Board Member Roster
(Effective September 26, 2025)
- Aleta Carpenter, MA, BA
Appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom, current Board Vice President
Aleta Carpenter of Redding has been a Consultant at ACE Communications since 2013. She was a Community Education Specialist II for the Public Health Department at the Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency from 2007 to 2012. Carpenter was a Lobbyist and Partner at Carpenter, Snodgrass and Associates from 1982 to 2003. She is the Chair of the Youth Violence Prevention Council/Youth Options Shasta, the Shasta County Tobacco Education Coalition, Shasta Environmental Alliance, School Board Member for the California Heritage YouthBuild Academy, and Member of the Redding Community Development Advisory Committee. Carpenter earned a Master of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from California State University, Sacramento. - Carel M. Mountain, DNP, RN, CNE, CDP
Appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom, current Board President
Dr. Carel M. Mountain of Fair Oaks has served on the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians since 2018. She was elected president of the board in in 2019. She is currently an Assistant Professor of Nursing at Sacramento State University. Previously she was Director of Nursing at Sacramento City College and has over 30 years' experience in nursing education. Mountain is also a member of the Yolocares Hospice Board. She earned a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from California State University, Fresno and a Master of Science degree in nursing administration and education from Sonoma State University. She holds additional degrees in Nursing and Communications from Pacific Union College. - Reem Olaby, PhD, MPH, BPharm, SFHEA
Appointed by Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, Public Member
Dr. Reem Olaby is an Associate Professor of Pharmacology & Biotechnology at California Northstate University and a Senior Fellow of Advance HE (SFHEA). With more than 15 years of scientific research experience and over 14 years of teaching in higher education, she is dedicated to strengthening pathways into the health professions through evidence-based, inclusive, and innovative education. Dr. Olaby leads initiatives in curriculum design, faculty development, and student success, and serves on multiple governance committees within the College of Health Sciences. Dr. Olaby is currently an Ed.M. candidate at Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is passionate about advancing equitable educational systems, supporting future nurses and healthcare professionals, and contributing to the mission of the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians through service, integrity, and community engagement. - Rashima Sonson, MBA & CSSGB
Appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom, Public Member
Rashima Sonson, of Oakland, is an educator, entrepreneur, and business advisor currently serving as a Public Member of the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (BVNPT), since 2023. She is a Career Technical Education (CTE) Business Facilitator and Adjunct Business Professor preparing emerging professionals through industry-aligned instruction and real-world work-based learning experiences across Bay Area institutions. Sonson is also the Founder of SONSON©, a heritage-driven fashion and education brand. Her career includes senior roles in compliance, governance, and operational quality across the energy, apparel, cannabis, and manufacturing sectors. She brings an equity-focused, solutions-driven approach to leadership, consumer protection, and workforce pathways. Sonson is an active member of the Association for Career and Technical Education, supporting work-based learning and workforce development across California. She holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor of Science from Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College. - Lessie Moore, PT, BS
Appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom, Psychiatric Technician Member
Ms. Lessie Moore brings more than three decades of psychiatric healthcare experience, state service, and professional leadership to Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technician (BVNPT), Her career began in 1993 at Fairview Developmental Center, followed by her transition to Patton State Hospital in 1996, where she advanced to Senior Psychiatric Technician in 2010. After a long and distinguished career serving individuals with complex behavioral health needs, she is now proudly retired from state service.
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Ashford University and currently serves as an Adjunct Psychiatric Technician Instructor at San Bernardino Valley College, a role she has held since 2020. She is dedicated to educating and mentoring future licensed psychiatric technicians, ensuring they enter the workplace with strong clinical competency, professionalism, and ethical practice. Ms. Moore is also exploring options to pursue a master's degree to further advance her expertise and contribution to the profession.
A committed member of the California Association of Psychiatric Technicians (CAPT) since 1998, Ms. Moore has supported the Patton Chapter in several leadership positions, including Chapter Secretary and two term as Vice President. Through this service, she has gained extensive experience in regulatory advocacy, workforce development, and key professional issues affecting psychiatric technicians statewide.
She also serves on the Left Right 4 U Foundation, where she contributes to community outreach efforts and works to bring breast cancer awareness to low-income communities and individuals from diverse backgrounds. - Gloria Gregoria Guzman, LVN
Appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom, Licensed Vocational Nurse Member
Gloria Gregoria Guzman of Bakersfield has been a Licensed Vocational Nurse at Kaiser Permanente since 1989. - John Russell, DHA, MBA
Appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom, Licensed Vocational Nurse Member
With over two decades of experience in healthcare, John Russell has built a distinguished career as both a Licensed Vocational Nurse and an executive leader in healthcare operations. Currently serving as an Executive of Operations at Sutter Health since 2007, Mr. Russell is responsible for overseeing critical operational initiatives that enhance healthcare delivery, streamline processes, and improve patient outcomes.
Mr. Russell's career began in clinical care, where he worked as a Licensed Vocational Nurse starting in 1996. Throughout his nursing career, he gained firsthand knowledge of patient care, which laid the foundation for his transition into healthcare administration. His combination of clinical expertise and operational leadership has allowed him to bridge the gap between patient care and efficient healthcare management.
He earned an MBA from the University of Phoenix and a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration (DHA) from Virginia University Lynchburg, which provided him with the strategic insights and skills to lead large healthcare organizations. In addition, Mr. Russell holds a Six Sigma Black Belt Professional certification, a testament to his commitment to continuous improvement and excellence in healthcare operations.
As a recognized thought leader in the industry, Mr. Russell is a regular guest speaker at prominent healthcare conferences, including Becker's Healthcare Conference in Chicago and the California Ambulatory Surgery Association (CASA) Annual Conference. His insights into healthcare efficiency, operational management, and quality improvement are highly valued by peers and industry leaders.
- Nelly Nieblas, MPA
Appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom, Public Member
Ms. Nelly Nieblas of Montebello, CA, has served as a board member since 2021. She is the former Manager of Policy, Advocacy and Engagement at RespectAbility, a nonprofit organization fighting stigmas and advancing opportunities so people with disabilities can fully participate in all aspects of community. She was also a City Commissioner on the Personnel Advisory Board for the City of Montebello.
Ms. Nieblas was formerly appointed by Governor Jerry Brown as the Legislation and Public Information Manager at the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities. She served in this role from 2015 to 2016.
In her previous role as the Director of Public Policy & External Affairs at Public Allies, Ms. Nieblas worked with Congress and the Obama Administration to protect SSDI benefits for People with Disabilities and was an invitee to the first-ever White House Forum on Nonprofits in 2013.
Ms. Nieblas' roles with local government include her tenure at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Social Services and working in the Office of Los Angeles County Supervisor Gloria Molina. She was also a United Nations Observer for the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and a Program Analyst in Mexico's Office of the Secretary of Education and Health.
She earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from the University of Southern California, and a Master of Public Administration degree from Harvard University, Kennedy School of Government. She is a graduate of Emerge California, New Leaders Council, HOPE Leadership Institute, and a member of the Women's Campaign School at Yale University.
