Vice President and COO
Vice President and COO
Dr. Salazar holds a Master’s and Doctoral degree in Public Health from the University of California, Berkeley. Since 1988, he has worked in the substance use disorder, HIV/AIDS, and mental health fields as a counselor, health educator, community organizer, researcher, and administrator. He has been the primary translator (English to Spanish) of various research studies and has co-translated The Wellness Guide published by the UC Berkeley Center for Community Wellness. He is also the co-author of Essential Spanish for Social Services, a Living Language/Random House publication. During his career Dr. Salazar has served as the Project Director/Principle Investigator (PD/PI) on various programs funded by the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), CA Department of Healthcare Services (DHCS), and LA County Department of Public Health, Substance Abuse Prevention and Control (SAPC) with an emphasis on delivering the full continuum of Substance Use Disorder (SUD) services ranging from prevention to medical detoxification/maintenance. He is currently the Director of SUD/MH program that serves youth in LA County and also oversees two Narcotic Treatment Programs (NTP’s) and Medications for Addiction Treatment (MAT) programs designed for both adults and youth. Dr. Salazar regularly conducts trainings and classes on SUD counseling and new and emerging behavioral health trends, evidence based practices (EBP’s), current research in the SUD/MH field, and provision of SUD and MH treatment services to special populations such as youth, women and older adults. Since 2014, Dr. Salazar has held a Lecturer position with the California State University of Northridge (CSUN) and has taught various healthcare leadership and public health courses, including those on SUD, to both undergraduate and graduate master’s level students. Dr. Salazar has served on various non-profit boards, private education boards, and currently serves on CSUN’s MPH Program Community Advisory Board which provides guidance and support on matters related to curriculum development.
Chief Academic Officer
James B. Golden is a Los Angeles based Learning & Development Specialist with over 10 years of organizational development experience in training methodology, design, executive coaching, systems improvement, motivation, cultural competence, and inclusion. Dr. Golden is a natural leader with compassion and emotionally intelligent praxis. He has several years of business consulting experience along with assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation of major programs and events for non-profits, corporations, and government departments. Golden regularly presents research and data at national conferences including: The National Council of Black Studies, the American Psychological Association, the National Hip Hop Political Convention; and he has been invited to speak at colleges including: Howard University, Pepperdine University, University of California at Los Angeles, Sierra Nevada College, and Cal State University, Northridge.
Golden earned a Doctor of Psychology degree from Phillips Graduate University, a Master’s of Humanities from Tiffin University, and a Master of Public Administration degree from Cal State Northridge. He has worked as a curriculum advocate, K-12 teacher, and developer of educational programs. He has published several articles for leading magazines/publications such as The Root, LinkedIn, Vibe, and Clutch; as well as four books including an NAACP Image Award winner.
Program Operation Supervisor
Valeria Romo is a bilingual public health professional with over fifteen years of experience in behavioral healthcare and administrative leadership. She is committed to advancing equitable, culturally responsive services for youth and families, while also supporting the career advancement of behavioral health professionals through education, certification, and workforce development initiatives.
As Program Operations Supervisor at Tarzana Treatment Centers College (TTCC), Valeria leads strategic planning, institutional accreditation, and program oversight to ensure operational excellence and student success. Her work reflects a deep commitment to equity, youth empowerment, and systems-level change in behavioral health.
Accreditation Compliance Supervisor
Dr. Kristyl has over 10 years of non-profit experience and 5 years as an adjunct professor. With a Doctor of Psychology in Organizational Management and Consulting, Dr. Kristyl is a natural educator and is passionate about providing innovative and efficient solutions for organizations like TTCC.
Dr. Kristyl has a heart for the community and believes that wholistic educational resources and community empowerment can help individuals from marginalized groups improve their quality of life.
