Meet Your California Team

Our Board

kAREN nAVARRO

co-president

Since 2006, Karen has been dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities in the greater Los Angeles area. She began her journey as a supervisor and has gained diverse experience in direct support, staff training, and employment services. Karen is also knowledgeable in DOR employment services, Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work program and free VITA tax assistance.

Karen now serves as a manager at Integrated Resources Institute, overseeing the Coordinated Career Pathways program, which helps individuals with developmental disabilities pursue education and employment opportunities.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master of Public Administration with distinction from California State University, Northridge. Karen is passionate about helping individuals live and work in their communities to achieve the highest level of independence.

Gabriela sanchez

Secretary

Gabriela has been leading programs supporting the independence and inclusion of adults with developmental disabilities for over 16 years. Utilizing person centered principles, she has served in a variety of positions creating opportunities for individuals to find their unique path to employment. Currently, she is in the role of Senior Regional Director for the Tierra Del Sol Foundation. As the leader of Tierra del Sol’s College to Career, Workforce Development and Individualized Services Gabriela guides her team to support over 360 men and women with disabilities to lead productive and personally meaningful lives. Gabriela holds a B.A. in Psychology from California State University, Los Angeles and a drive to continually challenge our larger community to recognize the value of each of the individuals she supports. Gabriela enjoys traveling, taking photos, all things Disney and spending time with her husband, 23 year old daughter and her 17 year old son who has Autism.

Vivian Haun

Member

Vivian Haun is an attorney and independent consultant.  She has a master's degree from Stanford University and a J.D. from UCLA School of Law.  Vivian previously served as a special education policy analyst for the California Charter Schools Association, where she worked on implementation of the Competitive Integrated Employment Blueprint and advocated for person-centered transition and employment practices in schools.  She also has a sibling with autism who has worked in an integrated setting with the support of his Regional Center and the Department of Rehabilitation.

Lara Okunubi

member

Lara Okunubi, Bsc, Mba, is Executive Director of Ideal Program Services in Los Angeles, California, serving the community of developmental disabilities for more than twenty-five years to create change and achieve desired goals using evidence-based practices. Lara has served in numerous community and professional volunteer leadership roles such as ACRE trained Employment Facilitator, CaApse board member, Certified Person-Centered Trainer/ PCP Facilitator/PCP Writer, Past Vendor Advisory Chairperson (sclarc), Independent Facilitator and LifeCourse Ambassador

Rebecca laboriel

Co-President & Treasurer

Rebecca LaBoriel has worked with individuals with disabilities for over 25 years. She has her Master’s in Counseling and has been a Director of Supported Living, Independent Living, Day Services and Employment. She has been a part of the California Supported Living Network for over 15 years-working in partnership with the State Department of Disabilities to ensure that Person-Centered-Employment Services stays at the forefront of California’s service delivery system.

Harry Bruell

Member

Harry Bruell has served as CEO/President of PathPoint since 2017 and has been a leader in the nonprofit sector since 1991.  PathPoint supports people flourish by partnering with children, adults, and families to find hope and empowerment, build life skills, access systems of support, and develop meaningful relationships. PathPoint’s 500 employees support 3,750 people through employment, residential, community integration, and counseling services in five southern and central California counties.

Harry serves on several statewide and national boards and committees as well as numerous workgroups convened by the CA Department of Developmental Services.  Prior to joining PathPoint, Harry served for 26 years in the conservation corps field, including 13 years as President and CEO of Conservation Legacy, a national agency based in Colorado.

Lily Handley

Member

Lily is committed to the disability rights movement, and passionate about working alongside people to secure employment that is fulfilling and provides opportunities for connection and community. She has been working for more than 17 years with kids and adults with disabilities at schools, in employment settings, and in their homes. Her focus throughout this time has been to encourage each person to make informed decisions, and to develop their individual voice as a strong self-advocate.

Since 2013, Lily has been working for Jay Nolan Community Services (JNCS) in the greater Los Angeles area. In 2015, she completed a Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Cal State LA. She is currently the Customized Employment Services Supervisor at JNCS, where she works for adults with disabilities helping them access employment and education, as well as gain skills and experience around self-advocacy and self-determination.       

Tony Pennay

member

Tony Pennay currently serves as the Senior VP of Strategic Growth for New Horizons, a North Hills, CA nonprofit with over 70 years of service to the community. His portfolio includes oversight of Employment Services and Youth Services. He helped New Horizons open a new office in Thousand Oaks, CA, and has emphasized early intervention for long-term competitive integrated employment opportunities for students in the Youth Services program. He serves as Co-Chair of the Santa Clarita Valley Mayor’s Committee for the Employment of Individuals with Disabilities, is the Chair of the Not-for-Profit Committee of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association, and was selected to be part of Leadership Conejo, a program of the Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce. Prior to joining New Horizons, he served as the Chief Learning Officer at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation, and was a Language Arts and Social Studies teacher for a decade. He is the author of The Civic Mission of Museums, as well as various books, chapters, and articles. His proudest accomplishment is being father to his three children- Lia, Makaina, and Xander.

Katherine Sanders

Vice President

Katherine is a Consultant at Beyond Compliance Supports, specializing in HCBS, employment services and Person Centered Thinking. Katherine holds a Bachelor of Science in Communication from San Diego State University. Previously, she served as the Employment Specialist at San Andreas Regional Center (SARC), where she supported individuals across the SARC catchment area in achieving competitive integrated employment. With extensive experience in the employment field, she has collaborated closely with families, individuals, vendors, the Department of Rehabilitation, and local communities to enhance employment opportunities.

Carole Watilo

Member

Carole Watilo is the Executive Director of Progressive Employment Concepts and Community & Employment Services.  Carole holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development and a Master of Arts Degree in Education with an emphasis in Special Education from Sacramento State University. Carole has experience and training in Discovery and Customized Employment, Person Centered Thinking practices, Augmentative and Alternative communication strategies and positive behavior support strategies. Since 1984, Carole has worked to advance inclusion and equity for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

sUAD bISOGNO

member

Suad Bisogno is the CEO of Integrated Resources Institute, an employment service provider that also provides education, training and advocacy. She has been serving on the California APSE board since 2020. She also sits on the California TASH board. She has been a part of larger stakeholder groups that have worked to eliminate sub-minimum wage, developed the California Office for Employment First, and developed new types of employment services, including the Coordinated Career Pathways Service, which allows for the very first time, the development of a Person Centered Career Plan and funding for Customized Employment Services. She worked to develop a California centric ACRE curriculum that has now supported in the training of over 300 employment professionals in California. Most recently, Suad has developed grants that have led to partnerships with California APSE to allow for trainings and technical assistance with SME.

Suad has a passion to promote competitive integrated employment services throughout the state and federal government. Suad is good at recognizing bottlenecks and coming up with creative solutions to address those issues. 

DEBRA JORGENSON

member

Debra Jorgensen is the Director of Training and Innovation at Guidelight Group. Through this role, she is an Independent Facilitator for clients of the regional center who participate in the Self-Determination Program. She also trains individuals to become Independent Facilitators. She has worked in the field of disability, employment, and public interest law for over 20 years. As a former attorney at Disability Rights California and the Children’s Advocacy Institute at the University of San Diego, and in private law practice, Debra has focused her career on advocating for the rights of those from underserved communities. Debra is trained in Customized Employment by the Association of Community Rehabilitation Educators (ACRE), Person-Centered Thinking and Independent Facilitation.

Our Members