjoys traveling and is passionate about social justice issues, such as health care access. She currently volunteers with the UCSD Student Run Free Clinic as an interpreter. Being born and raised in Orosi, Debra hopes to help underserved communities by providing access to free healthcare and advocating to help reduce the burden of disease of air pollution. 

Elizabeth is a graduate of Pacific Union College of California, where she received an Associate Degree of Science in Nursing.  

Elizabeth is the Associate Director of Quality Assurance, managing CCAC’s Quality Assurance Program. She joined the CCAC team in January 2023. In her past work, she served as a nurse in both hospital and community-based care settings. She is dedicated to providing quality care to the underserved and has led and participated in several chronic health care projects that positively impacted the community, as well as participating on the Quality Improvement committee for the California Primary Care Association. 

In her spare time, Elizabeth likes to read, go camping, cook, and play pool in the Fresno County American Poolplayers Association pool league.  

Fatima is a graduate of Bakersfield College, where she received degrees in liberal arts and journalism. 

 Fatima is a Community Health Worker, providing asthma education to CCAC CARES participants in Kern County. She understands the hardships that come with being an immigrant in this country, which has influenced her passion for connecting people to resources and any aid that may benefit them. Fatima is passionate about working with youth and residents of underserved communities and helping them overcome barriers. 

 In her spare time, she enjoys staying active, watching movies with her fur baby, and exploring the outdoors. 

Graciela received a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health from Fresno State and a Master’s Degree in Public Health from California State University, Northridge.  

As the CARES Director, Graciela oversees the implementation of the asthma program across seven San Joaquin Valley Counties, from Kern to San Joaquin. Graciela serves as the liaison between Managed Care Plans, Community Based Organizations, and other partner organizations. Graciela has been instrumental in the contracting of CCAC as a Community Supports Service Provider under the California Advancing and Innovating Medi-Cal (CalAIM) initiative.  

A Tulare County native and daughter of farmworkers, Graciela is passionate in empowering rural communities and residents to take charge of their health through education. In her free time, she enjoys reading and trying new cooking recipes. 

Gustavo Aguirre Jr. is the Associate Director of Climate and Environmental Justice at the Central California Asthma Collaborative. Gustavo joined CCAC in 2023 after being the Kern County Director at the Central California Environmental Justice Network. 

Gustavo is a California native whose activist roots go back to his early childhood years and continued well into High School and beyond to the present day. Like many first-generation Mexican Americans, his parents were farm workers who traveled from the California coast to the California desert following the seasonal crops. Gustavo engaged in grassroots community organizing and social justice in 2006 as a senior at Foothill High School in East Bakersfield where he helped organize a walkout in solidarity with high school students across the nation protesting aggressive immigration laws. While with CCEJN, Gus coordinated the IVAN Reporting Network in Kern County and conducted environmental literacy workshops, as well as community science data-gathering projects. 

Gustavo has participated in various state panels including California Air Resources Board- Office of Community Air Protections – AB 617 Consultation Group, Department of Conservations SB 83- Underground Injection Control review panel representing environmental justice communities in the Central Valley, and The Department of Pesticides Regulations (DPR), Community Engagement Framework Development work with the California Agricultural Commissioners Departments. Gustavo also carries nearly a decade of experience in the development and deployment of community air monitoring networks in environmental justice communities. 

Janelle Spanel graduated from Bakersfield High School and received a Certificate in Accounting from the Mexican American Opportunity Foundation. 

 Janelle is a Program Assistant with CARES and works out of CCAC’s Kern County office.  In her role as Program Assistant, she is one of the first contacts with patients and works hard to help the patients understand the program and feel comfortable with the process.  She also supports our Community Health Workers, ensuring they stay busy and help as many patients as possible. 