Admissions and Records Supervisor
Fasiat Agaba is the Admissions and Records Supervisor at Tarzana Treatment Centers College. (TTCC). Fasiat’s journey at TTC started in the year of 2019, after graduating from California State University, Northridge with her bachelor’s degree in public health. It was then when Fasiat joined her first program (MAT Youth Expansion) as a Health Educator, training youth and young adults on opioid awareness and MAT medications in LA County. It was also at this time that Fasiat grew a passion for program development and training the community on harm reduction and substance use prevention. What was most fascinating to her was the impact of something as seemingly simple as a training presentation and what that can do for communities who don’t have access to the information or resources that can save their very own friends and family who are most impacted by the opioid epidemic.
Fasiat continued her professional development at TTC in the Health Educator II position, training high school aged youth using curriculum-based drug prevention courses as part of TTC’s youth services, Adolescent Prevention Services Program or APS. Now, as Admissions and Records Supervisor she is making sure students are successfully enrolled in our programs.
Workforce Development Supervisor
Jessica Galura, MPH joined the Office of Workforce Development to provide leadership to the intern, practicum, and mentoring components of Tarzana Treatment Centers College (TTCC). As the Workforce Development Supervisor, Jessica is responsible for centralizing agency interns and creating systems to support community members, community partner organizations, and schools interested in a wide variety of healthcare careers.
Jessica first joined TTC has a health educator to address barriers affecting SUD treatment in Latinx communities. She previously provided administrative support and leadership for reentry programs at TTC. Jessica earned two degrees from California State University, Northridge. She received a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and a Master of Public Health with a concentration in Community Health Education.
Academic Supervisor- SUD Programs
Dr. Alisia Thompson is an educator with over a decade of experience teaching in K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities. Her areas of expertise include curriculum development, teacher training, program development, and assessment. Dr. Thompson earned her Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Neuroscience from the University of Southern California and began her career as a high school biology teacher. As a classroom teacher, she developed a passion for curriculum development which led her to pursue a Master of Arts in Education (MA.Ed) in Curriculum and Instruction from California State University, Long Beach. Dr. Thompson spent 5 years building teacher preparation pathways in Orange County before coming to Tarzana Treatment Centers College in 2021. During her time with the college, she has served as an adjunct faculty with the Substance Use Disorder program and the Chair of Project Open Doors before being promoted to as our Academic Supervisor of SUD Programs. In 2023, Dr. Thompson earned her Doctor of Education degree (Ed.D) in Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California. Within her role, she is committed to providing meaningful learning experiences and holistic support for all students.
Academic Supervisor- PSS Programs
Ashley McGowan (she/they) first joined our team as the Chair of Peer Support and now is our current Academic Supervisor for PSS Programs, overseeing the Medi-Cal Peer Support Specialist Training Program (PSS) and the Ubuntu Rising Scholars Academy (URSA). They work closely with academic specialists, re-entry coordinator, academic counselors, and local officials to ensure our community receives the best Peer Support education. They also launched the first Peer Support program in Valley State Prison, working with other local prisons to provide our Peer Support program for those who are incarcerated.
Ashley received their B.A. in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations and a minor in Feminist Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. She previously worked for TTC’s We Exist program which was dedicated to getting LGBTQIA2-S+ youth connected with essential resources in LA county. In addition to her role at the college, she also participates in Tarzana’s Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity Committee to support efforts in creating an affirming environment for both patients, and employees at TTC.
Academic RecordKeeper
Mahbubur Rahman is one the few senior supervisors at Tarzana Treatment Centers. He joined the organization as a graduate intern. Since then, Mahbubur has been actively engaged in event management, online learning systems, curriculum development, contract compliance, data management, audit reporting and evaluation. He has been a mentor for the students of Public Health and Health Administration programs from various public and private universities. Mahbubur earned his MBBS & MS in Nutrition from the University of Dhaka and MPH from CSU Northridge.
Mahbubur is a registered medical practitioner with the Bangladesh Medical & Dental Council and regularly attends overseas health camps serving people with minimal or no access to care. He is a life member of the Dietetic Association of Bangladesh and a former Rotarian. In 2022, the Royal Society for Public Health, UK awarded him with their fellowship.
Practicum Instructor
Saul Gonzalez has worked in social services almost exclusively for the best part of 20 years. He is experienced as a public healthcare administrator, community advocate, and educator. He brings to the college social awareness with high cultural competency from serving a diverse population of children, adolescents, adults, and their families.
