First 5 Orange County Staff - First 5 Orange County

Kimberly Goll

President/Chief Executive Officer

Kimberly Goll was appointed President/Chief Executive Officer of First 5 Orange County in May 2016, after serving as the Director of Strategy and Operations since 2002. With a wealth of experience and understanding of First 5 operations, Goll is transforming the organization from a funding resource to a data-driven organization that focuses on building a system-wide infrastructure to support early childhood development. She relies on data collected through the Early Development Index (EDI) that measures child development and school readiness, to inform investments to improve health, education and wellness for young children and families. She is elevating the profile of First 5 among national and state organizations, and encouraging private and public sectors to prioritize early childhood development. Goll serves on the statewide First 5 Association Executive Committee as Vice-President. She holds a Master in Urban and Regional Planning from University of California, Irvine, and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from University of California, Davis. Goll lives in Aliso Viejo with her husband and three school-aged children.

Phone: (714) 567-0152
Email: Kim.Goll@cfcoc.ocgov.com

Tiffany Alva

Director of Partnerships and Government Affairs

Tiffany Alva serves as the Director of Partnerships and Government Affairs at First 5 Orange County. In her role as Director of Partnerships and Government Affairs, Alva executes the organization’s vision through an intentional focus on partnerships, integration, and communication. She also takes initiative to develop and nurture relationships with cross-sector stakeholders, providing First 5 Orange County with a platform to educate community leadership and advance buy-in to the importance of investing in early childhood systems of care. Prior to joining First 5 Orange County, Alva served as the Early Learning Director at THINK Together and has extensive knowledge and expertise in program development and management. She serves on leadership committees for both the national and state associations for the education of young children. Alva holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Services from the University of Phoenix and a Career Technical Education (CTE) Teaching Credential in Early Learning.

Phone: (714) 567-0109
Email: Tiffany.Alva@cfcoc.ocgov.com

Mike Anderson

Director of Early Learning and Engagement

Mike Anderson serves as the Director of Early Learning and Engagement at First 5 Orange County. His key responsibilities include program development, implementation, management, collaboration and integration with First 5 Orange County partners. He supports the agency’s Engaged Neighborhoods, Family Engagement and School Readiness initiatives as well as Homeless Prevention and Child Care work. Previously, he served as the Deputy Director of Real Options for City Kids in San Francisco and the Senior Director of Community Wellness at the YMCA of Silicon Valley. He brings extensive strategic and operational experience in programs to the First 5 Orange County team. Mike holds a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology from Chaminade University and a Bachelor of Psychology from Clemson University. He lives in Long Beach with his partner and their dog, Kona.

Phone: (714) 567-0163
Email: Michael.Anderson@cfcoc.ocgov.com

Jennifer Berthon

Contracts Administrator

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Contracts and Administration and as a key member of the Finance and Administration team, Jennifer Berthon provides support services for the implementation of the finance, contracts, and administrative functions for First 5 Orange County. Her former work experience includes working for the Disneyland Resort as an accountant for the Disney Travel Company.

Phone: (714) 567-0166
Email: Jennifer.Berthon@cfcoc.ocgov.com

Cristina Blevins

Program Officer

Cristina Blevins is First 5 Orange County’s Program Officer for Early Learning and Engagement and has over 20 years of experience in early childhood education. She has a true passion for the development of young children, evidenced by her experience in the early childhood field. She has been a classroom teacher for PK-Grade 5, a Program Director for various programs including: Head Start, State Preschool, dual immersion, and fee-based early education, and most recently a consultant for First 5 OC supporting the Engaged Neighborhoods and other initiatives. Cristina is dedicated to ensuring that children have a strong foundation for successful lifelong learning and development. When she is not advocating for young children, Cristina enjoys spending time with her husband and two children.

Office Phone: (714) 567-0150
Cell Phone: (714) 418-8135
Email: Cristina.Blevins@cfcoc.ocgov.com

Anaiah Brown

Program Officer

Anaiah Brown serves as a Program Officer. As a public health professional, Anaiah’s passion for dismantling health disparities, health inequities, and addressing systemic racism drives her commitment to create a better life for all. Anaiah holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Studies from the University of Southern California and a Master of Public Health degree in Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences from Emory University. In her free time, Anaiah enjoys traveling the globe and spending time with family.

Phone: (714) 567-0151
Email: Anaiah.Brown@cfcoc.ocgov.com

Sara Brown

Vice President of Health Systems and Family Resilience

Sara Brown has more than 20 years of experience as a clinician, educator and community partner. Her work has focused on the development of programmatic partnerships to enhance the health and livelihoods of young children and families. Her research and programming have focused on maternal-child health with threads of innovative approaches and the use of an equity and inclusion lens. Sara has a proven method of stakeholder management, demonstrated by her ability to build and sustain multiple community partnerships, allowing for intended health outcomes. She has a strong desire to provide meaningful insight into how our community may continue to grow in inclusion and embracing peoplehood through dedicated problem-solving efforts. She is excited to focus on creating and maintaining systems of care that empower community groups with valuable information and create family resilience. Sara has a Ph.D. in Clinical Translational Research, a Doctorate in Adult Education and a Master’s Degree in Nursing. Outside of work, Sara enjoys being outside, running, spending time with her family and watching her boys play basketball.

