Meet Your California Team

Our Board

kAREN nAVARRO

co-president

Karen Navarro has been dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities in the greater Los Angeles area since 2006. With a strong foundation in direct support, staff training, and employment services, Karen brings nearly two decades of experience in advancing inclusion and independence for individuals with developmental disabilities.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master of Public Administration with distinction from California State University, Northridge. Karen is well-versed in both Regional Center and Department of Rehabilitation (DOR) employment services, the Social Security Administration’s Ticket to Work program, and VITA free tax assistance.

Karen actively contributes to several local and regional initiatives, including the Santa Clarita Valley Mayor’s Committee, the North Los Angeles County Regional Center’s Local Partnership Agreement (LPA), and other employment-focused workgroups. Through these efforts, she collaborates with community partners to promote access to education, employment, and community integration.

Karen is passionate about helping individuals with disabilities live and work in their communities and achieve their highest level of independence.

Gabriela sanchez

Secretary

Gabriela has been leading programs supporting the independence and inclusion of adults with developmental disabilities for over 20 years. Utilizing person-centered principles, she has served in a variety of positions creating opportunities for individuals to find their unique path to employment. Currently, she is the Chief Program Officer at Tierra Del Sol. As the leader of Tierra del Sol’s College to Career, Workforce Development, and Individualized Services, Gabriela guides her team to support over 400 men and women with disabilities to lead productive and personally meaningful lives. Gabriela holds a B.A. in Psychology from California State University, Los Angeles, and a drive to continually challenge our larger community to recognize the value of each individual she supports. Gabriela enjoys traveling, taking photos, all things Disney, and spending time with her husband, 28-year-old daughter, and her 22-year-old son, who has Autism.

Vivian Haun

Member

Vivian Haun is an attorney and independent consultant.  She has a master's degree from Stanford University and a J.D. from UCLA School of Law.  Vivian previously served as a special education policy analyst for the California Charter Schools Association, where she worked on implementation of the Competitive Integrated Employment Blueprint and advocated for person-centered transition and employment practices in schools.  She also has a sibling with autism who has worked in an integrated setting with the support of his Regional Center and the Department of Rehabilitation.

Lara Okunubi

member

Lara Okunubi, Bsc, Mba, is Executive Director of Ideal Program Services in Los Angeles, California, serving the community of developmental disabilities for more than twenty-five years to create change and achieve desired goals using evidence-based practices. Lara has served in numerous community and professional volunteer leadership roles such as ACRE trained Employment Facilitator, CaApse board member, Certified Person-Centered Trainer/ PCP Facilitator/PCP Writer, Past Vendor Advisory Chairperson (sclarc), Independent Facilitator and LifeCourse Ambassador

Rebecca laboriel

Co-President & Treasurer

Rebecca LaBoriel has worked with individuals with disabilities for over 25 years. She has her Master’s in Counseling and has been a Director of Supported Living, Independent Living, Day Services and Employment. She has been a part of the California Supported Living Network for over 15 years-working in partnership with the State Department of Disabilities to ensure that Person-Centered-Employment Services stays at the forefront of California’s service delivery system.

Harry Bruell

Member

Harry Bruell has served as CEO/President of PathPoint since 2017 and has been a leader in the nonprofit sector since 1991.  PathPoint supports people flourish by partnering with children, adults, and families to find hope and empowerment, build life skills, access systems of support, and develop meaningful relationships. PathPoint’s 500 employees support 4,170 people through employment, residential, community integration, and counseling services in five southern and central California counties.

Harry serves on several statewide and national boards and committees as well as numerous workgroups convened by the CA Department of Developmental Services.  Prior to joining PathPoint, Harry served for 26 years in the conservation corps field, including 13 years as President and CEO of Conservation Legacy, a national agency based in Colorado.

