Dr. Ryan J. Smith is the President and CEO of St. Joseph Center in Los Angeles, California. For 50 years, the organization has been a leading force in supporting working poor families and unhoused individuals across Los Angeles County. Today, St. Joseph Center serves nearly 15,000 people annually through housing, outreach, food assistance, mental health care, job training, and workforce development.

Prior to joining St. Joseph Center, Dr. Smith served as Chief Strategy Officer for an organization advancing social and economic equity in South Los Angeles. In that role, he led major strategic and power-building initiatives, including the successful Make LA Whole anti-poverty campaign, which secured over $200 million in city funding for high-need communities. He also served as executive lead for the South Central Youth Empowered Through Action (SCYEA) program.

Dr. Smith has spent the majority of his career supporting youth and families. He previously served as Interim CEO and Chief External Officer for the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools, where he advanced initiatives in community engagement, advocacy, and family empowerment, including founding the award-winning Parent College program. Earlier, as Executive Director of The Education Trust–West and Vice President of Strategic Advocacy for The Education Trust, he led efforts to advance educational justice and strengthen grassroots advocacy across California and nationally.

Dr. Smith holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Doctorate of Education from UCLA. He is a recipient of the Annie E. Casey Children and Family Fellowship and the Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs. He serves on the boards of Covenant House California, Abode Communities, and Housing California. He was recently selected for Stanford University’s Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders.

With more than 30 years of expertise in accounting, Camille Gonzalez brings deep financial leadership to St. Joseph Center. For eight years as CFO at Para Los Niños, she oversaw significant organizational growth, doubling annual revenue from $26 million to over $52 million. She has extensive experience managing city, state and federal contracts, including those with LAHSA, the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Children and Family Services. 

Her career reflects a long standing commitment to Los Angeles nonprofits and public good organizations. During her roles at KCET, including as CFO, she navigated complex financial transitions, including KCET’s departure from PBS and KCAL Channel 9 to Viacom. Her dedication to community service deepened during this period, inspired by a segment highlighting the need for leadership in underserved communities.

A human services leader with 15 years of experience, Laurie Craft has dedicated her career to preventing and ending homelessness in Los Angeles. Previously, she served as Chief Programs Officer at Hope the Mission, where she grew the program department from a small volunteer team to more than 450 employees and managed a $52 million operational budget. She oversaw 30 programs, including access centers, interim housing for individuals, families and transitional-age youth, multidisciplinary outreach teams, housing services and behavioral health programs.

She also played a key role in establishing a learning and development department to support staff through ongoing training and coaching. Laurie is a former co-chair of the SPA 2 Homeless Coalition and has received multiple honors, including Woman of the Year for the 18th Senatorial District. She holds a BA from Chapman University and an MPA from Grand Canyon University.

With more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit, development and business management, Sharyn Church brings deep expertise in philanthropy and organizational growth. Most recently, she was Managing Director of Arabella Advisors Southern California, where she guided high-impact nonprofits and individuals in strategy, advocacy and impact investing, with a focus on cultivating networks of women and racial justice donors across Southern California.

She has played a pivotal role in fundraising and growing several Los Angeles-based nonprofits, including Inner-City Arts. Under her leadership, the arts center underwent significant transformation, earning the Rudy Bruner Award for Urban Excellence. Sharyn has managed development teams and held senior leadership roles throughout her career. A Los Angeles native, she holds a master’s degree in art history and museum studies and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Southern California and completed the Executive Education Program at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business. Her commitment to racial and gender equity is reflected in her volunteer and board service focused on economic mobility.

Joi Richardson is Vice President of External Affairs and Communications at St. Joseph Center. A lifelong Angeleno and Leimert Park resident, Joi brings deep roots in the community and extensive experience in government and public policy. She served as District Director for Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager Dove, helping pass Senate Bill 679 to create the Los Angeles County Affordable Housing Solutions Agency.

Joi has also worked with State Senators Steve Bradford and Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, managing communications and constituent services. She holds a BS in Applied Mathematics from Prairie View A&M University and an MA in Kinesiology from San Jose State University. A proud lifetime member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, LAAAWPPI graduate, Jack and Jill member, wife, and mother, Joi is committed to creating opportunities and stronger communities across Los Angeles.

