With extensive experience in nonprofit management and fundraising, LaRae Mardesic Bechmann served as President/CEO of the St. Mary Medical Center Foundation, where she managed development, external relations, the board of directors, government relations, and community programs until 2019. Before that, she served as the Senior Director of Development for Providence Little Company of Mary, where …
Karen Ochoa is the Director of Health Equity Programs and Operations at Communities Lifting Communities (CLC), an affiliate of the Hospital Association of Southern California (HASC), where she leads initiatives with hospitals and health systems focused on supplier diversity, multi-stakeholder collaboratives, and birth equity to advance inclusive health equity practices. She also serves as an Affiliate Professor at Antioch University Los Angeles, mentoring students in the Urban Sustainability Fieldwork Program. Prior to CLC, Karen spent 15 years at HASC as Education Manager and is the co-founder of the L.A. Co-op Lab, a collective building Los Angeles’ capacity for worker ownership. She holds a master’s degree in Urban Sustainability, is a National Diversity Council Certified Diversity Professional, and serves with the American College of Healthcare Executives and on the Board of Women in Health Administration of Southern California.
Daniel joined Communities Lifting Communities in 2024 to lead the team’s efforts in Ventura County, serving as the backbone for the Ventura County Community Health Improvement Collaborative (VCCHIC). He previously led health equity efforts at the Pasadena Public Health Department and has worked for more than a decade in local partnerships to equitably advance health and well-being of communities across California – from homeless services to dementia care, criminal justice reform to community investment advocacy. His graduate research at the University of Toronto and Rutgers University examined the interplay of race, politics, and public health in dealing with hunger during the decades following World War II. This historic understanding continues to shape his approach to health equity, public policy, community collaboration, and advocacy.
A Wisconsin native but longtime Angeleno, Daniel enjoys exploring neighborhoods on foot, watching offbeat movies, visiting libraries and bookstores, and reading – and enjoys them all best when in the company of family and friends.
Darielle Green joined Hospital Association of Southern California (HASC) and CLC in July of 2023 as the James D. Barber Fellow. In March of 2024, she joined CLC as a Program Coordinator. Darielle is very passionate about improving health outcomes and being an advocate for advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion practices for underserved communities. During her time at CLC she has supported the LA Partnership Collaborative with convening various health care leaders and stakeholders, administrative tasks, conducting research, data analysis and the completion of the LA Partnership 2024 Report, which seeks to help inform strategies and sustainable outcomes for the Los Angeles County homelessness crisis and decreasing emergency department utilization by populations who identify as unhoused.
Darielle obtained her Master of Public Policy Degree with concentrations is Health Policy Management and Education Policy from the Luskin School of Public Affairs at UCLA. While pursuing her master’s degree she served as a College Academic mentor for UCLA’s College Letters of Sciences Department particularly for students of color pursing STEM related majors. She managed and provided academic and holistic guidance for a caseload of students. She also served as a Health Career Connection (HCC) Los Angeles County Intern Coordinator where she managed a caseload of interns, conducted behavioral health research, spearheaded multiple events, and assisted with the completion of the 2022 HCC Blue Shield Report. Her eagerness to learn and solve complex problems drives her passion to upholds CLC’s mission to advance systems change and promote intercultural health equity.
Darielle finds joy in cooking, traveling, fashion, going to the gym, and playing various games with her family and friends outside of her professional interests!
Vetannie Morton joined the Hospital Association of Southern California (HASC) in 2016. She collaboratively worked alongside HASC’s Chief of Advocacy and Operations to support and enhance the ability of hospitals and health systems to cost-effectively deliver high-quality health care to the communities they serve. Vetannie was promoted to Coordinator of Diversity, Health Equity, and Inclusion (DHEI) Programs in 2022 and works closely with the CLC team to develop and implement DHEI programs and played a vital role in the launch of the Supplier Diversity Initiative. She continues to strategically collaborate with hospital advocacy and policy teams, championing members’ interests on a legislative level to ensure that healthcare policies align with DHEI principles. Vetannie Morton’s dedication to fostering a more inclusive health care environment extends beyond organizational boundaries, as she actively engages with external stakeholders to promote industry-wide awareness and best practices.
In February 2023, Vetannie achieved the DiversityFIRST™ Certified Diversity Professional (CDP) designation, showcasing her commitment to continuous learning and professional development in the realm of diversity.
Outside of her professional pursuits, Vetannie finds joy in exploring nature with her two canine companions, Sam and Charlie. A culinary enthusiast with a passion for savoring delicious cuisines from diverse cultures, she also nurtures her love for exploration by traveling the world.
Kristina Tran brings over 25 years of experience in accounting and financial management. Prior to joining Hospital Association of Southern California as Controller and recently promoted to Vice President of Finance, Kristina worked in various nonprofit organizations such as Green Dot Public Schools and Skid Row Housing Trust. Working in the nonprofit space gives her a sense of contributing to the community by providing financial backbone and ensuring that the organization is fiscally stable to serve the mission. Kristina earned her Certified Public Accountant license early in her career while working for over 10 years in public accounting as an auditor, serving clients in the entertainment industry, local unions, and nonprofit organizations.
Kristina received her Master of Business Administration through the Executive MBA Program at UCLA Anderson School of Management and Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from California State University in Los Angeles.
When not reading financial statements, Kristina enjoys reading interesting stories ranging in autobiographies, biographies, suspense, and mysteries.
