Our Staff

Emily Bridges

• Focused Population Case Manager
• (805) 650-5993 x203
• ebridges@ilrc-trico.org

Based in the Ventura Office serving Ventura County.

"I started working at ILRC in 2020. ILRC's work is important to me because of its value to the disability community we serve.  As a person with two disabilities who also has a sibling with disabilities, I appreciate working with a supportive organization that strives for inclusion both in the workplace and in the Tri-Counties region. Some new hobbies I started during the quarantine are home exercising routines and baking.  These interests may cancel each other out, so I try to bake only when there is a special occasion! :) My goal for 2021 is to go with the flow and be flexible in handling whatever life brings.  Those principles are key in adapting to changes and not sweating the small things."

Nicole Janikowski

• Independent Living Advocate
• (805) 925-0015 x302
• njanikowski@ilrc-trico.org

Based in the Santa Maria office.

Nicole started working at ILRC in 2015. Her favorite color is burgundy. For her, the best part of working at ILRC is that she discovered her passion to help her community. When she was in need of services and peer support she was unable to find someone in her area that would work with her to get back on her feet. Her love is working with consumers hoping to build satisfaction and become self-sufficient. Her favorite independent living advocate is Natasha Jade Devon.

Alexa Martin

• Program Manager
• (805) 650-5993 x202
• amartin@ilrc-trico.org

Based in the Ventura office serving Ventura County

"I started working for ILRC in 2017. For me, the best part of working at ILRC is I have always been passionate about advocating for underrepresented communities and I get to do that each day here! During quarantine I started baking, started my first garden and spent a lot of time camping and hiking. My goal for 2021 is all about growth-mentally, physically, and organizationally!"

Kelly Kivlahan

• Transition Advocate
• (805) 650-5993 x207
• kkivlahan@ilrc-trico.org

Based in the Ventura Office serving Ventura County.

"I started working at ILRC in November of 2020. The work ILRC does is important to me because it is so special to be a part of a team that truly cares about others and helps make it possible for individuals to be properly represented and live independent fulfilling lives is the type of work that makes the world a better place. One new hobby I picked up during quarantine is using my Indo board!! I keeps it right inside my bedroom door so I have to walk by it frequently and I try to hop on it a few times a day to test out my balance and it's a really nice little mental break! My goal for 2021 is to try something new each month and hopefully travel once it's safe to do so!"

Rosa Lopez

• Information & Referral Specialist - Bilingual
• (805) 963-0595 x100
• rlopez@ilrc-trico.org

Based in the Santa Barbara office serving Santa Barbara County.

"I began working for ILRC back in 2005. The work ILRC does is important to me because ILRC helps everyone when they feel no one is there for them and it feels rewarding. During quarantine, I tried cooking different meals and read more. My goal for 2021 is to get healthier physically, and mentally."

Veronica Dominguez

• Older Individuals Who Are Blind Coordinator

Based in San Luis Obispo office serving San Luis Obispo & Santa Barbara County.

"I started working at ILRC in 2020. During this quarantine, I started learning how to play the Cajon, picked up gardening, and created new recipes from produce in the garden. ILRC is very much like a garden to me. It starts with a single seed or a person, then flourishes into something beautiful. ILRC is important to me because I can help support independence and self-growth in the consumers I works with. Like my garden and music skills, I will continue to work with others on their growth 2021."

Lauren Utterback

• Independent Living Advocate
• (805) 462-0015 x303
• lutterback@ilrc-trico.org

Based in the Santa Maria office serving North Santa Barbara County.

"I started working at ILRC in 2020. ILRC's work is important to me because I get to assist people with disabilities to thrive independently in their communities. My favorite pastime is cooking new vegan recipes and my goal for 2021 is to read more books."

Jennifer Martinez

• Information & Referral Specialist - Bilingual
• (805) 650-5993 x201
• jmartinez@ilrc-trico.org

Based in the Ventura office serving Ventura County.

"I have been at ILRC since 2011. The work that ILRC does is important to me because it really does take a village to help people. ILRC is a tribe within that village, composed of people that really care about the disability community and strive to provide the best service possible to each consumer we serve. During the quarantine, I took on learning Italian, I added equipment to my home gym and even completed a course to become a Certified Life Coach. I am also working towards having my first children's book published by Summer 2021."

Brian Hollander

• Program Manager
• (805) 963-0595 x107
• bhollander@ilrc-trico.org

Based in Santa Barbara office.

I working at ILRC in 2018. The work ILRC is doing is important to me because I feel strongly that equal access is a benefit to the entire community. During quarantine, I took up baking bread. My goal for 2021 is to continue to increase ILRC's presence in our rural communities."

Alea Wade

• Older Individuals Who Are Blind Advocate
• (805) 650-5993 x205
• awade@ilrc-trico.org

Based in the Ventura Office serving Ventura County.

Alea started working at ILRC in 2020. Her favorite colors are royal purple and black. For her, the best part of working at ILRC is that she helps bridge the access gap between consumers and the technologies and/or spaces that might otherwise have excluded them. Advocating for accessible equipment and technologies for all groups is both necessary and essential to disability justice. Her favorite independent living movement advocate is her mother, an advocate for disability rights and independent living and she's most definitely Alea’s biggest inspiration in this work.

Sandy Krietzberg

• Independent Living Advocate-Deaf
• (805) 650-5993 x206
• skrietzberg@ilrc-trico.org

Based in the Ventura office serving all counties.

"I started working with ILRC in October of 2020. The work ILRC does is important to me because it gives people with disabilities the opportunity to be seen, heard, and have more power over their own lives and community which creates more equity among people in our society. During quarantine, I learned how to Scuba Dive which has also become my favorite pastime. My goal for 2021 is to continue connecting with the local Deaf community and learn the best ways I can be an ally".

