Chair
Cassandra Govea
Cassandra Govea
Born and raised on the East Side of Salinas CA, Cassandra is a first generation Chicana whose deep roots in family and culture guide her passion for advocacy and empowerment.
A former young mom herself, Cassandra brings lived experience, resilience, and compassion to her leadership. She overcame systemic barriers through determination and strength, breaking generational cycles and becoming a voice for those often left unheard. For over 20 years she has worked within the community, including 17 years with the County of Monterey, Women Infants and Children program, were she has mentored and supported families, single parents and teen moms with essential resources, nutrition and health education.
Cassandra holds degrees in Sociology, Chicano Studies, and Social Justice. She plans to pursue her Masters in Clinical Social Work in 2026. Her mission is clear to advocate for equity, access and empowerment for youth navigating the same challenges she once faced.
Vice Chair
Airam Coronado
Airam is of Yoeme and Cora indigenous descent and grew up in East Salinas, California. She is a devoted mother and a first-generation college student who received her bachelor's degrees in Political Science and Sociology, double majoring at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
Airam is actively involved in community organizing, with a focus on social justice and farmworker rights. Her personal experiences living in an under-resourced community and navigating the school-to-prison pipeline have significantly influenced her advocacy work.
With over eight years of service, Airam has collaborated closely with youth and communities on critical issues such as criminal justice reform and support for families affected by state violence. She has also actively supported families of missing brown women, who have historically been neglected and inadequately assisted in finding their loved ones.
Airam has played a key role in state and local policy advocacy efforts.
As a commissioner on the Monterey County Juvenile Justice Commission, she passionately advocates for the welfare and rights of youth in the juvenile justice system. Additionally, she is dedicated to dismantling negative stereotypes of East Salinas, striving to amplify the inspiring stories of strength and perseverance that truly define its residents
Board Secretary
Jessica Jimenez
Community and Youth justice organizer. I lead with the intention of healing and helping those around me. Trauma and lived experiences have led me to the person I am today. I envision a better world for my daughter by building up Las Mujeres that will nurture and raise our next generation.
Jessica has served on the Juvenile Justice Commission as a youth commissioner for Monterey County, served on numerous youth panels and was awarded "For Our Future" award from the Community Alliance for Safety and Peace
Board Member
Christina Yee
Christina Yee is the Executive Director of Breakout Prison Outreach (BPO), a faith-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting gang-impacted and formerly incarcerated individuals, founded by her father an ordained minister. Born in Salinas, California, Raised in East San Jose. Christina's leadership is deeply rooted in personal transformation and faith.
Since taking the helm in 2013, the organization expanded its reach across four regions, and launched several high-impact programs serving justice-involved youth and adults. Under her guidance, BPO formed a major partnership in 2024 with Healing Grove Health Center to provide Enhanced Care Management (ECM) for Medi-Cal members in Santa Clara County.
Over nearly two decades, Christina has designed and implemented numerous successtul reentry, violence prevention, and parenting programs. Recipient of multiple prestigious awards, including the 2022 Safety and Peace Award from the Community Alliance for Safety & Peace for excellence in re-entry efforts, the 2017 Phenomenal Woman Award for resilience and leadership, and the 2016 Thrasher Award for innovative youth gang prevention. Actively serves on numerous advisory boards, committees, and task forces focused on violence prevention, reentry services, and youth empowerment across Santa Clara, Monterey, and Sonoma Counties.
Christina continues to serve as Vice President of BPO's
Board of Directors and is a respected voice in the reentry and gang intervention field.
Outside of work, she enjoys playing golf and serves as co-captain of the Ladies' Golf Group, Belmont Country Club. She has been married to her husband, Mark, for 38 years.
Board Member
Corina De La Torre, Ph.D
Corina De La Torre, Ph.D., is a first-generation Chicana scholar from East Salinas, California. Raised in a community that demonstrated resilience and hard work, she earned her doctorate in Teacher Education and Learning Sciences from North Carolina State University. Her research focuses on the educational experiences of students of color, as well as the psychological and structural dimensions of educational inequity. Currently serving as Policy, Research, and Community Engagement Manager at the Center for Racial Equity in Education, Dr. De La Torre's work through scholarship, advocacy, and organizing strives to transform long-term policy changes resulting in safe, thriving neighborhoods and schools. She brings critical perspectives to academic spaces while maintaining authentic connections to the communities that continue to shape her journey
Board Member
Miguel Diaz
Miguel Diaz is a Salinas native bringing years of community activism specializing in mentoring at-risk youth. Miguel is a full time Realtor by profession, the communications director/alternate for Carina Powers Chairwoman of the Hispanic Assembly, Minister, and gang prevention specialist. Miguel is a formerly incarcerated individual who now serves the community forming positive relationships with families and guiding the next generation into the future