Our Staff

Executive Team

  • Executive Director

    Seymour I. Amster is a criminal law specialist and has been practicing law for over 30 years. He sees the educational system as the primary means to cause the youth in our community to become responsible members of society. He believes that our community will only benefit by the private institutions enhancing the public programs and the best way of improving our educational system is to provide programs that are needed. As President of the San Fernando Valley Bar Association (“SFVBA”) he caused the SFVBA to become more involved with the schools in the community then they had been. When he saw more needed to be done then what the SFVBA was capable of doing he caused the formation of PESA to address this issue. Many of the programs that the SFVBA were involved with at the schools were spun off to PESA, because PESA was in a better position to properly monitor them. Furthermore through PESA, Seymour Amster has been able to get more bar organizations involved with the schools in their community.

  • Director of Behavioral Health

    Dr. Johnson began his Social Work career with a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri. After 8 years of work in the Corrections Department of St. Louis County he moved to Los Angeles, CA. to pursue a career of coaching basketball and academic counseling in higher education. He completed a Doctorate in Educational Leadership at Azusa Pacific University. Prior to working with PESA he coached basketball at St. Louis University, Long Beach City College, Los Angeles Valley College and was an Academic Counselor at Moorpark College and Social Work faculty professor at University of Southern California specializing in Military Social Work. 

  • Director of Youth Services

    Araksya Nordikyan is a first-generation immigrant who is motivated by her family’s sacrifice, her love for learning and her desire to become an asset to her community. She graduated from the University of Southern California in 2020, earning her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics and Law and her Master of Public Administration. Araksya’s ambition and commitment to civil liberties led her to join the Teen Court Program as a ninth-grader and since then she has served this organization in different capacities. In her current position, she leads the education department of PESA, overseeing the development and implementation of preventative educational programs for students across Los Angeles County. She also founded and currently serves as the President of the Teen Court Alumni Association and is the liaison for both the Los Angeles District Attorney’s JOIN Program and Los Angeles Superior Court Teen Court Program.

  • Director of Youth Development and Social Justice

    Nigel Holly is the Director of Youth Development and Social Justice for PESA. Mr. Holly is a nationally recognized program development leader, who puts an emphasis on Youth and Young-Adults. Mr. Holly holds a B.S. in Business/Administration from the University of Phoenix, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. He was honored at the National Press Club by the 400 Years of African American History Commission in March of 2023. Mr. Holly currently is a Board of Trustees Member for the California Association of Youth Courts, Board of Trustees Member for the California Institute of Health and Social Services, the California Affiliate for the National Pen or Pencil program, Founder of Future Leaders California, Antelope Valley Justice Sunday Coordinator, has two Presidential Service Awards (Silver and Gold), he is a former Commissioner for the City of Lancaster, and is the Youth Development and Programs Coordinator for the City of Lancaster.

  • Director of Administration

    While taking time away from school and figuring out what path she’d like to go down, Aimee Ladd started working with PESA in July of 2021. It had been over a year into the Covid-19 pandemic so working from home for many had become the norm and that is where she picked up. Sat at her desk and in front of her computer, Aimee started off as administrative assistant to Cindy Henriquez. She began learning the ropes of administrative duties. Previously only having worked as staff at her local Boys and Girls Club, Aimee had no idea what PESA was, did, or who anyone involved was. Though over time she started to see the impact and services that PESA provides to various people and communities. Now, as the Director of Administration Aimee continues to take on the role and responsibilities of administration such as scheduling meetings and Teen Court sessions, handling payroll, onboarding interns/clients, and much more.

Behavioral Health Department

  • Practicum Educator Instructor

    Amancay Ledezma is an LCSW and works as a supervisor for Masters of Social Work interns for PESA. Amancay completed her Bachelors in Child and Adolescent Development from California State University Northridge and received her Masters of Social Work from the University of Southern California. Amancay successfully completed her Masters level internship with PESA. After continuing her professional development and becoming a licensed clinician, Amancay is excited to be back supporting those who were once in her position as an intern, providing knowledge and insight through an empathic lens.

  • Parent and Family Coordinator

    Marta Ledezma is a Parent and Family Coordinator for PESA. Marta has a Bachelor of Science in Educational Psychology and a Master in Human Behavior. Marta has more than 20 years experience on education and mental health. Marta's role in PESA is to support children, youth and their families in successfully completing the program by being a liason between the families and the agency.

Youth Services Department

  • Assistant Director of Youth Services

    Stephanie’s passion for Public Policy, Justice Reform and Education lead her to join the PESA team in 2021. She is a first generation hispanic woman and alumna of the University of California, Irvine. She has a Bachelors in Criminology, Law & Society and a minor in Psychology & Social behavior with a focus on Child Development and Developmental Psychopathology. Post graduation, she set a goal to continuously give back to the community; now as a Community Representative at PESA she is able to work in her hometown to spread knowledge, raise awareness and promote advocacy. She works closely with Teen Court, Civic Engagement, Tutoring, Government Entity, and has expressed she loves engaging with the youth throughout it all. In the near future, she hopes to continue her education with Legal Studies and/or Public Policy & Data Analysis.

  • Educational Life Coach

    Elizabeth Sosa was first introduced to PESA in 2019 when she was serving as a student juror for the Los Angeles Superior Court Teen Court Program at her high school. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Justice Studies and a minor in Sociology from California State University Northridge in May of 2023. During her time at CSUN, she was reintroduced to the impactful work of PESA through an internship. As a PESA intern, her involvement with mentoring youth as an academic tutor inspired her to want to be a part of PESA's mission on a deeper level. Today, Elizabeth leads programs at five different high schools, collaborates with law school students, proctors Teen Court sessions, and is involved with various committees within PESA.

