Leadership

Brian is an experienced executive, leader, and trailblazer. Driven by altruism and helping others, he takes pride in providing innovative solutions and positive influence in his work and community. As Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Brian provides leadership and strategic direction for OFA’s locations and personnel.

Brian has 20+ years in senior and executive leadership roles in higher education and ed tech industries and financial lending industries. Brian’s other accomplishments include an earned Greenbelt in 6 Sigma, and certifications in Change Management, Project Management, Contact Center Strategy & Operations, and Work Systems Redesign.  Brian earned a Bachelor of Arts in Government and minor in Philosophy from The College of William and Mary,

In addition to his roles and responsibilities, Brian sits on the boards of San Diego Pride and No Silence No Violence, and enjoys playing and losing in tennis with his husband of 17 years, traveling, and researching his family’s genealogy.

Melissa is an experienced operations strategist and team builder. She believes and instills the importance of best serving those who serve our consumers. As Interim Chief Opertating Officer (COO), Melissa aligns all HR functions and more across the organization.

Melissa has completed a total overhaul of our Human Resources Information System (HRIS), automating multiple core processes increasing efficiencies and cost savings. In addition, Melissa is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), Society for Human Resource Management-Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP), and holds a Bachelor of Science in Spanish Studies and Civil Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point along with a Master of Arts degree in Business Management and a Master of Science degree in Human Resource Management.

Melissa enjoys exercise and spending time at the beach with her family in her free time.

Myles is an experienced professional in disability support services and vocational rehabilitation. No stranger to OFA, Myles has operated in various roles, from direct support to senior leadership throughout his 10+ year tenure. As Vice President of Programs, Myles provides leadership and strategic direction for OFA’s program and service offerings.

Myles is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and a Certified Employment Support Professional. He has spent much of his career developing and implementing vocational training programs for individuals with I/DD in the education and nonprofit sectors. Myles holds a Master of Science (MS) focused in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling from San Diego State University-California State University.

Myles enjoys strength training, exploring new restaurants, and attending live music events with friends and family in his free time.

Kristina is a lawyer, activist, and advocate for those facing discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or other challenges in academia and the workplace. As Vice President of General Counsel, Kristina provides in-house support and advice on all legal matters related to the general business operations of OFA and ensures compliance with local, state, and federal laws.

Before joining OFA, Kristina worked at UC San Diego and then went into private practice. Kristina holds an undergraduate degree from UC San Diego and a law degree from the University of San Diego. Kristina is an experienced trainer and speaker and testified before Congress regarding sexual harassment in academia in 2018.

Kristina enjoys hiking, crafting, and traveling with her family in her free time.

John is an experienced executive and writer. He believes that OFA brings inclusion and diversity to the entertainment industry by providing our participants with increased visibility and practical work experience. As Vice President of Media, John provides leadership and strategic direction for OFA’s Film and Media Studios and production service offerings.

Before working with OFA, John served as the Executive Director of Activities Recreation and Care (ARC), where he successfully renovated three properties to expand affordable housing for adults with I/DD. John also wrote “Carol of the Bells,” a feature film winning the Audience Choice Award for Best Feature at the 2019 San Diego International Film Festival. In addition, John received recognition for numerous writing projects, including a self-published book, “A Face in the Crowd,” which was nominated for a Lambda Literary Award in 2002. Amongst these accomplishments, John holds a B.A. Liberal Arts from Columbia College Chicago with a focus in film and media.

In his spare time, John continues to write to relax and stay creative, and he looks forward to expanding the scope and scale productions here at OFA.

Miriam is an experienced leader, project manager, and innovator. She firmly believes that our communities stand to benefit from our consumers’ talents, skills, and abilities. As Director of Programs: Community Engagement, Miriam provides oversight of our community engagement programs, providing opportunities for our consumers in the community so they can live more active and fulfilling lives.

Miriam started at OFA as a Program Manager in 2013 and quickly sought to expand our service delivery to the entire South Bay region of San Diego. Miriam works closely with our Direct Support Professionals to create innovative volunteer sites and activities to enhance the quality of our program experience. Miriam holds certification as a Spanish language interpreter and translator from UCSD, a bachelor’s degree from Cal State Fullerton, and a Master’s degree from the University of San Diego.

Miriam enjoys vintage and antique shopping (collecting anything marble from Italy), interior decorating, and spending time with her family in her free time.

Franchesca is an innovative and optimistic leader. She believes every person should be recognized for their individuality and is inspired by creating meaningful relationships to help those we serve to achieve their maximum potential. As a Director of Programs for our Living and Tailored Day Services, Franchesca partners with outside organizations and companies to help our consumers obtain affordable housing, continued education, and job placement.

With 8+ years of supporting adults with I/DD and personal relations to the neurodiverse community, Franchesca is passionate and dedicated to providing quality, individualized services. Other achievements include a Master’s in Education with a credential in Administration and certificates in leadership and healthy relationships.

Franchesca enjoys traveling, exploring new food places, and spending time with loved ones in her free time.

Serena is an experienced leader focusing on education, management, and non-profits. As Director of Programs: Community Engagement, Serena provides oversight of our Community Engagement programs in the Inland Empire, providing opportunities for our consumers in the community so they can live more active and fulfilling lives.

With 20+ years of experience in Non-profit program management, Serena inspires through her actions. She leads by empowering her team and encouraging them to take the lead on projects with the trust that they will make the best strategic decision for our consumers. Serena conducted OFA’s first remote CARF Accreditation survey and holds a Master’s degree in Sociology from California State University Dominguez Hills.

In her free time, Serena enjoys riding her bike on the weekends with her ten-year-old daughter.

Amy Vance has been working and volunteering in the space of nonprofit services for underserved communities in the San Diego region for over a decade. She is passionate about creating opportunities and empowering individuals with disabilities. As the Director of Employment Services, Amy leads the creation of strong partnerships with employers and community partners.

Amy has worked with individuals and families in workforce development and homeless services. She has an undergraduate degree in General Psychology and a master’s degree in Business Management and Leadership. In addition, she is actively volunteers to increase protections for individuals affected by domestic violence and human trafficking.

Amy has two sons, ages 23 and 15, and a cat named Bob. She spends a lot of time on and in the water, boating, kayaking, and spending lazy days at the beach with her family.