Lily Handley

Member

Lily is committed to the disability rights movement, and passionate about working alongside people to secure employment that is fulfilling and provides opportunities for connection and community. She has been working for more than 17 years with kids and adults with disabilities at schools, in employment settings, and in their homes. Her focus throughout this time has been to encourage each person to make informed decisions, and to develop their individual voice as a strong self-advocate.

Since 2013, Lily has been working for Jay Nolan Community Services (JNCS) in the greater Los Angeles area. In 2015, she completed a Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Cal State LA. She is currently the Customized Employment Services Supervisor at JNCS, where she works for adults with disabilities helping them access employment and education, as well as gain skills and experience around self-advocacy and self-determination.       

Tony Pennay

member

Tony Pennay is the Chief Program and Innovation Officer at New Horizons, where he leads strategy, program operations, and growth initiatives serving more than 1,500 individuals across the organization’s employment, youth, and community-based services. He drives innovation focused on expanding access to competitive integrated employment and advancing scalable, person-centered models of support.

Tony has led key expansion efforts, including launching new service hubs, and is focused on building partnerships and systems that improve outcomes for individuals with disabilities across the region. He serves as Co-Chair of the Santa Clarita Valley Mayor’s Committee for the Employment of Individuals with Disabilities and as Chair of the Not-for-Profit Committee for the Valley Industry and Commerce Association.

Previously, he was Chief Learning Officer at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and spent a decade as an educator. He is also the author of The Civic Mission of Museums, and proud father to Lia, Makaina, and Xander.

Kai Brennan

member

Kai works as an Employment Services Specialist at the North Los Angeles County Regional Center (NLACRC). He holds hold a B.S. from Oregon State University and is ACRE-certified with an emphasis on Customized Employment and Person-Centered Planning.

Carole Watilo

Member

Carole Watilo is the Executive Director of Progressive Employment Concepts and Community & Employment Services.  Carole holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development and a Master of Arts Degree in Education with an emphasis in Special Education from Sacramento State University. Carole has experience and training in Discovery and Customized Employment, Person Centered Thinking practices, Augmentative and Alternative communication strategies and positive behavior support strategies. Since 1984, Carole has worked to advance inclusion and equity for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

sUAD bISOGNO

member

Suad Bisogno is the CEO of Integrated Resources Institute, an employment service provider that also provides education, training and advocacy. She has been serving on the California APSE board since 2020. She also sits on the California TASH board. She has been a part of larger stakeholder groups that have worked to eliminate sub-minimum wage, developed the California Office for Employment First, and developed new types of employment services, including the Coordinated Career Pathways Service, which allows for the very first time, the development of a Person Centered Career Plan and funding for Customized Employment Services. She worked to develop a California centric ACRE curriculum that has now supported in the training of over 300 employment professionals in California. Most recently, Suad has developed grants that have led to partnerships with California APSE to allow for trainings and technical assistance with SME.

Suad has a passion to promote competitive integrated employment services throughout the state and federal government. Suad is good at recognizing bottlenecks and coming up with creative solutions to address those issues. 

Celeste Rulli

member

Celeste Rulli is the Founder and Owner of Purpose Driven Employment (PDE), a person-centered agency serving individuals with disabilities across the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys. A Certified Customized Employment professional through ACRE for nearly a decade, she has developed employment programs in Nevada and is now advancing innovative service models throughout California. Her work focuses on discovery, career planning, and creating pathways to competitive integrated employment that support long-term independence and purpose.

Celeste’s background spans entrepreneurship, education, and disability services, with experience in program development, workforce initiatives, and systems advocacy. Through PDE, she connects individuals, families, employers, and service systems to achieve meaningful, person-centered outcomes.

As both a professional and the mother of two children with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Celeste brings lived and professional insight to her work, strengthening her commitment to compassionate leadership and practical, community-based solutions.

She serves as a Board Member of California APSE and Chair of the Social Media Committee, advancing advocacy and awareness around inclusive employment. Guided by her faith, Celeste believes each person has unique gifts to contribute and is committed to helping others recognize and share those gifts to strengthen the broader community.

Our Members