Board of Directors

Dr. Janiel L. Henry is CEO, Founder, & Licensed Psychologist at Women Rise Psychological and Wellness Center, a boutique integrative wellness center specializing in women's mental health & wellness across the lifespan. Additionally, she is a keynote speaker, consultant, trainer, and inspirational speaker. With over 20 years of experience, she works to empower women so that they may not only survive, but heal, grow, thrive, and rise in every aspect of their lives

Gabe Marquez has been a resident of the San Gabriel Valley all of his life, except for serving four years in the US Air Force. He has been married since 1990 and has three adult children. He is a retired law enforcement officer, serving twenty-five years with the California Highway Patrol, mostly as an investigator. Currently he works for a non-profit serving the insurance industry and law enforcement. His passions are baseball and music. His personal motto is "Kindness is King".

Bio Forthcoming

After working in education for 45 years, Steven retired two years ago. He served for three terms on the Claremont Unified School Board. He was a mentor teacher in Colton for several years, specializing in the use of educational technology.

This is his first term on the Board of House of Ruth. Steven and his husband Glenn have hosted Moveable Feast Dinners for the past 15 years. Steven is a member of the Claremont Kiwanis Club editing its weekly Bulletin. He currently serves on the board of Curtain Raisers, a group that supports the performing arts and sponsors scholarships for theatre students.

Lydia Tavera-Esparza is a native of East Los Angeles and now lives with her husband Mario in the San Gabriel Valley (SGV).

She retired from the Federal Government, after a thirty-year career with the Department of Housing

and Urban Development (HUD). Before retirement from HUD, she was the Director of the Office of General Counsel,

Departmental Enforcement Center, Federal Regions 8, 9 and 10. She has a Master of Business

Administration and has served on the executive Boards for Habitat for Humanity SGV, and the Pregnancy Help Center SGV.

Autumn Washington is the Special Events Manager at Western University of Health Sciences. She is also a member of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) Pomona Valley Section, where she serves as 1st Vice President. With over 10 years of experience in event planning and fundraising for nonprofits, Autumn understands how to manage events to make them a success.