Board of Directors
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Board Officers
Vanessa Lopez-Littleton, Ph. D, RN
Board President
Dr. Vanessa Lopez-Littleton is an Associate Professor in the Department of Health, Human Services, and Public Policy at California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) where she teaches public administration, research methods, and capstone courses. Dr. Lopez-Littleton’s teaching and research interests include health inequities, the social determinants of health, and social equity. Dr. Lopez-Littleton graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Ph. D in Public Affairs with an emphasis in health services management. She is a U.S. Army veteran and registered nurse who enjoys dancing, comedy, and traveling.
Dennis J. Alexander
Board Vice President
Dennis Alexander grew up in Milwaukee, WI and received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He moved to the Monterey area in 1990 to study at the Middlebury Institute of International Relations at Monterey, where he received his MBA. A resident of Seaside since 1996, he was elected to the Seaside City Council for two terms, ending in 2018. Dennis is a retired teacher and reserve police officer. He served in the U.S. Peace Corps in the Philippines, and his local community volunteer experience includes Rebuilding Together Monterey-Salinas, the American Red Cross, Monterey County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue Team, Monterey County AIDS Project, and Monterey County Rape Crisis Center.
Kevin Cahill
Secretary
Kevin Cahill is the Director of the Communication Design program in the School of Computing and Design at California State University Monterey Bay. Kevin has a MFA degree from Cranbrook Academy of Art and has taught Graphic Design, Communication Criticism, Multimedia, Ethics and Current Issues in Communications Technology and Web Design. Most recently, he was the Art Director for CalStateTEACH, the California State University system's first statewide, online teacher credential program. Kevin was also a key instructor in the Imagine College Summer Institute where he taught multimedia and web design to at-risk high school students. Kevin lives in Salinas with his husband and Pacific Grove native, Chip Lenno.
Elizabeth Ramírez
Treasurer
Elizabeth L. Ramírez is a Spanish bilingual, bicultural family psychotherapist with a Marriage and Family Therapy license. She currently has a private practice offering counseling services to individuals, children and families. She has been providing counseling services in the Monterey County community for 16 years with various community agencies, and the most recent 9 years in private practice. She also focused on academic counseling at the Community College level, holding a position with the Educational Opportunity Programs & Services (EOPS) at Hartnell College. She has enjoyed creating a home in the Monterey Bay through professional activities and exploring the surrounding natural beauty. She has experienced the natural beauty while participating in a favorite pastime – running and training for races.
Yoka van Woerden
Advocate Representative
Yoka van Woerden has worked internationally in business in the fashion industry, coordinating and supervising the work of many workers in getting products from factory to market. While in Italy she acted as a Business Developer, traveling and working abroad in France, China, Canada, and the United States. She has launched start-ups and managed the logistics and financial side of various businesses. Her experience in budgeting and capital allocation optimized the functionality for each business at which she worked. As an advocate for MCRCC, Yoka provides support to survivors via the helpline and forensic exams. Currently serving as one of the advocate representatives to the Board, she is also the business manager for her husband's law firm.
Board Members
Lana Nassoura
Lana Nassoura was born in Beirut, Lebanon and immigrated to the United States with her family during the Lebanese Civil War. She speaks Arabic, English, and French. Lana moved to Monterey County and has worked as a Deputy District Attorney at the Monterey County DA’s Office since February 2015. She is assigned to the Felony Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit and works with survivors of adult sexual assault, child molestation, and physical child abuse. Lana has found that the most fulfilling part of her day is working directly with survivors of abuse. In her free time, Lana enjoys indoor cycling classes, game nights, and attending stand-up comedy shows.
Nathan Nuñez
Board Member
Nathan Nuñez is a seasoned executive who brings a unique blend of business acumen and social justice advocacy to his role. As a former Chief Revenue Officer and Head of Growth for several startups now valued at over $1 billion, he understands the nuances of driving sustainable growth to deliver impactful change. Through his advocacy work with Not For Sale leading a delegation to combat human trafficking, and volunteer efforts with organizations like Partners for Peace and the 988 Suicide Prevention Hotline, Nathan has cultivated a deep sense of empathy and a commitment to action. Now, he aims to leverage his skills and expertise to support the center's mission of empowering survivors and fostering healing and resilience within the community. With a focus on collaboration and impact-driven initiatives, Nathan is dedicated to the center's ongoing efforts and has the audacious goal of helping to eradicate sexual violence within Monterey County. As a former EMT, Nathan strives to continue the mantra “do the most good, for the most people” in all things.
Rachel Reddick
Rachel Reddick is an attorney and advocate for women. She recently served as a Lieutenant Commander in the Judge Advocate General Corps in the United States Navy, where she spent a good part of her career protecting survivors of sexual assault. Prior to serving in the Navy, Rachel worked in the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office in the Family Violence and Sexual Assault Unit.
Prior to law school she worked as a legal advocate for survivors of domestic violence at A Women's Place, the domestic violence agency in Bucks County, PA. Rachel recently moved with her family to Monterey, where her husband was raised. She is enjoying exploring the Peninsula with her husband and children.