Meet the Coaches

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Veronica currently serves as the Educational Advisor for TRIO ACES at Moreno Valley College and as an associate therapist at the Counseling Center for Individual and Family Therapy in downtown Riverside. Her professional journey includes experience as a high school counselor at a dual enrollment alternative high school and as the Transfer Pathways Student Success Coordinator at Cal State San Bernardino, where she supported transfer students across California. She holds an AA-T in Psychology from Mt. San Antonio College, a BA in Psychology from Cal State Fullerton, and a Master’s in Counseling from Cal State San Bernardino. As a proud first-generation college graduate, Veronica is deeply passionate about uplifting underrepresented and first-generation students through education, empowerment, and holistic support. 

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Rocío Noemí Dueñas, Noemi, is a first-generation college graduate, immigrant, and the first professional in her family. As a bilingual, bicultural, and neurodivergent coach with an MA in Marriage & Family Therapy (AMFT, PCC) and over 20 years of experience, Noemi specializes in trauma-informed self-care, professional resilience, and cultural identity development. Noemi has devoted her career to empowering youth, families, college students, and emerging Latina leaders as they navigate stress, burnout, emotional challenges, and the transition into their first professional roles. Her approach is empathetic, caring, and nonjudgmental. Noemi tailors her support to everyone’s needs, offering resources, practical skills, and a safe space where you can truly feel heard and seen. Whether you’re exploring identity, managing stress or burnout, addressing relationship issues, building resilience, or coping with a difficult situation or person, Noemi is here to walk alongside you with compassion and evidence-based guidance.

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Kalea Ibarra is currently a 2L at Western State College of Law, and this summer she will be interning at the Riverside District Attorney’s Office. Kalea attended undergrad at UC Berkeley, where she ran track and field, and learned a lot about balance, discipline, and pushing through challenges. Before starting law school, she co-founded a nonprofit that helps students apply to college by turning their unique backgrounds and experiences into strengths in their applications. Kalea genuinely loves helping people and guiding them through the steps it takes to reach their goals, whether that’s getting into college, law school, or figuring out the next step in life. Kalea is here to support, encourage, and help everyone feel confident in their journey!

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Ana Jovel Melendez was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom in February 2024 to serve as Deputy Secretary for Legislative Affairs at the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA). Ana previously served in various positions in the Office of U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer from 2005 to 2014, as Deputy Director of the Kenneth L. Maddy Institute from 2014 to 2016, and as legislative staff in the California State Assembly from 2016 to 2021. Directly prior to joining CalEPA, Ana was Director of Legislative Affairs at the State Water Resources Control Board. Ana is an alumni of the HOPE Leadership Institute. Her accomplishments include being a Ronald E. McNair Scholar, a Sally Casanova Fellow, a Leon & Sylvia Panetta Scholar, and a 2022 Fresno State Top Dog Alumni. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from California State University, Fresno.

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Ana R. Melgoza, MPA, is Vice President of External Affairs for San Ysidro Health (SYHealth) one of the largest community health centers in the nation. She joined SYHealth in 2005 and proceeded to establish the External Affairs department. Ana supervises a wide range of crucial functions, including government relations/advocacy, public/private/non-profit partnerships, private fund development, outreach, creative services, social media, media relations, and corporate communications. Her role is pivotal in sustaining and expanding SYHealth’s dedication to compassionate care for all, a legacy forged by the seven founding mothers in 1969. Presently, SYHealth boasts a workforce of 3,000 employees, with 77% being women, delivering essential health services to the 161,000 lives under their care across San Diego County, spanning urban to rural communities. Her personal and professional goals are to eradicate health disparities especially in children and seniors in under-resourced communities. Ana’s tireless efforts are motivated by her belief that a person’s zip code should never determine their life expectancy or health outcomes, only where their mail is delivered. Ana extends her impact beyond SYHealth through active participation in policy-making and non-profit boards. Her roles include contributions to The San Diego Union Tribune Community Advisory Board, The San Diego County Health Services Advisory Board, The Scan Foundation Health Equity Task Force, The National Council on Aging Health Equity Advisory Board, and Circulate San Diego. Ana is a graduate of the National Urban Fellows Program, earning her master’s degree in public administration in New York City and also a graduate of Rockhurst University in Kansas City, Missouri. She has honed her leadership skills through the HOPE Leadership Institute and LEAD San Diego. Ana’s unwavering commitment and to healthcare advocacy has not gone unnoticed. She has been recognized with various accolades, including The San Diego County Health Equity SHEro award from the San Diego County Board of Supervisors for her exemplary representation of service to underserved families. In every aspect of her multifaceted career, Ana Melgoza strives to create equitable healthcare solutions for all.

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Starlynn Mendez is a graduate student at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a LEE Public Policy Fellow, committed to advancing equity, education, and civic engagement. A proud Latina from a mixed-status family, Starlynn’s experiences growing up in California and North Carolina fuel her passion for social justice and public service. As a former Texas social studies teacher, she empowered students to understand history and advocate for their communities. Named Guilford College’s “Outstanding Leader in an Organization” in 2023, Starlynn aspires to become a U.S. senator and continues to build a career centered on policy, education, and community impact.