NI2C Staff & Coaches

   Alleesa Franco (she/her) currently serves as the Education & Outreach Coordinator at Nested Integral Coaching Constellation (NI2C), supporting trauma-informed programs that empower transitional-aged youth to heal, grow, and navigate life’s challenges with confidence.

This work is deeply personal to her. With lived experience navigating interpersonal and generational trauma, Alleesa brings empathy, honesty, and a strong belief in the potential of the youth she serves. Her personal story shapes how she shows up in relationship—with deep understanding and an unwavering commitment to supporting others on their path to resilience.

Before stepping into her current role, Alleesa worked closely with transitional-aged youth in a variety of support settings, where she quickly discovered her passion for creating safe spaces. Her background in crisis management, emotional support, and trauma-informed care has equipped her with the tools to help others regulate, ground, and reconnect with themselves.

Looking ahead, she plans to continue her education with a focus on early intervention and support for youth impacted by systemic barriers. Outside of work, Alleesa enjoys traveling, gardening, and spending time with her family, friends, and two beloved cats. She is honored to contribute to a mission rooted in healing, authenticity, and community transformation—and looks forward to growing alongside it, both personally and professionally.

BA Psychology 

   Anne brings a big heart and lots of love to all of her coaching clients, along with deep knowledge of the body-mind connection. A seasoned leadership and life coach with over 20 years’ experience as nonprofit executive, Anne works with clients from diverse backgrounds and industries who are in transition, struggling with motivation, health and work challenges, and/or experiencing burnout. Her coaching sessions address the whole person and blend insights from her extensive background in leadership with gentle humor, somatic (physical) practices, and mindfulness. Anne’s experience includes parenting kids who are neurodivergent, queer, transgender and living with chronic health conditions. In addition to being an Integral Coach ®, Anne is certified as both a yoga teacher and a massage therapist. She holds ACC status with the International Coaching Federation and is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach. 

 (She/Her)

  We are here to learn how to be our most alive, most joyful, most receptive and most giving selves. At the start of our inner work, we learn we are trapped in our personality defenses. While these may help us get through the day, they also lead to our greatest suffering. 

It’s time for us to live to our fullest potential. We can rewire our nervous system and reunite with our essential selves. Each of us, has within the ingredients needed to heal. It’s the alchemy of opening ourselves to another loving soul, a friend who can walk us home to ourselves, that is the most potent catalyst for transformation. 

REPAIR is significant in my life because it provides both the group energy and the individual relationships that offer a safe and loving place to continue our path of becoming whole.

 Bear Brandegee MBA | BA | AA, Certified Integral Coach, 

ICF-Professional Certified Coach, Candidate Enneagram Professional Coach -  CP Enneagram Academy (IEA)

 (She/Her)

 Life, parenting and relationships don't come with manuals. We often need some help to navigate these waters effectively and to achieve the best quality of life. I provide a non-judgmental, compassionate environment where you can feel safe to explore the challenges currently facing you. 

In addition to being a Certified Integral Coach, I am licensed Marriage and Family Therapist trained in EMDR and have extensive experience treating PTSD, as well as working with victims and families impacted by domestic violence.  I help clients to access their energy and personal strength to take on change. The combined therapy and coaching approach enables me to work with you from a broader perspective and bring a more integrated, holistic approach to our work together.

My formal education includes a Bachelor's Degree in Human Development and an MS in Counseling with a Marriage and Family Therapy focus.  I have been a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist since 2014 and work in private practice in Murphys, CA.

 (She/Her)

 Erika supports individuals on their journey of growth, transformation, and self-discovery with a compassionate heart and a deep commitment to healing. She meets each client with tenderness, curiosity, and respect, creating a safe and nurturing space where meaningful change can unfold.

Her approach is rooted in holistic and somatic practices that honor the interconnectedness of mind, body, and heart—inviting a new way of being to emerge. Erika is a Certified Integral Life Coach through New Ventures West. Her coaching is informed by her work as a Neurofeedback Technician, which has given her unique insight into the brain’s energy patterns and the power of neuroplasticity. Through cultivating integral practices that help to bring awareness, coherence and integration to the intelligence centers of the mind, body and heart, she helps clients come back into balance, shift perception, and transform their responses to the world around them.

