Board of Directors

Bernadine Earl, Ph.D.

Board Duty: Chief Executive Officer/President

Dr. Earl completed her graduate training at Pepperdine University (MS) and Alliant University (Ph.D.) spent 20 years of her clinical practice within the California Department of Corrections and Department of State Hospitals, an unexpected turn in her early career. Developing a passion for psychological testing during her doctorate studies and early internships, she was pleasantly surprised to find new challenges within the Department of Corrections, affording her the opportunity to fine-tune her skills as a psychologist. Her first exposure with law enforcement was working with two city police departments in their Ride Along Programs. She found herself fortunate to have been exposed to different populations, working with populations of school aged children in Foster care to the prison population of individuals with various backgrounds and criminal offenses. The exposure to this population has contributed to her new passion of Trauma Informed Care programs, which, she believes encompasses everyone’s life. In addition to patients care, she found additional growth opportunities in program management which required cooperative, team building skills when interacting with other disciplines of prison personnel including the para-military organization of prison law enforcement hierarchy, and medical staff.

As an Acting Chief of Mental Health in the Department of Corrections, she was, again, afforded challenges e.g. organizing and training staff, and implementing policies to create an efficient, supportive departmental environment. Dr. Earl became a passionate advocate for trainings, both on-site, online, and externally, for her staff. She understood that supporting her staff in continued training would both keep their skills sharp for providing strong treatment plans for their patients within the department of correction, but keep them up-to-date for other opportunities that may present themselves within the community.

Community Service organizations are also part of Dr Earl’s focus, from feeding the human homeless to the canine homeless. In addition, she is researching additional ways to serve our veterans suffering from mental health issues, and who are continuing their quest in finding purpose.

Linda Holder, Ph.D.

Board Duty: Vice President

Dr. Holder has been working in mental health in differing capacities for over 33 years. She received her master’s in counseling in 1990 from Loma Linda University and was hired as a school counselor by Santa Paula Elementary School District, working K-8 grades until 1996. Shen was then hired to be the Student Assistance Program Coordinator for Ventura High School (VHS), Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) at the High School Level from 1996-2004. While at VHS, She collaborated with the VUSD to develop a day camp (Peace Day) for students struggling with intolerance in the school community. We also worked to access grant money to fund the Peace Day Camp. She was awarded the Women of Vision, Community Award in 2000 and in 2001 she was awarded Teacher of the Year by Ventura Unified School District. In 1999, She was invited to teach in the Graduate Program for School Counseling at California Lutheran University and after she received my PhD, became a Senior Adjunct Professor in the Graduate Program for Marriage and Family Studies at California Lutheran between 2007 to 2018. In 2001, She began her studies in Clinical Psychology at Pacifica Graduate Institute and completed my doctoral studies in 2004. She worked at Vista Del Mar Psychiatric Hospital as a intern between 2004 to 2006 as a case manager. She began working at Antioch University, Santa Barbara in 2008 as an Associate Affiliate Professor until 2012.

She was licensed as a Clinical Psychologist in 2016, and worked at Bartz Altadonna Community Health Center in Lancaster, California as staff psychologist, continued teaching at California Lutheran University as Senior Adjunct Professor, contracted with CVSD to supervise Doctoral Practicum Students at Conejo Valley School District and worked at Los Angeles County Prison in Lancaster, California between 2016 to 2019 as a staff psychologist. She then became the staff psychologist for the Bakersfield, California Counseling and Psychotherapy Center (CPC) for sex offenders as well as a Skilled Nursing Facility in Lancaster, California during the Covid-19 pandemic. Finally she returned to working in Calipatria State prison from 2020 to 2021 and transferred to North Kern State Prison (NKSP) from 2021 to present as a staff psychologist.

Marie Turner, PA

Board Duty: Secretary

Marie attended the University of Georgia, completing a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in Exercise and Sport Science. She then continued on to The Physician Assistant program at Western University of Health Sciences attaining her PA certification. Marie enjoyed her work in Family Medicine in Southern California before transitioning to raising her family in Colorado. In addition to being a mom, she worked with several non-profits mentoring teens and young adults. Currently, Marie resides in Denver, Colorado with her husband and remains passionate about health education and integrative medicine.

Jennifer Bautista, MS

Board Duty: Board Member/Assistant Secretary

Jeff Spanos, BA

Board Duty: Board Member

Jeff was the Executive Director of The Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corp (501c3) from 2006-2008 and Development Director from 2008-2012 and 2017-2019, Jeff managed all operations for the 150-member performing arts group. His leadership resulted in a 46% increase in earned income through rebranding and strategic partnerships with major corporations. Jeff’s innovative approach included the creation of a successful musical instrument sales program for educational markets, generating over $500,000 in new revenue in three years. Additionally, he built key relationships and raised $5.5 million in donations, creating a solid organizational support trust.

Before his time at Apple and The Madison Scouts, Jeff worked as the Marketing Director at Lincoln Financial Advisors in Madison, WI, from 2002 to 2003. In this role, he established a new marketing department supporting 40 registered investment advisors and spearheaded the conception and implementation of the regional office’s first website.

Jeff Spanos holds a Bachelor of Arts degree focused on communications and marketing from the University of Wisconsin – Whitewater, earned in June 1997, has provided a solid foundation for his successful and multifaceted career. His proactive and visionary approach, coupled with his ability to identify opportunities and develop solutions, makes Jeff a dynamic leader in the real estate and business sectors.”

Dan Wahl, MBA

Board Duty: Chief Financial Officer/Treasurer

Dan Wahl is the CEO of California Drums, a music instrument retail store that serves individuals and education institutions nationwide.

Dan got his start in accounting and financial analysis within the Direct Marketing world, where he specialized in alternative health and sports wellness products. After securing his MBA from Chapman University in Orange, CA, he moved into retail to focus on business development and management. These opportunities ultimately opened the doors to entrepreneurship within the industry of his true passion, music.

Currently, Dan sits on the Monrovia Old Town Advisory Board (Representing Retail Businesses) as well as acts as a steward for the American Federation of Musicians, Local 7 (Orange County, CA). Dan also possesses a BA in Communications from California State University, Fullerton and is currently pursuing a second Masters in Legal Studies.