Board of Directors
Since its founding in 2006, A Thousand Joys has been guided, supported and championed by a committed board.
Raúl Alvarado (Co-Founder & Chair, 2006 - Present)
A lifelong advocate for resilience, healing, and human potential, Raúl co-founded A Thousand Joys in 2006 with a vision to help children, families, and service providers strengthen their capacity to thrive through mindfulness, emotional awareness, and trauma-informed practices. Under his leadership, the organization has become a trusted partner for schools, nonprofits, and public agencies across California and beyond. Alongside his nonprofit work, Raúl serves as CEO of Alvarado Advisory Group, a leadership and strategy firm that partners with executives and mission-driven organizations to foster clarity, purpose, and growth. His consulting and coaching practice builds on decades of experience leading global business transformations at Accenture, where he served as Global Chief Operating Officer for multiple industry groups. Formerly Board Chair of Children’s Institute in Los Angeles, Raúl remains deeply committed to expanding opportunity for children and youth. Born in Panama, he earned a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the Colorado School of Mines and an MSIA (MBA) from Purdue University.
Samaan Bakar (2009-2015, 2018-present)
A retired business leader and investor, Samaan has built a long career spanning technology, operations, and community service. Originally from Syria, he immigrated to the U.S. in 1970 and went on to hold senior leadership roles at Western Data Systems and Accenture, where he helped build the firm’s aerospace and defense practice. He later served as CEO of enterprise software company, Baan Business Systems California, and co-founded Ten Dots, a strategy, sales, and software development services company. In recent years, Samaan has focused on commercial real estate investments and civic engagement. He served on the board of directors of Children’s Institute for nearly a decade and on the board of Toberman Neighborhood Center in San Pedro for four years. A graduate of Cal Poly University, San Luis Obispo, he holds a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering.
Rosa Bravo (2021-present)
A senior technology executive with more than 20 years’ experience delivering innovative solutions for Government, Aerospace, Education, and Fortune 500 companies, Rosa is passionate about education, STEM, and advancement for all. She is a frequent guest speaker for the technical-professional Latino community and is a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion leader and advocate. Rosa serves on the boards of the Los Angeles World Affairs Council & Town Hall, the USC Latino Alumni Association, and XR Marin. In 2019, Great Minds in STEM honored Rosa with its Lifetime Achievement Award. She holds a M.S. in Industrial & Systems Engineering and a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering, both from USC.
Lawrence Carlos (2022-present)
A senior executive with Gainwell Technologies, Larry has more than 30 years’ experience delivering innovative solutions in the healthcare industry. Now focused on government programs, such as Medi-Cal, he helps enhance access to care for society’s most vulnerable. Larry has served on the Northern California March of Dimes board and the Sutter Medical Foundation’s fundraising committee and has presented at more than 25 forums, including the California State Board of Education, Healthcare Information & Management Systems Society, and the American College of Healthcare Executives. He holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Public Administration, both from California State University, Sacramento.
Dr. Elizabeth Graswich (2025-present)
As Executive Director of Public Affairs and Communications at the Los Angeles County Office of Education, Elizabeth leads strategic communications for the nation’s largest regional education agency and co-leads AI implementation. A leader who bridges innovation and ethics, her work centers on responsible leadership, crisis communications, and digital transformation in education. Her forthcoming book and research project, The Human Loop, explores structured reflection and leadership in the age of AI. She was named a 2025 Leading Woman in AI by Arizona State University and GSV Ventures and was a 2024 Women in AI Fellow through EdSafe AI. Earlier in her career, she was a journalist with The Sacramento Bee and held senior communications roles in public education. Elizabeth holds a doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership and a master’s degree in Communication Management, both from the University of Southern California.
Dr. Linda Marie Mirdamadi (2022-present)
Linda is an internist and former partner with the Southern California Permanente Medical Group. She is an adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor at the USC Keck School of Medicine and serves on multiple university boards including: President of the Keck School of Medicine Alumni Association, USC Board of Governors, USC Latino Alumni Association, and the USC Neighborhood Academic Initiative. She also serves on the board of directors for the Los Angeles County Medical Association, National Hispanic Medical Association, and is a member of the California Delegation to the American Medical Association’s House of Delegates, shaping health policy at the county, state and federal level. Linda obtained her undergraduate degree from UC Irvine and earned her MD from the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
Derek Powell (2014-present)
A senior executive with over two decades of experience in the global media and entertainment industry, Derek currently serves as Chief Strategy & Growth Officer at Orb Group. There, he advises film, television, music, and gaming clients on strategic growth, innovation, and operational excellence across the digital content supply chain. Previously, he held senior roles at Altman Solon, Deloitte, Sony’s DADC New Media Solutions, and WarnerMedia, leading digital transformation and direct-to-consumer initiatives for major studios and broadcasters. Derek is a U.S. Air Force veteran, and earned his BS in Astronautical Engineering with military distinction from the U.S. Air Force Academy, his MBA from the University of California, Irvine, and completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard Business School.
Gratitude & Recognition
We are grateful to our former board members and leaders for their commitment, generosity, and invaluable contributions to A Thousand Joys.
Gerdi Alvarado, Board Member (2006-2021)
Liza Auciello, Founding Chief Executive Officer (2006-2019)
Andrea Cockrum, Board Member (2010-2019)
Ahmad Gramian, Board Member (2009-2016)
Russ Nash, Board Member (2012-2016)
Eva Williams, Board Member (2013-2016)