The Monarch Team
Leeann Luna
Chief Executive Officer
Leeann has been with the organization since 2009, beginning as a Crisis Intervention Advocate. She has worked within different departments of the agency besides direct services, including Human Resources, Grants and Contracts Management and Fund Development. Leeann was a member of the Next Generation Leaders of Color 2012 Cohort, served as the VALORUS (formerly California Coalition Against Sexual Assault) Regional Chair, is an alumnus from the Solis Policy Institute (SPI) and has also served as a Commissioner for the Santa Cruz County Women's Commission. Currently, she is a board member for Pajaro Valley Prevention & Student Assistance and is the Co-Chair for the Justice & Gender Commission.
Leeann earned her B.A. from California State University, Fresno in 2007. She lives in Salinas with her husband and two young daughters, Ryann and Brooklynn.
Cathryn McCormic
Chief Operating Officer
Cathryn joined the Monarch team in August 2022, after working in the private sector as Chief Operating Officer and running her own accounting business for over a decade. She considers it a great privilege to be a part of this team. She graduated from the Commonwealth Honors College at the University of Massachusetts Amherst where she earned the distinction of Summa Cum Laude.
Cathryn oversees the Human Resources Department and the Finance Department. She is passionate about ensuring Monarch Services continues their powerful mission of “lives free from violence and abuse.”
Cathryn is mom to two wonderful children, Mika, and Jackson. When she is not working, she is enjoying life’s adventures with her husband, children and 2 dogs.
Maria Barranco
Program Director
Maria Barranco is a first-generation immigrant born from Oaxaca, with indigenous Mexican roots and deep roots in Santa Cruz County, specifically in Davenport. She has dedicated her career and life to social justice and equity issues.
Maria has over 25 years of experience working in social services and has been with Monarch Services for 20 years in various capacities. She oversees the agency's 24-hour crisis/support response program, sexual assault response program and prevention program. Maria enjoys mentoring and supporting new incoming volunteers and staff. In her role as a Program Director, Maria supervises over 25 Advocates. Additionally, Maria provides state-certified training to new staff and volunteers to ensure they are well equipped and ready to provide services to survivors.
Maria has served on the Santa Cruz Women's Commission and currently serves on the Board of Big Brothers Big Sisters. She is also a Fellow of the Women's Policy Institute. Maria graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz, with a Bachelors' degree in sociology and psychology as an undocumented student; she completed her school and was the fourth in her family to graduate with a college degree. Maria has been happily married for 15 years, has two beautiful children, 15 and 10 years old, and three lovely puppies. Maria stands for Dignity, Equity, Justice, Love, and Compassion for all.
Esmeralda Torres
Program Director
Esmeralda has been part of the Monarch family for over 13 years. Esmeralda started her work as an intern facilitating the volunteer training and doing community outreach, since then she moved her way up in the agency and is now a Program Manager overseeing the Crisis intervention program, Positive Solutions, In-Custody Programming, and the SART program.
Esmeralda was born and raised in Watsonville and is a CSUMB graduate. She is married and has 3 children who keep her on her toes. When taking care of herself she enjoys dancing and singing.
Janna Rivas
Director of Development
Nancy Arroyo
Administrative Coordinator
Nancy has been at Monarch Services since 2015, She has over ten years of customer service experience. Nancy received her Associate Degree from Heald College in 2005.
Briana Longoria
Project Manager
Briana began working with Monarch as an intern back in 2014, assisting in the administration department. She then graduated from CSU Monterey Bay with a bachelors in Collaboratives and Human Services.
Upon graduating, Briana began her journey as a full time employee with Monarch Services leaving the school setting behind. Briana has worked in the prevention program and is now working in the administration department. She grew up in Watsonville and is now raising her three kids there.
Alicia Gaytan
Crisis Intervention Manager
Alicia graduated from UC Santa Cruz in Spring 2017 with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. She knew throughout college that she wanted to work somewhere where she could give back to the community.
After graduating, Alicia went on to serve a year in an AmeriCorps program, City Year, in East San Jose where she worked with youth at a local K-8 school. There, she provided support to students as a part of the solution to educational equity, specifically working toward changing the narrative for student outcomes and mentoring students to meet their full potential. Alicia joined the Monarch Crisis Intervention team working with adults in August 2018. Her favorite part about her job is connecting with survivors and seeing them be empowered throughout their journey.
Alma Mendoza
Housing Manager
Alma has been part of the Monarch team for over 14 years. She began her tenure as a volunteer in the Children and Youth Program and after completing the 65-hour peer counselor training in the summer of 2005, she was hired as a children and youth advocate. In this role, Alma provided one-on-one peer counseling to children and youth and led the children and youth support groups, including family workshops for families working in the fields.
In January of 2007, Alma transitioned to working with the shelter program, where she gained most of her experience working with adult survivors. In 2010, Alma was trained in "A Window Between Worlds’ Children’s Leadership" therapeutic art program to work with families staying at the Mariposa Shelter.
