yATZARI
ACEVEDO
Human Resources Coordinator
ANGIE
LEE
Administrative Assistant
Support (Orange County)
Karla
Estrada-Armenta
Human Resources Manager
VIVIAN
WAN
Operations Manager
vanessa
lara
Intake Coordinator
Sammy
Qammouh
Office Clerk
STEPHANIE
FIGUEROA
Administrative Assistant
Support (Los Angeles)
TARYN
RANSOM
Recruiter
SUSANNA
CROSS
Administrative Assistant
HR and Operations
Vanessa Lara
(She/Her)
Administrative Intake Coordinator
Vanessa graduated from California State University, Los Angeles, with a BA in Sociology and a minor in Film, driven by a passion for advocating for underrepresented and marginalized groups. Her journey in advocacy began in high school through extensive volunteering, which ignited her commitment to service. She began working as an employment coach, which brought her tremendous joy to be a part of the success of those she had the pleasure to serve. Vanessa is dedicated to being of service and ensuring those that are supported by IRI have the opportunity to lead wholehearted lives fueled by their passions and interests.
In her free time, Vanessa loves attending concerts, discovering the best movie theaters in LA, visiting new museum exhibits, and taking road trips that deepen her passion for the outdoors.
Vivian Wan
(She/Her)
Operations Manager
Vivian began at IRI as the assistant to the C-suite and now serves as the Operations Manager. She received a Bachelors in Fine Arts from the University of California, Irvine and has employment experience in customer service, scheduling and logistics, and operations in the restaurant, aviation, and wedding industries. With an enthusiasm for efficiency and organization, she provides support to the IRI team, ensuring the smooth operation of initiatives aimed at promoting inclusivity and empowerment for the people we serve.
In her spare time, Vivian enjoys traveling, hiking, crafting, watching tv, and spending time with her friends and family.
Susanna Cross
(She/Her)
Administrative Assistant
Susanna has 10 years of customer service experience and has built her career around a deep-rooted passion for helping others. From an early age, she was driven by a desire to make a meaningful difference in peoples lives, something that continues to guide her in every interaction. Susanna consistently goes above and beyond to ensure others feel heard and supported.
In her free time, Susanna enjoys embracing life to the fullest. She loves to travel, line dance, attend live concerts, and spend quality time with her family and friends.
Taryn Ransom
(She/Her)
Recruiter
Taryn earned her Bachelors in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources Management, and a minor in Elementary Mathematics Education from California State University, Fullerton. Taryn has always been driven to serve others and help them grow; from providing magical experiences for guests as a ride operator at Disneyland, to working for after-school enrichment programs, as well as a shift supervisor at a doggy daycare. Taryn finds a way to go above and beyond for those she support.
Before joining IRI, Taryn gained hands-on HR experience as an HR Assistant for a psychiatric hospital where she supported onboarding and new-hire orientations. Her experiences strengthened her passion to help gain valuable skills to make people feel supported and valued at work.
In her free time, Taryn enjoys going to Disneyland with her friends and family. She also loves to sew clothes for her dogs, Peaches (cocker spaniel mix), Chorizo (dachshund), and enjoys looking for new parks or trails to take them to.
Karla Estrada-Armenta
(She/Her)
Human Resources Manager
Karla has over 10 years of experience in the Human Resources field. She has always been passionate about helping others and was excited to join an organization that aligned with her personal core values. As the eldest of five children, Karla learned to advocate for people with disabilities from a young age, particularly for her younger sister who has a developmental disability.
In her free time, Karla enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and she loves visiting Disneyland with her three children.
Sammy Qammouh
(He/Him)
Office Clerk
Sammy has been with IRI since 2020 and is an integral part of the billing and administrative departments. Born and raised in California, he graduated from high school with a 4.0 GPA and holds an Associate in Arts Degree in Computer Security and Networking from Long Beach City College. Sammy is passionate about his career, with a goal to obtain a full-time position in the computer security and networking sector.
In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing video games, and exploring new culinary experiences as a true foodie.
Yatzari Acevedo
(She/Her)
Human Resources Coordinator
Yatzari graduated from California State University, Long Beach with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and minor in sociology. She has previously worked in a research lab where she spent time focusing on parental involvement in treatment for autism. She gained more experience by volunteering with adults with disabilities virtually during 2020 and then joining IRI as an Employment Coach in 2022. Yatzari is devoted to finding the people serviced the support that best fits their needs.
Yatzari spends most of her free time playing soccer, traveling, painting, and making balloon animals. She also enjoys the outdoors, photography, and Sudoku puzzles.
Stephanie Figueroa
(She/Her)
Director Administrative Assistant (Los Angeles)
Stephanie graduated from California State University, Northridge with a Bachelors in Healthcare Administration. Throughout her academic and professional journey, she has been guided by a strong passion for helping others, particularly those who may be underserved or face additional challenges in their daily lives. She has worked in the healthcare field as well as human resources, where she developed a strong foundation in both patient support and administrative assistance. She deeply values inclusion, dignity, and empowerment for all people and believes in the importance of creating environments where everyone can thrive. Joining a team that shares these values feels like a natural next step in her career.
In her spare time, Stephanie enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, going to Disneyland, and being outdoors.
Angie Lee
(She/Her)
Director Administrative Assistant (Orange County)
Angie is a dedicated administrative professional with a strong background in nonprofit operations and organizational support. With years of experience managing day-to-day administrative tasks and streamlining communication across teams, Angie has built a reputation for being resourceful, reliable, and deeply committed to mission-driven work. Angie is inspired by the IRI’s commitment to empowering others, and she is excited to contribute her talents to a team that values purpose and progress. She looks forward to helping individuals and groups reach their goals.
Outside of work, Angie finds joy in traveling, relaxing at the beach, and spending quality time with her husband and two children. Whether it's a weekend getaway or a backyard gathering with friends, she cherishes every moment that brings her closer to the people she loves.