Our Team
Staff
Jodi Galvin
Executive Director
Jodi Galvin has spent her career in public service. She is a seasoned attorney with over 30 years of experience working within the criminal justice system. Jodi served as a Public Defender Investigator for eleven years in both the Mental Health and Criminal sections, and also as a Los Angeles City Attorney Prosecutor for twenty-one years. Coming from a military-connected family, Jodi has always been a valuable advocate for veteran affairs. Jodi is the Founder and Executive Director of the Community Veteran Justice Project; chairs the Legal & Re-Entry Committee for the LA Veteran Collaborative, has been an active member of the LACBA Armed Forces Committee; and has served on national, statewide and local veteran committees and projects.
Monica Mooring
Social Worker Field Supervisor
Dr. Monica Mooring is a social work professional with over 20+ years of direct practice at the macro-level, mezzo-level, and micro-level. She is passionate about helping those most vulnerable realize and achieve their highest potential as they define achievement.
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Jimmy Askew
Project Coordinator
Jimmy Askew is an attorney who is licensed in NY and in CA. A graduate of Cardozo School of Law in NYC, he has worked in entertainment and IP law as well as doing litigation support. Jimmy's father spent 21 years on active duty in the Army Corps of Engineers, including a year in Vietnam, and he spent the first ten years of life as an army brat before settling down in the DC area. He's excited to have this opportunity to give back to the veterans who have given so much.
Costa Via
Project Manager
Costa Via is a U.S. Army veteran. He received LLM from Straus Institute of Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine University School of Law in 2015 and since then he was involved in VET2VET, a non-profit educational project dedicated to assist veterans with adjustment to civilian lifestyle and providing assistance in obtaining VA and other available benefits. Through his own journey as a service-connected V.A. patient, Costa derives a strong sense of fulfillment from providing assistance to service members and their families.
In God We Trust: E pluribus Unum!
May Ong
Program Developer
May Ong manages/develops programs, relationships and funding opportunities. Her background is in research, and she obtained her bachelor’s degree and PhD from UCLA. She studied health disparities to improve disease outcomes for underserved populations at Charles Drew University in Los Angeles. She volunteered with CVJP off and on since 2019.
Yvette Kelley
Program Developer
Yvette is a combat veteran with over 30 years of leadership as an Army helicopter pilot and a broad spectrum of specialized experience in human resources, logistics, aviation, and operations, culminating her career in the Pentagon. In 2019, she completed her Jurisprudence Degree (JD) from the University of Southern California (USC) and passed the California bar exam in 2020. Yvette served in two non-profit organizations as President & CEO helping veterans facing homelessness and as an Executive Director for Bob Hope USO.
David Caddle
Program Developer
David joined the CVJP team in 2024 to further his advocacy for urban policy and community development. He previously served as a fellow in the Mayor's offices in Jackson, MS, and Memphis, TN, focusing on public safety audits, affordable housing, and COVID-19 response. As a Coro Fellow in Los Angeles, he contributed to ballot initiatives and legislation for the creative economy. David holds a BA in Urban Policy from Rhodes College.
Karl Risinger
Veteran Outreach Worker
Karl Risinger served in the United States Army from 1994-2005 as a Weapons Trainer and Military Police. Never deployed, but took a Government contracting job in Iraq in 2010 because he had to see what his brothers and sisters had been through. Karl moved to Los Angeles in July of 2000 and has been active in the Veteran Community as well as the community around him. He has worked in the entertainment industry and been an event/project manager for several years. He enjoys watching football, playing with his children and being a loving husband.
Emmanuel Lazo
Veteran Outreach Worker
I'm a U.S Marine Veteran who joined CVJP in 2025 after obtaining a "Peer Support Specialist" certificate. As someone who has personally dealt with their fair share of hardships I empathize deeply with those currently struggling. I plan to dedicate my life towards giving back and hope to make a positive impact.