Phone: (714) 567-0157
Email: Sara.Brown@cfcoc.ocgov.com

Lisa Burke

Vice President of Learning and Integration

Lisa Burke serves as the Vice President of Learning and Integration at First 5 Orange County. In her role, Burke focuses on the implementation of the Strategic Plan, advancing the vision of First 5 Orange County through an intentional emphasis on evaluation, partnerships and communication. She promotes a culture of continuous learning and improvement, and supports staff members to perform at their highest capacity. Prior to accepting the vice president of learning and integration position, Burke served as a principal consultant for First 5 Orange County for more than two decades. She supported the organization in the implementation of its strategic plan, communications and outreach efforts, project facilitation and management, and grantee management. Burke holds a Master of Science in Civil Engineering/Infrastructure Planning Management from Stanford University and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics also from Stanford University.

Phone: (714) 567-0183
Email: Lisa.Burke@cfcoc.ocgov.com

Rhonda Esera

Assistant to Executive Director / Office Manager

Rhonda Esera has been part of First 5 Orange County’s administrative staff since 2001. She provides overall administrative support for management, and is responsible for assisting grantees in accessing First 5 Orange County’s online data reporting system, including password resets, changes and questions. She also manages documentation of grantee compliance with insurance requirements. Prior to joining First 5 Orange County, she worked at Ingram Micro as an IBM and Hewlett Packard product authorization specialists.

Phone: (714) 567-0191
Email: Rhonda.Esera@cfcoc.ocgov.com

Michael Garcell

Director of Finance and Administration

As Director of Finance and Administration, Michael Garcell is responsible for First 5 Orange County’s budget, long-term financial plan, contract administration and compliance, and the development of regularly scheduled and ad hoc reports. He provides leadership over the day-to-day accounting, finance, contracts, human resources, and information technology operations for the organization while also responsible for being First 5 Orange County’s primary link to the County finance and budget departments. Garcell is a licensed Certified Public Accountant and a member of the California Society of Municipal Finance Officers (CSMFO) and Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). He has annually received the GFOA award for Excellence in Financial Reporting since 2009. Garcell received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration/Accounting from Pensacola Christian College in Pensacola, Florida.

Phone: (714) 567-0160
Email: Michael.Garcell@cfcoc.ocgov.com

Michaela Martin

Policy and Government Affairs Manager

Michaela Martin was born and raised in rural Oregon. Despite dropping out of high school and later becoming a single mother, Michaela graduated from Oregon State University with a B.S. in Speech Communication and a minor in Psychology. She further persisted and holds a Juris Doctor from the University of La Verne. Michaela is passionate about the economic and educational advancement of families and continues advocating to foster pathways of success for others. Michaela’s experience has included serving as a Student Parent Advisor with Ascend at the Aspen Institute, and sitting on the Family Advisory Committee for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Her policy efforts have included Oregon Senate Bill 564 — the first of its kind to require colleges and universities to collect and report on the enrollment and graduation rates of student parents. When she is not busy advocating for families, she can be found at the dog park with her son, Ezra, and their rescue dog, Chowder.

Phone: (714) 567-0174
Email: Michaela.martin@cfcoc.ocgov.com

Janette Medrano

Administrative Analyst

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Contracts and Administration and as a key member of the Finance and Administration team, Janette Medrano is responsible for providing support to the Senior Manager, Contracts and Administration and the Contracts Administrator on tasks related to invoice processing, payroll, IT, and other administration functions as needed. Medrano is detail oriented, self-motivated, proficient in office operations, and bilingual in English and Spanish. In July 2017, she brought her store management experience to the position, which is a transferable skill for the Administrative Analyst duties. She completed her general education at Riverside Community College.

Phone: (714) 567-0138
Email: Janette.Medrano@cfcoc.ocgov.com

Andrew Montejo

Data Analyst

Andrew Montejo serves as Data Analyst for First 5 Orange County and is responsible for the data collection, quality assurance and database administration for the CalWORKs Home Visitation Program. Before joining First 5 Orange County in 2020, Andrew was a Data and Evaluation Manager for the Los Angeles LGBT Center, where he developed internal database systems and collaborated on program development for homeless youth. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Chicano/a Studies from California State University Northridge.

Email: Andrew.Montejo@cfcoc.ocgov.com

Yvette Nuñez

Program Officer

Yvette Nuñez serves as a Program Officer. Yvette has more than 15 years of experience working at Orange County non-profit organizations and providing direct services to families and children, prenatal through age five. She is bilingual in English and Spanish, and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Child and Adolescent Development from California State University, Fullerton, and a Masters of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education from California State University, Long Beach.

Phone: (714) 567-6514
Email: Yvette.Nunez@cfcoc.ocgov.com

Nicole Preciado

Senior Finance Analyst

Nicole Preciado is the Senior Finance Analyst for First 5 Orange County and is responsible for state and federal contract compliance, budget analysis and reporting, providing support on finance audits, and executing other general finance activities. She also lends expertise to the administration of contracts to funded partners. Before joining First 5 Orange County in 2002, Preciado was a Product Management Analyst for Ingram Micro, where she maintained monthly budgets and reported analysis of the percentage of business done by the configuration team. She earned an Associate’s degree in accounting from Santa Ana College.

Phone: (714) 567-0168
Email: Nicole.Preciado@cfcoc.ocgov.com