About Us | Leadership
2026 – 27 Board of Directors
Staying current on priorities and directing major activities that reflect member needs, CDSA is led by a Board of Directors who represent member organizations. Our Directors reflect the CDSA membership diversity of geography, service types, and organizational sizes and structures.
Cheryl White is Co-Executive Director at Cedars, which supports nearly 200 adults through residential services and day programs throughout Marin County, such as Cedars Fine Arts Studios, Cedars Textile Arts Collaborative and Cedars Community Connection. Cheryl is approaching 30 years in developmental services between her combined experience at service provider organizations and at the Golden Gate Regional Center, where she still serves as a voting member of the Service Provider Advisory Committee. She serves on the CDSA Public Policy Committee and as Co-Chair of the Residential Provider Forum.
Tim Chervenak is the Executive Director of Vocational Visions, an Orange County-based non-profit serving approximately 400 adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities in a variety of programs, including services for those who are medically fragile, community-based day programs, and supported employment. In 2024, Vocational Visions celebrated its 50th anniversary. A native of California, Tim has over 26 years of experience working with people with disabilities. Tim has been active in CDSA for over 20 years, having served previously on both the CDSA and CDSI boards. Tim is currently a member of the Public Policy Committee.
April Stewart is the Vice President of Strategy & Innovation at 24 Hour Home Care, which serves all 21 CA Regional Centers providing Personal Assistant, Respite, and Social Recreation programs. In her role, she oversees healthcare program development, program expansion, and healthcare industry advocacy for Medicaid waiver service lines. She brings 12 years of experience in home and community-based services (HCBS), operations, service access expansion, healthcare advocacy, program development, and contracting. April holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology and Criminology from the University of California Irvine, an MBA from California State University of San Bernardino and a Master’s of Health Care Delivery Science from Dartmouth. She is certified in “Person-Centered Thinking.” April has held leadership positions on multiple Vendor Advisory Committees and is currently a Co-Chair of the CDSA Public Policy Committee.
Sarah Verity is Vice President of Board Relations & Legislative Affairs at Ability Path, which supports more than 1,000 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in the greater Bay Area. Sarah has more than 15 years of experience in developmental disability services and advocacy. She serves on the San Mateo County Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee and Paratransit Coordinating Council, in addition to the Service Provider Advisory Committees at Golden Gate and San Andreas Regional Centers. She is actively involved in the CDSA Public Policy Committee and currently chairs the Legislative Subcommittee.
Elizabeth Clary holds dual BAs in Music and Political Science and a Master of Public Administration. She is the Executive Director of Alchemia, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities through the visual, performing, and creative arts. Elizabeth brings a philosophy of public service and a unique blend of creative and administrative expertise to her work. She has served on a variety of nonprofit and community boards, advocating for equity, accessibility, and the arts.
Amy Evans, LMFT, LPCC is the executive director of Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, CA part of a larger national organization serving over 15,000 individuals nationally and serving individuals throughout Santa Barbara County in CA. Devereux CA provides residential services (ARF, RCFE, 113- specialized residential, and Enhanced Behavior Supports Homes), Supported Living Services, Independent Living Services, Adult Day Services and Behavioral Services. She has been the executive director for 18 years and has been in the Developmental Disability services field for over 35 years. Amy has been a CDSA member since 2006, has been active in the public policy committee and is a co-chair for the residential services committee.
Tamica Hill is Executive Director at The Arc of Fresno and Madera Counties, which serves more than 600 adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Tamica has worked in the field for over 13 years, holding key roles such as Program Director of Supported living services, Program Manager of Family Home Agency, Area Director overseeing FHA, Day Programs and Intermediate Care Facilities and Regional Director of Operations over seeing Behavioral Day Programs. Tamica also serves on the CDS Institute Board and is active in the Central Valley Caucus.
Myles Horttor is Chief Programs Officer at Options For All, a nonprofit supporting over 1,700 individuals annually across the San Diego, Inland, San Andreas, and Los Angeles Regional Center catchment areas. For more than 40 years, Options For All has provided services including employment support, day programs, independent living, behavioral support, and creative arts and film production. With over 21 years in the disability services field, Myles has held roles from Direct Support Professional to executive leader. He holds a master’s in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling from San Diego State University and brings expertise in program development, advocacy, and legislative engagement. He also serves on multiple regional vendor advisory committees and is a strong collaborator across service networks. Outside of work, you’ll likely find Myles on a golf course or running an endurance race.
