Phyllis Stricklan is the founder of Keystone Consulting Group, LLC, a law firm that partners with leaders, organizations, and communities to design systems that are both resilient and just. Through Keystone, she brings together legal expertise, strategic guidance, and a steadfast commitment to equity.
Previously, Ms. Stricklan was the inaugural Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Children’s Law Center of California (CLC), a position she held for four years. A Certified Child Welfare Law Specialist, she has extensive experience in dependency law, including more than eleven years as Director of CLCLA2 and representing youth and parents in Los Angeles and San Bernardino Counties.
She is also one of the co-leads of the Los Angeles County Eliminating Racial Disproportionality and Disparity (ERDD) workgroup and, within the Family Justice Initiative, she co-lead the anti-racist lawyering workgroup for defense practitioners.
Carolyn Cloman brings more than 30 years of public service experience to her role as a board member, having dedicated her career to the Probation Department, where she served as a Supervising Detention Services Officer. In this capacity, she provided leadership and oversight to detention services teams, ensuring compliance with established protocols while prioritizing the safety, care, and development of youth in the juvenile justice system. Her professional background reflects a deep commitment to accountability, ethical leadership, and service to vulnerable populations.
In addition to her professional career, Carolyn is actively engaged in community-based service and nonprofit leadership. She supports food access and family support initiatives, contributes to financial oversight efforts, and participates in programs that connect families with critical resources. As a board member of the Community Development Corporation (CDC), Carolyn contributes to strategic planning, operational support, and community outreach initiatives focused on improving quality of life for local residents. She is also involved in sustainability efforts, including participation in the Green Team Solar Project, which advances environmentally responsible practices and renewable energy solutions within the community.
Dr. Alan-Michael S. Graves serves as the Senior Director of Teaching, Capacity Building and Policy Change with the Good Plus Foundation where he focuses on a broad range of multidisciplinary activities, from research and program development to training and advocacy for policy change. Currently leading a National Initiative on improving the practice of Fatherhood Engagement, Dr. Graves has worked in the human services field, with extensive experience as a facilitator and administrator, for both public and private agencies, for the past 20 years. He has brought these diverse perspectives to his work helping agencies and systems develop, implement and evaluate interagency systems of care, family partnerships and community programming.
Tiffany Johnson is a seasoned childcare professional, nonprofit leader, and community advocate with more than 25 years of experience supporting children and families. As the owner and operator of a family daycare, she has built and sustained high-quality early childhood environments centered on safety, developmental growth, and strong family partnerships. Her work reflects a deep understanding of the needs of young children and the critical role caregivers and educators play in fostering long-term success.
In addition to her childcare work, Tiffany leads a nonprofit organization focused on strengthening families through comprehensive programming, with an emphasis on supporting parents of children with special needs and developing leadership skills in youth. She currently serves as Board President of the Del Aire Community Development Corporation, where she provides strategic leadership, governance oversight, and vision for initiatives that promote collaboration among families, schools, and community partners. In this role, Tiffany is committed to advancing equitable access to resources, organizational accountability, and sustainable solutions that improve outcomes for children and families in the Del Aire community.
John L. Jefferson serves as Executive Director and Board Member of the Del Aire Community Development Corporation, bringing more than four decades of leadership experience in community development, youth advocacy, and family-centered services. His professional journey spans public-private partnerships, nonprofit governance, and faith-based community collaboration across Los Angeles County and the South Bay. Under his leadership, Del Aire Baptist Church and its affiliated community programs have expanded services addressing early childhood education, food insecurity, family stability, and youth development.
Pastor Jefferson has been instrumental in establishing and sustaining high-impact initiatives in partnership with organizations such as the Los Angeles County Department of Education, Volunteers of America, the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), and the Los Angeles Regional Food Bank. These efforts include Early Head Start and Head Start programs serving more than 160 families, one of the county’s few Family Visitation Centers, and recurring food distribution programs providing consistent access to groceries for families in need. He also serves on multiple boards and advisory bodies, including the City of Hawthorne Civil Service Commission, the South Bay Center for Counseling, and the DCFS Faith Initiative Committee, where he advocates for accountability, equity, and improved outcomes for fathers, foster youth, and families. Pastor Jefferson’s leadership is further informed by more than 20 years of experience as a foster parent, reflecting a lifelong commitment to serving vulnerable and underserved populations.
Janice Saruwatari is a longtime community volunteer and board leader with a professional background in accounting. After retiring in 2016, she has dedicated her time to nonprofit service and community engagement throughout the South Bay. She has served as Secretary of the Board for FirstServe Community Services of the South Bay since 2017 and remains actively involved in several of the organization’s programs. Her volunteer work includes supporting community garden initiatives, food distribution programs, and collaborative efforts with the Torrance Department of Children and Family Services through the Regional Community Alliance and Faith Council.
Janice also serves on the board of Lutheran Maritime Ministry, where she supports outreach efforts serving seafarers at the Ports of Long Beach and San Pedro. In this role, she contributed to organizational planning, including the ministry’s 25th Anniversary celebration, and continues to support strategic growth and community partnerships. In addition, Janice is a strong advocate for foster youth, bringing more than a decade of mentoring experience and currently volunteering with Fostering Hope LA through its Jobs for Life program, which supports young adults transitioning out of foster care through workforce readiness and mentorship.
Betty Jackson brings more than a decade of institutional knowledge and community-based leadership to the Del Aire Community Development Corporation. She has served the Del Aire community for over 10 years in administrative and operational leadership roles, including Church Administrator, where she managed office operations, supervised personnel, and supported multiple program areas. Her experience includes oversight of food distribution initiatives and educational programming for children and adults, reflecting a strong commitment to service delivery, organization, and community care.
Ms. Jackson holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from the University of Redlands and retired from AT&T after 35 years of service, including 28 years in management. Her professional background has equipped her with strong administrative, financial, and personnel-support skills that continue to benefit nonprofit operations and governance. Known for her reliability and service-oriented leadership, Ms. Jackson brings steadiness, accountability, and compassion to her role as a board member of the Del Aire Community Development Corporation, where she remains committed to advancing programs that support families and strengthen the broader community.