Board of Directors
Welcome to the Orange County Children's Therapeutic Arts Center (OCCTAC) Board of Directors page. From corporate leadership to academia, finance, community development, and more, our board members collectively embody a broad spectrum of knowledge and experience. Their tireless efforts and unwavering dedication reflect OCCTAC's core values of inclusivity, empowerment, and the transformative power of the arts.
As advocates for social justice, education, and artistic expression, our board members are at the forefront of creating meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve. Through their leadership, OCCTAC continues to be a beacon of hope, providing vital resources and opportunities to our community's most vulnerable members.
We invite you to learn more about each of our distinguished board members and their remarkable contributions to OCCTAC's mission. Together, we are committed to building a brighter future for the children and families we serve, one artistic endeavor at a time.
Stuart M. Nichols
Board President
Vice President, Sun Apparel
Stuart M. Nichols, a dedicated advocate for underserved populations, holds the position of Board Co-chair of Fund Development at OCCTAC. As Vice President of Sun Apparel/Screen Printers Resource, Stuart leverages his extensive business management experience to drive positive change. His commitment extends to serving organizations focused on homelessness and substance abuse issues, embodying the values of community and compassion.
Kim M. Kaston
Board Vice President
Supply Chain and Communications Professional Choreographer
Kim M. Kaston, an accomplished professional in aerospace and entertainment, serves as the Board Co-chair of Fund Development at OCCTAC. With a career spanning senior management at The Boeing Company and choreography for The Walt Disney Company, Kim brings a unique blend of expertise to the board. Her passion for global engagement, cultural exchange, and civic empowerment resonates with OCCTAC's mission, making her a valuable asset to the organization.
John K. Tran
Board Treasurer
Senior Vice President, Senior Relationship Manager
Business Banking
Bank of America
John Tran, a seasoned professional in commercial banking, leads the Board Finance Committee at OCCTAC. Currently Senior Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager at Bank of America, he brings over two decades of experience in the field. John's passion for community service is evident through his multiple tenures on the OCCTAC Board, showcasing his dedication to making a positive impact.
Nadine Levin
Board Member
Sr. Insurance Education Specialist
Pacific Life
Nadine Levin has been with Pacific Life Insurance Company since 1997. Over her 18-year tenure managing the Life Insurance Division’s Continuing Education Program, she has played a key role in supporting professional development within the organization. For the past 10 years, Nadine has also been an active member of the Life Division’s Fall Fest Committee, serving as Committee Chair for the last six. Each year, the Committee selects a local charity to support, raising funds through events such as raffles, the Wine & More Wheel, Bingo, Cornhole and Rock-Paper-Scissors competitions, and food fundraisers.
Dr. Rosalinda Larios
Board Member
Associate Professor of Special Education at
Cal State Fullerton
Dr. Rosalinda Larios, faculty at California State University, Fullerton, is a former K–12 special education teacher whose work focuses on asset-based approaches to support multilingual and minoritized families. The first in her family to pursue higher education, she earned degrees from Humboldt State, CSULA, and a PhD in Special Education from the UCLA/CSULA Joint Doctoral Program. Inspired by OCCTAC’s community-centered mission, she seeks to contribute her expertise by supporting funding efforts and developing programs related to IEPs, parent advocacy, and student self-advocacy.
Vanessa Ryan
Board Member Director at MIND Research Institute
Vanessa Ryan is a social impact specialist with extensive nonprofit experience, currently serving as Director at MIND Research Institute, where she manages a major philanthropic portfolio and strategic partnerships to expand math education for underserved students. She previously worked in community relations and grants management at the Allergan Foundation and Free Wheelchair Mission. A former elementary school teacher and mother of three, Vanessa is passionate about equitable access to the arts and education. She looks forward to contributing her expertise in strategic planning, community engagement, and grant writing to support OCCTAC’s mission of empowering families through arts, education, and therapy programs.
Jackie Lau
Board Member
Vice President of Strategic Program Management,
R&D – Surgical Structural Heart, Edwards Lifesciences
Jackie Lau is Vice President of Strategic Program Management, R&D – Surgical Structural Heart at Edwards Lifesciences, where she leads the technical development of new product programs from concept to market. With over 20 years of experience in medical devices, including roles at Stryker Orthopedics and Boeing, she brings expertise in engineering, cross-functional collaboration, and innovation. As a parent and lifelong pianist, Jackie is passionate about the arts as a powerful tool for youth development, confidence-building, and emotional well-being. She looks forward to supporting OCCTAC’s mission through governance, program initiatives, and community engagement.
