Our Team
Board of Directors 2022-2023
Melissa Wood. M. Ed., M.S., PPS, President
Melissa is currently the Director of Special Education Programs at the Panama Buena Vista Union School District in Bakersfield, CA. She has extensive experience implementing mental health services to students, creating district-wide crisis response protocols, and collaborating with community agencies to facilitate support to families.
Contact
Jeannine Topalian, Psy.D., LEP #3365, PPS, Past President
Jeannine has been serving as a school psychologist for Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) for nearly 20 years and has extensive knowledge of and experience in working with culturally diverse youth. She is currently an administrator in psychological services.
Contact
Chris Jones, CAGS, LEP #2819, President Elect
Chris is a Licensed Educational Psychologist and credentialed school psychologist who has worked in private practice and public schools for over 25 years. He is also the Vice Chair of the Board of Behavioral Sciences and Chair of the BBS Telehealth Committee.
Contact
Mike Giambona, Ph.D., LEP #3367, Secretary/Treasurer
Mike is a school psychologist at San Ramon Valley Unified, with more than 15 years of experience. He has created and supervised mental health programs, ERMHS assessment teams, and ERMHS providers.
Contact
Katie Pettersen, Ed. S., NCSP, Affiliate Representative
Katie is a nationally certified school psychologist with Santa Clara Unified School District, Secretary of the Santa Clara County Association of School Psychologists, and adjunct faculty with UMass Global’s school psychology program. She specializes in conducting cross-battery psychoeducational assessments with a pattern of strengths and weaknesses analysis, as well as advocating for inclusive practices for LGBTQ+ folks, with an emphasis on transgender and gender non-binary students.
Contact
Leslye Charlesworth, Ed.S., PPS, Region I Representative
Leslye has been practicing school psychology since 2005 and graduated from the University of Denver with an educational specialist degree in school psychology. She has worked in both Colorado and California and currently works in Healdsburg Unified School District where she conducts psychoeducational and 504 assessments, provides educationally related mental health services and works collaboratively with MTSS teams to promote positive outcomes across the district.
Contact
Emily Bersaglia, PsyS, NCSP, Region II Representative
Emily has been a school psychologist since 2008, serving students across four states. She has found herself serving in various leadership positions in her district, particularly related to addressing issues of equity and disproportionality.
Contact
Connie-Marie King, MS, Region III Representative
Connie-Marie King has been a school psychologist in Kern County since 2020. She has been an active member of her local affiliate and enjoys giving back to her community and advocating for her school psychologists. Prior to becoming a school psychologist, Connie-Marie worked as a behavior therapist and hopes to continue her passion and earn her BCBA.
Contact
Aimee Garcia Fuentes, MS, BCBA, Region IV Representative
Aimee has worked as a school psychologist with Los Angeles Unified School District since 2015 and is currently at Panorama High School. Prior to becoming a school psychologist, she worked for the Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) for over eight years implementing Applied Behavior Analysis.
Contact
Ashley Schwenn, Ed.S, ABSNP, Region V Representative
Ashley currently serves as a school psychologist in Region V. She has served in both traditional and non-traditional roles in three states over the past 14 years and previously served as an adjunct professor for the University of Dayton school psychology program. She has extensive experience in school neuropsychological assessment and intervention, creating and implementing proactive districtwide systems of support, and state association leadership
Contact
Yolanda Haro, M.Ed, Region VI Representative
Yolanda has been serving as a school psychologist for the last 12 years and is currently with the Hemet Unified School District. She has experience working as a bilingual school psychologist and the school psychologist for the district's Behavioral and Mental Health Team working alongside the ERMHS team. She is also an adjunct professor for the University of Massachusetts Global specializing in assessments in the School Psychology program.
Contact
Dorothy Guinter, MS, Region VII Representative
Dorothy has been serving as a school psychologist since 2007. Currently, her role is an Educationally Related Mental Health Services (ERMHS) School Psychologist for a specialized program that serves high school students with significant behavioral and mental health needs.
Contact
Dr. Ivan Alvarez, EdD, MA, LEP #3516, Region VIII Representative
Ivan has served as a Bilingual School Psychologist for the Santa Barbara County Education Office since 2014. He has experience working with diverse populations in preschool and K-12 settings, including students with a range of disabilities.
Contact
Jennifer Strong, MS, ABSNP, LEP #4317, Region IX Representative
Jennifer Strong has extensive experience in the school setting in southern California, including her recent leadership involvement in shaping policies and procedures for Special Circumstances Instructional Assistance (SCIA). Currently, she practices at Cognitive Diagnostic Associates, a comprehensive full-service support for education.
