Who We Are

The CDCR/CCHCS Government Alliance on Race and Equity (GARE) Steering Committee began in 2018 as an internal commitment to identify and address institutional inequities affecting our workforce. Our committee is composed of a diverse group of employees within our department with various backgrounds and experiences. All committee members are dedicated to achieving race and gender equity to advance opportunities for all.

GARE Steering Committee

Sarina J. Calderon, picture of woman smiling — **Sarina J. Calderon**
Associate Director
Office of Employee Health Management

Rosanna Rodriguez, picture of woman smiling — **Rosanna Rodriguez**
Staff Services Manager III
Division of Adult Parole Operations – Headquarters

Kevin Grassel, picture of man smiling — **Kevin Grassel**
IT Specialist II
Office of Research

Jaron Nash, picture of man smiling — **Jaron Nash**
Chief Executive Officer
Avenal State Prison

Bridget Kennedy, picture of woman smiling — **Bridget Kennedy**
Staff Services Manager II
Human Resources

Amber Williams, picture of woman smiling — **Amber Williams**
Acting Warden
Avenal State Prison

Heather Duarte, picture of woman smiling

Heather Duarte Community Resources Manager
Calipatria State Prison

Iainnardo Black Associate Warden Calipatria State Prison

Andrew Robertson, picture of man smiling

Andrew Robertson
Staff Services Manager III
Division of Adult Parole Operations – Headquarters

Emma Regidor, picture of woman smiling — **Emma Regidor**
EEO Attorney III
Office of Legal Affairs

Eric Joe, picture of man smiling — **Eric Joe**
Ombudsman
Office of the Ombudsman

Jeremy Brown

Correctional Administrator

Preetika Nand-Lal, picture of woman smiling — **Preetika Nand-Lal**
Attorney IV
CCHCS Office of Legal Affairs

Sarina J. Calderon, Asst. Deputy Director, Office of Employee Health Management
Rosanna Rodriguez, Staff Services Manager III, Division of Adult Parole Operations – Headquarters
Preetika Nand-Lal, Attorney IV, CCHCS – Office of Legal Affairs
Jaron Nash, Chief Executive Officer, CCHCS – Avenal State Prison
Emma Regidor, EEO Attorney III, Office of Legal Affairs
Kevin Grassel, Information Technology Specialist II, Office of Research
Thy Vuong, Special Assistant to Undersecretary of Health Care Services, Office of the Secretary
Eric Joe, Ombudsman, Office of the Ombudsman
Amber Williams, Acting Warden, Avenal State Prison
Bridget Kennedy, Staff Services Manager II, Human Resources
Andrew Robertson, Staff Services Manager III, Division of Adult Parole Operations – Headquarters
Heather Duarte, Community Resources Manager, Calipatria State Prison
Iainnardo Black, Associate Warden, Calipatria State Prison
Jeremy Brown, Correctional Administrator, Peace Officer Selection and Employee Development

Eleven people stand in front of the CDCR Headquarters building — From left: Emma Regidor, Attorney III, Sarina J. Calderon, Associate Director, Pretika Nand-Lal, Attorney IV, Eric Joe, Ombudsman, Amber Williams, Associate Warden, Kevin Grassel, IT Specialist II, Olivia Briones, Regional Personnel Administrator, Elizabeth Sherrell-Davis, Staff Services Manager I, Rosanna Rodriguez, Staff Services Manager II, Connie Gipson, Director, Michelle Laguna, AGPA (photo taken August 17, 2022 and does not reflect current committee membership)

GARE committee with dogs — The GARE Steering Committee visiting CHCF
(photo taken 05/15/2024)

Back Row, from Left to Right: Emma Regidor, Attorney III; Iainnardo Black, Correctional Captain; Fergus Leckie, Correctional Captain; Andrew Robertson, Staff Services Manager III; Jeremy Brown, Correctional Captain; Heather Duarte, Community Resources Manager.

Front Row, from Left to Right: Joti Bolina, Chief Support Executive; Samridhi Soni, Admin Support; Natalie Miller, Staff Services Manager III; Sarina Calderon, Associate Director; Bridget Kennedy, Staff Services Manager II.