Colleen began her career by working with young people in the juvenile justice system. She later transitioned to teaching in the early education field and dedicated several years to social service work. For most of her professional life, she has worked in administration for non-profit organizations and school districts in Orange County. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Child and Adolescent Development and a Master’s Degree in Leadership and Organizational Studies

Colleen’s journey has been professionally marked by her ability to identify opportunities for expanded services, organizational advancement, and quality improvement and guide and oversee programmatic operations to ensure the highest standards in current and emerging practices. Colleen’s commitment to evaluating the performance and effectiveness of services and systems is matched by her dedication to implementing continuous quality improvement efforts across the organizations she has had the honor to serve. Colleen’s commitment to being a transformational leader and motivating team members to achieve collective goals in a collaborative environment has been instrumental in this success. Her passion for leadership also extends to mentoring and encouraging teams to excel in personal and organizational performance.

In the face of immense difficulty, Colleen persevered through the loss of her husband and several very close friends to terminal cancer within a short period. The added weight of all their children in their adolescent years at the time only compounded her heartbreak. However, this experience lit a fire within Colleen to seek out mental health resources that could support young people facing adversity. Her passion for serving youth was reignited, and she was determined to make a positive impact. When the opportunity arose at TLC, Colleen knew it was the perfect fit for her personally and professionally. With optimism and enthusiasm, she looks forward to continuing her mission of helping others navigate difficult times and emerge stronger on the other side.

Christine Carey has been involved with teaching and guidance in the field of recovery for over 20 years. She produced and hosted a television program, Solutions, where she provided social-interest interviews addressing solutions to current maladies through education and guidance for those seeking a healthier life. The program’s focus was to also help promote charitable organizations. She was a contributing journalist for the accompanying magazine.
Christine is licensed to facilitate groups, conduct workshops and coach individuals, and holds a Heal Your Life Workshop Leader Certification. She has developed tailored curriculums based on the philosophies of Louise Hay. Her programs present life healing techniques through educational activities and exercises enabling participants to create self-appreciation.

Currently serving as the Director of Events at TLC, Christina has had a passion for event planning her entire life. An OC native, she graduated from Chapman University with a degree in Business Administration with emphases in Marketing and Management. While at Chapman, she was a member of the Alpha Kappa Psi Co-Ed Business Fraternity and was heavily involved in recruiting new members and organizing fraternal events. After college, Christina worked for a consignment travel company that worked directly with non-profit organizations, but she wanted to be more involved with the day-to-day planning of the events themselves. She then went to an auction company for nine years where, as the Vice President of Client Accounts, she successfully built relationships with many local non-profits and was an integral part in the planning of over 200 auctions, including several for Tillys Life Center! Christina loves relationship-building, organization and details. To be able to take her passion of event coordination and marry it with fundraising to help our future generations succeed is the icing on her cake! Christina currently resides in San Clemente with her husband, two young sons and two dogs. She enjoys taking thousands of photos of her kids, scrapbooking, pilates, listening to true crime podcasts, laughing until she cries, spending time with family and friends and planning parties, of course!

Beth is currently the Training Manager and Lead Facilitator for Tilly’s Life Center (TLC) working with the team of program facilitators to deliver the I Am Me program to high schools across Southern California as well as nationally.  She has an extensive business and fitness background educating and inspiring the fitness industry for 30+ years.  As the former Education Director for a California-based fitness company, she oversaw the mentoring and training of the national Master Trainer team. She worked with fitness facilities across the country to bring programing to their facilities, educated hundreds of fitness instructors, and presented at top industry conventions.  As a past high school, competitive cheer coach Beth loved working with student-athletes cultivating the rewards of cohesive teamwork which inspired dedication to something larger than themselves.  She is also a certified Nutrition Coach and a transformational Life Coach trained in the principles and techniques of Louise Hay.  Through all these modalities Beth has guided many to a healthier way of life; mentally, physically, and spiritually.

Cesar DeMorey is an Operations Manager at Tilly’s Life Center, who primarily focuses on accounting, procurement, and inventory management. Previously, Cesar worked at a wholesale distribution company for the last 16 years in various positions that included oversight of regional and national inventory and operations.

After raising two siblings in southern California, and now having a daughter of his own, his drive is to give our youth the tools and resources they need so that they can become self-sufficient, able to focus under pressure, embrace adversity, and the right skills to exercise their minds.

Mental fortitude is what got him through as a young leader because he knew that preparation, discipline, and perseverance gave him the ability to face many difficulties, challenges, and setbacks without being defeated. And now he wants to pay it forward and help pave the path for the next generation so they can have a deeper knowledge and understanding during the economic and social challenges of the 21^st century.

A Southern California native and single mom to a teenager, Laurén Saunders is no stranger to the struggles our youth face today. With her own personal experience with hardships in social, emotional, and mental health matters she has a passion to help teens learn to cope and overcome life’s adversities in a healthy and productive way so they can thrive as kind and happy human beings.

A lover of people, Laurén serves as the Executive Assistant and Human Resource Representative  at Tilly’s Life Center, who’s primary focus is on business administration, human resources, executive leadership support, and business development. Before joining TLC, Laurén ran her own virtual assistant business supporting local small business owners in Orange County, after working for a dozen plus years supporting executives in the higher education, car manufacturing, and oil and gas service industries. She holds a B.S. in Human Resource Management and upon learning about TLC’s mission she is confident teen mental health is her life’s purpose.