Erika's formal education is in Philosophy, Political Science, and Public Health. She brings extensive experience in nutrition, health, and legal advocacy within the nonprofit space. Her personal journey through drug addiction, psychosis, anxiety and shame has deeply shaped her understanding of the healing process. These lived experiences inspire her to support others in discovering resilience, strength, and new possibilities within themselves.

A devoted gardener, student of yoga, psychology, meditation, and spiritual traditions, Erika continues to explore and embody the practices she offers others.

Jayson brings a perceptive mind, a compassionate heart, and a grounded presence, cultivated through years of training and deep healing work, to create a safe and accepting space for clients to bring their authentic selves. He supports clients to use their life experiences, innate strengths, and challenges as raw ingredients to explore their inner landscape and to create a new path forward.

Jayson is an ICF Professional Certified Coach, an Integral Coach® with New Ventures West, and a certified Enneagram coach with Chestnut Paes Enneagram Academy and Integrative Enneagram Solutions. He has received training in somatic coaching, bodywork, and Somatics Trauma & Resilience through the Strozzi Institute. He also has two year’s experience with somatic racial healing work with Resmaa Menakem (author of "My Grandmothers Hands") & Education for Racial Equity and 4+ years of client experience with Hakomi somatic therapy, bodywork, and other somatic therapeutic techniques that support trauma healing.  

(He/Him)  

Jen welcomes clients with an inviting curiosity, and a genuine interest in their inner-world. She balances compassion and depth, and is sensitively attuned to the pacing and comfort of her clients. The strong container Jen provides allows clients to feel held and guided while exploring new inner territory, and her questions provide an insightful roadmap vital to the exploration process. 

Jen brings a background of study and practice in personal development, and trauma-informed modalities including working with: Integral Coaching®, Enneagram, Addiction Recovery, Adult Attachment Repair, Somatics, ACA Inner Child Reparenting, Meditation, and Intergenerational and Collective Trauma. Jen's formal education includes interdisciplinary study in Psychology, Sociology, and Criminal Justice Reform at UC Berkeley and CSU Fullerton; and a Professional Coaching Certification in Integral Coaching® from New Ventures West; and she is currently enrolled in a MS in Psychology program at Western Institute of Social Research on a path to becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist.

(She/Her)

Joy is a multidimensional and colorful human with a deep desire to grow, learn and be of service. As an executive coach, facilitator and speaker, she has inspired and empowered her clients to live their lives more sustainably and authentically. Her coaching methodologies are based on the whole person approach using mindfulness, creativity, neuroscience and embodied practices. Joy is a Master Certified Coach [MCC], International Coaching Federation. She is also certified as an Integral Coach®, ecotherapist, expressive arts facilitator, and leadership embodiment coach. 

"Having experienced some challenging life changing turns in my journey and learning from many teachers along the way, I want to play my part in supporting others." - Joy 

(She/Her)

 Kim is a highly experienced integral development coach with over a decade of leadership advisor and consultant expertise.  Kim's coaching approach is grounded in presence. By slowing down and listening to the truth that is trying to emerge, breakdowns cease, and breakthroughs occur. She leverages the Integral Coaching Methodology, a whole-person approach, because leadership happens in all dimensions of our lives, to help her clients uncover and honor their unique gifts. Transformational impact is inevitable when we start from our innate resourcefulness and create from this space. Kim supports her clients holistically by incorporating various coaching tools and assessment models, such as the Enneagram, Non-Violent Communication, and somatic or embodiment practices. Kim brings all of her ability to connect with people to her role as Community Engagement Manager.

 (She/Her)

Supporting your courageous movement toward what matters most to you is central to my approach. I bring compassion and wisdom that have been cultivated in the crucible of lived experience - the good, the bad and the ugly. I’ll meet you where you’re at - without judgment - and together we’ll make sense of what’s present while nurturing possibility. My style is warm, curious, spacious and creative. 

With a diverse background spanning the nonprofit, public, and private sectors, I bring a seasoned perspective on social change. As a Certified Integral Coach, I draw on a range of somatic practices, mindfulness traditions, and insights from neuroscience and human development, all held in a way that’s trauma-sensitive and culturally aware. Coaching is an inherently creative process to me, one that invites us to become more of who we truly are. My years of Flamenco study inspire me to explore the edges of self-expression and bring a kind of collaborative, rhythmic flow to our sessions.

