Our team – ICC

Nuestro Equipo

Elizabeth Barrios Gomez

Co-Founder & Executive Director

Fernando Antonio Gomez

Cofundador y director de visión

Elizabeth Barrios Gomez es una madre apasionada, defensora experimentada y líder respetada en el movimiento por los derechos de las personas con discapacidad en California. Como directora ejecutiva y cofundadora de Integrated Community Collaborative (ICC), Elizabeth aporta más de una década de incansable defensa de las familias desatendidas que navegan por los complejos sistemas estatales de discapacidad del desarrollo. Su trabajo se basa en la humildad cultural, la experiencia vivida y un profundo compromiso con la equidad y la justicia. Elizabeth se graduó del programa de Educación de Liderazgo de California en Neurodesarrollo y Discapacidades Relacionadas (CA-LEND) a través del Centro Universitario para la Excelencia en Discapacidades del Desarrollo (UCEDD) de la USC en el Hospital Infantil de Los Ángeles (CHLA). También se graduó de la capacitación "Partners in Policymaking" a través del Centro Regional Westside, donde fortaleció sus bases como líder familiar y defensora de políticas.

Actualmente forma parte del Comité Asesor Local (LAC) del Programa de Autodeterminación del Centro Regional Westside y es embajadora de Disability Voices United. Entre sus iniciativas recientes se incluye la fundación de Community Outreach. Integradoras Programa, una iniciativa con raíces culturales que aborda las disparidades en el acceso y los servicios dentro del sistema de Centros Regionales de California. A través de este modelo, Elizabeth ha contribuido a crear vías para la orientación y el empoderamiento entre pares en comunidades latinas y monolingües.

Elizabeth cofundó ICC junto con otros padres y líderes autogestores para aunar esfuerzos de defensa comunitaria bajo una misión compartida de relevancia cultural, desarrollo de capacidades comunitarias y cambio sistémico. Bajo su liderazgo, ICC se ha convertido en una voz estatal de confianza en el ámbito de las discapacidades intelectuales y del desarrollo (DI/DD), influyendo en políticas, ampliando el acceso y asesorando a una nueva generación de líderes.

Elizabeth obtuvo su licenciatura en la Universidad de Woodbury. Vive en el oeste de Los Ángeles con su esposo y compañero de defensa, Fernando Gómez, y sus dos hijos: Oscar Antonio, un joven dinámico con síndrome de Down, y Diego Antonio. Su mayor inspiración proviene de su familia, y su visión es clara: garantizar que cada familia, sin importar su idioma, cultura o código postal, tenga las herramientas, el apoyo y el respeto que merece.

Fernando is a senior executive with over 30 years of experience in business development, multicultural marketing, and emerging technologies. His leadership spans roles as a network executive and in strategic marketing, global distribution, and affiliate relations across major corporations such as Univision/Galavisión, Bravo Networks, Microsoft (MSN Latino), France Telecom (Starmedia), impreMedia, and Maya Entertainment, where he served as Vice President of Emerging Markets. A nationally recognized expert in the Hispanic market and multi-channel media, Mr. Gomez has been a frequent speaker at both national and international conferences on media, diversity, and market inclusion.

He brings this same commitment to equity and inclusion into the disability rights movement.His advocacy includes appointments to the DDS Advisory Committee to the California Master Plan, to the OAH Lanterman Act Hearing Advisory Committee and appointed by Governor Brown to the Interagency Coordinating Council on Early Intervention. He has also served as Board Chair of Westside Regional Center, President of the Board of ARCA, and as a board member for the Special Olympics of Southern California.

Maria López

Cofundadora, Gerente Regional - Valle de San Fernando y SDP IF

María López es una defensora comunitaria con más de una década de experiencia apoyando a familias de personas con discapacidad. Como madre latina de tres hijos, dos de ellos con autismo, María lidera las iniciativas de ICC en el Valle de San Fernando con comprensión cultural y compasión. Está profundamente comprometida con guiar a las familias hispanohablantes monolingües a través del sistema del Centro Regional, ofreciendo apoyo confiable, herramientas prácticas y un fuerte sentido de comunidad. Su liderazgo empodera a otros a navegar con confianza y alzar la voz por la equidad.

Rubi Saldana

Cofundadora, Gerente Regional y SDP IF

Rubi Saldana es una defensora comprometida y orgullosa madre de tres hijos, incluyendo dos niños con autismo. Con más de 14 años de experiencia, cofundó ICC para ayudar a familias, especialmente a las comunidades hispanohablantes y marginadas, a navegar los complejos sistemas de servicios para personas con discapacidad de California. Rubi lidera con empatía, humildad cultural y experiencia, brindando apoyo práctico, mentoría y defensa basada en la confianza. Su trabajo continúa impulsando la equidad y el cambio sistémico, asegurando que ninguna familia se quede atrás.

