Meet The Commissioners

TIARA SUMMERS

Executive Director

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Policy Areas: Juvenile Justice and Mental Health

Bio: Tiara Summers has allowed her lived experience to serve as the driving force behind her passion to serve youth, families, and the community.  Although Tiara was born and raised in Oakland, California, she has dedicated over 20 years serving the community of Los Angeles County.  Tiara studied at the California State University of Long Beach where she obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Master of Social Work.

Tiara began her career working as a youth counselor and rehabilitation therapist for a level-14 STRTP psychiatric facility.  She dedicated 5 years working with youth impacted by the juvenile justice and child welfare systems who were diagnosed with severe mental health disorders.  She provided group counseling centered around cognitive behavioral therapy, trauma informed care, and more. 

Tiara continued her career working for the Los Angeles County Probation Department.  She dedicated 15 years of service working in diverse settings such as: Dorothy Kirby Center (DKC), Quality Assurance Bureau, Dashboard, Camp Community Transition Program (CCTP), Systems Accountability Bureau, AB109 Adult Probation, and Juvenile Investigations and Supervision.  Tiara’s probation career began as a therapist providing individual, group, and family therapy to sexually exploited youth at the DKC residential facility. Throughout Tiara’s probation career, she worked on various special projects to impact change such as continuum of care initiative, monitoring staff on youth violence, redesign of the behavior modification program, implementation of the strengthening needy family’s program, and more.  She participated in community outreach by spearheading, planning, and organizing the annual food drive and toy drive at the Compton courthouse (South-Central Probation Office) for three consecutive years.

Tiara believes impactful and transformative change begins with a person having a genuine heart to selflessly and relentlessly serve others.  Tiara’s lived experience channels her irrefutable passion to be part of the solution to transform the lives of systems-involved youth by supporting the voices of our youth.  She is vested and devoted to serving the LAC Youth Commission.

Superpowers: Selfless and Empathetic

ASHLEY CARRILLO-LOPEZ

Executive Assistant

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Policy Areas: Youth Advocacy

Bio: Ashley Carrillo-Lopez, she/her, is a 21 year old student at Long Beach City College, transferring to California State University Long Beach as a Social Work Major where she will get her Masters. Ashley is extremely passionate about uplifting and providing assistance/resources to Systems Involved Transitional Age Youth. As a Former Foster Youth herself, Ashley believes sharing her experience with youth in similar paths can offer great outcomes. Ashley has a great amount of administrative and clerical experience in and out of the county — starting as a Youth Worker for the Department of Children and Family Services, where her interest in serving systems involved youth began, and now serving as a Career Development Intern for the Board of Supervisors, under the Youth Commission. Ashley is eager and hopes to be able to give back resources and assistance that she received once as a youth in care.

Super Power: Spreading Joy

Vivian Martirosyan

Management Analyst

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Bio: As the Youth Commission's Management Analyst, Vivian Martirosyan is committed to improving and standardizing data analysis and research efforts to streamline proposals made to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. Vivian is dedicated to identifying logistical problems and helping improve the commission’s efficiency.

Vivian has previously worked for the Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) in the Service Linkage Unit, ensuring mental health linkage for clients. Additionally, Vivian has worked as a Human Services Aide for DCFS, providing specialized program and client-related assistance and support to professional staff in providing human services to the public.

In addition to her child welfare experience, Vivian has previously worked as a Law Enforcement Technician for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department and learned first-hand the importance of having pre-arrest and school-based diversion programs for the youth.

Vivian holds a Master of Public Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the California State University of Northridge.

Superpowers: Reliability and Humility

FLORENCIA “FLO” VALENZUELA

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Policy Areas: Universal Basic Income, TAY

Bio: Flo Valenzuela is an enthusiastic and brilliant advocate for youth involved in the foster care system. Flo is currently studying sociology at UCLA and believes that it is fundamental for youth to co-envision and co-create the systems intended to support their lives. She was nominated by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis and is an extremely accomplished young woman who wants to use her voice to inspire youth currently involved in various systems. Flo hopes to remove transportation barriers for systems-involved youth and is excited to share solutions on the Youth Commission.

Super Power: Protecting Those I Love

LA’TOYA COOPER

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Policy Areas: Child Welfare

Bio: La’Toya Cooper is an outstanding and vibrant young leader. She shadowed Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell during a California Youth Connection event in 2018. She credits that experience and participation in The RightWay Foundation as the key reasons she desires to lend her voice on the Youth Commission. La’Toya hopes to inspire other youth who have been impacted by the foster care system and is excited to bring her ideas and insight. She has a genuine enthusiasm and will represent youth and the Second District well.

