About Us | Leadership
2024 – 25 Board of Directors
Staying current on priorities and directing major activities that reflect member needs, CDSA is led by a Board of Directors who represent member organizations. Our Directors reflect the CDSA membership diversity of geography, service types, and organizational sizes and structures.
John Brauer is President and Chief Executive Officer of New Horizons, which serves more than 1,100 individuals in the San Fernando Valley and surrounding areas. New Horizons offers a wide variety of services, including community-based day programming, full-service training and employment, residential and community living options, and a number of specialty programs such as the Mobile Monarch program and Youth Navigation Center. John has worked in the disability field for over 33 years, in both California and Virginia. He currently serves on the Membership and Finance Committees.
Cheryl White is Co-Executive Director at Cedars, which supports nearly 200 adults through residential services and day programs throughout Marin County, such as Cedars Fine Arts Studios, Cedars Textile Arts Collaborative and Cedars Community Connection. Cheryl is approaching 30 years in developmental services between her combined experience at service provider organizations and at the Golden Gate Regional Center, where she still serves as a voting member of the Service Provider Advisory Committee. She serves on the CDSA Public Policy Committee and as Co-Chair of the Residential Provider Forum.
Since 2016, Elizabeth Clary has served as Executive Director of Alchemia, a nonprofit organization that supports Marin and Sonoma County residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities to share their artistic voices through the visual, performing, and creative arts. Alchemia’s approach is unique in that they are staffed with a team of working professional artists who serve as mentors. Elizabeth is an active member of CDSA, serving on the Finance and Public Policy Committees and supporting our advocacy work by building relationships between Alchemia and legislators.
Sarah Verity is Vice President of Board Relations & Legislative Affairs at Ability Path, which supports more than 1,000 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the greater Bay Area. Sarah has more than 15 years of experience in developmental disability services and advocacy. She serves on the San Mateo County Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee and Paratransit Coordinating Council, in addition to the Service Provider Advisory Committees at Golden Gate and San Andreas Regional Centers. She is actively involved in the CDSA Public Policy Committee and currently chairs the Legislative Subcommittee.
Tim Chervenak is the Executive Director of Vocational Visions, an Orange County-based non-profit serving approximately 400 adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities in a variety of programs, including services for those who are medically fragile, community-based day programs, and supported employment. In 2024, Vocational Visions celebrated its 50th anniversary. A native of California, Tim has over 26 years of experience working with people with disabilities. Tim has been active in CDSA for over 20 years, having served previously on both the CDSA and CDSI boards. Tim is currently a member of the Public Policy Committee.
Amy Evans, LMFT, LPCC is the executive director of Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, CA part of a larger national organization serving over 15,000 individuals nationally and serving individuals throughout Santa Barbara County in CA. Devereux CA provides residential services (ARF, RCFE, 113- specialized residential, and Enhanced Behavior Supports Homes), Supported Living Services, Independent Living Services, Adult Day Services and Behavioral Services. She has been the executive director for 18 years and has been in the Developmental Disability services field for over 35 years. Amy has been a CDSA member since 2006, has been active in the public policy committee and is a co-chair for the residential services committee.
Edward Hershey is President and Chief Executive Officer for Home of Guiding Hands (HGH), based in in San Diego County, which serves more than 3,800 infants, adolescents, and adults with developmental disabilities. HGH provides a continuum of services from Early Childhood Development, Residential services, In-home Respite, a Community Living Program, Counseling & Family Support Services, and a variety of quality of life programs. Edward has over 25 years of wide-ranging experience in the profit and nonprofit sectors. He also serves on the CDSA Public Policy Committee.
Tamica Hill is Executive Director at The Arc of Fresno and Madera Counties, which serves more than 600 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Tamica has worked in the field for over 13 years, holding key roles such as Program Director of Supported living services, Program Manager of Family Home Agency, Area Director overseeing FHA, Day Programs and Intermediate Care Facilities and Regional Director of Operations over seeing Behavioral Day Programs. Tamica also serves on the CDS Institute Board and is active in the Central Valley Caucus.