 Janelle Spanel grew up in Bakersfield.  She values her role in the CARES program, proud that she can be a part of a program that helps others to lead happier, healthier lives.  She aspires to be a Community Health Worker in the future, where she can touch the lives of our patients even further. In her spare time, she is a volunteer in reaching out and sharing a hope from the Bible with those who are struggling to remain hopeful in these volatile times. 

Janet graduated from California State University Long Beach with a Bachelor of Science in Community and School Health Education.

As CCAC’s Climate and Environmental Justice Sr Coordinator, Janet oversees CCAC’s southern San Joaquin Valley administrative offices. In partnership with the leadership team, Janet implements CCAC’s plans, programs, and policies in the southern region, as well as supports communication strategies and outreach efforts to increase awareness of organizational programs and activities. She also develops relationships with community leaders and serve as the organization’s liaison within various southern San Joaquin Valley stakeholder groups. 

Janet is passionate about health education and reducing health disparities in her community. Growing up in Kern County, she participated in various programs offered to low-income and migrant families. She attributes her inspiration to work in a nonprofit to the guidance she received as a young woman. She is delighted to support CCAC’s mission to alleviate the burden of asthma and encourage self-efficacy among asthma patients in the San Joaquin Valley. 

Jeanette Rivera graduated from Fresno state where she received a Bachelor’s in Health Science. 

As a Community Health Worker, Jeanette has the opportunity to provide asthma education to CCAC CARES participants in Fresno County. She enjoys meeting participants in the program and learning more about them and their story. Jeanette is also passionate about health education and teaching her participants the importance of advocating for their health.

In her free time, Jeanette enjoys exploring new restaurants and spending time with loved ones.  

Jessica attended CSU Fresno and graduated Cum Laude in Spring 2022 with a Bachelor of Science in Health Science, with an emphasis in Community Health.

As a Community Health Worker, Jessica serves social support and educates patients on strategies to reduce environmental trigger exposures. With the empathy and knowledge that she delivers, she is happy to make a difference in the community.

Jessica enjoys spending time with family and friends. She is also willing to explore new places!!  

Jesus A. Rivera Lara is the first generation in his family to pursue higher education and is in the process of obtaining his bachelor’s in Public Health, with an emphasis in Environmental Occupational Health and Safety from California State University, Fresno.

Jesus is the Environmental Health Research Coordinator for the Central California Asthma Collaborative.

Jesus was raised in Corcoran, CA and grew up working in the fields alongside his family for several summers. He saw first-hand how difficult the work was and the poor air quality. During his undergrad, he became interested in finding ways of improving air quality in the Central Valley after taking an air pollution course. Now he dedicates his time to helping disadvantaged communities receive air filters and monitor the air quality of their homes.   

Juan Cardenas is a graduate from Fresno State where he received a Bachelor of Science in Option Accounting. 

 As the Administrative Manager for Central California Asthma Collaborative, Juan oversees payroll and general accounting for the CARES program. In addition, to his accounting responsibilities, Juan oversees IT operations and maintains equipment around the office.  

 Juan grew up struggling with asthma. His parents were not familiar with the symptoms of asthma and the potential triggers. Juan loved the idea of working with a non-profit and giving back to the community. When he had the opportunity to work with a company that helps educate families about asthma, he jumped at the opportunity. 

Kevin’s education includes an AS in Respiratory Care, BS in Geology, extended course work in social work, mathematics, business and management training. 

 As Co-Executive Director, Kevin is focused on reducing the burden of chronic respiratory disease and environmental health impacts valley wide. Kevin serves on numerous boards and committees associated with grassroots community capacity building and local, state and regional policy development. 

 Kevin has served as developer, coordinator, administrator and director for multiple programs in both hospital and community-based settings serving poor and underserved communities in the San Joaquin Valley. He has worked extensively on different aspects of health care access and redesign around primary care, disease management, childhood and adult immunizations and behavioral health for over 35-years and is a well- known advocate for social and environmental justice. 

