Stay up to date on all things CCEE

Close

Our Team

Staff

Seasoned professionals in economics and financial literacy education

Carmen Solorzano

Programs Manager

Carmen Solorzano was born and raised in South Los Angeles for her entire life before moving to Northern California for college. She is a first-generation college graduate with a B.A. in Liberal Arts from California State University, East Bay. Her family is originally from El Salvador. She is passionate about the economics and personal finance programs that CCEE provides to K-12 schools and communities due to a desire to share valuable resources to communities like the one that she’s a part of.

310-373-2483

[email protected]

Lexie Nguyen

Director of Marketing and Communications

Lexie is a vibrant communications and marketing specialist, with an emphasis on digital marketing. She is a Long Beach, California native who studied Political Science and International Relations at Florida International University in Miami, Florida. She has experience with international, state, and local nonprofit initiatives; political and labor campaigns; and expanded learning education and policy. She is a trained youth facilitator in human relations, and volunteers as a mentor to engage elementary, middle, and high school students in dialogue focused on transforming and challenging oppression and inequities.

310-373-2483

[email protected]

Paulette Morales

Social Media Intern

Paulette Morales was born and raised in Mexico, but moved to the U.S. with her family when she was a teenager to complete her education there. She recently graduated from the University of California Riverside receiving her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. Her interests include social media management, content creation, and brand photography. She is passionate about the power of marketing and advertising and the impact it can create on others.

310-373-2483

[email protected]

Joshua Mitton

Chief Programs Officer

Joshua Mitton is Chief Program Officer at the California Council on Economic Education. He also teaches economics at Irvine Valley College. Joshua was drawn to economics education from the early days of studying the subject. After reading his initial college economics text the first weekend it was assigned, he went on to obtain a B.A. in Economics from Idaho State University, and Master’s in Economics from Cal State Fullerton. Early work as a tutor for the department kindled an interest in helping others to learn and love economics. Additional opportunities working as a graduate assistant in the Center for Economic Education came along and led to his work with CCEE. Now his key focus at CCEE is ensuring that economics is accessible, practical and empowering for teachers and their students, and that teachers are valued and supported in their efforts.

310-373-2483

[email protected]

Nicole Lequerica

Operations Coordinator and Event Planner

Originally from New Jersey, Nicole Lequerica graduated magna cum laude from William Paterson University. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Music Management and Vocal Performance with a K-5 Teaching Certification. Nicole has a lifelong commitment to music, art, and education with a deep focus in underserved communities. Over the years she’s volunteered and worked with various non-profit organizations across the country. It’s through these relationships & experiences that her passion for mentorship continues to grow. Nicole’s unique blend of executive, educational, and event planning experience came together in her joining CCEE last year. She’s extremely enthusiastic about helping students & teachers learn more about the importance of economic education and financial literacy. Nicole’s greatest passion of all is family, including her husband, and beautiful 5-year-old son who’s already starting to learn the power of financial education!

310-373-2483

[email protected]

Denise Gutierrez

President and CEO

Denise Gutierrez has dedicated her career to economically empowering youth through education by providing resources and programs to help them reach their goals. She began her educational journey at Chaffey Community College. Denise went on to achieve a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and a Master’s degree in Leadership and Management from the University of La Verne. During her time in higher education, she helped produce multiple programs to enhance the first-generation undergraduate experience. Denise currently serves on the California Jump$tart Board and Council on Economic Education Network Advisory Committee. She has an extensive background in institutional advancement, fundraising, and corporate and foundation relations. As the youngest of five children from El Sereno, California and someone who is the first in her family to earn a college degree, she is deeply committed to being of service to her community. She praises her four children for being her biggest inspiration.

310-373-2483

[email protected]

Officers

Chairperson : Stephen Sherline

President and CEO : Denise Gutierrez

Secretary : Keith Drake

Treasurer : Sharie Sohrabkhani

Directors

James Park

SVP and Treasurer Cathay Bank

Frank Wimer III

Audit Committee Chair

Managing Director KPMG LLP

John Nickoll

President, retired Wells Fargo Foothill

Lorraine Thayer

District Manager Economics Education Department Federal Reserve Bank of SF

Anh Nguyen

Director/Consumer Banking Performance Manager Bank of America, N.A.

Stephen E. Smith

Senior VP retired Honda Financial Services

Kerry Rapanot

Investment Chair

Senior Vice President Payden & Rygel

Zack Rabadi

Marketing Committee Chair

Agency Field Leader State Farm Insurance

A. Barry Patmore

Managing Partner, retired Accenture

Denise Gutierrez

President and CEO

California Council on Economic Education

James R. Parks

Executive Director CBIZ MHM, LLC Tax and Adv Services

Keith Drake

Secretary

SVP, Commercial Banking Torrey Pines Bank

Al Keahi

Management Consultant, Retired

Stephen Sherline, CFP

Board Chairperson

Comerica Bank

Sharie Sohrabkhani

Board Treasurer and Finance Committee Chair

Wealth Investment Management, Wells Fargo Private Bank

Alexander Golberg

Community Development Officer, First Credit Bank

Jim Charkins, Ph.D.

Director, Center for Economic Educ. CSU San Bernardino

Karen Anderson

Policy and Advocacy Committee Chair

Vice Chair - California Jump$tart

Allysunn Walker-Williams

CEO/Founder, Walker Community Ventures, LLC

Candice Nakagawa

Director & Senior Private Wealth Advisor, U.S. Bank

Gloria Rogers

Development Committee Chair

VP School & Community Development, California Credit Union

William F. Coffin

Chairman, Retired, CCG Investor Relations

Get Involved
Contact
23430 Hawthorne Blvd. Suite 280
Torrance, CA 90505
Phone: (310) 373-2483