I am a Certified Integral Coach through New Ventures West with post-graduate training in Inner Critic work, advanced somatics, Enneagram (iEQ9 Practitioner) and Insight Meditation (including silent retreats). I also hold an MBA from The Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey.

 (She/Her)

From 2019 to 2024, I supported a nonprofit dedicated to teaching self-awareness through the Enneagram, with a mission to free people from "the prisons of our own making". This work deeply resonated with my personal mission to walk next to individuals as they move toward greater self-understanding and personal liberation. Whether inside or outside of physical prisons, I find fulfillment in partnering with those courageous enough to take an honest, introspective journey.

With over 14 years of experience within the federal government, I’ve gained a unique perspective on the challenges leaders face. My roles as a manager, facilitator and program manager have equipped me to support individuals in leadership positions, helping them navigate both personal and professional growth.

In addition to being a certified Integral coach, I am a certified facilitator for The Narrative Enneagram, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI), Integrative Enneagram 9 (iEQ9), and Ken Blanchard’s Situational Leadership. I specialize in working with individuals and teams to leverage their strengths and achieve their goals. I integrate these methodologies into my coaching practice, helping clients identify areas for growth and develop actionable plans to meet their desired outcomes. I hold a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State University.

(She/Her)

 Lucy Basta is a coach, community builder, and co-founder of WorkWell. A certified Integral Coach since 2017 and a longtime student of the Enneagram, she teaches personal and professional development through the lens of transformation and belonging. Lucy has led technical teams at Apple, coached engineers into FAANG roles, and built scalable programs that center story, dignity, and deep change. Her work spans Silicon Valley boardrooms, Bay Area art spaces, and humanitarian efforts from Maui to Gaza. She believes repair is a creative, embodied act. 

  (She/Her)

Michael Mahar (He/Him) is a recent graduate of California State University, Fullerton, with a degree in Communications. As a valued staff member at Nested Integral Coaching Constellation (NI2C), he serves as the Communications and Administration Assistant, creating digital outreach content that promotes personal growth and fosters connections within supportive communities. Michael’s journey with NI2C is deeply meaningful to him, as he contributes to the organization’s mission of promoting healing and wholeness through trauma-informed programs. With his background in communications, digital media, and content creation, he develops engaging social media and podcast content to amplify NI2C’s impact. Passionate about blending media with community building, Michael is committed to crafting innovative digital content that inspires and unites audiences in the nonprofit sector.

BA Communications

 Marie Medina (she/her) is a  storyteller and bridge-builder, weaving connections between values, resources, and visions for justice. With a decade in nonprofit fundraising, she has witnessed how conversations about giving can open portals to transformation—where the personal meets the political. Rooted in a working-class background and guided by purpose, Marie believes healing ourselves is inseparable from healing the world. Living in Denver, she serves as Director of Development at the Women’s Foundation of Colorado, where she partners with community members to advance equity and opportunity for women and girls across the state. Her coaching invites reflection, courage, and the unfolding of a more liberated future. 

(She/Her)

 Natasha accompanies you on your journey to connect with your soul and reach an understanding of your authentic self. She is sensitive to your needs. Her approach is like building a sandcastle in the playground; there is an openness about the nature of conversation collaborating together. Natasha believes in a value based approach that helps you tap into your core values, helping you clear the fog and reveal your inner guiding light — towards your North Star.

As a Certified Pilates Teacher, Certified HR OD Practitioner and Certified Enneagram Practitioner, Natasha helps tap into your head, heart and body centers as a method of coming into presence. She is currently a student of New Ventures West to become a Certified Integral Coach.

