Dr. Danitza Pantoja
Board Vice President

angie.s@ecda.org

Dr. Danitza Pantoja is the Coordinator of Psychological Services for the Antelope Valley Union High School District. Dr. Pantoja received her bachelor’s in Psychology and master’s in School Counseling degrees from Loyola Marymount University. While working on education issues as a field representative for former Assemblywoman Cindy Montanez from the 39th district, she returned to school to earn a second master’s degree in School Psychology from Phillips Graduate Institute. Soon after, she received her Doctorate in Educational Psychology from Alliant International University. She has worked in the educational field for over ten years in numerous roles such as Program Specialist and Bilingual and Lead School Psychologist in both traditional public school and charter school settings. Dr. Pantoja also has a certificate from Cal State Northridge in Assistive Technology Applications and has served as a commissioner for the Parks, Wellness, and Community Service Commission and the Education Commission in the City of San Fernando. She also serves as a board member for Granada Hills North Neighborhood Council and Vice-Chair of the Planning and Land Use Management Committee. Dr. Pantoja was appointed to the Council on Criminal Justice and Behavioral Health in 2019 by Speaker Anthony Rendon and served on the Juvenile Justice workgroup.

Currently, Dr.Pantoja serves as the Board President at El Centro de Amistad and looks forward to ensuring that the agency is fiscally responsible to continue to provide quality and equitable mental health services and resources in our community. El Centro De Amistad will continue to be a lifeline and partner and provide hope for many individuals and families in the Greater San Fernando Valley.

Doug Barnett
Board Member

Doug Barnett is a California native, living all over Northern and Southern California. His background is over forty-five years in all aspects of credit, residential, retail, and commercial banking and finance and real estate sales, ownership, and management. Due to his commitment to its mission, he has served on the El Centro de Amistad Board for almost 20 years, as President of the Board and all other Board positions over the years. Also, he acted as interim Executive Director for five months early on. He is committed to improving the lives of individuals and families by ensuring that they receive efficient and comprehensive mental health supportive services like those provided by ECDA. Proud of the strong growth and professionalism, he hopes to continue support for ECDA into its future.

Justin Grooms
Board Member

Justin Grooms is a business consultant, certified human resources professional, and licensed insurance agent with over fifteen years of industry experience. He specializes in corporate training and organizational development, with an emphasis on Diversity & Inclusion Training, as well as Harassment & Discrimination Prevention.

Mr. Grooms is the owner of Chariot Consulting, where he and his team provide convenient and effective employee training to business owners, both in-person and virtual. As a public speaker and published author, Justin shares a deep belief in the four main pillars of life; Gratitude, Love, Awareness, and Compassion. In addition to serving on ECDA’s board, Justin also serves on the Board of Directors for the Boys and Girls Club of the West Valley.

Nely Meza-Andrade
Board Member

Nely is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, holds an MBA degree from Mount Saint Mary’s University, a Master’s of Science in Counseling (MFT) from San Francisco State University, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from California State University-Los Angeles. She brings over 20 years of experience in the field of mental health and community non-profits. Nely has led and created opportunities for the most vulnerable populations in Los Angeles County through the development of strategic partnerships, community organizations, and the successful implementation of multiple clinical treatment programs. She is currently the Executive Director/CEO of a nonprofit organization and manages her private practice as a psychotherapist.

In addition, Nely services on several boards and looks forward to continuing to support El Centro de Amistad in continuing its mission of providing comprehensive mental health services to children, adults, and families in San Fernando Valley and surrounding areas.

Rich Golisch
Sergeant at Arms

Rich has a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from California State University Northridge and a Masters in Business administration from Pepperdine University. Rich currently owns and operates the California division of Golf Scotland-Golf Ireland, a luxury golf travel brand. He also serves as an outside Sales Director for Lugano Diamonds in Newport Beach, CA.

Rich initially became involved with ECDA when he was a human resource manager at UPS in 1994. Throughout the past 28 years, Rich has been on the board in a continuous leadership capacity since 2001. He has served as ECDA’s Board President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. He is passionate about serving those who need help the most and those directly impacted by ECDA services.

Magali Gallegos
Board Secretary

Magali Gallegos has been a Banking Professional since 1999. During these last few decades, Magali has held multiple positions during her banking career. She has assisted many clients of different ethnic and financial backgrounds to meet their banking and lending needs. Magali has an Associate of Arts degree from Glendale Community College in Glendale, California. She has been a Notary Public for over 15 years.

Magali was voted in as a board member for El Centro De Amistad in 2021, which she enjoys being part of and hopes to add value to the great organization.

Enrique Sanchez
Board Member

After graduating from Loyola Marymount University, Enrique went on to work for Moss Adams, LLP, one of the leading Certified Public Accounting Firms in Los Angeles. In 2013 Enrique Co‐founded SLTG, LLP. Enrique has over 15 years of experience practicing public accounting. His areas of expertise include financial, tax compliance services, strategic tax planning opportunities, and various other consulting services to closely-held businesses and their owners.

Growing up in Pacoima, Enrique’s commitment is to ensure he uses his resources and business to help his community. Along with his wife, Angie, and her service in ECDA and commitment to facilitating mental health and social services to residents of the San Fernando Valley, Enrique hopes to serve as a role model for their two sons and new generations to support organizations like ECDA.

Juliana Oceguera
Board President

Juliana was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. Graduated from California State University, Northridge, and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. She started her journey working for a financial institution in 2007 and has continued that journey to this present date. Working in a Financial Institution, Juliana has learned the struggles our community faces and the help that is needed. This is where her passion continued to grow in helping people. In her current role, she provides resources, financial education, and support to the San Fernando Valley.

Her goal is to continue to support El Centro de Amistad and the community they serve, by providing hope, support, and resources. She truly believes that change can be created, but only by working together can we accomplish this.

Ramon Retirado
Board Treasurer

Ramon comes to El Centro de Amistad with extensive experience in banking, finance, and accounting. Ramon is a graduate of De La Salle University in the Philippines and is a Certified Public Accountant in the Philippines. He also completed an extensive Management Development Program with Asian Consultancy Training, a professor affiliated with the Asian Institute of Management. His career started in a manufacturing environment handling audit, accounting systems, and budgets. He moved into banking as a credit analyst and as a Regional Head of the 3rd largest bank in the Philippines for the sugar industry. Ramon’s training covered Productivity Management in Singapore and traveled to Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and New York to observe bank operations. His experience in the United States started in cash accounting, moving to mortgage accounting, and eventually as Assistant Vice President in REO Accounting for Washington Mutual. He transitioned to non-profit around 11 years ago, where he enjoys utilizing his craft and contributing to the well-being of clients and families. He has a great passion for his work and is always committed to improving systems and procedures.

Upon his retirement from ECDA early this year, Ramon continues to bring his financial knowledge and experience serving non-profit entities in the San Fernando Valley as Board Member and Treasurer in North Valley Caring Services and First Presbyterian Church of Burbank. He is looking forward to continuing his service to ECDA from management leadership to the Board in utilizing his financial skill set and contributing to the growth of ECDA.