our team
The Foundation
Jacqui Medina
Founder & Executive Director
Jacqui Medina is the Founder & Executive Director of Lotus Rising LA, a nonprofit working to help families in Los Angeles rebuild after disaster. She is also the Founder & Principal Designer of Studio Aki, where she has spent years shaping spaces that feel personal, intentional, and reflective of the people who live in them.
After witnessing the devastation of the 2025 wildfires, the meaning of home took on a deeper urgency. At the core of her work — in both design and disaster recovery — is the belief that home is more than a physical structure. It's about stability, history, and belonging.
As a natural connector, Jacqui brings together experts, creatives, and partners who share a vision for a stronger, more resilient Los Angeles. Through Lotus Rising LA, she is helping ensure families aren't forced to start over somewhere else.
Dr. Christina Holtz, MD
Board Member
An emergency medicine specialist dedicated to serving communities in crisis, Dr. Holtz brings frontline medical expertise and deep understanding of disaster response to Lotus Rising LA's board.
She practices at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center and Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, treating those affected by trauma, displacement, and disaster-related emergencies. She has witnessed firsthand the challenges families face in the aftermath of disaster.
Alongside her husband Don, she also runs Valley Hot Yoga in Woodland Hills — a space dedicated to healing, resilience, and well-being.
Victor Corona, AIA
Lead Architect Advisor
Principal of VMC Architecture with over 30 years of experience designing transformative projects across Los Angeles. Victor provides strategic guidance in rebuilding, sustainable design, and planning solutions to help families return home.
His portfolio includes the LA Convention Center Expansion, MTA North Hollywood Redline Subway Station, Habitat for Humanity's first multi-family project in LA, and Urth Caffé locations, among others.
Victor also teaches at College of the Canyons and UCLA Extension, mentoring the next generation of architects and designers.
Copywriting & Storytelling
The Word Nerds
Belinda Chen
Copy Editor
A native Angeleno who developed a strong sense of social justice at UC Berkeley, where she ran a sexual harassment and assault prevention program and advocated for students and faculty.
She earned her Master's in Public Health in Epidemiology at UCLA and has had a long career in public health and research administration. She's also been a yoga teacher for nearly 20 years.
Plot twist: Ongoing Monday night Mario Kart games with family — 20 years running.
Amanda Walgrove
Word Nerd & Bike Ride Lead
A freelance writer and editor based in LA. Her career spans marketing content for Spotify, PayPal, and American Express, as well as purpose-driven work for the ACLU, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, and International Rescue Committee.
With Lotus Rising LA, she jumped at the opportunity to use her words to help families rebuild in the city she loves most.
Plot twist: Comedy writer and performer. Once filmed a commercial with Kelly Clarkson. Still riding that high.
Mike Peterson
Press & Environmental Storytelling
A freelance writer, editor, and PR strategist based in North San Diego County. A former journalist turned PR specialist, Mike has worked with the California Endowment, the Appleseed Network, and the People's Collective for Environmental Justice, among others.
Born in LA and raised in North San Diego County, he's a native Southern Californian passionate about this region's people, culture, and land.
Plot twist: Singer-songwriter, registered yoga teacher, and avid rock climber.
Allison Walker
Investigative & Accountability
A multimedia journalist and communications specialist whose career spans investigative broadcast journalism, nonprofit media advocacy, and digital content creation — covering human trafficking, racial health disparities, and homelessness.
Inspired by the resilience of her neighbors after the LA wildfires, and seeing firsthand how red tape and trauma can slow recovery, Allison joined Lotus Rising LA to help make recovery a little less overwhelming for families starting over.
Plot twist: Obsessed with animals with different-colored eyes — according to legend, their gaze can see into both Heaven and Earth.
Akeya Harmon Collins
Wildfire Survivor & Longtime Eaton Resident
Raised in the Pasadena/Altadena area, Akeya holds a master's degree in Organizational Leadership and Change. She currently works at USC, where she helps students advocate for themselves.
Her goal is to be a voice for those who feel unheard. Journaling has been a cornerstone of her life for years — inspiring her to write a book, forthcoming soon.
Plot twist: Comes across as quiet and reserved. Absolutely loves karaoke.
Kerri Price Katsuyama
Families & Recovery · Eaton Fire Survivor
A Yale graduate and busy mom of three who traded DC policy work in foreign affairs, global health, and human rights for the perpetually tired and glitter-covered SoCal dance mom life.
Prior to motherhood, she spent her career advocating for mothers and children impacted by disaster around the world — and never expected disaster to find her own family in their backyard. With Lotus Rising LA, Kerri centers the unique experiences of children and the resilience of families.
Favorite spots: Unbound Dance Studio, Octavia's Bookshelf, Perry's Joint.