Super Power: Connection

JOSHUA ELIZONDO

Pronouns: he/him/his

Policy Areas: Entertainment, Education

Bio: Joshua Elizondo is a brilliant leader and creative and has advocated for systems-impacted youth for over ten years. He has completed 9 Associate Degrees from Santa Monica College and is currently completing double Bachelor of Arts degrees at Pepperdine University. He has collaborated with many organizations through his advocacy efforts, including Spirit Awakening, MYOI, PBS SoCal ‘s-To Foster Change, and California Youth Connection, where he currently sits on the Board of Directors. Joshua also founded The Foster Bunch, an organization aimed at changing the narrative of the child welfare system. He is eager to use his diverse background to give back to the community.

Super Power: Connecting with people

CLARISSA PEÑA

AMANDA HERNANDEZ

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Policy Areas: Workforce Development, TAY

Bio: Amanda Hernandez is a brilliant and kind advocate for youth experiencing foster care. As a current employee with the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs, Amanda will provide vital insights on navigating County departments and systems. Amanda was nominated by Supervisor Kathryn Barger and is excited to explore County policies and programs; and is ready to partner with various departments and organizations. She is interested in exploring workforce development opportunities for systems-involved youth and plans to use her time on the Youth Commission to make a difference within and beyond her community.

Super Power: Creativity

ANGELA YOUNG

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Policy Areas: Kin-gap, Permanency

Bio: Angela Young is a confident, accomplished, and brilliant advocate. She has been very active in the Youth Commission’s initial workgroups and has lent her voice on several important projects as the Youth Commission launches. Angela brings a wealth of professional and academic experiences. She hopes to lend her voice and experiences on various topics, including education and professional development opportunities for system-involved youth. A team player with a bright smile, Angela is excited to partner with her colleagues on the Youth Commission to reimagine the child welfare and juvenile justice systems.

Super Power: Relationship Management, Empathy

BRITTIANNA ROBINSON

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Policy Areas: Juvenile Justice

Bio: Brittianna is a resilient and outgoing advocate with a powerful story and can connect with diverse communities. Through her experience in programs like Saving Innocence Project and Survival Leadership Academy for Youth (SLAY), she has used her voice in improving systems for youth across the County. Brittianna has a clear vision for improving the child welfare and juvenile justice systems and is excited to share her ideas. She will be a strong advocate and powerful public speaker for the Youth Commission.

Super Power: Generosity

EVELYN KARINA RODRIGUEZ

SHERRIE BRADFORD

CHRISTIAN GUDIEL

LUISA FLORES URRUTIA

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Policy Areas: Public Health & Wellness

Bio: Luisa Flores Urrutia is a compassionate and innovative young leader who will bring a unique perspective to the Youth Commission. Her experiences navigating the child welfare and immigration systems will provide tremendous insights. Luisa is incredibly passionate about education and wellness for systems-involved young people and will bring an inspiring voice to the Youth Commission. She is a City of Pasadena Public Health Department Community Ambassador, young adults advocate, and case manager. Luisa helps young adults at risk or suffering from housing insecurity get connected with sustainable housing in this role. As a current student at CSU Los Angeles, she plans to graduate with her Bachelors of Science degree in Kinesiology in 2021 and apply to the Physical Therapy doctorate program at USC.

Super Power: Happiness, Gratitude, Discipline

MARTINE JONES

MYRIAH SMILEY

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Policy Areas: Child Welfare, Housing

Bio: Myriah Smiley is an “architect,” one of six youth leaders who helped conceptualize and create the Los Angeles County Youth Commission. Her advocacy, intelligence, and graciousness are widely regarded in the child welfare system and other community organizations. Myriah was voted Miss Compton in 2018 and hopes that her story and experiences will be an example of other youth interested in impacting their communities. Myriah is currently studying Culinary Arts at LA Harbor College.

Super Power: Empathy, Relationship Building

RICARDO ORTEGA MARTINEZ JR.

Pronouns: he/him/his

Policy Areas: Higher Ed, Financial Independence, Immigration

Bio: Ricardo is a savvy public servant and passionate advocate for foster youth. His diverse experiences in state and local policy will benefit the Youth Commission and the youth it serves. He has been active as a Legislative Committee member with California Youth Connection, was appointed to Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson’s Commission on Immigration, and is currently completing his Bachelor of Science degree at CSU Dominguez Hills. Ricardo currently works with Children’s Institute Inc. as a Peer/Parent Partner to support clients’ mental health journey. Ricardo hopes to streamline processes for systems-involved youth to receive financial and healthcare services.

Super Power: Healing (physical & mental pain)