Partners in Lifelong Support Since 1966
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Lanterman’s Board of Directors

Lanterman is a private, non-profit organization under contract with the state of California to provide services and supports for people with developmental disabilities, and we serve a specific geographic area. But we are not a state agency – we are something unique – a local organization governed by a board of directors whose members are individuals with developmental disabilities, family members, community leadersand professionals.

The board’s most important role is the overall governance of the Regional Center and also to make sure that the Center is conducting business in a way that fulfills the promise of the Lanterman Act.

The board of directors has a number of key functions and responsibilities including:

  • Developing policy and service standards
  • Developing our strategic direction and goals including long-range planning
  • Monitoring policy
  • Ensuring the Center complies with its contract
  • Raising public awareness of who we are and what we do
  • Hiring and evaluating the executive director

Board members are responsible for looking at, and balancing the needs of our entire community. They help people understand and support the work of the Center on behalf of our community members with developmental disabilities, and work to improve the service delivery system.

More information about how the board operates and conducts its business is available in the board’s bylaws.
Read the board’s Amended Ninth Restatement of Bylaws.

Board of Directors Training

Lanterman Regional Center provides training and support to board members enabling them to aid in adopting policies that positively impact the lives of the people we serve and their families.

Per Welfare & Institutions Code 4622 (g) (1) The regional center shall provide necessary training and support to these board members to facilitate their understanding and participation, including issues relating to linguistic and cultural competency.

Board Welcomes Your Attendance at its Meetings

Anyone in the community is welcome to attend Lanterman’s board of directors meetings. The monthly meeting is conducted on the fourth Wednesday of every month at 6 p.m., unless otherwise noted.

Meetings are open to the public and are held online via Zoom (click here to view the Zoom info) and in-person at Lanterman Regional Center. While RSVPing is not required, it is encouraged. Due to security reasons, access to the building requires that all visitors carry a picture ID. Contact Frank Lara in advance at 213.383.1300, x. 4902 or flara@lanterman.org so you can be placed on the list of attendees that is provided to building security the day of the meeting.

2023 Board Meeting Schedule

  • Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at 6 p.m. (please note this is the fifth Wednesday)
  • December 2023 - No Meeting

View the dates in our calendar

View agendas/board packets for upocming meetings and minutes from past meetings

Parking: Available in the parking structure behind Lanterman on Berendo Avenue. Parking tickets will not be validated. Parking fees are $6.50 prior to 10 a.m. entry, otherwise the rate is $2 for every 15 minutes with a maximum rate of $16 for all day parking. There is metered parking on the street. Watch street signs. Lanterman is 2 blocks west of the Metro Red Line Wilshire/Vermont Station.

Looking for New Talent…with experience

As a mutli-million dollar corporation, Lanterman Regional Center is always interested in recruiting board and committee members who have backgrounds in finance, fundraising, community relations, marketing, public relations, law, personnel and other related areas. Should you or someone you know be interested in volunteering in such a capacity, contact Frank Lara at 213.383.1300, x. 4902 or flara@lanterman.org. Please note, potential board members must live or work in Lanterman's service area to even be eligible to be a board member.

 


 

Meet Lanterman’s Board Members and Advisors

Photo of Louis Mitchell

 

Louis Mitchell — Board President

Louis Mitchell is currently a Director of Corporate Marketing at MUFG Union Bank. Mitchell is fluent in Spanish and has over 20 years of a wide-range of marketing and management experience, including serving as a company spokesperson in both languages. Mitchell has a long history of serving on various boards. Mitchell joined the Lanterman Board in 2005 and has served in many roles including Board President. In his spare time, he is an Argentine Tango dance instructor, enjoys surfing and playing the piano.

Photo of Brigitte Sroujieh

 

Brigitte Sroujieh — First Vice-President

Brigitte Sroujieh is passionate about helping others navigate the world of special needs. She co-leads the “Parents Collaborate Support Group” at the Koch-Young Resource Center. She is a LEND graduate, family support discipline. She served on the executive board of Foothill Autism Alliance for many years. She is a Registered Nurse and manages a medical practice. She has an awesome young adult son, Adam who has Down syndrome. Adam is a joy and a blessing to his family. Because of him, Brigitte has grown in all aspects of her life. She has the privilege of meeting wonderful people and families that otherwise she would not have had the pleasure to meet or forge friendships with. Her journey in the special needs’ world although hard at times, has been very rewarding to her.