With extensive experience in interior design, procurement and project management in the hospitality, commercial and mission critical industries, this has allowed for a unique outlook gaining insights into the inner workings of various mindsets. She has partnered with owners, designers and builders to grow their brand collaborating on processes to provide creative problem solving. Her personal journey includes guiding her way through multiple divorces and career transitions along with the mental upheaval which includes psychosis and bipolar. This has taught her lessons in resilience and endurance to navigate new terrain. Driven by her lived experiences, Natasha’s calling is to reduce the amount of suffering in the world while improving the human experience and furthering humanity one soul at a time. As a coach, she is here to share the gifts of resilience and perseverance with you on your journey of self-discovery so that you too can embrace beauty, love, wisdom, hope, generosity and kindness to yourself.

Natasha is a lover of the arts and immerses herself in nature where she finds inspiration and joy. She can be found dancing along to some beats at home, reading on her colorful and cozy couch, meandering at the park while taking in the scenery, making herself some splendid rose chai tea, photographing some beautiful flowers, writing words of wisdom as a poem, meditating mindfully, practicing pilates or engaging in curious conversation. All of these remind Natasha of the simple moments and keep her grounded in gratitude. 

(She/Her)

  I am many things — a coach, healer, poet, and at my core, an inquirer. You can also call me your 21st-century Lamplighter. I light our paths to walk us home.

Because when we are home, we come alive and participate in this world as hope and possibility. Stars do not only dazzle in the night sky. I want to see the world truly become a city of lights, as we each reveal our magic and light. When we know who we truly are, we can walk with depth and dignity. We gain clarity and purpose, which support us in living life with bold intentionality.

As a trauma-sensitive Integral Coach® through New Ventures West, and a student of the Diamond Approach, I support us in connecting with our true nature so we can unfold and expand on our own terms. I draw on various practices in the fields of somatic work, Compassionate Inquiry, Enneagram, polyvagal theory, and creative arts in support of my clients.

Come, let’s get you home.

 (She/Her)

 Sarah is a certified professional coach and leader of transformative learning experiences who is dedicated to individual and collective thriving. She loves helping people connect to their aliveness, find clarity and courage, cultivate practices that sustain themselves and those around them, and deepen their relationships to each other. Her coaching and teaching weave deep listening, inner world inquiry, somatic practice, and community building. Sarah’s work is informed by her years teaching and coaching in low-income, urban K-12 schools and serving as a Master Teacher in Residence and Lecturer on Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. A lifelong learner, parent, community organizer, dancer, yoga practitioner, and prison mindfulness instructor, Sarah holds a B.A. in Comparative Literature and an M.A.T. in Secondary English from Brown University, a Professional Coaching Certification in Integral Coaching® from New Ventures West, and is a certified yoga instructor. She lives in Providence, Rhode Island, where she loves to walk, dance, share stories, and explore life’s big questions (sometimes concurrently). 

 (She/Her)

My name is Andrea Saenz (she/her), and I am currently a senior at California State University, Fullerton pursuing a B.A. in Psychology and potentially a minor in child & adolescent development. I’ve always had a high interest and a passion for learning new ways to bring awareness to mental health in all age groups. Additionally, breaking the stigma that occurs within Hispanic households. I aspire to become a school counselor or a school psychologist, with a strong interest in understanding human behavior and advocating for children and teenagers. I am also open to exploring opportunities in Human Resources while continuing my education post-graduation from Cal State Fullerton. The digital outreach team will give me the opportunity to inspire community healing and promote mental health awareness in which I look forward to!

Hi, I'm Briana Marin (she/her), a fourth-year Psychology major at California State University, Fullerton. I’ve had the incredible opportunity to intern with the National Institute for Innovation and Competitiveness (NI2C), where I’ve been working on the Digital Outreach Team. Our team focuses on enhancing NI2C’s online presence and engagement, helping to share the organization’s mission and impact with a wider audience through thoughtful, strategic content.

A fun fact about me—I love playing video games and traveling whenever I get the chance! As a student at Cal State Fullerton with a deep interest in mental health, my career goal is to become a psychiatrist. I hope to support individuals in developing a stronger understanding of their mental health and emotional well-being. This internship has given me valuable insight into the power of communication, collaboration, and technology—skills I know will be essential in both my academic and professional path.

Outside of academics, I’m passionate about mental health advocacy, creative expression, and connecting with others through meaningful conversations. I’m excited to continue growing and making a positive impact wherever my journey takes me.