Kimberly McCoy was inspired by her son Norwood to create a healthier and thriving community for all children and families and is now a dedicated community advocate and leader. She earned a degree in accounting at Fresno City College. But it was her passion and dedication to the health of her community that led her to join Fresno Building Healthy Communities as Project Director in 2018. 

As a Climate and Environmental Justice Associate, Kimberly joins CCAC’s mission to create a healthier San Joaquin Valley. As a former Owner/Operator of heavy-duty trucks, she has provided valuable insight for the AB617 truck re-route study and is dedicated to reducing the health impacts of diesel exhaust in the Valley. 

In her free time, Kimberly enjoys spending time with her son and rooting for her favorite sports teams, which include the Dallas Cowboys, Golden State Warriors, and Atlanta Braves. 

Lacie is a graduate of California State University, Dominguez Hills where she received a Bachelor of Science in Business Accounting.  

 Lacie is the Accounting Manager and oversees the accounting department. Lacie performs multiple accounting functions and supports the financial aspects of the organization.  

 Prior to joining the team, Lacie was an auditor and provided accounting functions for a local school district and small business.  Lacie loves being outdoors, and with that is grateful to be a part of a non-profit that strives to help both the environment and community. 

Mara Baker graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science in Health Science, with an emphasis in Health Administration from California State University, Fresno.  

Mara joined the CCAC team back in 2022 as an intern for the CARES program while attending school. After graduating from Fresno State, she was offered a full-time position as the Research Coordinator. As the Research Coordinator, Mara collaborates with UC Berkeley and UC Merced on various research projects that examine determinants of air pollution exposure within the San Joaquin Valley. With collaboration from the community members of Clovis/Fresno, these families are asked to complete web surveys that range from family health history to home characteristics questions. Along with these questionnaires, biospecimen samples and other health measurements are also collected. These projects address potential health risks in association with high exposure.  

Mara is from the small town of Amador City, California and moved to Fresno in 2018. Her heart for serving others grew tremendously after seeing just how much air pollution can affect those who live in the Central Valley. By being a part of the CCAC team, Mara strives to help those affected by asthma by continuing further education and assistance to those living within these underserved communities.  

Maria graduated Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from California State University, Fresno. 

 As the EV Equity Program Manager, Maria uses her background in communication to work with local and state agencies to assist San Joaquin Valley residents in their transition to clean vehicles. Maria and her team prepare bilingual educational workshops and materials for residents of the San Joaquin Valley, ensuring knowledge on electric vehicle technology and EV incentives are accessible to the community. 

 As an asthmatic, Maria knows first-hand the impact air pollution has on residents with and without asthma. Maria is committed to using her experience to prevent Valley residents from being left behind in California’s transition to driving electric, an effort to clean our air. 

Marianne is a graduate of Golden Valley High School and received a certificate for Tier I in Bilingual.  

As the CARES Program Assistant, she provides comprehensive asthma remediation and education services. Advocate to patients if needed and help them to know the importance of their health. Also, she works with health care workers to coordinate interventions and referrals.  

Marianne was raised in Kern County and started working in the agriculture field along with her mother. She saw the difficulties that farm workers would face, strived to do more for the community and provide knowledge from different organizations that offer help. Working with non-profit organizations she learned a lot about different hardships that the community undergo, passionate on helping others in any way she can. Marianne enjoys gardening as well as spending much time with her loved ones.  

Martha has worked in health clinics for 21 years where she gained knowledge in health administration working as an office manager. 

 Martha is a Community Health Worker, providing asthma education to CCAC CARES participants in Kern County. 

 Martha was raised in Kern County and born to a farmworker family. She feels that by helping others she can live a happier, healthier, more productive and meaningful life. Martha is married and has 5 adorable kids and 2 precious grandchildren, and in her spare time she loves to create memories with family. 

Mary is graduate from California State University, Fresno where she received a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Behavioral Sciences and a Victims Services Certificate. She also possesses an Associate Degree in Administration of Justice, which was obtained at San Diego Miramar College.  

