Aryan is a Los Angeles native who has been part of the community since childhood. He earned dual bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering and psychology from the University of California, San Diego. After graduation, he worked as an associate mechanical engineer at Northrop Grumman, contributing to projects such as the F-35 program. Seeking more engaging work, he pursued a master’s degree in mechanical engineering with a specialization in product design at UC Berkeley. However, during this time Aryan realized his deeper interest lay in psychology. Today, he works as a behavior interventionist in applied behavior analysis, helping autistic children become more responsive and teachable. He also volunteers as a mentor for middle school students and leads grief support groups. At My New House, Aryan supports case management, trains volunteers, and assists with property listings, workflow organization, and process automation. He plans to pursue a PsyD in psychology in 2026.

Dang is a full-time Software Engineer with over five years of professional experience in the technology industry. Throughout his career, he has developed strong technical and problem-solving skills, but his long-term goal is to transition into the field of counseling. He plans to pursue a Master of Science in Counseling and ultimately obtain licensure as a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC).

Beyond his engineering career, Dang is committed to supporting others through volunteer work. He serves with the Crisis Text Line, where he provides compassionate, real-time support to individuals navigating emotional distress. This experience has deepened his interest in mental health and strengthened his desire to create a meaningful impact as a counselor.

In his free time, Dang enjoys discovering new music, bouldering, and spending time with his two cats. His blend of technical expertise, empathy, and dedication to service uniquely equips him for his future path in counseling.

Joisi Olsen is a dedicated case management worker at My New House and a Master of Social Work graduate at the University of Southern California. She previously earned her Bachelor of Social Work from UMASS Global University and also holds degrees in Psychology and Behavioral Science, along with certification as a Medical Assistant.

Originally from Guatemala, Joisi immigrated to the United States at age 13, an experience that shaped her passion for social justice and advocacy. A pivotal point in her journey was her work at the Guatemalan General Consulate in Los Angeles, where she witnessed firsthand the challenges people faced due to lack of resources. Inspired to create change, she began educating and empowering individuals to access their rights and essential services.

Guided by her Christian faith, Joisi is committed to becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, with a focus on children and families. She finds joy in church life, family, and community service.

Kali is a dedicated professional with diverse experience spanning culinary arts, customer service, and social services. Beginning her career as a Cake Decorator at 85 Bakery and later as a Dumpling Chef at Din Tai Fung, she developed strong teamwork, time management, and detail-oriented skills in fast-paced environments. Transitioning into service roles, she worked as a Grass Delivery Driver, building sales and client relationships while managing logistics across the Inland Empire.

Her passion for human services led her to roles in behavioral and mental health. As a Behavior Technician at Inspira Health, she applied ABA strategies, supported clients in crisis, and collaborated with families to improve outcomes. At Victory Starts Now, she served as a Mental Health Worker, overseeing client care, medication management, and crisis intervention. Currently, Kali works as a Behavior Interventionist and Special Education Aide, assisting students in achieving success through individualized support, patience, and empathy.

Viviana Payan is a dedicated student and compassionate volunteer with a strong commitment to service, education, and animal welfare. She is currently pursuing her undergraduate degree in Pre-Psychology at the University of California, Los Angeles, where she is recognized for her academic excellence, earning placement on the Head’s Honor Roll and receiving the National Hispanic Recognition Award.

Viviana has diverse experience in service and community engagement. She currently works as a Customer Service Representative at UCLA’s ASUCLA LuValle Commons, where she thrives in a fast-paced environment while delivering excellent customer care. Passionate about animals, she has volunteered with The Gentle Barn and interned at The Herd Rescue, gaining hands-on experience in animal care and promoting healing connections between people and animals. She has also served her community through The Midnight Mission and as a student tutor at Alverno Heights Academy.

Viviana is bilingual in Spanish and values adaptability, empathy, and resilience.

Communications & Human Resources Manager

Gabriela Mena is a communications professional with a successful career in sports marketing and communications. She holds a degree in Communications and has applied her expertise across diverse fields, including nonprofits, youth leadership programs, e-commerce, and photography. Her professional journey reflects both versatility and a deep commitment to fostering community engagement through sport and media.

Beyond her career, Gabriela is a dedicated volunteer and leader in international basketball. She serves on the Finance Commission of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and plays a key leadership role within FIBA Americas, contributing to the growth and sustainability of the sport across the region. In addition, she is an active member of the Women’s Basketball Commission Board in El Salvador, where she advocates for female representation and leadership in athletics.