His unique experiences and roles in HIV healthcare, youth gang prevention /intervention, pediatric hematology /oncology, and substance use have allowed a greater understanding and appreciation of critical public health needs and their impact on our communities. As a community of stewards of public health, we must collaborate to deliver equitable access to resources and opportunities promoting healthy behaviors, environments, and outcomes for all.
He received a BA in Political Science from Cal State University, Northridge. That is when he immediately discovered a passion for mentoring, supporting, and serving our communities vulnerable, immigrant, and underserved populations. Through community-based outreach, advocacy, and research, he has engaged in health promotion, communication, and agency collaborations. His dedication to social policy and social mindfulness led him to receive his Master of Public Health (MPH), and he currently continues the journey towards a Dr.PH.
Saul is a 13-year US Air Force veteran who served as a Medic and Military Training Instructor.
During his free time, he enjoys hiking, climbing, and mountain biking along our local trails in the San Gabriel mountains.
Practicum Instructor
Candice Sakellariou joined Tarzana Treatment Center College in 2023, taking on the role of Practicum Instructor. A distinguished alumna of West Coast University, Candice graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science Degree. With over a decade of experience in nursing, her career has spanned various facets of the field, notably including teaching undergraduate RN-BSN students at a distinguished university. Her tenure in public health ignited an interest in education, prompting Candice to pursue and attain a Master’s degree in Public Health from UCLA, where she was honored with magna cum laude distinction. With more than five years dedicated to serving the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) community, Candice is deeply committed to ensuring equitable access to high-quality care and services for all individuals in need. Her holistic approach to both teaching and learning heralds a new chapter in her career as she joins the vibrant team at TTCC, eager to contribute her expertise and enthusiasm.
Faculty Instructor
Practicum Instructor
Rachel Sandoval earned her AA degree in Addiction Studies and Social & Behavioral Sciences at Los Angeles Pierce College (2019), a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree at California State University, Northridge, (2020), and is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work at California State University, Northridge. Rachel has worked as an SUD counselor and case manager in the outpatient level of care for five years with a diverse population here in the San Fernando Valley. Rachel began her practicum with Valley Women’s Center in 2017 and was hired to continue as a SUD counselor. She continued in the field with Tarzana Treatment Centers as a case manager and counselor in 2021 and received her CADC-I certification at the end of that year. She has a passion of working in the field and has been highly dedicated with her patients. She has strived to guide addicts and alcoholics through their time in treatment and currently works with various people in the community to empower them through their recovery.
Faculty Instructor
Rachael La Com is a program instructor with over 8 years of teaching experience in K-12 schools, community colleges, and non-profit organization training programs. Rachael earned her Master of Public Health (MPH) from California State University, Northridge with a focus in Applied Epidemiology and has a background in behavioral therapy for children with special needs and disabilities. Rachael joined Tarzana Treatment Centers College in 2023 as an instructor for the Peer Support Specialist program and has also supported curriculum development and continuing education training development. She is passionate about making education and healthcare services accessible, particularly for historically marginalized communities.
Adjunct Faculty
With over 19 (nineteen) years of experience in human behavior and professional development, Dr. Johnson is a self-driven leader committed to the development and growth of individuals, teams, and organizations. He has an extensive background in the nonprofit sector, program design, training & development, and workshop facilitation. He is also an adjunct professor of Psychology and Organizational Development. Dr. J has been a part of the TTCC community since 2022 and is committed to the education, certification, and advocacy of those in pursuit of SUD and PSS credentials.
He is a full-time consultant specializing in change management and Leadership Development. He has a Doctoral degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Organizational Management & Consulting, and a Master’s Degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage & Family therapy. He lives by the motto: Once we have accepted our reality, we can then create our destiny. Until then, we are living in fantasy. In his free time, Dr. J loves to travel the world and spend quality time with his family.
