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
 Sarina J. Calderon
Associate Director
Office of Civil Rights
Rosanna Rodriguez
Rosanna Rodriguez
Staff Services Manager II
POSED – Office of Peace Officer Selection
Kevin Grassel
Kevin Grassel
IT Specialist II
Office of Research
Jaron Nash
Jaron Nash
Chief Executive Officer
Avenal State Prison
Preetika Nand-Lal
Preetika Nand-Lal
Attorney IV
CCHCS Office of Legal Affairs
Amber Williams
Amber Williams
Associate Warden
Avenal State Prison
Elizabeth Sherrell-Davis
Elizabeth Sherrell-Davis
Staff Services Manager I
Office of Training and Professional Development
Bridget Kennedy
Bridget Kennedy
Staff Services Manager I
Human Resources
Natalie Miller
Natalie Miller
Staff Services Manager III
Human Resources
Raquel Perez
Raquel Perez
Staff Services Manager II, CCHCS Human Resources
Connie Gipson
Connie Gipson
Director
Division of Adult Institutions
Michelle Lagune
Michelle Laguna
GARE Coordinator/Graduate Student Assistant
Office of Civil Rights
Shannon Swain
Shannon Swain
Superintendent
Correctional Education
Emma Regidor
Emma Regidor
EEO Attorney III
Office of Legal Affairs
Eric Joe
Eric Joe
Ombudsman
Office of the Ombudsman
Patrice Davis
Patrice Davis
Associate Warden
Division of Adult Institutions
Arti Parmar
Arti Parmar
Parole Administrator (A)
Division of Adult Parole Operations
Fergus Leckie
Fergus Leckie
Correctional Captain
Office of Internal Affairs
Kori Salas
Kori Salas
Attorney III
Office of Legal Affairs
  • Sarina J. Calderon, Associate Director, Office of Internal Affairs – Office of Civil Rights
  • Rosanna Rodriguez, Staff Services Manager II, POSED – Office of Peace Officer Selection
  • Preetika Nand-Lal, Attorney IV, CCHCS – Office of Legal Affairs
  • Fergus Leckie, Correctional Captain, OIA – Allegation Inquiry Management System
  • Elizabeth Sherrell-Davis, Staff Services Manager I, POSED – OTPD
  • Shannon Swain, Superintendent, Office of Correctional Education
  • 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
  • Patrice Davis, Association Warden, Division of Adult Institutions – Headquarters
  • Michelle Laguna, GARE Coordinator/Graduate Student Assistant, OIA, Office of Civil Rights
  • Thy Vuong, Special Assistant to Undersecretary of Health Care Services, Office of the Secretary
  • Eric Joe, Ombudsman, Office of the Ombudsman
  • Arti Parmar, Parole Administrator I, Division of Adult Parole Operations – Headquarters
  • Amber Williams, Chief Deputy Warden (A), North Kern State Prison
  • Natalie Miller, SSMIII, Human Resources, Talent Acquisition and Career Services
  • Kori Salas, Attorney III, Office of Legal Affairs
  • Bridget Kennedy, Staff Services Manager I, Human Resources
  • Gabby Holmes, Graduate Student Assistant – Office of Civil Rights
  • Thao Nguyen, Graduate Student Assistant – Office of Civil Rights
  • Taylor Knowles, Seasonal Clerk – Office of Civil Rights
  • Iainnardo Black, Correctional Captain – Calipatria State Prison
  • Heather Duarte, Community Resources Manager, Correctional Institution – Calipatria State Prison
  • Andrew Robertson, Staff Services Manager III, Division of Adult Parole Operations – Headquarters
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)