Executive Team and Senior Staff

Amber Rivas, MSW, President/CEO, took the helm in Aviva’s highest leadership post on January 3, 2023. Amber comes to Aviva with 17 years of experience at St. Anne’s Family Services, an organization like Aviva that provides a comprehensive array of services and support for families and children in Los Angeles County.

Most recently Amber served as Chief Operating Officer for the $35 million agency establishing new partnerships for the 114-year-old organization, increasing public revenue and leading its expansion of a variety of programs and services, including early childhood education services and permanent supportive housing.

Amber was recently appointed by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors to serve on the Policy Roundtable for Child Care and Development Commission, whose mission is to “lead, build, and strengthen an affordable and high-quality early care and education system for the children and families in Los Angeles County.” Amber’s experience in diverse roles within the social services field have driven her holistic and collaborative approach to promoting positive outcomes for the most marginalized children, youth and families in our communities.

Amber brings a deep understanding of the environment facing social services agencies like Aviva today and will oversee budgeting, fundraising, human resources, programming and strategic planning at Aviva. She joins Aviva with great enthusiasm for our mission, high hopes for fulfilling our vision, and a commitment to engage with the people and organizations vital to Aviva’s success.

Amber holds a master’s in social work from the University of Southern California and a bachelor’s degree from Pepperdine University.

Carolyn Labbe, L.M.F.T, Vice President of Programs and Services, joined Aviva in June 2023.

Carolyn comes to Aviva with a wealth of knowledge in mental health and clinical services, having served as the Vice President of Clinical Services for the past five years at the Child & Family Center in Santa Clarita. Prior to that, Carolyn spent 12 years at Penny Lane where she started as a therapist and was promoted several times to eventually serve as Program Development Director and where she successfully secured a Drug Medi-Cal contract with the Department of Public Health and Department of Healthcare Services.

In her role as Vice President of Programs and Services, Carolyn oversees Aviva’s direct service areas which include Mental Health Services, Crisis Intervention, Foster and Adoption, and Interim Supportive Housing for Women and Children at Wallis House. As a strong and experienced leader, Carolyn will guide Aviva through the evolving community social service landscape to identify opportunities and to build on Aviva’s exceptional track record of service to the Los Angeles community.

Carolyn earned both a master’s degree in Counseling with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy and bachelor’s degree in Psychology from California State University, Northridge.

In her free time, Carolyn has been learning pickleball, enjoys spending time with her family, and considers herself an avid baker during the holidays.

Usha Murthy, M.B.A., C.P.A., Chief Financial Officer, began her tenure at Aviva in 2018.

With more than 25 years of nonprofit fiscal management experience at local, regional and national organizations Usha’s financial leadership is well established. Prior to Aviva, Usha provided financial guidance to foundations and organizations in health and human services with budgets ranging from $1M to $65M.

At Aviva, she draws on her expertise in developing and implementing fiscal policies and procedures and internal controls, audits, budget development, grants management, cash management to lead all aspects of the organization’s financial health. Usha’s leadership was instrumental in Aviva’s certification in finance, facilities, information technology and risk management from the Council of Accreditation. Usha moved from work in public accounting to find her niche in providing financial management expertise and guidance to nonprofits in the social services sector to continually make a deep impact in her community. She draws inspiration from management leaders like Peter F. Drucker and author Jim Collins. Collins words,” Greatness is not a function of circumstance. Greatness, it turns out, is largely a matter of conscious choice, and discipline” expresses an idea that Usha loves and abides by. She finds this idea alive and well with her team of colleagues at Aviva.

Usha has an M.B.A. from University of New Orleans and a Certificate, Healthcare Management & Leadership from University of California, Los Angeles – Fielding School of Public Health.

She is a longtime member of CareQuilts and former President and Board Member of American Woman’s Society of Certified Public Accountants – Los Angeles. In her spare time, Usha dabbles in meditative art and yoga.

Kim Peterson, M.A., Vice President of Strategy, Impact and Innovation, has been part of the Aviva team since 2013. Kim is a nonprofit community leader with more than two decades experience.

Kim believes in uplifting the voices of those who are not heard. Working early on as a babysitter and camp counselor, Kim noticed how dismissive of children adults could be. She began her career as a Residential Care worker at Hillsides, moving on to Day Treatment and Wraparound and providing direct service before moving into administration. Prior to her current leadership role in Change Management at Aviva, Kim served as Vice President Quality and Research which followed her roles in Quality Improvement at Aviva.