Jamie Coyle

• Community Living Advocate
• (805) 462-1162 x413
• jcoyle@ilrc-trico.org

Based in San Luis Obispo office serving San Luis Obispo County.

"I started working at ILRC on February 3rd, 2020. The work ILRC does is important to me because we are bringing awareness to a population that has tremendous abilities. This organization is inclusive and diverse, you always feel welcomed and accepted. A new hobby I picked up during quarantine was paint by numbers! My goal for 2021 is to have the motivation to try new things that I have been interested in trying for a long time."

Jerry Mihaic

• Information & Referral Specialist - Bilingual
• (805) 462-1162 x410
• jmihaic@ilrc-trico.org

Based in San Luis Obispo office serving San Luis Obispo County.

"I first began working at ILRC in 2009, then I came back for more in 2017. The work ILRC does is important to be because I believe in social justice and taking care of vulnerable populations-- ILRC provides that opportunity. During quarantine, I learned all the fun things you can do with a green screen and Zoom. My goal for 2021 is to encourage and coach people, especially the elderly, to embrace and use technology and the Internet to their full benefit."

Tamarr Paul

• Assistive Technology Coordinator
• (805) 963-0595 x104
• tpaul@ilrc-trico.org

Based in the Santa Barbara office serving South Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

"I started working at ILRC 2020. The work ILRC does is important to me because I am passionate about working with people with disabilities. During quarantine, I transformed my garage into a studio so that I can shoot videos for the AT program, and film videos for my workout classes which I teach on the side. My goal for 2021 is to advertise ILRC's AT program on social media to increase our AT donations, to find new resources and funding for our consumers, and to increase our library of testimonials and AT demonstration videos."

Jamie Zimmerman

• Independent Living Advocate
• (805) 462-1162 x412
• jzimmerman@ilrc-trico.org

Based in San Luis Obispo office serving San Luis Obispo County.

"I started working at ILRC in 2020. The ILRC work is important to me because it gives me the chance to help people sharpen their skills around whatever their goal may be, grow, and dive into new opportunities with the confidence to succeed. In the beginning of quarantine, I lived in a place where getting outside socially distanced and exercising was still encouraged so I dove back into running. Because there were no races due to the pandemic, I trained for and ran my own half marathon. After I finished that goal, I really took to planning day long hiking trips. I found that exercise helped me burn off my Covid fears and connect more fully to my spirit. My goal for 2021 is to become the best teammate I can be for the ILRC team by using my talents to engage in different projects and dreams throughout the ILRC."

Petra Lowen

• Community Living Advocate
• (805) 963-0595 x101
• plowen@ilrc-trico.org

Based in the Santa Barbara office serving South Santa Barbara County.

"I started at the ILRC in 1983 (the first time, until 1991), then the second time in 2000. The work at the ILRC is extremely important to me because navigating housing issues is difficult and many consumers need our assistance and expertise, some more than others. Advocacy is also an important part of our work. I estimate that in the years that I have worked at the ILRC I have assisted at least 2,500 consumers, maybe more. I have touched many lives. I did not start any new hobbies in 2020 but I have read much more than before and went for more walks. My goals for 2021 are: first of all not to get infected by COVID-19 and get vaccinated as soon as I am eligible. As restrictions are loosened (or lifted): see consumers in the office again because person to person interaction is very important. Then connect with landlords and rental management companies. If the City Housing Authority opens the tenant based section 8 waiting list (as they indicated) sign up all current and past consumers on that waiting list."

Jacob Lesner-Buxton

• Systems Change Advocate
• (805) 963-0595 x105
• jlesner@ilrc-trico.org

Based in the Santa Barbara office serving all counties.

"I started working at ILRC in 2013. Working here has given me the confidence and sense of empowerment to make change and hopefully encourage others to do so. During quarantine, I learned how to engage with yoga classes over zoom. My goal for 2021 is to work up the courage to ride Splash Mountain and Space Mountain at Disneyland. I am not a big fan of thrill rides, but I have been watching some YouTube clips on the rides and think they might be fun to try!"

Jaydon Gaines

• Community Living Advocate
• (805) 650-5993 x204
• jgaines@ilrc-trico.org

Based in the Ventura Office serving Ventura County.

"I started working at ILRC in July 2020. During the quarantine, I took up extreme couponing for personal care and household items, which I donate to our community partners. Our work at ILRC is important to me because it gives me a way to help those around me who need a hand. My goal for 2021 is to grow in my faith and deepen my relationship with my community." Many thanks,   

Rosie Florido

• Bookkeeper

Carol Baizer

• Community Living Advocate/Benefits
• (805) 963-0595 x102
• cbaizer@ilrc-trico.org

Based in the Santa Barbara office serving all counties.

Carol started working at ILRC in 1997. Her favorite color is blue. For her, the best part of working at ILRC is being a part of an organization that provides a different window to the world. Her favorite independent living advocate is Marta Russell.

Jennifer Griffin

• Executive Director
• (805) 963-0595 x112
• jgriffin@ilrc-trico.org

Based in the Santa Barbara office.

"I started working at ILRC in 2000. ILRC's work is important to me because I love that we empower and support people with disabilities to live the life they choose to live. I also adore my co-workers. All good people with big hearts. During quarantine, I became a semi-professional home organizer. I binge watched Marie Condo and Home Edit until I could no longer contain the inner OCD organizer inside me. Since discarding all items that no longer spark joy for me, color coded my closets, and sorted through over 100,000 photographs I have helped several other friends (not at their request) declutter their homes. My goal for 2021 is to continue to grow professionally and personally. Make more time for myself and family and hopefully go on a trip somewhere this year?

Sabrina Bies

• Administrative Coordinator
• (805) 963-0595 x106
• sbies@ilrc-trico.org