Board Member Rosters
What's On This Page
Lanterman’s Board of Directors
Lanterman is a private, non-profit organization under contract with the state of California to provide services and support 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 leaders and 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.
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.
Board Meeting Schedule
- Typically, every 4th Wednesday of every month
- 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, ext. 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
Louis Mitchell — Board President
Louis Mitchell is currently a Director of Corporate Marketing at MUFG. 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.
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 committed to enhance the experience of parents and help them navigate the diverse systems of care available to them. She is a graduate of the California Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (CA-LEND) program in family support discipline. She served on the executive board of Foothill Autism Alliance, now known as Autism Alliance SoCal, for many years. She is a Registered Nurse and manages a medical practice. She has an awesome young adult son who has Down syndrome and who 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 she otherwise 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.
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.
DeBoer holds a bachelor's degree in business administration and marketing from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, and a Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriting (CPCU) designation. He and his wife, Linda, have two grown daughters. DeBoer enjoys spending time with his family, gardening, reading and travel. He is also a member of LA 5 Rotary Club; a board member for the California Insurance Council for The City of Hope; and is currently chairman of the board for the Insurance Educational Association, a leader in professional education since 1876.
DeBoer shares, “I hope to lend my energy, intellect and experience to help the board meet the leadership challenges it faces both now and into the future. I would like to play a role, however small, in expanding the diversity of our community by enhancing the opportunities for people with disabilities to enable them to contribute to the full extent of their talents and abilities.”
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.
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. The Foundation is the parent organization that was formed in 1979 when Lanterman Regional Center separated from Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles to become one of the first regional centers in California.
Marsella is the father of Joseph and Mary, two adult children with autism, and considers his wife Beatrice the source of his strength and inspiration for his dedication and commitment to Lanterman.
Over the years, he has remained actively involved with Lanterman, holding a number of positions, including vice-president, secretary, treasurer and president of the board. He has also served for many years on the Administrative Affairs Committee. During the period that he was not on the board, Marsella acted as an “Advisor” - a special position reserved for people who have provided extraordinary service both to the Center and the board of directors.
Marsella has served as the chair of the second Lanterman Leadership Forum planning committee, and was instrumental in raising funds to help underwrite this very successful event. In the words of Executive Director Diane Anand: “Because of our complex budget, finances and significant fiduciary responsibilities, we have been privileged to have a financial and business person of Mr. Marsella's caliber and experience giving so generously of his time in service to the board and the Lanterman community.”
Anthony Brouwer
Anthony Brouwer joined Lanterman's board in 2021 and 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.
Mayra Cervantes
Mayra became a member of the Board of Directors in 2023. She joined to assist families in understanding how the regional center operates, ensuring they have access to services and support for their loved ones, and to help create a positive experience for everyone involved. She also makes herself available to anyone with questions, particularly our new families.
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."
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.
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.
Natalia Lewis
Natalia joined the Board in 2023 to help families better understand and access the services they need. She co-leads the “Parents Collaborate Support Group” at the Koch-Young Resource Center, guiding parents through various systems of care. As a dedicated advocate and mother of two amazing children with Autism and ADHD served by the center, Natalia is committed to supporting new families and creating positive experiences. She also collaborates with Latino organizations to promote a more inclusive and supportive community.
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).
Bradley Smith
Bradley 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 is also the chairperson for the Client Advisory Committee. He lives independently.
Khoa Tran
Khoa Tran joined the board of the Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center in June 2023, bringing a wealth of legal expertise and a deep commitment to serving the disability community. A graduate of UCLA School of Law, Khoa has worked across various legal environments, from several law firms to, most recently, an in-house position at a family business enterprise.
Khoa's journey with the Lanterman Center began as a legal advocate in the Lanterman Special Education Law Clinic. In this role, Khoa represented young clients at Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings, ensuring their rights were fully protected under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Through this work, Khoa also fostered mutual understanding and deepened relationship between families and school district representatives.
As a board member, Khoa is dedicated to advancing the interests of the community and supporting the Center's mission to empower individuals with or at risk of developmental disabilities and their families.
Simon Yang
Simon is a self-advocate who receives services from Lanterman. He was elected to the board in July 2023. He is an avid drawer and likes getting around on his E-bike.