In Kim’s current position, in addition to being responsible for the design, facilitation and completion of strategic initiatives across the agency, she develops and implements Aviva’s equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives and oversees the Research Quality Improvement and Training Departments.

Kim leads at Aviva by identifying and developing strategies for organizational improvements to increase impact. She utilizes data to identify root problems, barriers and challenges, while building relationships and leading efforts in a strength based, relatable manner.

Kim holds an M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, a B.S. in Psychology from University of Connecticut, and an Executive Leadership Certificate for University of Michigan’s Leadership Institute.

Kim is passionate about organizational change, data and social justice. She is a member of Advanced Equity APEX and Board Member of ELI Alumni Board of the Alliance for Strong Families and Communities.

Bridgette Baca, M.A., Assistant Vice President of Foster & Adoption and Supportive Housing, has been with Aviva since 2016; promoted to AVP in October 2023.

Bridgette has over 25 years of experience in Social Services. Bridgette’s approach is inclusive and antiracist. She believes that every child has the right to grow up in a loving and stable home. She is passionate about providing support and resources to children and adults and is dedicated to improving the lives of families in the community.

Bridgette has a Master’s Degree in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Pepperdine University and a Bachelor’s Degree from California State University, Northridge.

As a credentialed teacher in adult education, Bridgette has taught parenting for more than 25 years and is a certified yoga instructor and postpartum doula. She lives by the motto “do no harm” and thus lives a vegan lifestyle. She loves to knit, run and play with her grandchildren.

Florinda Pendley Vasquez, B.S., Assistant Vice President of Finance, celebrated 20 years with Aviva in May 2023.

She has more than three decades of experience in nonprofit finance and accounting. Before entering human services with Aviva, she acquired progressive accounting and management experience across the nonprofit sector; her previous workplaces include an Ivy League university, a national membership association, and – literally – a zoo.

Florinda joined Aviva as Controller and briefly served as its Interim Chief Financial Officer, before assuming her current role in 2018, as AVP of Finance.

Florinda’s responsibilities include day-to-day management of Aviva’s Finance Department and supervision of Accounting, Billing, and Payroll functions. She also coordinates Aviva’s annual budget process and audit.

Florinda holds a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the Muna College of Business Administration, University of South Florida.

Florinda is a member of Aviva’s Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee (JEDI) and while she works with numbers, her first love is words. She is an avid reader, a published writer, and a member of the National Book Critics Circle

Kimberly Hirano, M.S.W., Assistant Vice President of Intensive Community Based Services (ICBS), joined the Aviva team in September 2023.

Kimberly’s first social services’ role was in field work as a Residential Counselor in group homes. Since then, Kimberly has amassed more than twenty years’ experience, holding positions as therapist, clinical supervisor, dialysis social worker, Assistant Regional Manager, Division Director of Access and Specialty Programs, and in Quality Improvement/Quality Assurance.

At Aviva, Kimberly leads Intensive Community Based Services (ICBS), all of which are focused on support for at-risk youth and their families by providing in-home behavioral health services including Full-Service Partnership (FSP), Intensive Field Capable Clinical Services (IFCCS), and Wraparound Services.

Kimberly holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Southern California with a concentration in Industrial Social Work and a sub-concentration in Older Adults, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Development from University of California, Riverside. With a passion for dogs, Kimberly spends time working as a dog trainer, at times utilizing her own Canine Good Citizen and Certified Therapy dog as a training assistant. She has also introduced animal assisted therapy in her roles at two social service agencies.

Amy West, L.C.S.W, Assistant Vice President of Mental Health Services, began working with Aviva in 2006.

Amy West, L.C.S.W, Assistant Vice President of Mental Health Services, began working with Aviva in 2006.

Amy brings more than two decades of experience in the mental health field and a profound commitment to non-profit leadership particularly in the realm of children and family services, approached through the lens of trauma-informed care.

Amy’s first position at Aviva was as a mental health therapist after which, she served as Lead Wraparound Services Therapist. Subsequently Amy held a Clinical Supervisor position before being promoted to Director in the Mental Health Services department in 2019.

Amy has earned certifications in several evidence-based practices and specializes in the provision of mental health services for infants and young children. She has served in the role of Birth-to-Five Lead, offering clinical case consultations, overseeing grant-funded services, and supporting team development.

Amy holds both a master’s degree and bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois, Chicago, Jane Addams College of Social Work.

Amy has many years of volunteer experience in Chicago and Los Angeles with special interest in supporting the needs of those that are underserved in the community.

Alma Barraza, M.S.W., Director of Impact and Innovations, joined Aviva in 2023.

