CCDA Board: 2024-2025

President - Elect Candidate

Rick Villarreal

Rick is a Counselor and Career Coach, running a private practice in the greater LA area. Previously he worked as a Senior Career Counselor and Supervisor of Counseling Interns. He is passionate about the roles that personal exploration and intrinsic motivation play in professional achievement. In recent years, Rick has led talks and seminars for hundreds of students and professionals about topics ranging from life purposes, strengths, strategic job searching, and even how to enjoy networking. What Rick enjoys most is helping people see beyond their personal limits, decide on a course of action, and then build sustainable momentum so they can achieve what they want and become who they always knew they could become.

Past - President

Dr. Heather Zeng

Heather Zeng, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, NCC (C), CCC, BC-TMH has experience in career development counseling, career education policy at the State level, and assessment training/implementation for the 4th largest school district in the U.S. She is an instructor and tireless student advocate in the area of counseling and career development. She has written on topics of international human resource development, ethical and legal issues in coaching, counseling and technology, online collaboration, workplace bullying, and job promotion. She has found in her work the vital question not of "What do you do?" rather "Who are you?" as central helping clients (and students) in their career development.

Finance Co-Chair

Carrie McKnight

Carrie McKnight is a Career Counselor at San Jose State University Career Center. She is a Past-President of CCDA and has served on the Board for several years in various roles. Carrie has assisted with planning CCDA’s regional conferences and organizes local chapter events in the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley.

DEIA Committee

DEIA Chair

Dr. Cheryl Love

Dr. Love is a Career Counselor and a College Specialist for the Arts, Humanities, School of Education and School of Public Policy in the Career Center at the University of California, Riverside (UCR). In this role she also serves as the Liaison to the African Student Programs, the Black Student Success Initiative, Basic Needs, and the Kessler Scholar Program.   Previously she served as a Career Counselor and Liaison to the College of Education & Integrative Studies and the Broncos Dreamers Center at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona’s (Cal Poly Pomona) Career Center; and as Adjunct Faculty in the College of Education and Integrative Studies – Educational Leadership Doctoral Program at Cal Poly Pomona.  She has a Bachelor Degree in Liberal Studies and Master’s Degree in Counseling along with a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Pupil Personnel Service Credential from California State University, Fullerton.  Her Doctorate is from the University of California, Los Angeles in Educational Psychology with an emphasis in Counseling. 

Dr. Love has 40+ years of experience as a Counselor and Teacher in all four Higher Education systems (UC, CSU, Private and Community) as well as the Public School and Non-Profit sector. Dr. Love’s Professional Associations include:  Member of UCR’s Black Faculty and Staff Association; Member of NCDA & Former Co-Chair of the Diversity Initiatives and Cultural Inclusion (DICI) Committee and current Co-Chair of the DICI Training Subcommittee,  Member of NCDA Conference Planning Committee 2025, 2024 & 2023 and member of the NCDA Higher Education Constituency Group Advisory Board.  Past President for the California Career Development Association 2023-24; Member of MPACE & the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee; Board Member – Vice President of Enhearten and organization working to develop unseen leaders in the United States and internationally.   

Professional Development 

Professional Development

Co-Chair

Jaisha White 

Jaisha White (she/her) joined the California Career Development Association (CCDA) because she feels deeply connected to its mission to promote and advance the career development profession. As a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) practitioner, she supports CCDA's efforts to 

provide educational support, resources, and tools that empower career development professionals to approach their work through a social justice and equity-based lens. She is a proud double alumnus of California State University, Sacramento, having earned a Master of Science in Counseling and a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Communication. She has 20 years of experience in human resources and holds a Professional in Human Resources certification from HRCI. For the past six years, she has also served as an adjunct instructor, teaching Work Experience and Business courses.

One of Jaisha's core values is community service, which she demonstrates through her volunteer work at a transitional housing program for women and children. Additionally, she dedicates her time to a community-based organization committed to addressing the impacts of traumatic experiences stemming from internalized, interpersonal, and systemic racism. Jaisha is a learning enthusiast and aspires to pursue a Ph.D. in Advanced Studies in Human Behavior in the future.

Professional Development 

Co-Chair

Dr. Anne Chan

Anne Chan, Ph.D., has over 20 years of experience as a career counselor and a psychotherapist helping people optimize happiness in their careers and personal lives. Her research, writing, and practice interests include mentoring, diversity, and cross-cultural issues in professional relationships. She earned her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Stanford University. She also holds two Master’s degrees, one in English from the University of Washington in Seattle, and one in Counseling Psychology from California State University, East Bay. She has held a variety of roles in the counseling field, including being an academic counselor at community colleges, adjunct instructor for undergraduates and graduates, and psychotherapist at nonprofit, community, and private practice settings. She has authored a book on mentoring as well as numerous research articles on diversity, mentoring and career counseling.

Professional Development

Sanaz Nabati

Sanaz Nabati is an Assistant Director of Undergraduate Education and Development at University of California, Los Angeles, serving Students with Disabilities and International Students. She also serves as a Pre-Law Advisor. Sanaz is a double Alumnus of California State University Northridge, with a B.S. in Psychology and an M.S. in Career Counseling. After experience in industry working in real estate management, she found her passion in career development helping college students and career changers to identify, prepare, and pursue their ideal profession while optimizing their career success. Her passion for learning, professional development, and advancement in career development makes her an ideal career coach for students and career changers. She thrives in helping her clients reach their career milestones and endeavors.  