Hello! My name is Estephanie Garcia and I’m currently 21 years old. I’m currently majoring in Public Health at the California State University of Fullerton! I go by the pronouns of she/her and I’m excited to be a part of the Digital Outreach Team! With that being said, I aspire to become a lawyer in the near future. I’m currently debating specializing in immigration law or criminal justice. My current dream school for law is UCLA or UCI. I love reading about current news events going around and seeing how the world is currently evolving due to current changes in politics that influence those changes. 

Hi Everyone, My name is Gianna Giacopuzzi! I am currently a senior at Cal State University

Fullerton, majoring in Public health and minoring in sociology. My hope is to combine the things

I have learned in sociology and apply them to health and wellness. For the NI2C program I will

be working alongside the digital outreach team! I look forward to learning and growing through

the REPAIR program. Their approach to healing really resonates with me, and I’m excited to

immerse myself in the work while exploring how these techniques and collective healing

practices can support both my personal journey and professional path. I’m also excited to build

skills in digital outreach and see what we can create together as a team! Just a little bit about

myself, besides full time school, I also ride horses professionally and coach kids throughout the

week. In my free time I have recently learned how to love reading and enjoy hanging out with

my friends and family more than anything! Working with both animals and young people has

taught me a lot about patience, responsibility, and the many ways healing can happen through

connection.

Hi, I’m Hope (they/she), a senior Psychology major at Cal State Fullerton, passionate about mental health advocacy and creative outreach. After graduation, I plan to pursue a Master’s in Social Work or Clinical Psychology and eventually build a career supporting neurodivergent communities through therapy and accessible education. I hope to combine clinical practice with creative content on platforms like YouTube and social media, making mental health knowledge more engaging and relatable. Being a part of NI2C’s Digital Outreach team is an exciting step toward developing those skills and learning how digital platforms can be used for positive change. Outside of school, I love gaming, anything related to music/film, video essays, cooking, various hyperfixations that frequently fluctuate, and creative projects to express myself through.

 Hi, I’m Jennifer Alvarado (she/her), a Junior at California State University, Fullerton, majoring in Human Services.

I’m excited to begin my first internship with Nested Integral Coaching Constellation as part of the outreach team. As a first-generation college student and a mom, returning to school wasn’t easy—I juggled parenting, work, and online classes, often studying late at night after putting my child to bed. Those experiences shaped my passion for supporting students who are parents, adult learners, transfer students, and those returning to school while pregnant. I want to give back and help others navigate the same challenges I faced. I’m looking forward to growing through this internship and applying what I learn to make a meaningful impact in my future career.

 Hi I am Stephany Rivera. I am a senior at Vanguard University, my major is in communications with a minor in psychology. I am part of the outreach team here at NI2C which I am looking forward to. My career goal is to work for a production studio such as Disney or Warner Bros but I wouldn't mind also being a teacher/professor. Why am I doing a minor in psychology? Well, I believe the human mind is so interesting and I find it really interesting that psychology can be incorporated into everything, even films/series.

Cindy Cabuguason (she/her) is a senior at California State University, Fullerton, and she is pursuing her B.A in Psychology with a minor in Human Services. She plans to continue her academic journey and pursue a master’s degree in counseling to become a school counselor, where she can help students feel supported through their academic journey and provide services catered to everyone. Cindy is on the Medi-Cal Outreach team with NI2C and is eager to contribute to a team that spreads awareness about mental health and strives to provide a supportive environment for potential audiences. Cindy is a passionate advocate for mental health and hopes to collaborate with like-minded individuals to create a positive space that allows them to help the community to the best of our abilities. 

Hello! My name is Emelly Nunez (she/her), and I am a senior at Cal State Fullerton, majoring in

Human Services. For the NI2C program, I will be part of the Medical Outreach Team.

My passion lies in serving others and making meaningful connections with the people around

me. Through my studies and experiences, I have learned the importance of listening to the needs

of communities and creating strong partnerships to help address disparities in access to resources

and services. My long term career goal is to work closely with communities to strengthen

support systems and create programs that provide equitable opportunities for individuals and

families.

I am excited to gain a experience with NI2C and learn how to engage effectively with local

organizations. I believe this opportunity will help me grow professionally while giving me the

tools to continue my commitment to advocacy and service. My ultimate goal is to dedicate my

career to helping and empowering underserved populations by bridging gaps in resources and

support.

