Team

Dr. Reataza works across health, socioeconomic, legislative, and global systems that impact the behavioral health of marginalized communities. As an immigrant from the Philippines and a person practicing recovery herself, her background in performing arts, education, medicine, research, health policy and law, and public health guide her work in promoting health equity and whole person-centered care. A strong supporter of harm reduction to address behavioral health and substance use disorder, one of Dr. Reataza’s priorities involves dismantling the stigma individuals face when speaking about mental health or seeking behavioral health services. Dr. Reataza studied Biochemistry and Molecular Biology and was a Excellence in Research Honors Fellow at UC Irvine, Secondary Science Education at Cal State Dominguez Hills, Medicine at UC Irvine School of Medicine, and Health Policy and Law at UCSF-UC Hastings, where she investigated the evolving landscape of social media and its implications on shared decision-making, public health education, and patient/client-provider relationships. In 2022, she was awarded the UCSF Early Career Achievement Award. She currently serves on the SAMHSA Steering Committee on Harm Reduction and was recently appointed to the CalHHS Children and Youth Behavioral Health Initiative (CYBHI) Advisory Group and the California Reducing Disparities Project (CRDP) Phase III Task Force. Dr. Reataza was also appointed to the CalHHS Office of Health Care Affordability Health Care Access and Information Advisory Committee and joined the National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA) Board of Directors. As a neurodivergent person, she enjoys a variety of hobbies and practices yoga and breath work, loves to cook and garden, and engages with art of all kinds. Dr. Reataza has native fluency in Tagalog and speaks basic Spanish. She is currently learning Mandarin Chinese and American Sign Language (ASL).

Vincent finds passion in community health because he believes that with a strong foundation in the community level, Public Health can flourish organically. Vincent demonstrates a broad experience, working in non-profit organization as well as state and county agencies. He is a Golden Eagle through and through because he graduated from Cal State LA in 2021 and 2018 with a Master’s in Public Health Specializing in Urban Populations and Bachelor’s in Public Health respectively. Outside of the workplace, Vincent’s current fixations are golfing, thrifting and mid-century modern interior design. He is an avid lister of k-pop, island music, and 90’s/00’s hip-hop and R&B. Though Vincent is born and raised in Los Angeles he is primarily a San Diego sports fan because of his dad.

Lisa serves as the Project Coordinator at NAPAFASA under the Tobacco Control and Prevention Program (TCPP). She aspires to promote health equity through education to LGBTQ+, youth, and communities of color. Lisa holds a Master’s in Public Health in Community Health Sciences from UCLA Fielding School of Public Health with certificates in Maternal Child Health and Health Education/Health Promotions. Outside of work, Lisa loves to visit art museums, listen to live music, crochet her friends’ gifts, and cook warm meals.

Pia is passionate about health equity and health literacy. Having earned a Bachelor of Science in Community Health Education with a minor in Human Development from CSU Long Beach, she strives to make health data accessible for everyone. They believe anyone should be able to make educated decisions about personal, social, and community health and wellness. Having grown up in the San Francisco Bay Area and now living in Los Angeles county, Pia aims to work for and with the diverse communities that make her who she is today. Outside of work, they enjoy exploring the city for new food, sights, experiences. Pia loves listening to music, analyzing song lyrics, and creating playlists.

Gabriella is an avid supporter of public health and mental health awareness. Past research of hers include the absence of wellness and mindfulness in student Activists in the Washington DC metropolitan Area. This research project sparked a passion for wellbeing and mental health prioritization, specifically in marginalized communities such as children and communities of color. She graduated from George Mason University in the spring of 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Chinese language. After graduating, she went on to do case managing and client advocacy for a person injury law firm but then turned her sights on work that is more fulfilling. In her spare time, she enjoys visiting art museums, journaling, and practicing pilates. Her favorite genre of music is k-pop, hyperpop, and R&B. A fun fact about Gabriella is that she had collectively 17 cats growing up but then became severely allergic. Follow her on letterboxd: gabsguerrieri!

Suhong is a Master of Public Health student specializing in Community Health Science at UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, with a bachelor’s degree in Public Health Policy from UC Irvine. She is interested in the intersection of public health and health equity, recognizing that marginalized and underserved communities often face significant barriers to accessing quality healthcare. With a focus on creating multicultural health interventions, Suhong seeks to address the specific needs, cultural backgrounds, and unique challenges of diverse communities. By understanding and respecting cultural differences, Suhong seeks to develop tailored interventions that improve health outcomes in ways that are both effective and equitable.

I am a proud first-generation college graduate who has called the San Gabriel Valley home for the past eight years. I earned my Bachelor of Public Health from CSULA in 2021 and am currently pursuing a Master of Public Health at Cal State LA. As an intern at NAPAFASA, I am researching the impact of social media on health and well-being. My interest is focus on advancing healthcare and promoting health equity for minorities in the SGV. When I’m not immersed in my work, I enjoy hiking and traveling to different states, experiences that broaden my perspective and enrich my commitment to public health.

Kaitlyn Anne Magante is a graduate student intern from CSU Long Beach, pursuing her Masters of Public Health (MPH) degree with a focus on Community Health Education. Her goal after completing her MPH program is to become a Health Education Specialist and Coordinator for nonprofit organizations and local public health departments. She is passionate about developing health education intervention programs aimed at improving health behaviors and outcomes in disadvantaged, high-risk communities. Kaitlyn seeks hands-on opportunities to work directly with diverse populations in Southern California, addressing health disparities and influencing policies to promote equity.

Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, Kaitlyn enjoys exploring coffee shops, traveling, attending concerts and festivals, and spending time with her 5-year-old Miniature Schnauzer named Aiko.

Victoria is an intern at NAPAFASA for the Tobacco Control and Prevention Program (TCPP). She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health at California State University. During her time at NAPAFASA, she aims to identify gaps between knowledge and practice while developing the skills needed to bridge them effectively in her work. In her free time, Victoria enjoys exploring new matcha cafes and shopping for trinkets. Her favorite group is NJZ. 

Riley is an undergraduate Public Health intern dedicated to promoting equity and wellness in the community. With one semester left at California State University, Los Angeles, she has found a sense of belonging through Filipino organizations, particularly Kalahi, the Filipino American Student Organization at Cal State LA. After moving to Los Angeles from Temecula, California, Riley has deepened her understanding of community organizing and gained valuable insights into the Filipino community. She has learned how health disparities, cultural influences, and socioeconomic factors shape healthcare accessibility and outcomes.

Excited to graduate with her Bachelor’s in Public Health in May 2025, Riley is eager to apply her knowledge and continue advocating for a more inclusive and equitable healthcare system. In her free time, she loves listening to Taylor Swift, building Legos with her girlfriend, and secretly enjoying her 13 tattoos—though her parents only know about one of them!