Legislative and Public Policy 

Shelby McIntyre

Shelby McIntyre is a Career Counselor & Instructor at Pasadena City College, Co-Chair of the NCDA Government Relations Committee, former President of CCDA, and NCDA Certified Career Counselor. She earned her M.S. Counseling, College Counseling & Student Services from California State University, Northridge, and a B.A. in Cinema Studies, minors in Creative Writing & Music, from the University of Oregon. After experiencing her own career change from the film industry to the counseling profession, she is passionate about helping others navigate their career development process to find meaningful work. Her professional passions and interests include social justice, systemic intervention/collective action, civic engagement, bystander intervention, and student leadership.

Constituency Groups

Graduate Students Chair

Dr. Anne Chan

Anne Chan, Ph.D., has over 20 years of experience as a career counselor and a psychotherapist helping people optimize happiness in their careers and personal lives. Her research, writing, and practice interests include mentoring, diversity, and cross-cultural issues in professional relationships. She earned her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from Stanford University. She also holds two Master’s degrees, one in English from the University of Washington in Seattle, and one in Counseling Psychology from California State University, East Bay. She has held a variety of roles in the counseling field, including being an academic counselor at community colleges, adjunct instructor for undergraduates and graduates, and psychotherapist at nonprofit, community, and private practice settings. She has authored a book on mentoring as well as numerous research articles on diversity, mentoring and career counseling.

Higher Education Career Counselor & Specialists Co - Chair

Sanaz Nabati

Sanaz Nabati is an Assistant Director of Undergraduate Education and Development at University of California, Los Angeles, serving Students with Disabilities and International Students. She also serves as a Pre-Law Advisor. Sanaz is a double Alumnus of California State University Northridge, with a B.S. in Psychology and an M.S. in Career Counseling. After experience in industry working in real estate management, she found her passion in career development helping college students and career changers to identify, prepare, and pursue their ideal profession while optimizing their career success. Her passion for learning, professional development, and advancement in career development makes her an ideal career coach for students and career changers. She thrives in helping her clients reach their career milestones and endeavors.  

Higher Education Career Counselor & Specialists Co - Chair

Sherilyn Ashena 

Sherilyn is a National Certified Counselor with an emphasis in career. She holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a master’s degree in career counseling from California State University, Northridge (CSUN). Sherilyn has over 10 years of experience working in the field of career development in the areas of coaching, counseling, teaching, and consulting, in higher education and non-profit settings. Her previous experience teaching undergraduate and graduate students has enriched her approach to career counseling, allowing her to engage with individuals at different life stages. Sherilyn currently works at California State University, Channel Islands (CSUCI) where she serves as the Career Counselor for Doctoral and Graduate students in the School of Education. She’s passionate about helping her clients in their career journeys and cheering them through their goals. She rejoined the CCDA Board in July 2024.

Career Counselor Educators

& Researchers Chair

Dr. David Paul

Dr. David Paul has a PhD. in Counselor Education and Supervision (CACREP accredited) with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy. Dr. Paul is a Board-Certified Counselor from the National Board for Certified Counselors and was admitted to memberships in Delta Epsilon Iota, Academic & Leadership Honor Society, and Chi Sigma Iota, Academic & Professional Honor Society International. Dr. Paul is also a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Board Approved Supervisor from the Board of Behavioral Health and Therapies, Minnesota. Dr. Paul has over 30 years of counseling, administrative, supervision, research, and teaching experiences in higher education and community settings. 

Dr. Paul’s research projects have been selected for presentations at the following peer reviewed juried conferences; American Counseling Association, National Career Development Association, National Association of Counselor Education and Supervision, and the California Association of Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors. Dr Paul has been appointed to the Board of Directors for; Care Resource Inc., The California Association of Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors, and the California Career Development Association.  

Dr. Paul is currently an Associate Faculty member at the State University of California, Fresno  and the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University.

Prior to relocating to Fresno California, Dr. Paul held the following positions; Program and Clinical Director and Assistant Professor in the Counseling and Student Affairs program in the Graduate School of Education and Human Services at Minnesota State University Moorhead, Clinical Services Manager in the Adrian Dominican School of Education, Counseling Department at Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida, Academic Dean and Chairperson for the Health Sciences & Related Studies Department, Dean of Administrative Services & Student Services, Director of the Biotechnology Program, and Director of ACCESS Counseling & Career Services, at the Medical Center Campus of Miami Dade College.

School Career Counselor &

Specialists Chair

Tiffany Phu

Tiffany Phu is the owner of College and Career Champion, helping thousands of students and professionals through her online courses, workshops, articles, book, and private practice as a college and career coach.

She is a certified career service provider (CCSP), published in the National Career Development Association, and has a YouTube Channel @CollegeCareerChamp.

Gratitude and inspiration led her to enter the career services space to advocate, guide, and empower individuals who are looking to improve their future either pursuing a new career path, applying to a four year college, vocational training programs, or even a gap year(s). As an ex-Googler leading tech recruiting teams, she has witnessed the stress candidates and college students experience searching for their next endeavors. Her approach is to maintain well-being meanwhile making actionable strides towards the future.

Member Services

Member Services Chair

Vacant Position

email CCDAconnect@gmail.com if interested