SRC - MEMBERSHIP

Los Angeles County
Current or Former DOR Consumer representative

Benjamin has been an Associate at Revolution Financial Management since 2017 and a Financial Professional at World Financial Group Inc. since 2014. He was a Receptionist at the Glendale Community College High Tech Center from 2007 to 2008 and an Associate at Pre-Paid Legal Inc. in 2006.

San Diego County
Client Assistance Program representative

Ivan has been Client Assistance Program Advocate at Disability Rights California since 2005. He was Qualified Mental Health Professional at New Alternatives Inc. from 2004 to 2005. Ivan was a Caregiver at Genesis Developmental Services from 2002 to 2004.

Los Angeles County
Disability Advocacy Group representative

Kecia has been Self-Advocacy and Community Liaison for the Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities at the University of California, Los Angeles Tarjan Center since 2012. She was Advocacy Director at People First of California from 2011 to 2012, where she was Interim Executive Director in 2011, President in 2010 and State Advocacy Reporter from 1996 to 1999. Kecia was a Teacher Assistant at the University of California, Los Angeles Extension Pathway Program from 2008 to 2010 and a Coordinator for Self-Advocacy at the Westside Regional Center from 1998 to 2010. She is a member of the California Statewide Self-Advocacy Network, Developmental Services Taskforce, NoVo Coalition Advisory and Board Resource Center Abuse Prevention Advisory Team. Weller is national co-chair of the Peer Support Network at the National Adult Protective Services Association.  

Alameda County
Parent Training and Information Center representative

Susan has been Executive Director at the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund since 2008. She held multiple positions at the Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund from 1997 to 2008, including Director of Administration and Managing Director. She was Law Firm Administrator at Adams, Broadwell, Joseph and Cardozo from 1993 to 1997 and Law Firm Manager at King, Shapiro, Mittelman and Buchman from 1993 to 1994. Susan earned a Master of Business Administration degree from California State University, East Bay.

Sacramento County
Director

In 2014, Joe Xavier became the Department of Rehabilitation's Director. Prior to his being Director, he served as Deputy Director for the Specialized Services Division since 2010, responsible for Blind Field Services, the Orientation Center for the Blind, the Older Individuals who are Blind Program, the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Section, and the Business Enterprises Program.Joe has over 28 years' experience in business and public administration, as well as many years participating in advocacy and community organizations.    

Napa County
Disability Advocacy Group representative

Theresa is the Executive Director for CA Association of Local Behavioral Health Boards & Commissions, where she previously served as President. Theresa was an associate at Complex Property Tax Specialists from 2009 to 2016. She was an office manager at Hope Episcopal Church and at St. Michael's Day School from 2007 to 2008. Theresa was an office manager at Performance Packaging from 1996 to 1998 and a sales representative at Nikon Inc. from 1994 to 1995. She was software applications manager at Focused Imaging Technologies Inc. from 1992 to 1994.

Sacramento County
California Department of Education representative

Nicolas has been an Educational Programs Consultant of the Programs and Partnerships Unit at the California Department of Education since 2018, where he was an Educational Programs Consultant of the Focused Monitoring and Technical Assistance Unit from 2016 to 2018. He was Vice Principal at Al Sadara Model School from 2014 to 2016 and Head of the English Department at Al Nahyaneia Model School from 2013 to 2014. Nicolas was a Teacher at Al-Hayer School for Boys from 2010 to 2013 and at Al-Arqam College Preparatory from 2003 to 2010. He earned a Master of Science degree in educational leadership from the University of Leicester.

San Francisco County
Community Rehabilitation Program representative

Chanel has been Director of Jobs at Best Buddies International in California since 2020. She held multiple positions at Best Buddies International from 2017 to 2020, including Employment Consultant, Manager of Job Development and Program Supervisor of Jobs. Chanel is a member of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce.

Contra Costa County
Business, Industry and Labor representative

Jonathan has been Senior Director of Scalable Solutions at Year Up since 2019. He held multiple positions at Year Up from 2016 to 2019, including Director of Public Policy and Government Affairs and Manager of Public Policy and Government Affairs. He was Associate Director at the Massachusetts Metro North Workforce Board from 2015 to 2016. Jonathan was a Data Inquiry Facilitator at Boston Public Schools from 2014 to 2015 and a Special Education Teacher in the Oakland Unified Schools District from 2010 to 2013. He was a Teaching Fellow and Researcher at Harvard University from 2013 to 2016. He is a member of the National Skills Coalition California Leadership Council. Jonathan earned a Master of Education degree in education policy and management from Harvard University.

San Bernardino County
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor representative

Sara Abdrabou has been a Senior Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor – Qualified Rehabilitation Professional since 2016. Abdrabou was an Early Intervention Specialist at The MENTOR Network from 2015 to 2016. She was a Counseling Intern for Disabled Program Services at Chaffey College from 2014 to 2015. Abdrabou was a Paraprofessional at Hope Counseling and Family Therapy from 2014 to 2015. She is a member of the Rehabilitation Advisory Board at California State University, San Bernardino. Abdrabou earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from California State University, San Bernardino.

Los Angeles County
State Independent Living Council representative

Lisa Hayes has been the Executive Director at Rolling Start Inc. since 2019. She held several positions at Molina Healthcare between 2007 and 2017, including Associate Vice President of MLTSS, Director of Disability and Senior Access Services, Manager of Senior and Disability Programs and Manager of Provider Contract Review. Hayes was Project Manager at United Health Care from 2000 to 2007. She was contract Manager at PacifiCare Health Systems from 2000 to 2006.

Placer County
Business, Industry and Labor representative

Elizabeth Lewis has been a Senior Recruiter for Union Pacific Railroad since 2011. She was an Employment Specialist at Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation from 2009 to 2011.