Justin Mendez is an equity-centered higher education leader and social justice advocate committed to advancing student success through belonging, empowerment, and transformation. As a first-generation college student, he began his academic journey at Santa Monica College before transferring to the University of California, Los Angeles and earning a Master of Arts in Education with a specialization in Race and Ethnic Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in Chicana/o Studies. He currently serves as Director of Basic Needs Programs and the CASA Grant at Long Beach City College, where he leads culturally responsive, trauma-informed initiatives supporting foster youth, men of color, student parents, and students experiencing basic needs insecurity. Nationally, he has served as a field expert with the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education and is a two-time recipient of the League Excellence Award, as well as the Viking Impact Award.  Justin actively contributes to disrupting systems of oppression and reimagines education to move beyond performative equity and toward courageous, transformative action that dismantles barriers and redefines student success as collective liberation. 

Xiomara J. Caliendo brings more than 32 years of dedicated community service through her work with the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency, Department of Social Services, and the SDSU Research Foundation WIC Program. Throughout her career, she has actively contributed to community initiatives, cross-sector partnerships, and collaborative efforts with nonprofit organizations to improve access to essential services for families and underserved populations.

She is bilingual in Spanish and highly experienced in eligibility intake, outreach, customer service, and program compliance. Xiomara has extensive knowledge of public assistance programs, including WIC, CalWORKs, CalFresh, Medi-Cal, and other county services, allowing her to effectively guide individuals and families through complex systems of support. She has completed specialized supervisory training through the University of Phoenix for Human Service Specialists and received professional training through San Diego State University for WIC program roles, including Nutrition Services Assistant and WIC Nutrition Assistant.

Xiomara is passionate about supporting youth and young adults, particularly those from vulnerable communities, and is committed to advancing Building Resilience Together’s mission to provide resources, advocacy, and opportunities for success. She brings both professional expertise and a deep personal dedication to helping others thrive.

Outside of her professional work, Xiomara enjoys hiking, cooking, listening to audiobooks, watching movies, and cherishes her role as both a mother and grandmother.

Natalya Gonzalez brings a diverse professional background across both clinical and non-clinical roles in healthcare. She currently serves as a Certified Nurse Assistant, continuing to strengthen her direct patient care experience while demonstrating a strong commitment to delivering high-quality, compassionate support. Alongside her professional work, Natalya is a full-time student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Health Science and holds a Spanish Certificate in Healthcare Interpreting. Her long-term career goal is to become a Physician Associate, reflecting her dedication to advancing her knowledge and expanding her impact in healthcare.

Through her experience, Natalya has developed essential skills in organizational effectiveness, patient communication, and HIPAA compliance. She is deeply passionate about supporting youth and young adults transitioning out of foster care, recognizing them as a vulnerable population that often faces significant barriers to stability and success. She views her role with Building Resilience Together as an opportunity to give back, advocate, and help connect young people with the resources and guidance they need to achieve their goals.

Natalya is committed to supporting the organization’s mission by contributing her time, voice, and professional insight to raise awareness and strengthen support systems for foster youth. Outside of her professional and academic pursuits, she enjoys traveling, taking road trips, and previously lived abroad for a year in Panama, her mother’s home country, an experience that broadened her cultural perspective and deepened her appreciation for community and connection.

Alexus Ramsey is our current Treasurer

Hannah Warner is an organizational development professional and leadership coach with more than five years of experience in people strategy, workforce development, and foster youth advocacy. She specializes in aligning talent and organizational practices with mission-driven outcomes, bringing expertise in coaching, program design, and organizational effectiveness. Hannah is deeply committed to building systems that empower individuals to grow, succeed, and thrive beyond their circumstances.

She holds a Master of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and is a Certified Professional Coach through iPEC, as well as a Certified Energy Leadership™ Index (ELI) Practitioner. Her academic and professional training equip her with the tools to strengthen teams, develop leaders, and support sustainable organizational impact.

Hannah’s dedication to supporting youth impacted by foster care is both personal and professional. Having experienced the foster care system herself, she understands firsthand the challenges of instability, resilience-building, and identity development that many young people navigate. She firmly believes individuals are not defined by their circumstances, but by the choices they make and the support systems that surround them. While at Norco College, she worked closely with Phoenix Scholars, assisting current and former foster youth in accessing resources, strengthening academic confidence, and navigating higher education. This experience further solidified her commitment to advocacy, mentorship, and expanding pathways to long-term success.

In her role as a Board Member serving in a Socially Connected capacity, Hannah leverages her professional expertise and lived experience to cultivate community partnerships, increase awareness, and help ensure youth feel seen, supported, and empowered.

Outside of her professional work, Hannah enjoys painting, snowboarding, and sewing. She values creativity and movement as powerful tools for healing and self-expression and often incorporates creative approaches into her leadership and coaching practices.

Anita Bailey is a higher education executive, educator, equity strategist, motivational speaker, and founder of LIVE Consulting: Human Sustainability and Development. She currently serves as an Associate Professor of Counseling at Norco College, where she supports student success through equity-centered counseling, teaching, and leadership. With nearly two decades of experience across California's community colleges, K–12 education, and nonprofit organizations, Anita has dedicated her career to advancing student success, organizational effectiveness, and equity-centered transformation.

Anita is recognized for developing culturally responsive, African-centered strategies that strengthen belonging, leadership, and academic success for historically underserved communities. Her expertise spans executive leadership, organizational development, strategic planning, executive coaching, student success, and systems change. She has designed innovative programs and professional learning experiences grounded in frameworks such as Jengaship, Village Academic Support, intrusive counseling practices, and data-informed storytelling to help institutions build more equitable and effective learning environments. Previously, Anita served as Program Director for the Umoja Community Education Foundation, providing leadership for 73 Umoja programs across California and supporting national and global partnerships focused on African American student success. She also served as Director of the Rising Scholars Network at the Foundation for California Community Colleges, where she led statewide initiatives that expanded educational opportunities and support for justice-impacted students. Anita holds a Master of Science in College Counseling and Student Development from Azusa Pacific University. Through LIVE Consulting, Anita partners with colleges, universities, nonprofits, and mission-driven organizations to provide executive coaching, leadership development, strategic planning, team facilitation, workshops, and keynote presentations that empower leaders and organizations to create lasting, meaningful change. Anita is honored to serve on the Board of Directors for Building Resilience and is excited to contribute her leadership, equity expertise, and passion for student success in support of current and former youth in care. She looks forward to helping advance the organization's mission and creating opportunities that empower young people to thrive.