 As an EV Equity Specialist, Mary uses past community and military experience to help educated and guide people who come from disadvantaged communities. Empowering others with proper resources that will benefit them and the environment overall.  

 Mary was born and raised in Santa Cruz, California but moved to Madera County in 2020. At an incredibly early age, Mary was devoted to helping others by volunteering in different environments. Due to this, she was exposed to how disadvantaged communities are lacking resources and are being left behind. This motivated her in the want to help others while continuing her own education. Mary strives to be a part of something bigger that can make a difference in the education, health, and resources of disadvantaged communities. 

Moises attended the University of California, Stanislaus where he received his Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health Promotion in 2022. 

 As a Community Health Worker, Moises provides asthma education to CCAC CARES participants in the Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties. Moises values health and fitness more than anything else and uses that passion to help people live a healthy and safe life.  

Moises was born and raised in Stanislaus County and seeks to improve it. During his time and Stanislaus State, he attended the Society of Public Health Education Summit of 2021 to hone his skills in public health research and advocacy skills. On his time off, Moises enjoys running, working out, and cooking.      

Pang is a graduate student with her Associates Degree in Business Administration from San Joaquin Valley College and is currently working on her Social Work degree at Fresno City College. 

As an EV Equity Specialist, Pang works with individuals to provide education about electric vehicles. She also provides education about the many different incentives programs and grants that are available to those looking to get into a new electric vehicle. 

Pang has experienced a tough childhood life living in varies refugee camps in Thailand from 1989-1994 which led her family migrant to the United States in 1994. This inspired Pang to study business and social work in the hopes of helping those in disadvantaged communities. 

Raspreet graduated from Fresno State cum laude with a Bachelor’s in Health Science, with an emphasis in Health Administration.  

Raspreet is a Program Assistant with the CARES Program and provides support to the Community Health Workers, as they work to provide families with the necessary tools to remediate their asthma symptoms. Raspreet first joined the CCAC team as an intern working on the Asthma Mitigation Project (AMP). 

Raspreet is originally from Fremont, California and moved to Fresno in 2018 to pursue an education at Fresno State. While living in Fresno for the past 5 years, Raspreet has identified the serious disparities the Central Valley community faces and wants to help these underserved residents.  

Sally completed her B.A. degree in Management and Organizational Development at Fresno Pacific University.  

 As a Community Healthy Worker, Sally borrows from her vast experience and knowledge of community outreach and non-profit organizations to advocate and educate the community on asthma and how to live a more symptom free lifestyle.  

 Sally was born and raised in Fresno County. She is the daughter of farm working parents and understands the impact the air quality has on farmworkers and their families. Sally served as a board member of the Tulare County Asthma Coalition and worked as a volunteer to educate families on the effects of poor air quality. She and her husband enjoy spending time with their twin grandsons and one granddaughter, as well as reading, crocheting, and taking walks.  

Sammie attended Goodwin College in East Hartford, CT where she received her bachelor’s degree in environmental studies. She worked in an environmental lab for three years, analyzing samples for contaminants. Then went on to receive her master’s degree in international environmental studies in Norway.  

In her role as a Climate and Environmental Justice Associate, Sammie strives to help disadvantaged communities through environmental education. By attending community meetings, she’s able to teach residents about air pollution and the health effects caused by this pollution. As well as offering solutions on how to protect their families with resources like SJVAir. Through SJVair, Sammie is able analyze PM2.5 data and provide information to communities that she represents. 

Before joining CCAC, Sammie worked as an Environmental Resilience Fellow to help communities receive grants for Climate Action Planning. And in her free time, Sammie enjoys cooking and traveling.  

Sandi’s professional background includes many years of working for various local non-profit groups.  

 Sandi brings her years of experience to CCAC as the Human Resources Manager. As the organization has grown, she has been an integral part of supporting the team. 

