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Our Team

KEEN Los Angeles is a volunteer-run, nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization, led by an executive director and governed by a Board of Directors comprised of parents, volunteers, business people and community leaders. The board directs KEEN’s operations, charts its direction, spearheads fundraising events, and ensures that KEEN stays focused on its core mission. KEEN Los Angeles is an LLC, and, together with its sister affiliates, falls under the umbrella of KEEN USA.

STAFF

	Suzanne Phillips Executive Director Suzanne Phillips comes to KEEN with decades of marketing, special events and fundraising experience working with legacy brands and Fortune 100 companies. Over the past ten years, Suzanne has adapted her skill set so that she can dedicate her efforts toward helping underserved communities and working with children. Her most recent efforts were... ...read more...
	Reyna Valleza Program Coordinator Reyna is an Angelena born and raised in the heart of Los Angeles. She graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor’s in Chicana/o Studies and Education Studies Minor. She also attended CSULA’s Masters in School Counseling Program. Reyna is passionate about with children, youths and families in empowering them to get the best resources available. Reyna... ...read more...
	Roxana Acevedo Program Support Coordinator Roxana is completing her degree at California State University, Los Angeles while pursuing a B.A. in Sociology. She hopes to bridge a career in social media management and marketing. During her free time Roxana enjoys spending time with friends, family, and attending concerts. Roxana says she finds the most exciting aspect about this position... ...read more...

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

	Joel John Co-President PwC Joel John joined the KEEN Los Angeles Board in 2021. As a Director in PwC's Mergers & Acquisitions Deals Practice in Los Angeles, Joel focuses on advising clients across the Deal... ...read more...
	Zulma Mena Co-President KEEN Parent Zulma Mena has been involved with KEEN LA since 2004. At that time her son, Freddy, was four years old and was diagnosed with Asperger’s syndrome. This diagnoses prompted her search for a free program that offered a recreational and socializing environment. KEEN LA has benefited Freddy so much that it became part of the families’ routine to be... ...read more...
	Crystal Garcia Secretary Speech and Language Pathologist Crystal Garcia is a bilingual Speech Language Pathologist who loves working with children with disabilities. She received her bachelors degree in Psychology with a minor in Disability Studies from UCLA and her masters degree in Speech Language Pathology from Cal State LA. Her interest in the disabilities population began when she was a junior... ...read more...
	Kevin Reiser Treasurer Snap Kevin Reiser joined the Keen Los Angeles team in 2020 while looking for an organization where he could utilize his love of sports and working with kids. ...read more...
	Matthew Alvarez The Sutton Law Firm Matthew is a Los Angeles native who grew up on the Westside. After attending Loyola High School, he ventured back east and graduated from Boston College. He worked for a few years after college in real... ...read more...
	Dr. Lev Gottlieb The Integrated Clinic Dr. Lev Gottlieb is the founder and manager of The Integrated Clinic in Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, and San Francisco. He is a neuropsychologist and a UCLA Assistant Clinical Professor with an extensive background in psychology, clinical psychology, and neuropsychology. Dr. Gottlieb is also an accomplished speaker and expert who provides... ...read more...
	Carolyn Johnstone Past President Cartoon Network Carolyn Johnstone has served on the KEEN LA Board of Directors since 2010. She first joined the organization after volunteering for “Bowl with Keen LA” through Turner/Cartoon Network Studios. KEEN is near and dear to Carolyn’s heart because her nephew, Findlay, had Cerebral Palsy and was severely disabled. Carolyn saw firsthand the benefits of... ...read more...
	Jillian London Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP Jillian London joined the KEEN Los Angeles Board in 2020. She is an attorney at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP, where she practices in the firm’s Litigation, Media, Entertainment & Technology, Class Actions, and Appellate practice groups. Jillian is a graduate of Harvard College and Harvard Law School. She also lived in London for three... ...read more...
	Rabbi Erez Sherman Sinai Temple Rabbi Erez Sherman was ordained from the Jewish Theological Seminary of America, in May of 2009. He is also a graduate of Albert A. List College and Columbia University with degrees in Music and Jewish Studies, where he wrote his thesis titled, “Music in the Synagogue in the 21st Century.” Rabbi Sherman has served Sinai Temple in Los... ...read more...
	Michelle Taus MA, OTR/L After graduating magna cum laude from Bar Ilan University in Israel with a joint degree in Sociology, Criminology and Psychology, Michelle dedicated her professional life to helping children with special needs achieve their highest potential. In 2003, she obtained her Masters degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Southern... ...read more...
	Carol Yur Dentons Carol Yur is a managing associate in the Los Angeles office and a member of Dentons’ Litigation and Dispute Resolution practice and Employment and Labor group. She defends employers in wage-and-hour class actions and Private Attorneys General Act (PAGA) lawsuits; in cases alleging employment discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination and... ...read more...