Claire is the Senior Executive Director at California MENTOR, bringing nearly four decades of deep commitment and leadership in serving individuals with developmental disabilities. Over her 39-year tenure, Claire has held a range of roles that have shaped her comprehensive expertise in operational oversight, quality of care, and financial performance across diverse service lines.
Claire currently oversees a broad spectrum of programs—from Early Intervention services for infants and toddlers, to adult and senior residential services, including specialized residential homes, host homes, supported living and day programs, as well as clinical services supporting at-risk youth with mental health challenges. Claire’s work is driven by a steadfast belief in inclusion, dignity, and individualized support.
Claire studied Organizational Leadership and applies this lens to cultivate strong teams and sustainable, person-centered service models. In addition to her executive leadership, she serves on the ANCOR Board of Representatives, where she actively advocates for policy and system improvements that elevate the quality of services nationwide.
Staff
As Executive Director, Barry leads our lobbying and public policy, as well as CDSA and CDS Institute operations. He cultivates strong relationships with Administration officials, legislators and relevant staff members, and colleagues at stakeholder organizations to ensure CDSA members are well represented in Sacramento. Barry was named Executive Director in August 2020, after five years as CDSA’s Director of Government Affairs. Barry came to CDSA with legislative and management experience, and previously served as the in-house counsel to a regional human rights and fair housing commission. A native Southern Californian, Barry has developed NorCal bona fides as an alumnus of UC Davis and the University of the Pacific, McGeorge School of Law. He enjoys life in Sacramento as part of a small menagerie including his wife, two kiddos, chickens and dog.
As Associate Director, Jim manages income-generating activities, IT services, contracts, business management and associated processes. Jim brings a strong corporate sector background from both California and Colorado. His experience includes world-wide distribution, business administration, marketing, product support, North and South America product sales, and start-up operations management. In addition to his corporate experience, his nonprofit responsibilities included class development/instructor and building refurbishment foreman. His foundation includes faith, his wife, family, friends, and camping off the grid.
As Public Affairs Director, Lauren works with CDSA members and coalition partners to develop communications and engagement strategies that support our mission. Lauren has spent her career in nonprofit and government service. Before joining CDSA, she worked in fundraising and executive support for a national human rights nonprofit in Washington, DC, and was previously appointed to a federal agency where she worked on policy and public engagement. In her home state of Missouri, she handled veterans’ casework from the district office of a U.S. Senator. She’s now enjoying the west coast scenery and wildlife.
As Government Affairs Director, Emmalynn leads CDSA’s public policy and strategic engagement efforts to ensure that the needs of California’s disability services sector are effectively represented. She cultivates and maintains key relationships with government officials, legislators, and partner organizations to advance CDSA’s policy goals and uplift the voices of our members. With a background as a policy consultant for the California State Assembly and as an advocate for the direct support workforce, Emmalynn brings extensive expertise in shaping and implementing policies that directly impact the services provided by CDSA members and the individuals they support. When not at work, Emmalynn can be found in her art studio or floating on a lake somewhere without cell service.
As Public Affairs and Advocacy Manager, Abigail plays a vital role in advancing our advocacy efforts for disability services by managing key government affairs, policy, and communications initiatives and projects. She focuses on opportunities to amplify CDSA member voices across all levels, with a strong emphasis on grassroots advocacy. A proud graduate of UC Davis, Abigail holds a B.A. in Political Science and a minor in Professional Writing. Outside of her 9-5, she enjoys long hours spent in hole-in-the-wall thrift stores and baking way too many cookies for one person.
As Operations and Events Manager, Roza empowers the work toward our mission, supporting the Executive Director and many CDSA operations. Roza has extensive experience in business management and specialized knowledge of administrative coordination. Roza’s passion and commitment to advocacy for social change is reflected in her work ethic, approach to problem-solving, and ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders. Outside of work, Roza enjoys playing pool, traveling to new places, and creating a cozy home with her wife and their dog and cat.
