Cynthia Yao is a nationally respected leader in early childhood systems with over 25 years of experience in education, human services, and organizational development. As the former Regional Program Director for the Office of Head Start in Region 9, she provided federal oversight to programs serving over 100,000 children across six states and territories, managing a portfolio of more than $1.8 billion in funding. Cynthia led cross-sector initiatives, advanced compliance and quality systems, and built capacity within agencies to better serve families and communities.

A proud Head Start alumna and mother of two, Cynthia brings both personal conviction and professional excellence to her work. She is the Founder & CEO of RISE Partners LLC, a purpose-driven consulting firm that partners with early childhood organizations to strengthen leadership, advance strategic planning, and transform program services. Through RISE (Resilient • Impact • Strategic • Execution), Cynthia and her team support programs in building sustainable models that honor the dignity and potential of every child and family.

Erendira Guerrero, daughter of Juana and Librado Guerrero, is a passionate advocate for helping individuals and communities reach their full potential. With over 25 years of experience in the non-profit and government sectors, she has dedicated her career to service and leadership.

Erendira’s background includes her role as a Supervisory Program Specialist for the Office of Head Start (OHS) Region 9. In this leadership position, she was instrumental in overseeing federally funded organizations across a vast region including California, Arizona, Nevada, Hawaii, American Samoa, Palau, Guam, and CNMI.

Prior to her work with OHS Region 9, Erendira served as the program director for a Head Start Program in the California Central Coast. This role was particularly meaningful as it allowed her to contribute directly to the agricultural community where she grew up.

Now, Erendira channels her wealth of experience and her unwavering passion for uplifting communities into her consulting work. Her diverse roles as an advocate, trainer, supervisor, and administrator have provided her with invaluable insights into what it truly means to lead with purpose.

Cassandra Godinez is a seasoned mental health professional with a unique blend of clinical and administrative expertise, holding a Master of Social Work (MSW) and a Master of Public Administration (MPA). Her work bridges direct therapeutic services, community-based mental health, and systems-level leadership to promote equity, healing, and sustainable impact.

With extensive experience in early childhood development, social-emotional interventions, and trauma-informed care, Cassandra has served youth and families across diverse settings, including those with special needs and those experiencing homelessness. She specializes in culturally responsive, strengths-based support that strengthens individual and organizational capacity within communities.

Cassandra also brings a strategic perspective to leadership development, infusing mental health principles into workforce wellness, reflective supervision, and organizational planning. She supports teams and leaders through initiatives that promote professional development, burnout prevention, and system alignment with holistic community development goals.

Her interdisciplinary approach—grounded in both clinical practice and public systems thinking—positions them as a bridge-builder across education, health, and human services sectors.