In 2012, Alma participated in an 18-month experiential course to further enhance her advocacy skills, aiding her in obtaining her position as shelter case manager. Alma was also trained through NAMI Santa Cruz County Provider Education Course in order to best serve survivors experiencing mental illness.
In 2018, Alma graduated with honors from Cabrillo College with an Associate Degree in Sociology and Liberal Arts. Since February 2019, Alma has served as Monarch's Housing Program manager.
Alexandra Rincon
On Call Manager
Alexandra Rincon, also known as Gaby, is a Watsonville native. Growing up, she always knew she wanted to be in the helping profession and dreamed of being able to give back to her community. Alexandra graduated from California State University Monterey Bay in Fall 2015 with a Bachelor's degree in Collaborative Health and Human Services, with a concentration in Public Administration, and has worked at Monarch since 2015.
Monarch Services Board of Directors guides the agency to fulfill its mission and purpose and provides financial oversight. The Board of Directors are committed volunteers who dedicate their time and resources to serve as ambassadors of Monarch Services and violence prevention work. Our current board members are the following:
Amy Ivey
Co Chair
Amy Ivey is the Vice President, Marketing and Development at Bay Federal Credit Union. Amy joined the organization in 2005, and has over 20 years of experience in marketing financial services and medical industry. Amy’s areas of responsibility are marketing, public relations, corporate communications, events, employee education and development, financial education, and community development. Prior to joining Bay Federal, Amy was the Public Relations Coordinator for Mad River Community Hospital, where she handled the hospital’s marketing, public relations, and community outreach activities. Amy is a Certified Marketing Specialist (CMS) and a 2014 graduate of Western CUNA Management School. She is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Business Administration and Marketing from California Southern University. She is an Emeritus Trustee of Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County, serves on the Board of Directors for the Volunteer Center of Santa Cruz County, is a past member of the Santa Cruz Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and is a Committee Member for CalCPA Attorneys, Bankers and CPAs Santa Cruz.
Elaine Johnson
Co-Chair
Elaine Johnson is from the Bronx in New York City. From an early age, community, collaboration, and making a difference in her community led her to do her work. She spent many years mentoring students to reach their highest potential regardless of barriers. She holds a bachelor's degree in political science and a juris doctorate from Monterey College of Law and is a certified mediator. Elaine has trained and worked in the fields of juvenile dependency, community and divorce mediation, criminal law, and nonprofits, and she has extensive experience working in restorative justice, fundraising, community outreach and engagement, and community collaboration.
One of Elaine's recent achievements was founding the Santa Cruz County Neighborhood Courts Program, a diversion program that serves participants throughout the county. In a little over a year, more than 40 individuals were diverted from the criminal justice system, Without this program, participants would have had a criminal record, which would dim their chances of exploring many professional opportunities. Elaine had seen firsthand the impact that people experience once they are in the criminal justice system. She continues to encourage community leaders and partners, community members, elected officials, and nonprofits to continue this important work.
Elaine is now the Executive Director of Housing Santa Cruz County, a nonprofit organization that advocates for affordable housing. She is passionate about advocating for affordable housing, creating positive change in this community, wanting the playing field to be leveled for everyone to have a seat at the table, and for there to be no limits regardless of race or background. Elaine believes there is nothing one cannot do if they are given the space, time, and support (financial and emotional) to do it.
Elaine currently serves on several local boards, including Monarch Services, Encompass Community Services, and Community Action Board, and was recently elected President of the NAACP Santa Cruz County Branch.
Elaine enjoys singing, dancing, and spending time with her partner, Shinehah. They live in Live Oak.
Najeeb Kamil
Vice Chair
Najeeb Kamil graduated from the Masters in Social Work Program at California State University, East Bay (Title IV-E) in 2008 and since held a number of positions in various child welfare settings. Najeeb was a Senior Social Worker in Children’s Services of Shasta County where he received an excellent introduction to rural social work and the importance of engagement with Native American tribes. He then moved to Alameda County as a Dependency Investigations child welfare worker in Alameda County and was immersed in urban social work and the court system.
After five years in direct services, Najeeb promoted to the position of child welfare trainer in Alameda County where he enjoyed working with new child welfare workers and helping them develop as engaging, culturally humble, and effective workers. Due to his interest in macro-level social work and systems change, Najeeb pursued a Masters in Public Administration (MPA), with a Policy-making and Analysis emphasis, from San Francisco State University.
Najeeb was recently a Senior Human Services Analyst with the County of Santa Cruz Human Services Department, Family & Children’s Services division for almost six years where he conducted data analysis, policy and legislation analysis, program evaluation, and program management. Some of his areas of focus have been the development and implementation of policies to address child safety and child abuse investigations, resource family approval, commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC), youth and family homelessness, father and male engagement, and racial equity.
Currently, Najeeb is a Senior Departmental Analyst with the Children and Family Health Unit in the County of Santa Cruz Health Services Agency, Public Health Division where he provides administrative support such as data analysis, contract development, program implementation, and policy analysis. In addition, Najeeb is exploring ways to address health equity, adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and social determinants of health through a community-local government relationship framework.
