Leadership Team

Evi Hernandez has dedicated nearly three decades to public health, including 25 years in the nonprofit sector with the California Health Collaborative (CHC). His extensive experience spans tobacco control, alcohol and other drug prevention, teen pregnancy prevention, tobacco-related research, youth development, and chronic disease prevention and management. He currently serves as Senior Director of Programs at CHC and is actively involved in health initiatives and community service and volunteer organizations throughout California. Evi holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Science and a Bachelor of Arts in Chicano/Latino Studies, both from California State University, Fresno.

Since joining CHC in April 2001, Evi has provided leadership and oversight for a broad portfolio of grant-funded programs supported by the California Department of Public Health, California Department of Health Care Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, local First 5 commissions, regional and local foundations, and county government agencies throughout California.

Through his leadership, Evi has helped advance CHC’s mission while strengthening its ability to develop responsive, community-centered programs that improve health outcomes and address health disparities across California.

He has played a key role in strengthening and expanding CHC’s organizational capacity and impact. His contributions include expanding the organization’s funding portfolio to encompass new and innovative program areas and funders; extending CHC’s presence and services into outlying regions of the state; developing protocols and policies that have enhanced the workplace environment and organizational culture; and establishing systems and processes that have improved operational efficiency and program effectiveness.
In his spare time, Evi enjoys spending quality time with his family, fishing in local rivers and lakes, experimenting with growing a variety of plants and crops, and cheering on his favorite sports teams.

Jacy is the Director of Population Health Services and CalAIM Director at the California Health Collaborative (CHC). Over the past nine years with CHC, Jacy has worked both directly with clients and in leadership roles, helping to develop and strengthen programs and services that support the health and well-being of community members.

Jacy holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Arizona State University and a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Jacy is also a Certified Case Manager (CCM) through the Commission for Case Manager Certification and a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional (PMH-C) through Postpartum Support International.

Before joining CHC, Jacy worked in public service, social services, and case management, bringing more than two decades of experience supporting individuals and families. Jacy also serves as a field instructor for bachelor’s- and master’s-level social work students during their internships, helping to support the next generation of social workers.

Originally from Arizona, Jacy enjoys spending time with family, playing with her dogs, and exploring new places through travel.

Jennifer Acidera is a Director of Program Services in the Central Valley region and has been with the organization since 2016. She is the proud daughter of Mexican and Filipino immigrants who greatly influenced her passion to serve underserved communities and build her profession in the public health field. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Fresno State. Jennifer has had over 10 years of experience in implementing health, wellness and prevention programs. She has had the opportunity to work alongside various teams and young people to improve access to STI testing and treatment, identifying resources for farmworker and high need communities in Kings County, and promote health through tobacco-related policies to decrease exposure and access to tobacco products with health equity lens.

Jose Montoya is the Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives at California Health Collaborative, where he leads cross-sector strategies that advance public health policy, systems transformation, and community centered solutions. With more than 20 years of experience spanning policy advocacy, systems change, strategic communications, and community engagement, Jose specializes in aligning grassroots power with institutional influence to drive measurable, sustainable impact.

For the past six years, Jose has played a leadership role in statewide and regional tobacco prevention efforts, advancing policies aimed at ending the retail sale of tobacco products and protecting youth and underserved communities from commercial tobacco harm. His work integrates coalition building, regulatory strategy, public education, and decision maker engagement to shift both policy landscapes and public norms.

Prior to his public health leadership, Jose built a foundation in retail banking and corporate social responsibility, where he chaired an enterprise leadership group overseeing strategic giving initiatives within a multi-million philanthropic portfolio. This experience informs his ability to navigate capital strategy, stakeholder alignment, and institutional governance, bridging community impact with financial sustainability.

Raised in a rural community, Jose began his leadership journey through civic engagement and grassroots organizing, focusing on power building and equitable representation. He brings a deep understanding of rural political dynamics and remains committed to ensuring historically underrepresented communities have a meaningful seat at policy-making tables.

Jose holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Eastern Washington University. His work reflects a career long commitment to building systems that are equitable, accountable, and community driven.

Katherine “Katie” Moose currently serves as a Director of Program Services for the California Health Collaborative and has been with the organization since 2019. She provides oversight to grant-funded programs focused on tobacco prevention, transportation equity, workforce development, community engagement, and public health research. Katie has spent more than 14 years working in public health, evaluation, and community-based programs, with a focus on policy, systems, and environmental change. She has worked alongside young people, rural communities, firefighters, public agencies, and community partners to elevate local priorities and turn community input into practical action. Katie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from California State University, Stanislaus and a Master of Arts in Political Science from the University of California, San Diego.

