join our board

Impact LA’s purpose is to  foster a safe space in underserved communities with resources and impactful services that help to support youth and their families evolve into well-rounded individuals. 

Our vision is to be a reputable source of initiatives, programs and policies that produce a thriving and equitable community.

Doreen M. Peters brings more than three decades of public service and business administrative leadership to her role as Secretary of the Board of Directors at Impact LA. She is an esteemed retiree of the State of California’s Department of Industrial Relations, Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, Bureau of Field Enforcement, where she served as a Deputy Labor Commissioner in Southern California.

Throughout her investigative career, Doreen was dedicated to enforcing California labor laws and protecting employees’ rights, ensuring fairness, accountability, and compliance across diverse industries. Prior to her service with the State of California, she worked with the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Social Services, where she supported vulnerable individuals and families in accessing essential public assistance programs.

Originally born in Liberia and raised in Sierra Leone, Doreen immigrated to the United States more than 45 years ago. Her life journey reflects a deep commitment to service, resilience, and purpose. She has devoted herself to raising her daughter and to uplifting the communities she has called home through both professional and volunteer service.

Beyond her public-sector career, Doreen has been an active community volunteer. She served with the Los Angeles County Probation Department, supporting juveniles in Lancaster, California, and volunteered with Palmdale Assembly of God Church as an Administrative Assistant to the Resident Pastor, managing day-to-day operations in alignment with church governance and guidelines.

Doreen’s integrity, organizational expertise, and people-centered approach have made her a trusted leader in every space she serves. At Impact LA, her administrative acumen, compassion, and commitment to equity are vital assets as the organization continues to expand its work in food justice, youth empowerment, and equitable community support. She exemplifies the values of accountability, service, and community stewardship that define strong board leadership.

Cedric Linton brings over seven years of experience leading organizational and business transformation initiatives across both corporate and nonprofit sectors. His work is rooted in helping organizations navigate complex change, build sustainable strategies, and unlock long-term value through effective systems and thoughtful leadership.

Throughout his career, Cedric has supported executive leaders and cross-functional teams in business strategy development, operating model redesign, process assessment and improvement, and large-scale system implementations. He has led change management efforts and training initiatives that ensure not only successful execution, but also meaningful adoption by the people most impacted by change.

What sets Cedric apart is his commitment to practical, people-centered solutions. He believes that strong systems must balance efficiency with empathy, aligning people, processes, and tools in ways that are both effective and sustainable. His approach emphasizes collaboration, clarity, and continuous improvement to help organizations thrive in evolving environments.

In parallel with his professional work, Cedric is deeply committed to community empowerment. He has played a hands-on role in nonprofit operations, including building food access programs from the ground up, strengthening organizational infrastructure, and supporting large-scale community events and educational outreach. His experience demonstrates how strategic planning and human-centered design can create meaningful and lasting social impact.

As a member of Impact LA’s Board of Directors, Cedric provides systems-level insight and strategic guidance to support the organization’s operational growth, long-term sustainability, and mission to advance equity and opportunity in underserved communities.

Ana Sandoval brings over 14 years of experience in nonprofit management, with a strong track record of building, scaling, and leading high-impact programs that align with organizational strategy and community needs. She currently serves as Director of Program at College Track in Los Angeles, where she leads with empathy, transparency, and clear communication to support measurable outcomes and mission-driven teams.

Previously, Ana served as the Founding Operations Manager at College Track, where she played a pivotal role in launching a new site during the COVID-19 pandemic. She helped grow the program from inception to serving more than 150 scholars by establishing effective systems, processes, and operational structures that supported both staff and student success.

Earlier in her career, Ana spent nearly nine years with the Marriott Foundation Bridges Program, where she developed deep expertise in grant management, partnership development, and youth programming. Her experience across multiple nonprofit environments has equipped her with a holistic understanding of program design, implementation, and sustainability.

Ana holds a Master’s degree in Sociology from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and a Bachelor’s degree in Liberal Studies and Chicana/o Studies from California State University, Northridge, graduating Cum Laude. She also holds certificates in Nonprofit Management and Grant Writing from UCLA and Loyola Marymount University.

As a member of Impact LA’s Board of Directors, Ana contributes strategic insight, operational leadership, and a deep commitment to equity-centered youth development, helping guide programs that empower individuals and strengthen communities.

Mathew Vara is a dedicated accountant and community-minded professional with deep experience in financial services, business development, and nonprofit support. As Chief Executive Officer of Bookies-Accounting for the Underdog Inc., Mathew leads a firm committed to serving unconventional and underserved businesses with expert bookkeeping, tax planning, and strategic financial guidance. His work ensures that small enterprises—from creative entrepreneurs to labor-intensive service providers—have the financial clarity and support needed to thrive.

Mathew’s passion for helping others extends beyond numbers. He describes himself as a natural humanitarian who is driven by the desire to uplift individuals and organizations in need, bringing compassion and steady leadership to every engagement. Prior to founding Bookies, Mathew contributed to community support initiatives with Direct Relief in Santa Barbara, where he was involved in fundraising, development, youth program support, and finance activities.

At Impact LA, Mathew brings financial acumen and strategic insight that strengthen the organization’s stewardship and sustainability. His expertise supports fiscal planning, resource development, and community-focused impact—ensuring that financial systems align with mission-driven goals and equitable outcomes.

Mathew holds extensive practical experience in tax preparation, cloud accounting platforms, and business structuring, and he leverages this knowledge to help nonprofits and small businesses alike build strong foundations for growth.

In his role on the board, Mathew champions fiscal responsibility, innovative resource strategies, and inclusive financial practices that expand Impact LA’s ability to serve families, youth, and communities with dignity and purpose.