David Carpio
ARG Veteran Re-Entry Navigator Facilitator
David Carpio served in the United States Army from 2002 to 2011 as an All-Source Intelligence Analyst, deploying twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During his service, he supported and led intelligence operations focused on high-value targets in complex operational environments.
Following his military career, David continued his work in national security as a government contractor, supporting Air Force Special Operations Command, working at the Pentagon in support of the Joint IED Defeat Organization, and later serving as a Law Enforcement Analyst with the DEA in San Diego.
After completing his work in government contracting, David transitioned into public safety roles before ultimately shifting his focus to veteran outreach and support, where he now works to assist justice-impacted and underserved veterans with reentry, stability, and long-term success.
In addition to his professional experience, David has earned a Commercial Diver certification and a Paralegal certificate, reflecting his commitment to continuous learning and service across multiple disciplines.
Brian Flexen
ARG Housing Navigator
Brian is a U.S. Army veteran, community leader, and District 1 Case Navigator with the Community Veterans Justice Project (CVJP). He brings a lifetime of lived experience, service, and advocacy to his work supporting justice-involved veterans and their families.
Brian holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. His academic focus, combined with personal experience navigating trauma, loss, and systems of care, allows him to approach veteran support through a trauma-informed, strengths-based, and relational lens.
For more than 25 years, Brian has served his community as a youth coach and mentor, working with children of all ages through local football and baseball programs, including high school and youth leagues. Coaching has shaped his belief in accountability, structure, teamwork, and second chances.
Brian is a husband and father of four boys, and family is central to his mission. Through CVJP, Brian is committed to helping veterans access housing, benefits, treatment, and community resources that restore dignity, stability, and purpose.
Pedro Cervantes
ARG Housing Navigator
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Michelle Bradley
ARG Housing Navigator
Michelle supports justice-involved individuals through workforce navigation, resource coordination, and reentry planning focused on housing assistance and long-term stability. With a strong background in Human Resource and Talent Acquisition, she also enjoys working closely with community partners, employers, and service providers to remove employment barriers and connect clients to sustainable career pathways to ensure housing sustainability.
Michelle is also a U.S. Air Force Reservist, serving as an AFE Specialist, where she contributes to mission readiness through equipment accountability, compliance, and operational support. In addition to her military service, she brings over eight years of experience in talent acquisition and recruitment leadership across healthcare, logistics, nonprofit, and corporate environments. Michelle is currently pursuing her MBA and is deeply committed to advancing veteran advocacy, reentry success, and equitable workforce access.
Marli Crowe
ARG Data Analyst
Marli Crowe is a strategic, results-driven business leader with over 10 years of experience in data analytics, marketing, operational strategy and cross-functional team leadership. She is experienced in leveraging data insights and reporting to measure program impact, improve processes, and support organizational goals. Over the course of her career, she has worked with notable companies such as Meta and Nielsen, as well as early-stage startups and non-profits, bringing a diverse wealth of experience and perspective to her work. Skilled in translating complex data into clear, actionable insights, Marli has a strong track record of helping organizations demonstrate outcomes and tell their impact story through data. She is also the daughter, granddaughter, and niece of veterans, born on an Air Force base, and deeply passionate about serving the veteran community. Marli is a graduate of Spelman College with a degree in Economics.
Volunteers
Isaiah Kilian
Law Clerk
My name is Isaiah Kilian. I am originally from the Inland Empire, and currently live in the Corona area. I served in the United States Marine Corps Reserve out of high school as a 1391 Bulk Fuel Specialist (Aviation Fueler). I went to Chapman University where I majored in Political Science and Psychology. While serving in the US Marine Corps Reserves and studying in undergraduate education, I also worked for US Aviation Services at Ontario Airport as a ramp agent for Delta Airlines. Currently I a, I 1L at Southwestern Law school in Los Angeles, California. I am still in the Marine Corps, but contracted to begin active duty as a JAG officer after I graduate.