Dr. Ana Jimenez-Hami
Board Member
Founder and Executive Director, OCCTAC
Dr. Ana Jimenez-Hami, a visionary leader dedicated to empowering underserved communities, is the Founder and Executive Director of OCCTAC. With an impressive background in academia, Ana's passion for arts, education, and social justice drives OCCTAC's mission. Her unwavering commitment has garnered recognition and awards, reflecting her profound impact on arts, culture, and education.
Claude Goldenberg
Board Liaison, Advisory Council
Nomellini & Olivier Professor of Education,
Stanford University
Dr. Claude Goldenberg, an influential figure in education research, holds the position of Board Secretary at OCCTAC. As the Nomellini & Olivier Professor of Education at Stanford University, his extensive research focuses on promoting academic achievement among language minority students. With a background encompassing teaching and groundbreaking research, Dr. Goldenberg brings a wealth of knowledge to the board. His contributions extend internationally, advising committees on English education and literacy development in various countries.
Rossina Gallegos
Board Liaison, Advisory Council
Director & CSR Officer
Corporate Social Responsibility, Union Bank
Rossina Gallegos, an esteemed leader in corporate social responsibility, contributes her insights as a Board Member of OCCTAC. With a history spanning over four decades at Union Bank, she has expertly managed charitable contributions and foundation requests while fostering community engagement. Rossina's commitment extends beyond her professional realm as she actively participates in numerous civic and community organizations, serving as the President of the Santa Ana College Foundation and contributing to Orange County Human Relations, among others.
Melody Winter Head
Board Liaison, Advisory Council
Chair Regional Manager, So. Cal.Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco (Retired)
Melody Winter Head, a devoted advocate for community development, contributes her expertise as the Board Vice President of OCCTAC. As the Regional Manager at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, Melody has dedicated her career to addressing crucial issues in low-wealth communities of Southern California. Her innovative strategies span affordable housing finance, small business development, workforce development, and K-12 education reform. Despite facing disability challenges, Melody remains actively engaged with various community-based organizations, including Clearinghouse CDFI, Orange County Community Housing Corporation, and OCCTAC.
Sam Chari
Board Liaison, Advisory Council
Senior Vice President, Experian
Sam Chari is currently SVP, Global Head of Risk and Compliance at Experian. Based in Southern California, Mr. Chari provides oversight of enterprise risks across the firm. Previously, Mr. Chari has been in several risk management related roles, including serving as the Head of Enterprise Risk at PIMCO and Head of Operational Risk at AllianceBernstein. He holds a MBA from the Stern Business School (NYU) and a MS from Clemson University.
Lakshmikanth Namburi
Board Liaison, Advisory Council
VP of Memory Products, FormFactor Inc.
Lakshmikanth Namburi, a technology innovator and leader, serves as a Board Member at OCCTAC. In his capacity as VP of Memory Products at FormFactor Inc., he brings over two decades of experience in microfabrication technology. With a strong background in engineering and business management, Lakshmikanth contributes a wealth of expertise to the board's endeavors.
Larissa Harrison
Board Liaison, Advisory Council
Director of Development for the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep Medicine, Clinical Immunology and Allergy at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine
Larissa Harrison, an experienced fundraiser with an international background, recently earned her MBA from UCLA Anderson in June 2022. She currently serves as the Director of Development for the Division of Pulmonary, Critical Care, Sleep Medicine, Clinical Immunology, and Allergy at the UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine, focusing on major gifts. Her previous work in Corporate and Foundation Relations resulted in securing over $8M in grant funding for UCLA. Before entering fundraising, Larissa managed UCLA's joint research institute with Peking University, China, promoting scholarly exchange in science and engineering. Beyond her professional career, Larissa has a passion for the creative arts, including drawing, painting, theater, filmmaking, and photography, which she integrates into her fundraising endeavors. Larissa resides in Santa Monica with her 12-year-old son, Malcolm, and their loyal dog, Ralphie.