  • Assistant Education Specialist

    As a first-generation Mexican-American woman, Minelli Chitica has always felt a strong connection to her heritage and community. Growing up in a predominantly Latino neighborhood in Los Angeles, Minelli witnessed firsthand the injustices and struggles that her community faced on a daily basis. It was this desire to make a difference that led her to pursue a degree in Criminology and Justice Studies from the University of Northridge (CSUN). During her time at CSUN, Minelli became involved with the groundbreaking work being done by PESA. This organization's focus on restorative justice and rehabilitation for youth, rather than punishment, immediately resonated with Minelli. She was inspired by PESA's commitment to helping the community and knew that this was a cause she wanted to be a part of.

    She works closely with the students' parents to keep them informed of their child's progress at PESA. Minelli also serves as a proctor for some of the teen court cases that PESA holds at various schools in Los Angeles. The invaluable experiences gained through working at PESA have strengthened Minelli's determination to pursue her dream of attending law school.

  • Educational Life Coach

    Neti Sonavane became actively involved with PESA during her sophomore year of high school after joining the Teen Court program. She started as a jury member, where her exposure to the legal process sparked a deep interest in law. Throughout her journey, she worked with Seymour Amster and Araksya Nordikyan, who showed tremendous enthusiasm for community service and youth empowerment. Their dedication inspired her to take on a more significant role within PESA. Looking ahead, Neti has also undergone training for the SHADES (Stop Hate Delinquency by Empowering Students) program, an Alternative Justice Teen Court Program in Los Angeles, in collaboration with The Judge David S. Wesley. This initiative educates participants about hate crimes in the community, emphasizing how every individual and culture contributes to society. It taught her the importance of inclusiveness and the strength of representing one’s culture with pride while advocating for what is right and standing against injustices. In 2023, Neti received the Honorable Benjamin Aranda III American Inn of Court Award through her high school in recognition of her contributions to the teen court. Currently, she serves as an Educational Life Coach in PESA, using her experiences and insights to mentor and guide other youths as they navigate their educational and personal growth paths.

  • Outreach Coordinator

    Steven Martinez is PESA's Community Outreach Coordinator, with over 30 years of experience in community advocacy. He has a strong background in housing advocacy, working with officials like Council Member Monica Rodriguez and former Council Member Alex Padilla to support low-income families. Martinez first connected with PESA over a decade ago, forming a partnership with Executive Director Seymour Amster. In his current role, Martinez focuses on bridging gaps between resources and community needs, ensuring students and families receive essential support through PESA’s programs. His passion for education and inclusivity drives his efforts to empower underserved communities.

Youth Development and Social Justice Department

  • Assistant Director of Youth Development and Social Justice

    Jennifer graduated with her Bachelors in Criminology and Justice Studies with a Minor in Psychology from California State University Northridge in May of 2022. It was in college where Jennifer found her purpose and motivation to focus her career on helping at-risk youth. She got the opportunity in college to work with CSUN’s Mentoring to Overcome Struggles and Inspire Courage (MOSAIC) program where she was able to be part of the mission to mentor at-risk youth in the San Fernando Valley. Being part of this program motivated Jennifer to come back to the Antelope Valley and work with at-risk youth. She started working for Parents, Educators/Teachers & Students in Action (PESA) in February of 2022 as a tutor and she is now the Assistant Director of Youth Development and Social Justice and is helping run the tutoring/mentorship program at the Wilsona School District.

  • Educational Life Coach

    Jazmyn Martinez is an educational life coach dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders through her roles at Future Leaders California and PESA. With a strong focus on high school students, Jazmyn is committed to helping them identify their goals, develop essential life skills, and navigate the challenges of adolescence. Her approach emphasizes motivation and personal growth, ensuring that each student feels supported and inspired to reach their full potential. Jazmyn believes in the importance of community and strives to foster a collaborative environment where young people can thrive together. In addition to her coaching work, Jazmyn is currently attending school to become a registered nurse. Her ambition to pursue a career in healthcare stems from her desire to serve and uplift her community, providing both guidance and support in various aspects of life. With her blend of experience, compassion, and dedication, Jazmyn Martinez is a driving force for positive change, working tirelessly to cultivate resilience and ambition in the leaders of tomorrow.

  • Educational Life Coach

    India has been with PESA since February 2022, just a couple of months after she graduated from high school. She found a love for education and youth advocacy early on in life, always dreaming of someday working in schools and becoming a teacher. India has spent years volunteering in schools and in the community as a Girl Scout troop leader. Throughout high school India had the opportunity to volunteer with a number of programs in the Antelope Valley that led her to PESA. With PESA India was able to work with students in the Wilsona School district while pursuing her Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education, which she completed in May 2024. Now pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree in Child, Adolescent and Family Studies at California State University Bakersfield, India continues to work with PESA dedicating her time and passion to supporting and uplifting the youths of her community.

  • Educational Life Coach

    Anouk Glosson-Harvey joined PESA as an Educational Life Coach bringing a wealth of experience in education and advocacy for social equity. A proud alumna of the University of California, Los Angeles, Anouk cultivated her passion for law as it relates to social justice and education while actively participating in organizations such as Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, the UCLA International Collegiate Health Initiative, and various academic support programs. These roles allowed her to serve as an advisor, advocate, and mentor, shaping her commitment to empowering others. At PESA, she focuses on helping students develop their personal and academic goals, fostering resilience and a sense of agency. Anouk is dedicated to creating an inclusive environment where every young person can thrive and realize their full potential.