Stacey Lyons
Law Clerk
I am the daughter of a retired Air Force Lt. Colonel and nurse, sister to a retired Air Force Major and wife to a Captain in the Army National Guard. I have seen and experienced military life as a child, sibling and spouse. Being able to get involved and provide assistance to military personnel and their families is what I hope to do with my legal career. Currently, I am a litigation paralegal by day and in my third year of law school in the evening.
Hannan Khan
Law Clerk
Hannan Khan is a law student extern with the Community Veterans Justice Project, where he communicates with veteran clients and supports their cases through research, drafting, and case updates. He is currently a law student at McGeorge School of Law with an interest in litigation-focused practice. Hannan values advocacy-driven work that prioritizes practical, client-centered outcomes.
Kyle Gillick
Law Clerk
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Hussein Farhat
Law Clerk
Hello my name is Hussein Farhat I am a CSULB Political Science student with a strong interest in law. I am committed to helping people and providing the best possible service. My goal is to gain meaningful experience while building a foundation for a future career in law and public service.
Flavio Rivas
Law Clerk
Flavio Rivas is a certified law student and law clerk with experience in both civil litigation and criminal defense. He is a J.D. candidate at McGeorge School of Law and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Flavio currently serves as a certified law clerk with the Amador County Public Defender’s Office, where he assists in criminal defense matters and works closely with Veterans Court to support justice-involved veterans.
He has additional experience in medical malpractice and civil litigation and has appeared in court under California’s Practical Training of Law Students (PTLS) program. Bilingual in English and Spanish, Flavio is committed to providing accessible, client-centered legal advocacy.
Matilda Younesi
Law Clerk
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Calvin Gregg
Volunteer
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Trey Guitteau
Volunteer
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Steven Johnson
Volunteer
My name is Steven Johnson, and I was born and raised in Pensacola, FL. After high school, I enlisted in the United States Air Force and served for four years, receiving an honorable discharge. In the civilian world, I went back to school for computer technology and eventually became employed as a computer technician. I came to Los Angeles and worked in the IT department at the City of Los Angeles for eighteen years. Afterwards, I enrolled at LACC and earned an A.A. degree in Real Estate. I did my transfer curriculum at SMC and then enrolled at CSULA. I am currently a senior undergraduate, and my major is Rehabilitation Services. My goal is to work and give back to my fellow veterans.
Ronald Rook
Volunteer
Ronald Rook served in the U.S. Army and completed a 20-year prison sentence. He is disciplined, emotionally resilient, and deeply committed to personal growth. Ronald lives with PTSD and manages it through structure, emotional regulation, and service to others.
He brings lived experience, combat-tested focus, and a strong sense of responsibility to every task, and is currently focused on supporting fellow veterans through reentry and community service.
Polina Logrue
Volunteer
Polina is a former prosecutor at the Orange County District Attorney’s Office. During her tenure at the OCDA, she handled a diverse array of cases, ranging from the initial filing stages all the way to trial. Polina is the founder of The Logrue Law Firm, who currently practices criminal defense and family law in California. She brings an unrivaled dedication to protecting the rights of her clients and utilizes all her knowledge and experience to protect her clients' interests to the fullest extent of the law. She has received several prestigious honors, including Lawyer of the Year Award, Global Recognition Award, Avvo's Client's Choice Award, and American Business Excellence Award.
Beth Sterkenburg
Volunteer
My name is Beth Sterkenburg. After 41 years of service as a lawyer, I retired from the LA County Public Defender's Office in April, 2025. For one year, I was assigned to the Veterans Court in Long Beach. I've been involved with and the LA County Bar Association Armed Forces Committee since its inception. In was fortunate to receive the LACBA award for service to the veteran community. I work for veterans in order to honor my father-in-law EJ. Sterkenburg, who was a flight engineer on a hospital plane in the China Burma theater during World War 2.
Voices from the community
Voices from the community
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The encouragement and resources I received here have helped me rebuild my confidence. This place gave me a sense of belonging and a renewed purpose in life.