Contact
Amy Merenda, Ed.D., LEP #4256, Region X Representative
Amy has been a practicing school psychologist since 2018. She currently works at two elementary sites and is passionate about neurodiversity affirming practices, positive psychology, and supporting other school psychologists.
Contact
Committee Chairs and Specialists
Position | First | Last | Email | Chair, Convention | Cassie | Rivera |
|---|---|---|---|
Chair, Legislative and Advocacy | Michele | Custer | |
Co-Chair, Membership | Sarah | Rodriguez | |
Co-Chair, Membership | Emily | Bersaglia | |
Chair, CSP Editorial Board | Michael | Hass | |
Co-Chair, CSP Editorial Board | Meagan | O’Malley
| |
Co-Chair, Communications | Danielle | Christy | |
Co-Chair, Communications | Barbara | D’Incau | |
Chair, Awards/Honors | Maureen | Schroeder | |
Chair, Professional Learning | Terri | Foster | |
Co-Chair, IDEAL | Katie | Pettersen | |
Co-Chair, IDEAL | Nel | Romo | |
Co-Specialist, LEP/Private Practice | Wendell | Callahan | |
Co-Specialist, LEP/Private Practice | Chris | Jones | |
Specialist, Assessment | James | Hiramoto | |
Co-Specialist, Assessment | Amy | Merenda | |
Co-Chair, Mental Wellness | Tom | Sopp | |
Co-Chair, Mental Wellness | Stephanie | Murray | |
Specialist, Ethics/ Professional Standards | Gina | Beaman | |
Historian | Christine | Toleson | |
Student Leadership Chair | Brian | Leung | |
NASP Delegate | Maureen | Schroeder | |
SPEC Liaison | Jackie | Allen | |
CTA State Liaison | Josie Meza | Malik | |
ACSA Liaison | Doug | Siembieda | |
SELPA Liaison | Tracy | Peyton |
CASP Committees
Not quite ready to serve on the Board, but want to get more involved in CASP? Think about joining a committee! Whether you’re interested in recruiting members, advocating for your profession, or organizing educational events, we have a committee for you. You’ll meet new people, become part of the inner circle, learn new skills, and be recognized for your contribution to the profession.
CASP Staff
Kristin Makena, Ph.D., L.E.P., Interim Executive Director
Kristin is currently serving as the Interim Executive Director of CASP. Kristin is a Licensed Educational Psychologist, adjunct School Psychology Professor, and previous Special Education Administrator. In addition she has experience managing corporate accounts and small businesses. Kristin has been a long time volunteer/member with CASP, most recently serving as the Ethics Specialist. She enjoys reading, traveling with friends, the beach/nature, and finding craft coffee shops. Kristin's professional interests include integrated mental health and leadership.
Please contact me for:
- Board of Directors
- Volunteering
- Strategic Partnerships
- Advocacy & Policy
- Media Inquiries
- Accounts Payable
Kendall Bare, Membership and Communications Coordinator
Kendall has been with CASP since September 2021. She previously worked for other Sacramento based nonprofits, including Snowline Hospice and Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services. She enjoys yoga, traveling, serving her community, and spending time with her family (including her beloved black cat, Clarice).
Please contact me for:
- Publications
- Social Media
- CASP Emails
- Membership
Kathy Little, Education Associate
Kathy has been with CASP since 2014. Before joining this team, she worked in a variety of fields, but spent most of her time being a stay-at-home mom of five. In her free time, she enjoys reading and spending time with her family.
Please contact me for:
- Continuing Education
- Events
Josh Johnson, Webmaster
Josh has been CASP’s Webmaster since 2011. Before joining this talented team, he freelanced for graphic design and web development. His hobbies include photography, experimental digital art, video games, and home automation.
Please contact me for:
- Issues with the CASP website or CASP emails
- Suggestions or feedback for the CASP website
- The LEP Directory
Brittney Harrell, Administrative Assistant
A proud Californian, Brittney's passion for understanding the world and fostering positive change led her to pursue a degree in International Relations at Sacramento State University.
After completing her education, Brittney went to work for her community through her various roles with the government, working to improve the lives of fellow residents.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Brittney adores picnics, dogs, and rainy days.
Please contact me for:
- CEUs
- Invoices
- Calendar Invites
- Membership Reports