Through her professional work and volunteer service, Gabriela continues to champion empowerment, equity, and growth within sports and communications.

Marketing Strategist

Gabriel Espinoza brings creativity and passion to My New House’s outreach efforts, blending his artistic background with a strong commitment to community impact. His journey began in music at an early age, where he cultivated a deep appreciation for sound, storytelling, and cultural connection. This passion inspired him to study audio engineering and later expand into marketing, discovering how media and strategy can serve as powerful tools to uplift communities.

At My New House, Gabriel leverages his technical expertise and artistic vision to design impactful outreach campaigns, manage digital content, and produce community-centered media that reflects the organization’s mission. His work is dedicated to amplifying the voices of those in need, fostering awareness, and building stronger, more connected neighborhoods.

In addition to his nonprofit work, Gabriel continues to create and share his music, using his creative voice to inspire and connect with others.

Listen to Gabriel’s recent album

Communications

Tisha Custodio is a Psychology major with a minor in Health and Society at Loyola Marymount University, expected to graduate in 2026. She combines her academic interests with a strong passion for wellness, education, and community service. As a Wellness Educator at LMU, Tisha facilitates workshops on mental health, stress management, and holistic well-being while advocating for a supportive campus environment. She also tutors with Lions for Learning, enhancing student engagement and academic success.

Tisha has gained diverse professional experience, including an internship at Sentio University, where she trained in psychotherapy skills, and previous work as a Behavior Interventionist at Turning Point Healthcare. She has also served as a youth mentor with Saving Our Daughters, empowering young women through leadership and confidence-building programs.

Beyond her academic and service roles, Tisha is also an accomplished actress, having starred as a series regular on a Disney Television series from 2019 to 2023.

Social Media

Billing

Francisco Preciado is a driven first-generation Latino student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at California State University, Fullerton. With a strong foundation in software development and a versatile skill set in technology, he is passionate about harnessing the power of code to drive positive social change. Francisco is committed to developing solutions that make technology more inclusive, accessible, and empowering for underserved communities.

His journey as a first-generation college student has shaped his determination to break barriers and create opportunities for others. He is particularly interested in projects that merge innovation with equity, ensuring that advancements in technology reach and benefit diverse populations.

Francisco’s academic pursuits and personal values fuel his vision of building a career that blends technical expertise with social impact. His long-term goal is to design tools and platforms that uplift communities while inspiring future generations of Latino leaders in technology.

Impact

Layla Andrade is a rising senior at the Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies with a strong passion for youth development, community service, and leadership. She has gained diverse experience through roles in childcare, volunteer work, and mentorship programs. Most recently, she served as a Summer Camp Intern at Camp Galileo, where she mentored young participants, promoted safety, and supported engaging activities that fostered leadership and teamwork.

Previously, Layla volunteered at Alexandria House, providing a safe, nurturing environment for children and serving as a positive role model. She also worked as a babysitter, where she developed strong skills in communication, patience, and child development. Additionally, she contributed to civic engagement as an Election Worker with Los Angeles County, assisting voters and ensuring a smooth election process.

Layla’s skills in creativity, individualized instruction, and collaboration reflect her commitment to making a positive impact. She aspires to continue serving her community through education and leadership.

Admissions

Lina Qu is an experienced professional with over 20 years of leadership in manufacturing and environmental sectors, now pursuing a degree in Economics at West Valley College, where she maintains a 4.0 GPA. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Engineering from Beijing Technology and Business University and has complemented her technical expertise with postgraduate training in business law.

Throughout her career, Lina has held senior management roles, including Deputy General Manager at Beijing Jingcheng Electrical Engineering Co., Ltd., where she developed and implemented the company’s five-year strategic plan, streamlined operations, and reduced costs. She also served as Deputy Director of Media and Publicity at Beijing Jingcheng Machinery Electric Holding Co., Ltd., directing corporate communication for more than 10,000 employees.

Her diverse background spans environmental engineering, investment analysis, HR management, and strategic planning. Proficient in English and Mandarin, Lina combines analytical skills, management expertise, and cross-cultural experience to drive organizational success.

Intakes

Legal & Compliance

María Fernanda Flores, born in Ecuador, is a dedicated legal professional with a strong commitment to justice, human rights, and cultural preservation. She holds a Law degree from the Courts of the Republic of Ecuador and a Bachelor’s in Social and Political Sciences from the University of Cuenca. A certified Mediator through the Pichincha Bar Association, she also serves as a Notary Public in California, accredited by the Secretary of State. Currently, María is expanding her legal expertise by pursuing Paralegal studies at Pasadena City College.