Evelyn Forston
Eaton Fire Survivor & Longtime Eaton Resident
A retired LA Superior Court Judicial Assistant who has become an independent author of African American Women's fiction since retirement.
Sharing the stories of Eaton Fire survivors is personal to her — she also lost her home in the fires and understands how powerful it is to be heard.
Plot twist: Loves thrift store shopping and has been known to pick up items off the curb.
Melet Halabaso
Seniors & Mutual Aid · Eaton Fire Survivor
A UC Berkeley grad and management consultant turned designer who studied architecture at RISD. After losing her home in the 2025 LA fires, Melet found renewed purpose in writing, architecture, and design to help heal her community.
She provides pro bono architectural design to fellow survivors and leads Mariposa Generations, an initiative supporting elderly and mobility-impaired Angelenos displaced by the fires.
Plot twist: Once a die-hard New Yorker allergic to cats. Now lives in LA with two of them.
Chris J. Russo
Palisades Voice & Housing Advocacy · Palisades Fire Survivor
An award-winning documentary filmmaker, artist, and educator whose work lives at the intersection of justice, memory, and belonging. After losing her home in the Palisades Fire, Chris began documenting not only her own displacement, but the fight of her mobile home community to return, rebuild, and be seen.
She brings her creative firepower, lived experience, and deep love for Los Angeles to Lotus Rising LA — helping turn loss into language and stories into tools for change.
Plot twist: Hollywood entertainment by day, documentary worlds by night. Still believes in miracles and second chances.
Cara Batema
Storyteller
A musician and orchestrator who loves Los Angeles. When she's not writing notes, she's writing words — and her passion for building isn't limited to sentences and syntax. She's dedicated to helping people rebuild their homes and their lives.
Plot twist: As a redhead who plays pedal steel guitar, she is statistically a unicorn.
Rodrigo Cervantes
Storyteller
An awarded journalist, media manager, and strategist with nearly two decades spanning Mexico and the U.S. At KPCC/LAist, he served as Senior Editor. He also established the first international office for a local U.S. public station as Bureau Chief in Mexico City for NPR's KJZZ.
He has earned RTDNA Murrow and José Martí Awards and served as Secretary and board member for the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.
Plot twist: Once ended up watching a soccer game with one of Iron Maiden's guitarists.Events & Fundraising
Rally & Raise
Venus Lee
Chief Development & Events Officer
A fundraiser and event coordinator with more than two decades in the nonprofit space. She's been part of an organization that surpassed its $6 billion capital campaign goal 18 months early and another that achieved an unprecedented 100% Board of Trustees giving rate.
She developed partnerships with 24-Hour Fitness, Papa John's, IKEA, and Bed Bath & Beyond, and has coordinated logistics for events of 1,000+ attendees.
Having personally known people impacted by the Maui wildfires, Venus is committed to helping vulnerable populations return home after natural disasters.
Plot twist: Has visited or lived in 39 countries and 5 territories on 4 continents.Community Programs
Hope Hustlers · Esperanza Squad
Nathaly Guevara
Director of Community Programs
A passionate nonprofit leader and community builder with over nine years of experience designing programs that foster connection and create a sense of belonging. She brings deep expertise in in-kind giving strategy, volunteer engagement, and corporate partnerships.
Previously Senior Manager of Community Engagement at American Family Housing, she mobilized volunteers, secured in-kind donations, and led fundraising efforts supporting families transitioning out of homelessness.
Plot twist: Hosts sustainable free clothing swaps with Junk Cult and makes handmade glass art.Consultants, Strategists & Support
Paul Ordoñez
Executive Assistant
Paul brings a background in advertising, public relations, and restaurant operations to Lotus Rising LA. Years in hospitality management developed strong organizational instincts, attention to detail, and a calm, solutions-focused approach in fast-paced environments.
He keeps projects running smoothly behind the scenes and makes sure nothing falls through the cracks.
Sharon Bushy
Business Consultant
A brand strategist and business consultant with over two decades of experience in marketing, messaging, and leadership coaching. She provides strategic insight and operational guidance to support Lotus Rising LA's long-term growth.
Founder of Business Building Blocks, where she helps entrepreneurs refine their vision, strengthen their systems, and scale with clarity. Outside of work, Sharon teaches Krav Maga and volunteers in her community.
Van Mendoza
Web Designer & Media Consultant
A product designer and digital strategist with a background leading creative teams at Google, Apple, TikTok, and Sony. He brings deep experience in UX, branding, and content to Lotus Rising LA, building a digital presence that drives engagement and action.
From shaping Google's Search UX to helping startups scale to $70M+ exits, Van has designed for billions of users and collaborated with global brands and artists.