Alma began her career providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to children in the San Fernando Valley before transitioning into administrative roles in both the nonprofit and private sectors where she focused on areas such as data and outcomes, compliance, and quality improvement.

As the Director of Impact and Innovations, Alma oversees Aviva’s data management practices and training/professional development efforts. In addition, she is a member of the Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Committee and supports agency JEDI initiatives.

Alma holds a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California and a bachelor’s degree in Brain and Cognitive Science with a minor in Business from the University of Rochester.

Outside of work, Alma enjoys spending time with her husband and their dog Bear.

Antonio Bell, Director of Support Services, came to Aviva in 2019. Antonio has more than 25 years of experience in facility management and support services.

Directing support services teams at each of Aviva’s four facilities including Aviva’s Interim Supportive Housing residence at Wallis House, Antonio is charged with ensuring Aviva’s facilities operate effectively, are well-maintained, safe, secure and clean. Antonio leads excellent teams including facilities, security, housekeeping and reception.

Antonio has served as a committee member of facility managers and human resource specialists at Gallagher Bassett Insurance Collective and participates in professional development to stay abreast of issues and solutions that will improve Aviva’s operations.

Maricela Echeverri, Director of Interim Supportive Housing at Wallis House, has been with Aviva since 2016.

Maricela is a seasoned professional with more than 30 years of experience working with children and families. She has a diverse background and has held various Human Services roles throughout her career, including: Residential Counselor; Group Home Supervisor; Cottage Supervisor; Therapeutic Behavioral Services Specialist and Coordinator; Group Facilitator and Coordinator in Domestic Violence, Anger Management and Parenting; Wraparound Parent Partner; Child and Family Specialist and Facilitator.

Maricela joined Aviva’s Wraparound Services team in 2016 and was then promoted to her current position directing Aviva’s Interim Supportive Housing in 2019 as the program was under redesign and the Wallis House residence was under renovation. In her role serving unhoused women and their children, Maricela utilizes her extensive experience and broad skillset to provide essential resources and therapeutic support to resident families to ensure that they are able to overcome challenges and build a better future for themselves.

Maricela’s successful track record in making a positive impact in the lives of underserved and marginalized children and families, is a testament to her deep compassion and unwavering dedication to providing the highest quality of care to those she serves.

Yesenia Eduardo, B.A., Program Director of Relative Home Assessment Services / Relative Support Services, joined Aviva in 2020.

Yesenia brings direct service experience with the California Department of Mental Health (DMH) as a Case Manager and Mental Health Services Supervisor for Transitional Age Youth.

In her current role at Aviva, Yesenia oversees contracts with the L.A. County Department of Children and Family Services for services to families who care for relative children in their homes in the San Fernando Valley, Metro LA and South LA. She collaborates with additional subcontractors to fill specific needs for the population served, including support groups, tutoring support services, and emergency clothing. Yesenia continues to explore opportunities to collaborate with community partners located in South LA in hopes of expanding support services for relative caregivers.

Yesenia earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Kathleen Acosta Ekins, L.C.S.W., Clinical Director of Foster and Adoption, came to Aviva in 2016.

Kathleen has been working with children and families for the past 22 years in various positions including residential social worker, advocate, therapist, supervisor, and teacher.

When she joined Aviva, Kathleen served as Clinical Supervisor and was then promoted to Clinical Director of Foster & Adoption in 2022.

Kathleen enjoys her work both in helping children and families achieve goals and do better for themselves, as well as teaching students, interns, and employees to grow as people and evolve as mental health professionals.

Kathleen received a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of California, Los Angeles and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara.

In addition to spending time with her family and pets, Kathleen loves to cook, run, do puzzles, and relax.

Susan Rosales, B.S., Director of Wraparound Services, began her tenure at Aviva in 2007

Susan has more than 18 years of experience working closely with at-risk children and families in the Los Angeles area to overcome their life challenges.

Susan joined Aviva as a case manager, providing direct services to parents to support them in improving their parenting skills while managing their children’s emotional and behavioral challenges at home, school and in the community. Her promotions to Wraparound Facilitator, Lead Facilitator, Program Coordinator and most recently in 2022, to the position of Director of Wraparound Services are a testament to her commitment to nurturing strong families and healthy children. She employs protective factors to promote family stability and maintain unified homes.

Susan holds a bachelor’s degree in Health Science with an emphasis in Community Health Education from Cal State, Long Beach.

Susan is a wife and a mother of two school-age children. In addition to enjoying time with her family and their Terrier, some of her favorite activities include exploring new places, picnics,and traveling.