Adjunct Faculty
Drew Jacobs is an author, speaker, and consultant known for his impactful work in the fields of recovery and healing from traumatic wounds. His career spans impressive roles in the corporate sector, including executive and C-suite positions in large not-for-profits and multibillion-dollar private corporations. After confronting his addictions, Andrew embarked on a journey of recovery and healing, which significantly shaped his personal and professional life.
Drew is a sought-after keynote and workshop speaker, focusing on recovery and healing from traumatic wounds. His personal experiences have given him profound insights into how wounds affect decision-making and the importance of preventing moral compromise. He has turned his adversity into an advantage, using his experiences to help others overcome their challenges.
As an author, Drew has penned notable books such as “Transformational Consulting” and “Transformational Thinking.” His upcoming book, “The Foggy Path,” will be released by Simon & Schuster in 2025.
Adjunct Faculty
With a dedicated career spanning 27 years, Dr. Shona A. Stephens has been a specialist in
bankruptcy and mortgage litigation, catering to the needs of both small businesses and large
corporations. Holding a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Southern California, Dr.
Stephens eventually pursued her passion for law by completing a B.S. in Paralegal Studies at the
University of West Los Angeles School of Law, with a focus on Litigation and Criminal Law.
Driven by a commitment to addressing the challenges faced by disabled patients in
accessing proper care, Dr. Stephens transitioned her efforts to become a legal advocate in the
public health arena. Her educational journey includes obtaining a Doctorate and a Master’s
Degree in Public Health from Walden University. Additionally, she holds a certification in
Mediation and Arbitration from Loyola Marymount University.
Dr. Stephens presently holds the position of adjunct professor in Law and Ethics at
Tarzana Treatment Center College. Dedicated to applying her education and expertise, she is
focused on guiding and training certification students within the Substance Use Disorder (SUD)
program.
A native of Los Angeles, Dr. Stephens not only excels in her professional endeavors but
also values quality time spent shopping and traveling with friends and family during her leisure.
As a lifelong learner, she finds joy in empowering others with the knowledge necessary for
success in life
Adjunct Faculty
Richard Taylor earned a Double Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and African American Studies and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) in 2005 and 2010. Richard has worked in the field of Mental Health for the past 15 years. Richard is a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in substance use treatment with the chronically mentally ill. Also, Richard serves as an adjunct professor at California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA). Richard works closely with the ASWB (Association of Social Work Boards) and the BBS (Board of Behavioral Sciences) as an item writer and subject matter expert. Richard is passionate about cultural competency, diversity, socioeconomic justice and equitable mental health and wellness opportunities for all. Richard is originally from the Bay Area. Richard loves sports and he is a lifelong Golden State Warriors and San Francisco 49ers fan. He enjoys spending free with his wife and two daughters, going to church, listening to music, shopping, exercise and indulging in spicy foods.
Adjunct Faculty
Monica Ellison is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with an array of clinical expertise in the mental health care field with a specialty in child and family therapy. In her practice she ensures a safe space to assist her clients (children, teens, adults and families) in addressing trauma, depression, anxiety, shame, grief, self-esteem, and relationship difficulties/challenges.
Monica earned her B.A. in Child and Family Development as well as a Master’s in Education emphasis in Multicultural Counseling and Social Justice from San Diego State University (SDSU) and a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pacific Oaks College. Monica has also worked in the field of advocacy and child services assisting families with navigating systems and resources. Monica values and is honored by the opportunity to work with and learn from her clients to empower them to a greater wellbeing. Outside of working with clients and students, Monica loves nature, hiking, learning the drums, reading, going to the movies and exploring the world through traveling.