Aaron Edwards is a Program Manager, who manages classroom supplies and inventory when he is not facilitating in the classrooms. Aaron is also Marine Corps Veteran and Purple Heart recipient with a passion for leading and inspiring others. Following his military service, Aaron got a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Business Economics from California State University, Fullerton. While in school, he worked in the VETS Program at Saddleback College, helping other veterans transition from military life to college. After graduation, Aaron worked in the life coaching industry as a Program Manager and Business Support Specialist. As a volunteer wrestling coach at Dana Hills High School, he realized his true passion was leading and inspiring high school students, which led him to Tilly’s Life Center.

Chris French has worked with thousands of elementary, middle, and high school youth for over 20 years. Along with directing summer camps and after school programs, his endeavors include creating character development programs for schools and youth based companies. Additionally he has successfully managed fundraising events, capitol campaigns, and collaborations with local communities. Through his passion for helping youth obtain their highest potential Chris created an educational program called BNICE. His program is offered in elementary schools across the nation, introducing students to his simple, yet powerful message of ‘being nice”. Also a children’s musician, he’s performed in front of thousands of kids at camps, community and school events. He is inspired by the work good people do everyday to make this world a better place.

Ralph Rangel is a two-time cancer survivor and bone marrow transplant recipient. Ralph knows firsthand the emotional and physical struggles many teens experience when dealing with a life threatening or chronic illness. Ralph is Tilly’s Life Center’s first student graduate to join the TLC team as a facilitator. He currently co- facilitates the “I Am Healthy” program at CHOC Children’s Hospital in Orange. Ralph’s goal is to give former and current hospitalized teens courage and encouragement by sharing his experience.
Ralph is attending Irvine Valley College. He is still trying to figure out what he wants to be when he grows up.

Joe Camargo is currently a Lead Facilitator for Tilly’s Life Center (TLC).  Born and raised in Los Angeles, he attended the University of California, Santa Barbara where he earned his BA in Film Studies.  After years spent working in various fields and climbing different ladders without much fulfillment, it took a global pandemic for him to recognize that life was too short to not follow your passions.  Having struggled with depression since he was a teenager, he sought to find a position that would allow him to lead young people in developing the tools necessary to make them better equipped to handle an ever-changing world.  Through TLC, he has found a place to fulfill this vision and help create a generation of individuals inspired to be better versions of themselves.  Joe currently resides in Santa Ana with his amazing wife, Allison, and their incredible son, Desmond, who continually inspire him to be the best version of himself every day.

Brianna is one of our newest Lead Facilitators ready to challenge and inspire today’s youth to become the best version of themselves. Raised in Corona, CA, Brianna attributes her passion for working with students to the multitudes of inspiring and compassionate teachers and role models she had throughout her life. Graduating from California State University Fullerton, she also gained experience as an after-school recreational leader and youth advocate and now, Brianna is taking her skills to the next level at Tilly’s Life Center! Nicknames such as smiley face and little miss sunshine followed Brianna throughout her childhood due to her bubbly, energetic, and kind demeanor. In her free time, she enjoys volleyball, eating sweets, and spending time with loved ones!

Viviana has worked in the non-profit sector helping former foster youth, domestic violence survivors, and individuals struggling with their mental health. She has experience working with clients one-on-one and in groups on improving their health and mental wellness through a holistic lens.
Viviana is a certified health and nutrition coach, holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Services from Cal State Fullerton, and is currently completing her Master’s in Counseling.
Viviana has a passion for working with teens because she herself struggled during her teenage years and she is hoping to impact the next generation. She believes that happiness is found within, and peace is experienced only in the present moment.
She enjoys spending time in nature, dancing, and hanging with her husband and Goldendoodle Bailey.

Josh is currently a Lead Facilitator and loves his job! That wasn’t always the case, though. After graduating from Biola University with a BA in Public Relations in 2019, he spent the next couple of years doing what a lot of us are still doing: Trying to figure out what he really wants to be when he grows up.
After a few jobs and a global pandemic, Josh was feeling less than confident about his future. Reflecting on his skills, the state of the world, and his search for a meaningful career, he determined that it was time to start doing work that he was truly passionate about. Josh knew the work had to be engaging and challenging, but also had to have intrinsic value – it had to do good in the world!
Having worked with youth on and off for over 5 years, he found he had a knack for engaging with young people by prioritizing authenticity, creativity, and fun. What’s more, he came to learn just how important it was for students to be given spaces to learn and grow honestly, without fear of judgment or expectation. Enter TLC; now, Josh finds joy in helping students navigate life and learn how to express themselves authentically along the way.
His passions include all manner of games, cartoons, music, and traveling.

Kiki Remsen Cates started her career in the motion picture industry as an actress. She had roles in sitcoms, film, and theatre. Her vast experience as an educator and acting coach has enhanced her gifts of bringing laughter and light to others. Her passion is educating others through building self-esteem and empowering young people with diverse backgrounds, to reach their true sense of self through her artistry of acting and education.

Eric Kenneth was a former TLC student who fell in love with the program because of lesson 3 in Phase One “I Am Forgiving.” In this particular lesson he learned to forgive many people, but most importantly his father for the stuff he did to him in his childhood. He is ready to pay it forward to the students of TLC like he received when he was a part of the program. He is currently attending Orange Coast College and is still looking for his way to produce in his calling….which is to help others to see their greatness that they have inside them.