Amanda Wallner joined the California LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network in 2016. Prior to working at the Network, Amanda was a Health Policy Fellow and the Policy and Operations Manager at the Los Angeles LGBT Center, where she coordinated research, advocacy on coalition work on a variety of policy issues affecting the LGBTQ community, including immigration, women’s health, LGBT youth homelessness, and regulating the “troubled teen industry.” She has a Master of Public Policy from UCLA’s Luskin School of Public Affairs and a bachelor of arts in political science from the University of California, Santa Barbara, where she headed the nationally recognized Campus Democrats organization.

Mandy Taylor, joined Health Access in 2017. Prior to joining the team, Ms. Taylor provided case management services at Transitional Living and Community Services, helped develop WEAVE’s Anti-Trafficking Program for minors, supported foster youth with clinical therapy at The Children’s Receiving Home, and was the first Director of Programs at The Sacramento LGBT Community Center. With ten years of experience providing mental health and community services, Mandy looks forward to using her expertise to advocate for LGBTQ mental health policy. Mandy has a Master of Social Work from California State University, Sacramento, where she is currently and an adjunct instructor.

Ms. Taylor uses social justice and strengths based approaches to empower community involvement. She believes supporting the mental health of the LGBTQ community includes approaching issues through a lens of intersectionality. Mandy eagerly collaborates with stakeholders in marginalized LGBTQ communities to develop culturally supportive interventions, training, and policy. She believes that queer people of color, the trans community, the economically disadvantaged, and folks living with disabilities deserve comprehensive care that addresses all aspects of their experience.

Dannie Cesena, CA LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network Program Coordinator, joined Health Access in 2018. Dannie has worked with non-profits for over 10 years in program development and advocacy. He is passionate about LGBT Healthcare and is a World Professional Association of Transgender Health (WPATH) member. Prior to joining Health Access, Dannie strengthened the Trans*itions Health and Wellness Program while creating the LGBT Health Department at the LGBT Center Orange County. He has trained major hospitals and community clinics on LGBT healthcare disparities with recommendations on fixing the system, guest lectured at area universities and medical schools, and provided pro bono legal services with a volunteer legal team.

Dannie has been awarded Community Icon of the Year by Orange County Pride, Pro Bono Community Partner of the Year by UC Irvine School of Law, and the Diversity Spirit Achievement Award by City Career Fair. He is a graduate of CSU Long Beach with Bachelor Degrees in English and Political Science, and is a graduate of National University with a Master Degree in Public Health. On his spare time, he enjoys hiking and traveling with his wife and dog.

Marcela Salvador, CA LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network Communications Associate, joined Health Access in 2018. Marcela received her B.A. in Multimedia Journalism from Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Ecuador. Prior to joining the team, she served as a Production Facilitator at Manhattan Neighborhood Network (MNN) in New York City where she developed a branding strategy for several in-house shows, including Health Action TV hosted by the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS Inc., and taught media classes at MNN’s Youth Media Center. During her time in NYC, Marcela also worked as a News Writer and Control Room Producer at Spectrum NY1 Noticias, where she produced local and international news, as well as special coverage on the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election.

Marcela became interested in LGBTQ health care advocacy as an exchange student at Michigan State University, where she was part of a team that won a National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association Excellence in Journalism Award for their multimedia project “The LGBT Mind”, which covered mental health challenges faced by the LGBTQ community in Michigan.

Marcela grew up in Ecuador with a strong interest in human rights and environmental protection. She enjoys spending her free time in nature and art exhibits.

Isaias Guzman, CA LGBTQ Health and Human Services Network organizer, joined Health Access in 2018. Isaias received a B.A. in Political Science and Chicano Studies with an emphasis on issues of race, gender, and sexuality from the University of California, Berkeley. Prior to joining the team, Isaias was a paralegal with a non-profit organization advocating on behalf of low-income, homeless, and/or HIV+ people in obtaining public disability benefits. Isaias also has an extensive experience organizing with queer and trans youth for racial and gender justice in the education system across local, state, and national boundaries. As a youth trainer for the GSA Network, he assisted in empowering LGBTQ youth and youth of color to become agents of change in their communities through youth-adult partnerships. At the Los Angeles LGBT Center, Isaias worked with LifeWorks LA to introduce culturally competent and comprehensive sexual health curriculum addressing issues of HIV/AIDs, PrEP, PEP, and youth legal rights. Most recently, he has organized the first-ever leadership summit in the East Bay tailored to the unique needs of LGBTQ youth of color. Isaias is excited to continue and advance the health and well-being of the queer and trans* community by advocating for LGBTQ health equity.

Isaias was born and raised in Southeast Los Angeles to Mexican immigrant parents. He enjoys dancing, learning about Queer Latinx art, culture and performance, and exploring new hiking trails during his free time.