Staff Profiles

CIP Berkeley Berkeley, California

CIP Berkeley has an experienced, professional staff with strong educational backgrounds and solid experience working with young adults with Asperger’s, ADHD and other Learning Differences.

Get to Know The CIP Berkeley Team

Pilar Page, M.S.W

Program Director

Pilar Page has worked in the field of education and administration for over a decade as an advisor, career coach, licensed counselor and as a director of student services. Her experiences include providing access, advocacy and support for students with learning differences, ensuring institution compliance with federal and state laws.

Alejandro Pena

Assistant Program Director

Alejandro has worked in Education for over twenty years from Kindergarten to Doctorate degrees. His roles have ranged from Academic Advisor to Associate Vice President.

Lindsey Anderson

Office Manager

Lindsey is the Office Manager of CIP Berkeley. She is passionate about team building, compliance, and creating and maintaining healthy happy work rapports. She has a very collaborative mindset and has helped grow companies from start ups to full scale operations.

Leah Kaplan, L.C.S.W.

Clinician

Leah has worked in the mental health field for 6 years as an Independent Living Program Coordinator, Case manager, and Therapist. As a Clinician at CIP, Leah helps students receive emotional support, manage life stressors, and achieve their goals by using mindfulness-based strategies.

Lacey Rodriguez, A.S.W.

Clinician

Lacey has worked in the fields of education and mental health since 2015 in public and private elementary and secondary schools as a paraprofessional, school social worker, and wellness center coordinator.

Laurel Sherer, L.C.S.W.

Clinician

Laurel Sherer has worked in the fields of mental health and education for the past 10 years as a behavior intervention specialist and mental health clinician. She has experience working in public K-12 schools and ABA skills-based programs with children and young adults.

Antoinette Grant, M.A.

Academic Coaching

Antoinette has worked in the field of education trauma and other complex learning differences for more than a decade, as a counselor, tutor and clinician. She found success in supporting and working with young adults who are pursuing higher education.

Porsha C. Jackson

Life Skills and Wellness Coach

Porsha C. Jackson (she/her/hers) is a Certified Usui Reiki Practitioner and Holistic Wellness Coach from Oakland, CA.

Anna Bernick B.A.

Academic Coach

Anna has worked in the field of disability since 2014. First as an intern for Mayor's Office on Disability in San Francisco and doing disability rights work at University of California Berkeley.

Matt Leone, M.A.

Life Skills and Wellness Coach

Matt has worked collaboratively with a variety of individuals in the counseling field for about 2 years. His past experiences included identifying strategies with young emerging adults both on how they self identify and which solutions are helpful to navigate barriers challenging those self identified life goals and pursuits.

Randall Dunn, M.A.

Life Skills Coordinator

Randall has worked in the field of human services and working with children and adults with ASD, ADHD and other complex learning differences for 10 years as a direct support professional, and a Residential Home Administrator. Randall has worked in the field of human services and working with children and adults with ASD, ADHD and other complex learning differences for 10 years as a direct support professional, and a Residential Home Administrator.

Claire Ngoon, M.B.A.

Life Skills and Wellness Coach

After 6 years as an HR professional, Claire Ngoon left the industry to pursue her passion to help people surpass their own expectations and discovering their own inner power to thrive. Since 2017, Claire has coached students between the ages of 8 - 70 years old on developing stress management skills, self confidence, and a growth mindset to overcome personal obstacles.

Coleen Holliday, M.A.

Academic Coach

Coleen has worked in the field of education for 10 years in various roles including an Americorps volunteer, Teacher’s Assistant, and elementary School Counselor. She previously found success working with college students with learning differences as a graduate student.

Domonique Ousborn, B. S.

Career Coordinator

Domonique has worked in the field of Education for 10 years in public elementary, secondary, and higher education settings as an AmeriCorps volunteer, Special education teaching assistant, Therapeutic Support Specialist and Student Support Coordinator.

Mia Kirkendoll, B.A.

Student Advisor

Mia has worked in the field of education since 2018. She previously found success working with young students as an English teacher in South Korea.

Gemma Jerez, M.A.

Student Support Specialist

Gemma has worked in the field of higher education for over five years as a Summer Bridge Intern, and as an Academic Coach Intern, where she supported first-generation young adults, and young adults with learning differences.

Michael Plotkin, B.S.

Life Skills and Wellness Coach

Michael has worked in both academic and non-academic settings teaching yoga, meditation, and spreading mindfulness techniques to students eager to connect more with themselves.

Elaine Reichenbach, B.A

Student Advisor

Elaine has worked in the field of social work and office administration for over 12 years serving as a Refugee Support Officer & Family Caseworker for a local government organization in the U.K. In her role, she helped individuals and families access housing, healthcare & education services.

Learn More About CIP Staff

We understand the unique strengths and challenges that each student can possess. Learn more about our diverse and experienced staff across all CIP locations.

Spotlight on Success

Hear from CIP Berkeley students and families share their personal journey, finding CIP, and experiencing success.

Call +1 (877) 566-9247 or fill our our online inquiry form to request assistance in finding a CIP location.

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About CIP

We’ve been helping young adults on the autism spectrum and with learning differences find success in college, employment, and independent living since 1984.

Learn more about one of the world’s most comprehensive programs for young adults with learning differences

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