Academy Trainer Bios

Carol Sawyer, Phd.

Dr. Carol Sawyer is Professor of Organizational Leadership in the College of Business and Public Management, and for eleven years was program chair of the ULV master's degree in leadership and management (MSLM).  Dr. Sawyer has more than twenty-five years' management experience in nonprofit association work, in business, and in federal, state and county government, including research and program work.  Dr. Sawyer is an active contributor and participant in professional activities related to her teaching and learning.

Al Gohary

Al is a General Consultant with (Inland Empire Small Business Development Center -IESBDC) in Riverside. His knowledge encompasses small business administration, operations and management, accounting ,financials, web design and e-commerce. His background includes over 6 years in Business Administration, Financing & accounting, and general business operations and over 8 years in Hotel & Motel Business operations & general management. He is a Quick Books Certified Specialist.

Adonis T. Phillips

Mr. Phillips is Director of Employment Services at the Universal Technical Institute.  He has fifteen years of domestic and international experience in administration, five years experience in senior management, recruitment, student/graduate training, budget administration, and employee assistance programs. He has created and handled all aspects of directing outreach, personnel and marketing programs.

Kathrine Latta

Kathrine Latta is a program manager with Community Action Partnership of Riverside County. She is responsible for the administration of asset/wealth building programs geared to help low-income individuals and families become economically self-sufficient.  Ms. Latta has over ten years of social service experience and over fifteen years experience in private sector leadership and management.  Kathrine, a Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP), has presented active learning workshops at state, regional, national and international conferences.  She holds a Bachelors Degree in Sociology and in Psychology, a Masters in Public Administration, and a Masters in Leadership and Management.  Ms. Latta is currently pursuing her doctorate degree.

Deborah P. Jackson

Debra Price Jackson is a planner with Community Action Partnership of Riverside County.  She has over sixteen years experience teaching capacity building workshops and providing technical assistance and peer mentoring.  Mrs. Jackson, a Certified Community Action Professional (CCAP), has presented active learning workshops at state, regional, national and international conferences.  She has over twenty-eight years of social service experience, seventeen years of non-profit leadership experience, and over twenty years experience writing funding proposals.  Debra has a Masters in Leadership and Management and is currently pursuing her doctorate degree.

Janet K. Hough

Ms. Hough is currently the Planning Division Manager for CAP Riverside. She has worked in the nonprofit sector for more than 20 years and in the community action network since 1995.   Her background includes experience in Strategic Planning, Community Collaboration, Grant Development, Data Research, New Project Implementation, and Program Evaluation.  She is a nationally certified ROMA (Results Oriented Management and Accountability) trainer, one of two active in California.

Lanita Tademy

Lanita Tademy is the Project B.L.I.S.S. [Building Links Impacts Self-sufficiency] Program Manager at CAP Riverside.  She facilitates, develops, and supports Community leaders for a County-wide initiative aimed at ending poverty through a national partnership with Move the Mountain Leadership Center. “Circles” was implemented as a major part of Project B.L.I.S.S. as a way to develop relationships and build bridges that make it easier for people to transition out of poverty.  Ms. Tademy has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of La Verne in Business Administration.  She is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Management at the University of La Verne. 

Dana Lofton

Ms. Lofton is employed with the County of Riverside for 21 years and is currently the Program Manager for CAP Riverside’s Dispute Resolution Center (DRC).  DRC is the largest Alternative Dispute Resolution Program in Riverside County, providing services to more than 10,000 county residents annually.  Ms. Lofton holds a Bachelors degree in Business Management and a Masters degree in Education and is currently pursuing a Doctoral Degree.  She is the Vice-Chairperson for the National Association for Community Mediation’s Board of Directors and is a communications professor at California State University San Bernardino.