Photo of Larry DeBoer

 

Larry DeBoer — Secretary

Larry DeBoer brings nearly 40 years of experience in insurance and risk management to Lanterman's board of directors, including 11 years with a national insurance company and the balance with global broker Aon, the second largest global insurance and risk management and insurance brokerage firm. DeBoer, who is now retired from Aon, was the chief administrative officer for their Southern California operations. Read more ...

Photo of Lili Romero-Riddell

 

Lili Romero-Riddell — Treasurer

Lili joined the board in July 2022. She is a parent of a young child served by the Center. She currently works in the business and legal department within the television industry and has worked in film and television production for nearly 20 years. She moved to Los Angeles after graduating from NYU Tisch School of the Arts in 2003 and has considered it her home ever since. She joined the Board because she wants to help families, especially those from underrepresented communities, access services and support to help their loved ones.

Photo of Gloria Leiva

 

Gloria Leiva — Immediate Past-President

Gloria Leiva has worked and volunteered on behalf of people with developmental disabilities for over 20 years. She enjoys mentoring families new to the system and is the parent of a young adult served by the regional center.

Photo of Al Marsella

 

Al Marsella — Advisor to the Board

Al Marsella, a West Hollywood CPA and business manager, is a founding member of the Los Angeles County Developmental Services Foundation, where he served on the Program Policy Committee.  Read more ...

Photo of Alexander (Alex) Li, M.D.

 

Alexander (Alex) Li, M.D.

Alexander (Alex) Li, M.D. joined Lanterman’s board in 2019. He is a practicing physician who is double boarded in internal medicine and pediatrics with an interest in improving access, care transitions and health equity. He currently serves as the Deputy Chief Medical Officer of L.A. Care, the nation’s largest public health plan and has been a driving force behind the implementation of electronic health records in public health care. He has also previously served in various positions/departments at the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (DHS).

Photo of Ana Villasenor

 

Ana Villasenor

Ana is now serving her second tenure on the board of directors; she served from 2009-2015 and rejoined the board in July 2017. She also attends the monthly Client Advisory Committee meetings at Lanterman. She lives independently and works in the Glendale area. Ana has lots of friends, enjoys going to church and dancing.

Photo of Anthony Brouwer

 

Anthony Brouwer

Anthony Brouwer joined Lanterman's board in 2021and brings a passion for helping other clients work towards and achieve their goals and dreams. A graduate of Glendale Community College, Anthony also has his IT/computer tech cert, and after working for a short time as a package handler at FedEx, he now works as a postal carrier for USPS in Pasadena. He lives independently in Pasadena and enjoys batting practice after work, hiking on the weekends, keeping up with LA's sports teams and loves visiting museums.

Photo of Bradley Smith

 

Bradley Smith

Photo of Khoa Tran

 

Khoa Tran

Photo of Mayra Cervantes

 

Mayra Cervantes

Photo of Michael Cooney

 

Michael Cooney

Michael is a self-advocate who receives services from Lanterman. He was elected to the board in July 2022. He joined the board so he can work for the rights of everyone. He enjoys creative writing and is the founder of "Able Café the Podcast."

Photo of Natalia Lewis

 

Natalia Lewis

 

Simon Yang

Photo of Tina Daley

 

Tina Daley

Tina joined the board in July 2022. She is an experienced paralegal and autism advocate with a demonstrated history of working with non-profit organizations. She is the parent of a young adult served by the Regional Center. As a parent, she sees her journey as ever-evolving. She has helped many families access resources and looks forward to contributing to the work of the Board.

Photo of Weller Killebrew

 

Weller Killebrew

Weller joined the board in July 2022. He is a voice actor, comedian, singer/songwriter. He has a company that teaches the fundamentals of crypto currency and blockchain technology. He is the parent of a teenager served by the Center. He is a Parent Advocate Mentor with the Special Needs Network and the facilitator of the So Cal Father’s Group.