Beyond law, María channels her passion for culture and creativity through RepresentEC, a platform that celebrates Ecuadorian heritage through design, urban art, and fine handcrafted products. She also embraces ancestral wisdom through her 4 Elements collection, crafting essential oil blends inspired by Sumak Kawsay, the philosophy of living in harmony.

María’s multifaceted background reflects her dedication to advocacy, cultural identity, and community well-being.

Health Insurance

With over 12 years of experience in the insurance industry, Sara Renata Larrazabal is a seasoned Licensed Insurance Agent specializing in Life, Health, Small Business, Property, and Casualty coverage. She began her career in enrollment and outreach, helping individuals and families secure health plans tailored to their needs. Over the years, she has held key roles with organizations such as Anthem Blue Cross (Elevance Health Plan), AltaMed, and Benevolence Health Center, where she excelled in enrollment development, business growth, and community engagement.

Sara’s tenure at Anthem Blue Cross was especially impactful, as she surpassed Medicare sales goals through strategic planning and client education, earning certification in ESRD SNP. In addition to her corporate work, she successfully manages her own insurance business, guiding clients through complex coverage decisions with clarity and care. Holding multiple professional licenses and certifications, Sara is committed to providing expert, client-focused service in an evolving industry.

Website & Graphic Designer

Phyu Hnin Lwin, a proud immigrant from Myanmar and first-generation college student, is currently in her third year at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, where she is pursuing a degree in Computer Science and Software Engineering. With a strong commitment to her academic journey, Phyu is dedicated to developing the technical expertise and problem-solving skills needed to excel in the field of technology.

Beyond her studies, she is passionate about continuous learning and actively seeks opportunities to grow through collaboration and mentorship. Phyu aspires to use her education not only to build a successful career but also to create meaningful, positive change within her community. Her background as an immigrant and trailblazer in higher education has instilled in her resilience, determination, and a strong sense of purpose.

Phyu hopes to inspire others with similar backgrounds to pursue their goals and to leverage technology as a tool for empowerment and progress.

Website & Graphic Designer

Niharika Upadhyayula is a recent Master’s graduate in Computer Science from George Mason University and a skilled front-end developer passionate about creating intuitive, user-friendly digital experiences. With a strong eye for design and functionality, she excels at transforming ideas into sleek, responsive interfaces that enhance user engagement.

Niharika is dedicated to writing clean, efficient code and is continually exploring new tools, frameworks, and technologies to push the boundaries of modern web development. Her academic background, combined with hands-on experience, has equipped her with expertise in front-end technologies and a problem-solving mindset that allows her to approach challenges with creativity and precision.

Beyond technical proficiency, Niharika is motivated by a desire to create products that make a meaningful impact on users’ daily lives. She is eager to continue growing as a developer, contributing to innovative projects, and advancing the ever-evolving world of web technology.

Data Analyst

Swetha is a passionate advocate for using technology to drive social good and currently volunteers as a Data Analyst at My New House. In this role, Swetha collects and analyzes data to uncover meaningful insights, manages a comprehensive donor database, and supports the implementation of data-driven strategies that strengthen the organization’s impact. By leveraging analytical skills and attention to detail, she helps optimize programs and ensure resources are used effectively to better serve the community.

Dedicated to fostering positive change, Swetha thrives in collaborative environments where innovative ideas and problem-solving are encouraged. With a strong commitment to community service, she combines technical expertise with a mission-driven mindset to develop solutions that amplify outreach and program effectiveness.

Through this work, Swetha continues to grow as a professional while contributing to My New House’s vision of providing essential support and opportunities to underserved individuals and families.

Katherine Ma is a dedicated Product Entry Volunteer at My New House, where she contributes to the organization’s mission of providing essential resources to individuals and families in need. She joined the team in late 2024 and has since supported operations with her attention to detail and commitment to service.

Katherine graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media, after beginning her academic journey at community college. During her studies, she cultivated a passion for storytelling across film, television, theatre, and digital media. Her aspiration is to create productions that not only entertain but also comfort, inspire, and provide meaningful experiences for audiences.

As she continues to navigate her career path after graduation, Katherine remains committed to both creative expression and community service. Through her volunteer work and personal aspirations, she strives to make a positive impact on people’s lives.