My name is Gabriela (Gaby) and I am currently a senior at CSUF pursuing a B.A in Psychology and a minor in Linguistics with hopes to making it past that, God willing. I am a proud mother to a teenage boy who just entered high school. My interests are reading and collecting first edition, out-of-print, and/or banned books. I also enjoy looking up the etymology of words because I believe our words carry a lot of intention, so it helps me in communicating and understanding myself. One of my dreams is to travel the world and experience the various cultures outside of a book.  I'm excited for the opportunity to intern with Nested Integral Coaching Constellation(NI2C) in the Medi-Cal Outreach team because I never thought I would be someone to make it this far into my education (and life), after many years of neglecting and losing myself from negative experiences. I may not have a clear vision as to what my future holds, but I believe this experience will help guide me as I shy away from what I can also bring to the team.

My name is Jason Carson (he/him), and I am a senior at California State University, Fullerton, pursuing a B.S. in Human Services with a concentration in Mental Health. I began my first internship with NI2C during the summer of 2025 and will continue in the fall as part of the Peer Resource Navigation & ECM Training Team. I am most excited to finally get the chance to apply what I have gained academically to real-world work that supports individuals in accessing mental health services. After graduation, I plan on pursuing an M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling & Marriage and Family Therapy at California State University, Fullerton, with a long-term goal of working with veterans through the VA. As someone who has been serving in the U.S. Army Reserve for nearly four years and having spent more than half of that time in the Middle East, I have witnessed firsthand the lasting emotional impact that military service can have on an individual. I am most driven by a passion to break down the overwhelming barriers and stigma that often keep veterans from seeking the help they deserve.

My name is Javier Franco, and I am a psychology major serving on the Medi-Cal Outreach Team with NI2C. I am passionate about mental health, community care, and helping others find the support they need. My career goal is to become a therapist, with a focus on counseling and guiding individuals through personal challenges. As a first-generation college student, I value opportunities that allow me to learn, grow, and give back to the community. I look forward to connecting with others in the REPAIR Internship and contributing to NI2C’s mission. My name is Jason Carson (he/him), and I am a senior at California State University, Fullerton, pursuing a B.S. in Human Services with a concentration in Mental Health. I began my first internship with NI2C during the summer of 2025 and will continue in the fall as part of the Peer Resource Navigation & ECM Training Team. I am most excited to finally get the chance to apply what I have gained academically to real-world work that supports individuals in accessing mental health services. After graduation, I plan on pursuing an M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling & Marriage and Family Therapy at California State University, Fullerton, with a long-term goal of working with veterans through the VA. As someone who has been serving in the U.S. Army Reserve for nearly four years and having spent more than half of that time in the Middle East, I have witnessed firsthand the lasting emotional impact that military service can have on an individual. I am most driven by a passion to break down the overwhelming barriers and stigma that often keep veterans from seeking the help they deserve.

Hi, my name is Thomas Scott Watson, and I’m joining the Medi-Cal Enrollment team. My big dream career goal (long-term) is to get a higher degree in counseling and/or nursing. I’m maximizing my time at Cypress College getting all of the available Human Services certificates, and then will transfer, probably to CSUF where I’ve attended before. I’m interested in the Human Services Leadership certificate at CSUF. I found my home in Human Services and consider everything I do under that overarching umbrella. I look forward to working as a student peer with each and every one in the cohort, and also in REPAIR.   Thank you for reading this short bio of mine. Kind regards, Tom (Licensed Psychiatric Technician).  

My name is Xiomara Reyna (she/her), and I am a third-year undergraduate

student at California State University, Fullerton, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in

Psychology. I am also a parent, which has further strengthened my motivation

and sense of purpose in both my academic and professional journey. In my free

time, I enjoy reading poetry, watching crime documentaries, and listening to

French music.

I am currently on a pre-Physician Assistant track, with the long-term goal of being

admitted to a competitive program and earning a Master of Physician Assistant

Studies (MPAS). I am enthusiastic about joining the Medi-Cal outreach team, as I

am deeply committed to addressing health disparities and ensuring equitable

access to care for underserved and minority populations.