Dr. Josette Sprott is a dynamic leader with over 25 years of accomplished experience in human resources across diverse industries, with expertise in strategic talent management, organizational effectiveness and change leadership. Her work has focused on strengthening performance management, employee engagement and inclusive workplace cultures aligned with organizational mission and values. Prior to joining St. Joseph Center, Dr. Sprott held senior HR leadership roles, including Vice President of Human Resources at NBCUniversal, where she advanced talent development initiatives and enhanced the employee experience. She also held leadership positions at WarnerMedia and Nespresso, building high-performing teams and implementing robust people strategies. A recognized expert in employee relations, leadership coaching and team development, Dr. Sprott combines deep HR knowledge with a strong commitment to equity and organizational growth. She holds a doctorate from USC’s Rossier School of Education, an MBA from Baruch College and a BA from Queens College.

Elyce Martinez brings 15 years of experience in data analysis, impact measurement, and program evaluation to the newly created role of AVP of Data & Compliance at St. Joseph Center. She previously served as Senior Director of Learning & Evaluation at the Coalition for Responsible Community Development (CRCD), where she developed an integrated data and reporting system to assess progress toward organizational goals and program outcomes. Her work aligned measurement and learning with program performance and systems change efforts.

Elyce’s dedication to human services and community development shapes her strategic leadership. She is committed to using data to identify inequities, strengthen supportive services, and advocate for increased resources for historically disinvested communities. She holds a Master of Public Policy Evaluation from Claremont Graduate University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of California, Berkeley.

Breek Sundy serves as Board Liaison and Special Projects Manager in the Office of the CEO, where he advances strategic initiatives, strengthens board engagement and governance, and supports cross-organizational projects that further mission impact and operational excellence. With a multidisciplinary background as a licensed nurse, paralegal and regulatory professional, Breek brings expertise in healthcare, compliance and regulatory affairs to support executive leadership. He holds a master’s degree in regulatory affairs from The George Washington University and is an alumnus of the Law Development Center and the Uganda Management Institute in Kampala. His experience working in resource-constrained healthcare environments across Africa shaped a lasting commitment to equity and improving outcomes for underserved communities, values that closely align with the mission of St. Joseph Center.

With more than 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, Nikki Gilbert brings deep expertise in leadership partnership and supporting organizational administration operations. Prior to joining St. Joseph Center, she served for over a decade at Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services, where she deepened her expertise in nonprofit operations and service delivery within organizations serving vulnerable communities across Los Angeles County.  Throughout her career, Nikki has built and refined internal systems that enable mission-driven organizations to operate effectively and sustainably. She is recognized for bringing structure, clarity, and momentum to complex environments while keeping people and purpose at the center of the work. Since joining St. Joseph Center in 2016, Nikki has grown into senior leadership, where she supports and leads strategic initiatives and closely partners with President & CEO Dr. Ryan J. Smith and the Executive Management Team to advance the Center’s strategic priorities while helping guide its continued evolution and impact.

Ginneh Horsford is an operations and human services leader with more than 14 years of experience supporting complex organizations and diverse communities. Originally from Trinidad and Tobago and a military child, she brings a global perspective shaped by extensive overseas travel and hands-on service across cultures.

Her background includes medical training at West Los Angeles College, where she -earned a nursing degree while working in nursing homes serving older adults. That experience informs her people-centered approach and deep understanding of care systems.

Since joining St. Joseph Center in 2017, Ginneh has held multiple roles, including Program Manager in Operations and Executive Administrative Assistant supporting Finance and Human Resources. Her compassion, clinical experience and operational insight strengthen the organization’s ability to serve underserved and vulnerable communities.

Maia Eaglin has held multiple leadership roles at St. Joseph Center for more than a decade. She joined the organization in 2013 with a background in child and family well-being and a focus on addressing the overrepresentation of marginalized youth in the child welfare system. Over the past 12 years, Maia has played a central role in building what is now known as the Coordinated Entry System for Families. She has helped establish best practices for interventions across the continuum of care, supporting individuals and families across all populations. Her leadership emphasizes collaboration, positive rapport and horizontal leadership, fostering stable and effective teams. Maia brings deep institutional knowledge and a systems-oriented approach to her work, strengthening program design and service delivery while advancing equitable outcomes for the communities St. Joseph Center serves.