Adjunct Faculty
John Dennem, MA, CADC-II, LPCC, USN(Ret.), is a retired submariner. He completed his MA in Psychology at California State University Los Angeles, 2014. He is currently enrolled as a PhD student in the Applied Social Psychology PhD program at Claremont Graduate University. He worked with organizations creating programs including “Skid Row Housing Trust” and “Didi Hirsch.” He was one of two counselors who set up the first of its kind “housing first project” in California known as “Project 50”. He served as Project Director on a 2.5 million CABI grant. He is currently an adjunct Lecturer at CALSTATE Los Angeles, at Tarzana Treatment Center College, he is Adjunct Faculty at San Bernardino Valley College, and College of the Desert He has worked as a counselor in the SUDs field for over 15 years. He has developed a transdisciplinary course on personal and professional development and self-care and teaches it at CSULA as well as Tarzana. He was Consultant and Co-Principal Investigator on the “Culture is Prevent Project (CIP)” in partnership with Native American Health Center, Oakland. The purpose is to investigate and establish the efficacy of “Native Epistemology” (i.e. ways of knowing) in preventing and treating health disparities in Native diasporic communities. He is dedicated to teaching and reaching SUDs counselors about the importance of personal and professional development and self-care. He also is a reviewer for several scientific journals.
Adjunct Faculty
Anthony holds a bachelor’s degree in general psychology from Union Institute and University, and a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Massachusetts Global. Since 2013, Anthony has worked in the sectors of Human Services/Social Work, Substance Use Disorders, Mental Health, homelessness, restorative justice, and reentry as a group facilitator, peer mentor, educator, substance use counselor, advocate, and reentry coach. He currently works as Program Manager for Central City Recovery, a 60-bed residential treatment center that treats co-occurring substance use and mental disorders. From 2015 to 2019, he served as a youth mentor with Mule Creek State Prison’s Juvenile Diversion Program, and from 2018 to 2019 as Head Operating Facilitator for the New Options for Wellness program, a nonprofit dedicated to rehabilitation, recovery, and reentry. Since 2021, Anthony has held certifications with the National Association for Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC); as a Department of Transportation (DOT) Substance Abuse Professional; and as a facilitator for the Youth Peer Mentorship Program (YPMP), where he facilitates the Mindfulness-Based Substance Abuse Treatment (MBSAT) Program. He is a certified Anger Management Specialist I (CAMS I) with the National Anger Management Association (NAMA). Anthony served as a contributing editor on the books, “Soft Skills Training: Workforce Fundamentals”, and “Juvenile Offenders: From Big Wheels to the Big House.” In 2018, Anthony collaborated with his classmates and Social Work/Human Services Professor to author the academic article, “Seen But Not Heard: Personal Narratives of Systemic Failure Within the School-to-Prison Pipeline.” He also works in his free time as a reentry coach, utilizing his lived experience and education to assist individuals reentering society who face similar challenges. Anthony’s lived experience includes a young life that led him to a lifestyle that resulted in a 34-year prison sentence. While serving 18 years of that sentence, Anthony found solace and self-efficacy through education and rehabilitative pursuits. These experiences greatly inform Anthony’s passion for education and helping others to achieve their educational goals.
Adjunct Faculty
Janice Boafo (She/Her) is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Coach, Facilitator and Curriculum Developer whose professional life is informed by her lived experiences as well as over 25 years in human services. She believes in engaging the whole person, liberatory practices and the importance of being authentically seen and heard. In all spaces, Ms. Boafo is dedicated to culturally responsive practice, communal healing and exploring the intersections of creativity, culture & the behavioral health recovery model.
Janice graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health Education from California State University, Northridge (CSUN) and a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California (USC). Her interests include educational equity, pedagogy as activism and the transformational power of story sharing. When she is not teaching, Janice is a “boy mom”, nature lover, volunteer and writer who sees beauty in struggle and finds power in community.
Adjunct Faculty
Kendall is an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist who focuses on supporting children, family, parents, and maternal mental health at all stages of a family’s journey. She finds that it is important that we understand that every family and individual is different and every journey is different. There in not one path and It is an honor to help clients understand the path they are on and how they can embrace, or change, and grow their journey.
Kendall is also a healer by nature and a therapist by trade. Having received her bachelor’s in Psychology from San Diego State University and Masters in Clinical Psychology from Azusa Pacific University she has found herself to have expanded on the ability to meet people where they are. In addition to healing mental health she has also found herself on the path of healing through social justice. She is an advocate, an interrupter, an organizer, and person supporting people. She supports people who are learning to heal from social injustice and address Anti-Blackness as it impacts all aspects of the world we live in.