Lupe Manzano is a clinical and community health leader with more than 10 years of experience advancing integrated care, prevention, and health equity initiatives across the Central Valley. She has played a key role in shaping CHC’s CalAIM and Community Health Worker (CHW) innovation efforts, helping design and integrate clinically informed, community-based models across the organization’s diverse statewide programs. She has also been instrumental in the growth of CHC’s Maternal Wellness programs and coalitions, helping expand access to supportive, whole-person care for birthing individuals and their families.
Lupe holds a Bachelor’s degree in Health Science and a Master of Public Health, and is credentialed as a Certified Perinatal Mental Health Professional (PMH-C), Certified Case Manager (CCM), Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES), and Lactation Education Counselor.
Beyond her professional work, Lupe enjoys hiking, giving back to the community through volunteering, collecting space-related memorabilia, and spending time with her loved ones.

Monika serves as a Director of Program Services for the California Health Collaborative in Southern CA and has been with the organization since 2018. She currently provides oversight to the San Bernardino County Tobacco Control Program, Kings County Tobacco Control Program, Black Infant Health Program, and other projects throughout the region. Monika has also previously worked for the Alameda County Department of Public Health providing technical assistance to their Public Health Commission and assisting with the department’s health equity projects. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health and Spanish from the University of California, Berkeley, a Master of Public Health degree with a concentration in Biostatistics and Epidemiology from the University of Southern California, and is currently pursuing her Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) degree with a concentration in Leadership and Management from Claremont Graduate University.

Salena Thymes holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Professional Liberal Studies and serves as the California Health Collaborative (CHC) Senior Director of Organizational Development. She works in partnership with the Board of Directors and CEO to develop organizational policies and programs that support an inclusive work environment. As the administrator of the CHC Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Council, she supports members in the goal of providing culturally competent, trauma informed, healing centered, life enriching professional development opportunities designed to increase organizational knowledge of evolving topics related to DEI. To support her work, Salena holds a graduate certificate in Organizational Leadership, is Healing Centered Engagement certified through the Flourish Agenda and has completed mental health and capacity building training with the California Black Women’s Health Project.

Prior to transitioning into her current role, Salena led teams that have successfully implemented municipal environmental prevention legislation in the areas of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. In her role with the Department of Commerce, U. S. Census Bureau, Salena guided teams to the successful collection of demographics, social economic, and public health data from residents throughout the Southern California region. Completion rates averaged in the top one percent in the United States.

Salena’s commitment to community extends to her service on the Board of Directors for the Cultural Arts Center of the High Desert and Enrichment Ministry Leadership for AGAPE Christian Worship Center both in Victorville, CA.

Teresa Ogan, LCSW, completed her Master of Social Work at Sacramento State University and has over 30 years of experience in social services having worked with children with special needs, in a wraparound program for children/youth and their families in or at risk of out-of-home placement, and with older adults, caregivers and family members.
Teresa serves or has served on a variety of boards and commissions including as President of the Multipurpose Senior Services Program Association Executive Committee, the Sacramento County Adult and Aging Commission, Chair of the Yolo/Sutter Aging and Disability Resource Connection Advisory Board, a member of the Sacramento County Aging and Disability Resource Connection Advisory Board, the California Chronic Care Coalition Advisory Board, American River College Gerontology Advisory Committee, the California Department of Public Health’s Office of Health Equity Advisory Committee, and the UC Davis Latino Health Community Advisory Board.

Teresa has been married to her partner for over 20 years and enjoys time with her pets, playing pickleball, and road trips.

Daisy Lopez is the proud daughter of Mexican immigrant parents and currently serves as Senior Director of Program Services in the Central Valley region. Rooted in culture, service, and community, Daisy works alongside 11 teams to advance sexual and reproductive health rights, promote health through tobacco control policies, engage youth in healing-centered substance use disorder prevention, enhance youth mental wellness through culturally centered practices, and create equitable access to the outdoors. Daisy has dedicated the last 17 years of her career to advancing health equity and social justice through policy, systems and environmental change efforts where she’s worked alongside hundreds of young people and community residents to elevate local stories and advance community healing. She holds three degrees from Fresno Pacific University, including a Bachelor of Arts in Restorative Justice, a Master of Arts in Leadership Studies and a Master of Arts in School Counseling with an active Pupil Personnel Services credential.