Senait Johnson has held leadership roles at St. Joseph Center for nearly a decade. She is a dedicated and results-driven leader with a strong passion for empowering individuals to invest in personal development, self-care, and long-term stability. Her deep commitment to homeless services, combined with her ability to adapt to evolving systems, has enabled her to consistently deliver strong outcomes for both programs and funders. Senait brings a hands-on, strategic approach that fosters collaboration and supports high-performing teams. Her experience spans a wide range of initiatives, including Outreach, Vehicular Homeless Outreach (VHOP), Access Centers, Housing Navigation, Monetary Advisory Program, Countywide Benefits Entitlement Services (CBEST), Regional Coordination SPA 5 Problem-Solving interventions, health liaison work, permanent supportive housing matching, and employment services. Senait holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology with a minor in Psychology from California State University, Dominguez Hills. Her professional strengths include strategic planning, change management, and contract management.

Mandy Sommers brings more than 17 years of experience in nonprofit mental health services and has held leadership roles at St. Joseph Center for nearly a decade. A licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, her background includes work at The Help Group and Didi Hirsch in roles spanning therapy, school-based coordination, training, intake, adult programs and clinical supervision. Since joining St. Joseph Center in 2016, Mandy has advanced through multiple leadership positions, including Director of Full-Service Partnership, Supportive Services for Veteran Families, Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing, Countywide Benefits Entitled Services Team, Director of Quality Assurance and Clinical Services and Senior Director of Mental Health. She applies a strong clinical lens across programs, advancing trauma informed care in service delivery. Mandy is also committed to staff well-being, having helped lead the Social Committee for over nine years and prioritizing morale alongside client outcomes.

Tzenni Bah B. Garcia brings more than 20 years of experience in social service organizations, with a background spanning cultural preservation in urban Native communities, workforce development and homeless services. Her work reflects a strong commitment to advancing equity, accountability and effective systems that support vulnerable populations. In her role at St. Joseph Center, she supports agency-wide finance, budgeting, grant management and compliance activities, working closely with senior leadership to ensure operational integrity and alignment with organizational priorities. An enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, Tzenni Bah grew up on her tribal homelands in Arizona before relocating to Los Angeles to complete her post-secondary education at the University of Southern California. She remains deeply connected to her community and is driven by a passion for partnering with organizations that protect and uplift underserved populations while fostering meaningful, long-term social change.

For nearly a decade, Sharon Plunkett has led St. Joseph Center’s workforce development initiatives, designing and implementing programs that support economic mobility and long-term stability. She oversees employment and workforce development programs that provide skills, resources and pathways for individuals impacted by systemic economic inequity. Her portfolio also includes food services initiatives focused on mitigating food insecurity while promoting nutrition and health. With a background in computer science and software engineering, Sharon brings more than 20 years of experience across technology, business and finance to advance social innovation. Her leadership centers on developing breakthrough, scalable solutions for underserved communities. Sharon views workforce development as a critical component of St. Joseph Center’s continuum of care, creating sustainable opportunities for individuals and families working to transform their lives.

With over 12 years of experience working within homeless services, I have dedicated my career to supporting vulnerable populations through housing stabilization, advocacy, and trauma-informed care. My passion for working with underserved individuals and families developed organically throughout my professional journey. I originally began my career as an elementary school teacher, working closely with communities heavily impacted by homelessness, poverty, and trauma. Many of my students were living in transitional housing programs or shelters, and witnessing the barriers they and their families faced deeply impacted me. Recognizing the significant gaps in resources and support available to these communities motivated me to step outside of my comfort zone and pursue knowledge beyond education, ultimately leading me into the fields of mental health and social services. Today, my work focuses on creating pathways toward stability through housing, intensive case management, and coordinated mental health support. Throughout my career, my goal has remained the same: to continue expanding my understanding of mental health and systemic barriers in order to better serve the communities I work with every day. I strongly believe that stable housing, compassionate support, and access to quality mental health services can create meaningful and lasting change in people’s lives.