April Stewart is the Vice President of Strategy & Innovation at 24 Hour Home Care, which serves all 21 CA Regional Centers providing Personal Assistant, Respite, and Social Recreation programs. In her role, she oversees healthcare program development, program expansion, and healthcare industry advocacy for Medicaid waiver service lines. She brings 12 years of experience in home and community-based services (HCBS), operations, service access expansion, healthcare advocacy, program development, and contracting. April holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Criminology from the University of California Irvine, an MBA from California State University of San Bernardino and a Master’s of Health Care Delivery Science from Dartmouth. She is certified in “Person-Centered Thinking.” April has held leadership positions on multiple Vendor Advisory Committees and is currently a Co-Chair of the CDSA Public Policy Committee.
Staff
As Executive Director, Barry leads our lobbying and public policy, as well as CDSA and CDS Institute operations. He cultivates strong relationships with Administration officials, legislators and relevant staff members, and colleagues at stakeholder organizations to ensure CDSA members are well represented in Sacramento. Barry was named Executive Director in August 2020, after five years as CDSA’s Director of Government Affairs. Barry came to CDSA with legislative and management experience, and previously served as the in-house counsel to a regional human rights and fair housing commission. A native Southern Californian, Barry has developed NorCal bona fides as an alumnus of UC Davis and the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. He enjoys life in Sacramento as part of a small menagerie including his wife, two kiddos, chickens and dog.
As Associate Director, Jim manages income-generating activities, IT services, contracts, business management and associated processes. Jim brings a strong corporate sector background from both California and Colorado. His experience includes world-wide distribution, business administration, marketing, product support, North and South America product sales, and start-up operations management. In addition to his corporate experience, his nonprofit responsibilities included class development/instructor and building refurbishment foreman. His foundation includes faith, his wife, family, friends, and camping off the grid.
As Public Affairs Director, Lauren works with CDSA members and coalition partners to develop communications and engagement strategies that support our mission. Lauren has spent her career in nonprofit and government service. Before joining CDSA, she worked in fundraising and executive support for a national human rights nonprofit in Washington, DC, and was previously appointed to a federal agency where she worked on policy and public engagement. In her home state of Missouri, she handled veterans’ casework from the district office of a U.S. Senator. She’s now enjoying the west coast scenery and wildlife.
As Government Affairs Director, Emmalynn leads CDSA’s public policy and strategic engagement efforts to ensure that the needs of California’s disability services sector are effectively represented. She cultivates and maintains key relationships with government officials, legislators, and partner organizations to advance CDSA’s policy goals and uplift the voices of our members. With a background as a policy consultant for the California State Assembly and as an advocate for the direct support workforce, Emmalynn brings extensive expertise in shaping and implementing policies that directly impact the services provided by CDSA members and the individuals they support. When not at work, Emmalynn can be found in her art studio or floating on a lake somewhere without cell service.
As Public Affairs and Advocacy Manager, Abigail plays a vital role in advancing our advocacy efforts for disability services by managing key government affairs, policy, and communications initiatives and projects. She focuses on opportunities to amplify CDSA member voices across all levels, with a strong emphasis on grassroots advocacy. A proud graduate of UC Davis, Abigail holds a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Professional Writing. Outside of her 9-5, she enjoys long hours spent in hole-in-the-wall thrift stores and baking way too many cookies for one person.
As Administrative Associate, Roza empowers the work toward our mission, supporting the Executive Director and many CDSA operations. Roza has extensive experience in business management and specialized knowledge of administrative coordination. Roza’s passion and commitment to advocacy for social change is reflected in her work ethic, approach to problem-solving, and ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders. Outside of work, Roza enjoys playing pool, traveling to new places, and creating a cozy home with her wife and cat.
