BOARD CHAIR EMERITUS

Dr. Joe LaBrie is a Professor of Psychology at Loyola Marymount University and a licensed clinical psychologist in Los Angeles, CA. He holds a doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Southern California, as well as masters degrees in Mathematics and Theology from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley respectively. Dr. LaBrie is a nationally recognized researcher/scholar on adolescent and emerging adult (college student) development. His research has focused on causes, prevention, and intervention of risk behaviors including alcohol abuse, drug use, risky sexual behavior, and violence. He has studied the emerging role of social networking sites in risk behaviors with these populations. Dr. LaBrie has received research grants totaling more than $18 million dollars from agencies such as the National Institute of Health, the US Department of Education, and the Alcoholic and Beverage Medical Research Foundation. Further, he is the author of over 200 peer-reviewed empirical scholarly articles and received the APA Division on Addictions (Division 50) Early Career Award for scientific contributions to addictive behaviors research.

BOARD CHAIR

Elizabeth Rojas is a LA-based Gerontologist, specializing in dementia caregiving. Elizabeth is currently pursuing her PhD at the University of Southern California Davis School of Gerontology. Elizabeth enjoys supporting the C11 program and the students C11 serves both locally and abroad. Her goal as Board Chair (2025) is to honor the legacy of Nick Fagnano through innovative programming and philanthropy.

SECRETARY

Kristine Williams retired in 2020 from a career in retail and sales management, product development/design, and brand development/marketing in San Francisco and New York. She returned to her hometown of Los Angeles in 2006 to help her aging parents and began a second career in bookselling and author events, then as the Upper School librarian at Pilgrim School in Koreatown, where she also developed a Visiting Author program and worked on special projects, including accreditation and design renovation. She met Mary at their first jobs out of college at Macy’s San Francisco, and she is proud to serve as TJNFF Board Secretary to honor Nick, Mary and Jay.

TREASURER

Hugo Sanchez is the Director of Finance at South Coast Repertory. He is responsible for the accounting and financial management activities across the organization. Sanchez has 15+ years in finance including consulting work with institutional clients and director roles for organizations focusing on work with youth. Prior to his career at SCR, Sanchez was at Canterbury Consulting and Morgan Stanley and served as Finance Director at LA Promise Fund.

Sarah Batizy, English Teacher and Student Life Coordinator at University Prep Value High School, was born and raised in South Carolina. Ms. Batizy moved to California to attend Pomona College. After graduating with an English major and a Spanish minor, she joined Teach for America and moved into Los Angeles. She did her first year of teaching at Davis Middle School in Compton before beginning work at Central City Value High School, where she taught English for three years. She joined the USC Hybrid High faculty in 2013 and spent six years teaching English there before transitioning into a new role as the Assistant Principal of Student Life. Now at University Prep, a sister school to Central City Value High School, Sarah teaches English 11 and AP English 11 and manages the UPVHS student life program. Her work includes developing student leadership, supporting clubs, and managing the Senior Values Pathways, a program that allows students to graduate with honors through career exploration, service projects, or school leadership.

Amy served as a club lead for Club Thrive in Joy during her time at USC Hybrid High. She is now a senior majoring in Business Marketing with a minor in Nonprofit Management at USC. Amy is the Co-Founder of Amy’s Sweet Delicias and currently serves as the C11 Program Coordinator at the Thrive in Joy Nick Fagnano Foundation.

Scott Hagizadegan is a cybersecurity expert and entrepreneur, boasting over 25 years of industry experience. Founder of Shield IT Networks and previously co-founding Ignisis, he's navigated a broad spectrum of clients, from startups to Fortune 500 giants like Ernst & Young, FPA, Guitar Center, VF Corp, Vans, LAPD, 4 Wheel Parts, and Don Roberto Jewelers. Renowned for pioneering cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions, Scott's philosophy of 'design driving outcomes' is matched only by his dedication to philanthropy, reflected in his 'Profit with Purpose' approach, where profits are reinvested for community service.

Mary has over 30 years of experience in broadcast media sales - including eight years spent in public radio leading the corporate sponsorship team at one of the top NPR affiliates in the country and more than 20 years in national sales & marketing leadership roles at both Entravision Communications and Lotus Communications. Roles included SVP National Sales and Marketing at Entravision Communications (TV & Radio); and President of Lotus Entravision Reps (Radio) where she built the rep firm and managed the national sales team to exceed revenue goals.

DIRECTOR OF DR PROGRAMS

Josue is the owner of In Real Estate and Bring It Events, a Premium Bar Catering Company based out of Los Angeles. He serves as the Director of Dominican Republic Programs for Thrive in Joy. Josue has a Bachelor of Science, Business degree from California State University, Northridge. Josue and Nick grew up playing baseball together at Notre Dame High School. Josue has been a co-leader on several TJNFF trips to the Dominican Republic.

Dr. Joye Swan earned her PhD in Applied Social Psychology from Claremont Graduate University. She is currently professor and Chair of the Department of Psychology and Social Sciences at Woodbury University in Los Angeles.

Administrative Specialist

Data Specialist

C11 Program Coordinator

C11 Advisor

C11 Advisor