Meet the Dream Team
Susan Gómez
Chief Executive Officer
Lisa Watson
Chief Program Officer
Claudia Montoya
Dir. of Finance and Administration
Brian Romo
Dir. of Public Policy and Technology
Reina Díaz
Project Support and Marketing Associate
Joseph Parsons
Policy and Data Research Associate
Nirvana Pacheco
Project Research and Evaluations Associate
Jill Kowalski
Grant Writer
IECC Interns
Susan Gomez, M.A.
Chief Executive Officer
Born and raised in the Inland Empire, Susan spent her life in dedication to others. From being a special education teacher to several decades of social work for people with disabilities, to CEO of the Inland Empire Community Collaborative (IECC), Susan has found ways to make the lives of others just a little bit brighter in any way that she could. Her collaborative efforts include building IECC to a coalition of over 109 nonprofits.
Susan is a member of the Funder’s Alliance, a Líderes fellow for Hispanics in Philanthropy, a member of the Latino Community Foundation, a board member for the California Association of Nonprofits, and co-chair of the Riverside County Nonprofit Round Table.
She has been committed to ensuring the nonprofit sector in the Inland Empire grows to address the needs of children and families, helping to raise over 22.2 million dollars of grant funding into the region. During her leadership, IECC has trained over 2,300 nonprofits to build community power and ensure marginalized voices are heard when issues for the region are discussed. Her commitment to improve the quality-of-life of our community has led to significant wins for the region; while ensuring equity, inclusion and justice are cornerstone of nonprofit work while also internally building nonprofit capacity, advocacy, and sustainability.
Education
Susan is an alumnus of San Bernardino Valley College and California State University San Bernardino. With graduate studies in Rehabilitation Counseling, where she graduated Chi Sigma Iota, and undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Art History.
Lisa Watson, MA
Chief Program Officer
Lisa Watson was born and raised in California’s central valley. While she currently calls Seattle her home, she has worked in the Inland Empire throughout the last decade providing capacity building and collective impact work for the non-profit field. Lisa’s areas of expertise include nonprofit administration, strategic planning, program development, evaluation, and quality improvement systems. She is excited to bring her experience as a direct service provider, community engagement specialist, and systems change advocate to support the IECC in offering fiscal sponsorship opportunities to the nonprofit sector.
In her spare time Lisa enjoys reading, bathing in nature and traveling. She has two grown children that she refers to as her favorite people.
Education
Lisa holds a master’s degree in Leadership and Organizational Studies from Fresno Pacific University and an undergraduate degree in Sociology from California State University, Sacramento.
Claudia Montoya
Director of Finance and Administration
Claudia Montoya was born and raised in Lima, Peru. She is a Program Coordinator at the Inland Empire Community Collaborative and has over seven years of experience in the non-profit and public fields providing consulting services to clients in the education, health, and human services sectors in Nevada and California. She researched and analyzed statistical information and data for projects; conducted focus groups, interviews, and designed surveys for market research purposes; supervised, planned, and coordinated educational programs targeting the Hispanic populations; managed the billing process of complex contracts; created financial reports; and developed quality assurance policies and procedures.
She is a foreign licensed attorney with more than ten years of legal experience providing counseling in corporate and contractual processes. She is fluent in Spanish (native) and English with some knowledge in Italian and German.
Education
She has a Bachelor of Law and Political Sciences degree from the University of Lima, Peru.
Brian Thomas Romo, M.P.P.
Director of Public Policy and Technology
Brian Thomas Romo serves as the Director of Public Policy and Technology at the Inland Empire Community Collaborative (IECC), where he leads strategic initiatives at the intersection of data, advocacy, and regional equity. A lifelong resident of the Inland Empire, Brian brings a deep commitment to advancing inclusive policies that uplift historically underserved communities across San Bernardino and Riverside Counties.
Brian has worked on a range of state and local campaigns in Los Angeles and Sacramento, focusing on ballot initiatives, access to higher education, and civic engagement. At IECC, he plays a pivotal role in projects such as the Inland Empire Children’s Cabinet and the Youth for Change Alliance, where he supports youth-led advocacy and community-driven policy design.
With a background in GIS and data management, Brian’s work is grounded in a belief that equitable access to data, technology (including AI), and policy-making tools is essential for building strong, thriving communities. Brian continues to shape regional efforts that center equity, collaboration, and innovation.
Education
Brian received his Master of Public Policy degree with concentrations in Health and Urban Policy from the University of California, Riverside. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations and a minor in Israel Studies from the University of California, Los Angeles, and is a San Bernardino Valley College alumnus.
Reina Michelle Alvarado Díaz, M.S.
Project Support and Marketing Associate
Reina was born and raised in El Salvador, Central America. She collaborates closely with project managers and team members of IECC Nonprofits to develop and execute comprehensive project plans. With over six years of digital marketing experience across various international brands spanning industries such as beauty products, restaurants, banking, contact center, and more, she brings to IECC strong skills in content creation, strategy development, graphic design, photography, and project coordination.
Currently, Reina works in enhancing IECC outreach efforts. She contributes to the creation of content for digital platforms, supports grant research, and assists with multiple project management tasks. Reina is dedicated to leveraging her expertise and passion for marketing to drive positive change and achieve impactful results in her community and beyond. She is fluent in Spanish (native) and English, with some knowledge in French.