 Sandi has had a lifelong passion for helping others – particularly children, young adults and their families. As the parent of a now adult daughter whose childhood was negatively impacted by severe asthma, Sandi is drawn to CCAC’s mission of making a positive impact on reducing the burden of childhood asthma throughout the San Joaquin Valley. 

Tim received a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from CSU Fresno and a Master’s degree in Molecular Biology from UC Santa Barbara. 

 As Co-Executive Director, Tim has overseen the implementation of multiple environmental equity programs recognized for supporting disadvantaged communities across the San Joaquin Valley and is leading CCAC’s emerging environmental health research program, which is currently collaborating with investigators from UC Merced, UC Berkeley, UC San Francisco, UCLA, UC Irvine, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and Berkeley Air. Tim co-founded CCAC in 2011 and served as CEO from 2011-2013. He also served as Board Chairman from 2011-2016 and 2021-present. Tim formally joined the CCAC staff in 2018 as Co-Executive Director and has secured more than two dozen grants totaling more than $6M 

 Tim spent the previous 16 years overseeing and conducting research at UCSF Fresno, serving as Director of the Clinical Research Center from 2013-2018. During his time at UCSF, Tim collaborated with investigators from several universities to study air pollution and its associations with inflammatory diseases in Fresno children, including an NIEHS/EPA-funded Children’s Health and Air Pollution Study (CHAPS) that documented correlations between ambient air pollution exposure and metabolic syndrome risk indicators in children, including elevated HbA1c, blood pressure and BMI. In 2019, CHAPS investigators at UC Berkeley received funding to extend the study through 2024 and contracted with Tim to have CCAC’s research program conduct follow-up visits with the cohort of 400 children in Fresno. 

In 2011, Tim authored a publication that demonstrated a correlation between ambient air pollution (PM2.5) and pediatric asthma ER visits in three San Joaquin Valley communities. He also led a study and was senior author on a paper that established a synergy between ambient PM2.5 levels and rhinovirus (cold) infection on airway dysfunction in asthmatic patients and has collaborated and co-authored numerous other environmental health publications.  

Veronica received a Bachelors of Science in Environmental Science from the University of California, Merced. 

 Veronica is the CARES Site Supervisor for the Fresno Office, providing asthma education to CCAC CARES participants in the San Joaquin Valley.  

 Veronica was raised in the heart of California, the San Joaquin Valley. She is passionate about empowering underserved communities and has played a role in addressing and reducing food insecurity in her community. Through her work, she has served communities locally with social justice, equity, and loves being at the root of it all. Veronica enjoys being outdoors, creating memories, and appreciating the sun. 

Yanni Gonzalez is a graduate of Humboldt State University (now Cal Poly Humboldt), where he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication. 

 Yanni is the Marketing and Communications Manager at CCAC. Yanni began working with CCAC in 2016, enrolling South Valley schools into the Healthy Air Living Schools Program where he exceeded enrollment goals, and has since become an integral part of the organization’s success. He currently oversees internal and external communications and marketing for CCAC. Yanni has been involved in the development of most of the programs at CCAC and enjoys lending his knowledge, skills and creativity toward the success of the organization and its programs. 

Yanni is passionate about serving and providing resources for those living within disadvantaged communities. 

Yecica attended Sacramento State University where she received her bachelor’s degree in Ethnic Studies with a concentration in Chicanx studies and a minor in Spanish. 

 As a CARES Program Assistant, Yecica looks forward to meeting every new family and helping them with tools to advocate for themselves. As a part of the CCAC team, Yecica strives to help those suffering from asthma in obtaining a better quality of life.  

 During her time in Sacramento, Yecica worked with many first-generation college students and high school seniors, to provide them with community and college resources. At an early age, Yecica saw her parents struggle to ask the necessary questions, leaving them unanswered. It is her goal to work with the community to help them advocate for themselves, as well as be a resource for those struggling with language barriers. On her time off, Yecica enjoys taking walks, reading, and spending time with family.