Meet Our Team | CA-HWI | Health Workforce Initiative

Central Valley Region

Valerie Fisher, RN, MA

With 35+ years experience in health care, workforce development & education, Valerie serves regional colleges with technical assistance, program preservation and innovation for CC allied health/nursing programs. She also advances the work of regional community based organizations (NLC, WIBS, Economic Development groups, non-profit health organizations).

East Bay Region

Cynthia Harrison, RN, MS

Cynthia has 35+ years experience in health care as a practitioner and nurse educator. Her priorities include Medical Assistant expanded practice, patient navigator role and/or modules for integration into allied health programs, Allied Health faculty development workshops, Men in Nursing workshops, RN specialty training and more.

Greater Sacramento Region

Julie Holt RN, MSN, CPNP

Pediatric registered nurse for 29 years with 20 years as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner and 20 years’ experience as a Community College Professor in Nursing at Sacramento City College.

Inland Empire Region

Wendy Deras, MS, RN, CNE

Los Angeles Region

Shari Herzfeld, RN, MN

Shari has 20+ years experience in health care as a practitioner and educator. She works with the LA Area Chamber of Commerce Health Advisory and link to High School Health Academies, brings together CTE & SB70 Directors to assess articulation agreements, and promotes the growth of a well educated health workforce in...

Mid Peninsula Region

Cynthia Harrison, RN, MS

Cynthia has 35+ years experience in health care as a practitioner and nurse educator. Her priorities include Medical Assistant expanded practice, patient navigator role and/or modules for integration into allied health programs, Allied Health faculty development workshops, Men in Nursing workshops, RN specialty training and more.

Mother Lode Region

Valerie Fisher, RN, MA

With 35+ years experience in health care, workforce development & education, Valerie serves regional colleges with technical assistance, program preservation and innovation for CC allied health/nursing programs. She also advances the work of regional community based organizations (NLC, WIBS, Economic Development groups, non-profit health organizations).

North Bay Region

Cynthia Harrison, RN, MS

Cynthia has 35+ years experience in health care as a practitioner and nurse educator. Her priorities include Medical Assistant expanded practice, patient navigator role and/or modules for integration into allied health programs, Allied Health faculty development workshops, Men in Nursing workshops, RN specialty training and more.

Northern Coastal Region

Trudy Old

With 25+ years of health care experience, Trudy works with the region's colleges and employers to create alignment around and deliver on workforce training and career pathways in health care occupations. She collaborates with the North Region on the Allied Health Learning Community Model and provides technical assistance for program start-ups:...

Northern Inland Region

Trudy Old

With 25+ years of health care experience, Trudy works with the region's colleges and employers to create alignment around and deliver on workforce training and career pathways in health care occupations. She collaborates with the North Region on the Allied Health Learning Community Model and provides technical assistance for program start-ups:...

Orange County Region

Laurie Sienkiewicz, DNP, RN, ONC

Laurie has 25 years experience as staff nurse, Nurse Educator, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nursing Director, and Nursing Faculty. Her priorities include working with the five Nursing and Allied Health Community Colleges in her region; facilitating partnerships with employers and educators; providing incumbent worker training to improve workplace skills and competency;...

San Diego/Imperial Region

Ann Durham, MSN, FNP, Esq.

Ann has 30+ years experience as a Registered Nurse and 10+ years experience as an attorney. Her priorities include working closely with all Nursing and Allied Health programs in the 9 Community Colleges in the region, supporting the San Diego Welcome Back Center and collaborating with the Health and Science...

Santa Cruz & Monterey Region

Cynthia Harrison, RN, MS

Cynthia has 35+ years experience in health care as a practitioner and nurse educator. Her priorities include Medical Assistant expanded practice, patient navigator role and/or modules for integration into allied health programs, Allied Health faculty development workshops, Men in Nursing workshops, RN specialty training and more.

Silicon Valley Region

Cynthia Harrison, RN, MS

Cynthia has 35+ years experience in health care as a practitioner and nurse educator. Her priorities include Medical Assistant expanded practice, patient navigator role and/or modules for integration into allied health programs, Allied Health faculty development workshops, Men in Nursing workshops, RN specialty training and more.

South Central Region

John Bone Cordova, RN, BSN, PHN

With 15 years of experience in the community college system, John's skills include policy/advocacy, workforce scans, curriculum development, simulation program implementation and grant writing. He promotes regional collaboration in allied health programs and serves regional health care providers thru information dissemination, training and consulting.

Statewide Sector Navigator

John Bone Cordova, RN, BSN, PHN

With 15 years of experience in the community college system, John's skills include policy/advocacy, workforce scans, curriculum development, simulation program implementation and grant writing. He promotes regional collaboration in allied health programs and serves regional health care providers thru information dissemination, training and consulting.