Education
Reina graduated from California State University San Bernardino with a Master of Science in Entrepreneurship and Innovation (MSEI) and is proudly part of the Sigma Nu Tau Entrepreneurship Honor Society. She has a Bachelor of Integrated Marketing Communications degree from the Escuela de Comunicación Mónica Herrera, El Salvador.
Joseph Parsons, M.P.P.
Policy and Data Research Associate
Raised in Moreno Valley, California, Joseph brings a wealth of experience in data analysis and policy research to IECC. His prior experience interning with Riverside County’s Office of Education – Government Relations office allowed him to address issues such as inequitable special education funding and charter school reform. Joseph also served as a Research Intern for First 5 Riverside Consultant Kristin Gist in Early Childhood Mental Health. In his work he focused on data analysis and GIS survey visualization regarding autism, trauma, and parent mental health services in Riverside County.
Joseph supports the Director of Public Policy and Technology in enhancing the organization’s policy research and data analysis capabilities. His responsibilities include conducting comprehensive policy research, utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for spatial data analysis, and creating visual representations to inform policy development. Joseph collects, organizes, and analyzes data from various sources to identify trends and opportunities for improvement, collaborates with cross-functional teams for data-driven decision-making, and supports the administration of programs, including policy advocacy campaigns and youth-led initiatives.
Education
Joseph holds a master’s degree in Public Policy and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in American History from the University of California, Riverside.
Nirvana Pacheco, M.P.P.
Project Research and Evaluation Associate
Nirvana is a dedicated policy professional committed to advancing equitable development and sustainable growth in underserved communities. Having lived in the Inland Empire, the High Desert, and San Antonio, Texas, she brings a deeply personal, place-based understanding of the diverse challenges and strengths that shape communities across regions.
She interned with the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), supporting regional planning efforts focused on housing, transportation equity, and sustainable growth. Her work emphasized data-driven decision-making and inclusive community engagement to ensure underrepresented communities were reflected in policy conversations.
Nirvana also worked with the Mustard Seed Project, contributing to grassroots initiatives aimed at improving resource access, empowering communities, and providing direct support to underserved populations.
Education
Nirvana earned a Master of Public Policy and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in Public Policy from the University of California, Riverside. She also holds an associate’s degree in Math and Science from Victor Valley College.
Jill Walker Kowalski, M.P.A.
Grant Writer
Jill is a grant writing and fund development consultant with deep roots in the Inland Empire, where she has lived and worked her entire life. As the founder of JWK Impact Solutions, Jill brings over 30 years of experience in media, social services, and public administration to her role as grant writer at IECC. She supports IECC and the Inland Empire Children’s Cabinet and its subcommittees by coordinating grant development efforts that align with regional priorities for children and families.
Education
Jill holds a master’s degree in public administration (MPA) and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies with an emphasis in Political Science from California State University, San Bernardino. She also attended Mt. San Jacinto Community College and Riverside City College to complete general education coursework.
IECC Interns
Elizabeth Guadalupe Lopez, B.A.
Randall Lewis Policy Fellowship – Intern
Elizabeth was raised in the Inland Empire and is deeply passionate about advancing equity, access, and representation for historically underserved communities. Her work centers on bridging the gap between policy and community needs through education, civic engagement, and grassroots advocacy.
Elizabeth previously served as an Intern with Councilmember Vivian Moreno (City of San Diego, District 8), where she supported local policy initiatives, conducted community outreach, and helped organize neighborhood improvement projects like community clean ups, and Bailando In The Barrio. Through this experience, she strengthened her commitment to local government and the belief that effective policy begins with community voices.
At the University of California, San Diego, Elizabeth was an active student government representative, where she championed policies to support students with dependents, and needed facilities on campus. She notably lobbied for AB 2458, a California bill designed to expand resources and representation for student parents and caregivers, highlighting her dedication to inclusive policymaking.
Education
Elizabeth earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History from the University of California, San Diego, with minors in Ethnic Studies and Education Studies. She is currently pursuing her Master of Public Policy (MPP) at the University of California, Riverside, where she aims to deepen her expertise in equitable policy development and community-centered governance.
Her academic and professional journey reflect a lifelong commitment to public service, educational justice, and empowering communities through thoughtful and data-informed policy solutions.
Juna Park-Rogers, B.A.
Rooted & Rising – IECC Intern
Juna is a Public policy graduate student committed to advancing racial, economic, and educational justice in the Inland Empire. Her work is grounded in intersectional perspective that centers the lived experiences of Black, Brown, immigrant, and working-class communities. She is passionate about strengthening community voice in policy spaces and using research to support equitable systems change.
Juna’s professional and research experiences focus on education equity, labor advocacy, and cross-racial solidarity. She has contributed to research on K-12 educational attainment and A-G completion in the Inland Empire, supporting efforts to improve long-term outcomes for students in historically under-resourced districts. Her work emphasizes data-informed solutions that reflect community realities.
She has also supported initiatives aimed at uplifting Black and Brown scholars, expanding civic engagement, and strengthening worker power through union-aligned organizing and outreach. Across her roles, Juna brings a collaborative approach and a strong belief that meaningful policy begins with community knowledge and collective action.
Education
Juna earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Spelman College. She is currently pursuing her Master of Public Policy (MPP) at the University of California, Riverside, where she focuses on equity-driven and community-centered policy solutions.
