2024 ASSOCIATE DIRECTORS
Jason Press
Co-AD, Sponsorships
Prior to beginning his executive coaching practice, Jason was known for managing fast-growing and profitable creative service companies, delivering year-over-year top-line and bottom-line growth. An ICF PCC, Jason consistently brings out the best in people and teams, inspires original and bold ideas, delivers high-ROI value to clients, and cultivates meaningful partnerships. Born in London, Jason lives in Southern California and works across the globe.
Dania Barbosa
Co-AD, Sponsorships
Dania is a former apparel industry executive with over 20 years of experience working with global brands based out of NYC. Currently, She is living in LA and on her way to becoming ACC certified with ICF through Coach U. In her personal life, being of service to others is where Dania feels most accomplished. She works with the Long Beach Immigrant Rights Coalition in food distribution for local communities.
Edward Vicedo, PCC
AD, Chapter Events
Ed is a Certified Professional Coach (PCC) whose mission is to create space for himself and others to experience growth and joy. After 30 years of food & beverage service with hospitality gurus and celebrity chefs, he now partners with curious executives and committed entrepreneurs “to create the world we need and deserve through authentic and courageous leadership.”
Paola Alvarez
AD, Membership
Paola has an extensive background in the Human Resources field, with experience in various industries. Fluent in both English and Spanish, she earned her MS Degree in Adult Learning and Human Resources Development from VA Tech. She is a Professional and Executive Coach with certification from the College of Executive Coaching (ACPEC) and holds a Professional Certified Coach Credential (PCC) from ICF.
Cherri King
AD, Programming
Coach Cherri is a Transformational Strategist. She has spent the last 15 years creating programming and collaborative partnerships with established Influencers to conduct tween and teenage girls of color through the teen development stages. In both one-on-one and group settings, she facilitates a comprehensive process designed to assist teen girls in addressing limiting and self-sabotaging belief systems, body image issues, building self-esteem and confidence, developing and managing relationships, and setting goals.
Maria A. Busch, MSW, PCC
AD, Programming
Maria has extensive experience developing emerging leaders in multiple industries. She works with her clients to identify what their strengths are, learn to appreciate them, and then specifically direct those strengths to the challenges they face in their professional or personal lives. Experience as a credentialed Human Resources Professional (SHRM-SCP), Maria has effectively managed conflict in the workplace & coached leaders to do the same. ICF Experience: Former ICF Phoenix President, Membership, Programs, Chair of ICF Global Western Regional Lead for 3 years.
Heather Boatman
AD, Programming
Heather Boatman served as the Senior VP of Organizational and Learning Development for Burlington Stores, Inc., where she was responsible for many areas of human resources. Prior to this position, Ms. Boatman served as a Director of Human Resources for Best Buy Co., Inc. She formed a women in leadership program to support inclusion in the workplace and implemented a peer review employee program. Ms. Boatman attended California State University Long Beach, where she received a Bachelor’s and Master of Business Administration degree.
Rafael Bracero, ACC
AD, Communications
Rafael Bracero is an ICF-certified coach. He founded The RBR Group to provide coaching, advisory, and consulting services from a grounded practitioner’s perspective. Rafael has over 20 years of experience in brand marketing and partnership development at industry-leading firms, including Disney, Procter & Gamble, Activision, Warner Media, and Mattel. Currently, Rafael serves as Director of Marketing Strategy at MNTN, a leading SaaS ad tech CTV platform for streaming TV advertisers.
Nina Rubin
AD, Community Outreach
Nina Rubin is a CTI/ICF-certified coach who has been coaching for eight years, with a prior therapy career spanning seven. For her, coaching is more of a holistic lifestyle, with the favorite part being the intimacy built with clients. Nina has served on the Gestalt Therapy Institute of Los Angeles (GTILA) Board of Directors as Secretary for a few years and is looking forward to helping promote excellent coaching in the world.
Karyn Ezell
AD, Volunteers
Karyn Ezell is a certified executive coach, team coach, and facilitator with expertise in for-profit, nonprofit, and government sectors. She supports senior leaders in developing a mastery orientation, in which they continually focus on becoming their best selves in alignment with their own values, which leads to feeling more at ease, higher levels of energy and consciousness, and greater long-term success.