Doug Fischer
Treasurer
As senior vice president at Santa Cruz County Bank, Doug Fischer specializes in business lending and oversees the business development team. Doug attended the University of California, Santa Barbara for his undergraduate work and Pacific Coast Banking School for his master’s level education. Doug is a third generation “Santa Cruzian” and is proud to work for an organization that is devoted to giving back to its community. Doug’s wife, Claudia, is a nurse and they have two adult children together named Kendall and Maikely. Fischer also serves
on the board of Watsonville Rotary and has served for nearly eight years as a CASA advocate.
Angela Chesnut
Board Member
Angela has lived in the community for over 20 years, and has served most recently as a prolific fundraiser and community organizer for a myriad of non-profit organizations. Helping most notably with the Tannery Arts Center, Save our Shores, and the Museum of Art and History (MAH). Angela also has an extensive public sector history serving with the Department of Justice combating human trafficking in Washington, DC and the mid-Atlantic as well as ensuring trust and safety for victims of cybercrime at eBay, Inc. in Silicon Valley. She is able to further her collaborative work amongst the public and private sectors in our community by serving on Supervisor Leopold’s staff in the First Supervisorial District.
Mariana España
Board Member
Mariana España was born in Mexico City, lived in Oaxaca, Mexico in her early childhood and spent part of her adolescence in Spain. From the time of her first arrival in the United States, Santa Cruz has been her first and most lasting home. España began her community involvement as a Recreational Leader in Watsonville. She later worked within the educational system as a teacher’s aide and peer mentor to youth. After earning her bachelor’s degree in La Raza Studies, she returned to Santa Cruz and worked with Monarch Servicers as a youth advocate and then as Monarch’s Children and Youth Program Manager. España then earned her master’s degree in social work with emphasis in children and youth. She was awarded a Title Four Scholarship and placement in Santa Cruz County Family Services. España then worked for San Mateo County Aging and Adult Services for six years, initially as an in-home support services social worker, but then as Program Supervisor. España returned home to Santa Cruz while expecting her first child and is now a stay-at-home mother.
España is bicultural and fully bilingual in Spanish and English. Her volunteer experience is as diverse as it is expansive. She has volunteered helping rescue animals, raising money for research foundations to save our planet, fighting policies that reduce access and rights for individuals with physical limitations, to save our libraries, and to vote in elections. España currently offers low-cost fitness classes to the elderly, sliding scale Zumba dance instruction, organizes book drives and mother’s groups, coaches soccer and runs for charities. When taking time for herself, she enjoys making piñatas, dancing, and drawing.
Jaime Molina
Board Member
Neera Bhatnagar
Board Member
Neera Bhatnagar is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with extensive experience in trauma-informed care, particularly with adolescents involved with the juvenile justice and foster care systems. As a Clinical Supervisor for the County of Santa Cruz, she oversees the Juvenile Justice team in Children’s Behavioral Health. She has worked as a therapist for children, adolescents, and young adults, utilizing evidence-based approaches such as EMDR, CBT, Gender Affirming care, and Mindfulness Based Substance Abuse Treatment. Neera is a founding member of a taskforce aimed at addressing the needs of girls and women through gender-responsive programs and is actively involved in numerous community organizations and initiatives. With 15 years of experience working with CSEC and sexual assault survivors, Neera is committed to raising awareness and advocating for survivor/victim rights. She aims to bring her insights on youth needs to the Monarch Services Board, enhancing prevention services and community support. Neera is dedicated to creating spaces for healing and empowerment. She is passionate about holistic wellness, enjoying activities with alternative healing practices, pilates, and meditation. She also enjoys organizing events, gathering people, and has a talent for fostering community connections. Neera brings a unique perspective as a first-generation Indian American woman with a diverse background. Her leadership, advocacy, and community-building skills, along with her lived experience of raising a bi-racial son, offer valuable insights into intersectionality and inclusion. She is committed to innovation and growth in mental health services, striving to reduce barriers and improve service quality.
Heidi Boynton
Board Member
Monarch Services has a talented and diverse staff who are deeply committed to our mission of lives free of violence. To reach any of our staff, please email us at admin@monarchscc.org
Laura Garcia
Senior Case Manager
Maria Luna Bjur
Senior Case Manager
Veronica Garcia
Senior Case Manager
Marisol Lopez
Case Manager
Patty Barajas
Case Manager
Stephane Pantaleon
Case Manager
Angelica Perez
Crisis Intervention Advocate
Gabriela Onesto
Family Support Specialist
Jackie Sandoval
Community Outreach and Education Advocate
Josephine Salgado
Paralegal
Maria Campos
Shelter Advocate
Juan Garcia
Shelter Advocate
Esmeralda Zavala
Receptionist
Amy Rebollar Lopez
On-Call Advocate
Amy Trigo-Rocha
On-Call Advocate
Delia Guitierrez
On-Call Advocate
Jazmin Jauregui
On-Call Advocate
Jessica Ramirez
On-Call Advocate
