Pictured: M2L cohort 8 at their inaugural seminar in May 2025.

Healthforce Center at UCSF is pleased to announce the eighth cohort of the Cedars-Sinai’s Community Clinic Initiative: Managing to Leading (M2L) program. Funded by Cedars-Sinai and administered by Healthforce Center, this program develops emerging leaders by fostering the knowledge, skills, and confidence to effectively lead change and improve health care delivery. 

This year, M2L brings together 32 clinicians and administrative staff who work in community health centers and other safety-net organizations in Los Angeles to learn about the specific needs and priorities of Los Angeles's health care landscape. Participants will gain skills on leading change and work to drive innovative strategies to deliver high quality care while navigating state-wide transformation efforts.  

Managing to Leading Program, Cohort 8 (Class of 2025-26) 

Amber Anaim, HR Manager, UMMA Health 

Benny Cañez, Testing and Prevention Coordinator, JWCH Institute, Wesley Health Centers 

Brandon Burciaga, Supervisor of HIV Prevention and Linkage, Los Angeles LGBT Center 

Brooke Ashford, Behavioral Health Clinic Program Manager, Central Neighborhood Health Foundation 

Byanka Alay, Certified Enrollment Supervisor, Central Neighborhood Health Foundation 

Carlos Lanese, Senior Workforce Manager, Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County 

Constanza Gumucio, Associate Director of Quality Improvement, Northeast Valley Health Corporation 

Cristabel Escobar, ECM Program Manager, Northeast Valley Health Corporation 

Dawn Buchanan, Health Center Supervisor, Achievable Health 

Eranisha Bess, Clinic Manager, Central Neighborhood Health Foundation 

Gene Hui, Patient Experience Manager, Chinatown Service Center 

Genesis Perez, Clinic Manager, Via Care Community Health Center 

Jason Diep, Dental Director, Los Angeles Christian Health Centers 

Javier Aguayo, IT Manager, El Proyecto Del Barrio, Inc. 

Jennie Arias, Clinic Office Manager, Clínica Monseñor Oscar A. Romero 

Jennifer Amaya Gonzalez, Associate Director, Behavioral Health Department, Venice Family Clinic 

Jennifer Camarena, Dental Office Manager, AltaMed Health Services 

Julia Carrero Madrid, Clinic Manager, St John's Community Health 

Laura Norona, Perinatal Education Supervisor, Eisner Health 

Lelina Beru, Program Manager, JWCH Institute, Wesley Health Centers 

Ly Nguyen, Application Analyst, Eisner Health 

Maura Sanchez, Managed Care Manager, South Central Family Health Center   

Nakia Dure, Dental Supervisor, AltaMed Health Services 

Nancy Olvera, Front Office Supervisor, Asian Pacific Health Care Venture 

Natalie Abellanosa, Registered Nurse Manager, APLA Health and Wellness 

Reagan Watson, Clinic RN II & Street Medicine Nurse, Los Angeles Christian Health Centers 

Sandy Sanchez, Nursing Supervisor, Asian Pacific Health Care Venture 

Sonia Alvarado, Billing Supervisor, Saban Community Clinic 

Taryn Burks, Communications Manager, Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County 

Tinuade Akinfolarin-Arbouet, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Director, Planned Parenthood Los Angeles 

Vanessa Castro, Senior Appointment Scheduler, Saban Community Clinic 

Yesenia Osuna, Senior Program Director, Universal Community Health Center 

The Managing to Leading Program will begin recruiting its ninth cohort in January 2026. Learn more about the program and sign up for the Healthforce Center newsletter to get program announcements.