Josefina Romo

Jefa de Operaciones y SDP IF

Josefina Romo graduated from the University of Guadalajara with a Bachelor’s Degree in Law. Since joining ICC in 2019, she has served as Chief of Operations and an Independent Facilitator in the Self-Determination Program, combining her legal expertise with her lived experience as a mother of a young adult with autism and as a person with a disability. Her work focuses on empowering individuals with disabilities, promoting inclusion, and supporting families through person-centered services. She also serves on the University of Guadalajara Alumni Association board in Los Angeles and collaborates with the Mexican Consulate on community initiatives.

Dora Contreras

Regional Manager – Stockton Area & SDP IF

Tras una carrera en docencia y administración escolar, Dora Contreras encontró un nuevo propósito en 2018 como Integradora del ICC. Actualmente, como Gerente Regional para el área de Stockton, Dora lidera a su equipo en el apoyo a familias en toda la zona de influencia del Centro Regional Valley Mountain (VMRC). Su pasión y dedicación se basan en el servicio comunitario, garantizando que las personas con discapacidad intelectual y del desarrollo (IDD) y sus familias reciban la orientación, la defensa y el apoyo culturalmente receptivo que necesitan. Dora es la orgullosa abuela de un joven que recibe servicios del sistema de centros regionales.

Syam Mohanty

Chief Technology Officer

Syam is an accomplished information technology professional with more than two decades of global experience designing, developing, and implementing innovative digital solutions for healthcare and enterprise organizations. As Chief Technology Officer (CTO) for the Integrated Community Collaborative (ICC), Syam leads the organization’s digital transformation by integrating emerging technologies, automation, artificial intelligence, and scalable technology solutions into ICC’s advocacy and service delivery framework. His expertise in systems architecture, process optimization, and digital innovation is helping position ICC as a forward-thinking organization prepared to meet the evolving needs of California’s intellectual and developmental disabilities community. By modernizing workflows, building secure technology platforms, and leveraging data-driven solutions, Syam is helping move ICC into the 21st century—enhancing productivity, strengthening organizational capacity, and enabling more efficient, responsive, and impactful support for the individuals and families ICC serves each year.

Oscar Mercado

Director Community Programs

Oscar Mercado is a young Hispanic-American disability rights advocate, Director of Programs for the Integrated Community Collaborative (ICC), and Independent Facilitator dedicated to advancing opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. As a self-advocate with autism who receives services through California’s Regional Center system, Oscar combines his lived experience with a passion for person-centered planning, self-determination, and equitable access to services. A respected leader and role model, he represents ICC through public speaking, legislative testimony, statewide advocacy initiatives, and the development of marketing, educational, and promotional materials that amplify the voices of the disability community. Having successfully navigated educational, medical, and complex public systems,

Oscar brings authenticity, determination, and a strong commitment to empowering families while inspiring the next generation of self-advocates. He is currently pursuing his college education while continuing to expand his leadership and advocacy throughout California.

Néstor Nieves

Co-Founder & Manager Community Programs

Nestor Nieves is a self-advocate with autism and Manager of Community Programs for the Integrated Community Collaborative (ICC), where he empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) and their families through leadership, advocacy, and community engagement. Inspired by his mother, longtime advocate Josefina Nieves, Nestor has become a respected leader in California’s disability community, serving on the California State Council on Developmental Disabilities and as Co-Chair of the Statewide Self-Determination Advisory Committee. As a participant in California’s Self-Determination Program, he is committed to advancing independence, choice, and full community inclusion for people with I/DD.

Alejandra Páramo

Integrated Community Collaborative - Admin

Alejandra works in an administrative role at Integrated Community Collaborative (ICC), where she has supported the organization’s mission for the past year. She assists with daily operations, maintaining records and documentation, scheduling meetings and trainings, supporting event logistics, preparing reports and invoices, managing internal communications, and coordinating with staff and families. Prio to joining ICC, Alejandra gained experience in nonprofit work and accounting in her home country, strengthening her organizational, financial, and administrative skills. This background allows her to effectively support ICC. Through her dedication and commitment to service, Alejandra plays an important role in advancing ICC’s mission of empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families through advocacy, education, and equitable access to resources.

Blanca Mercado

ICC community integrator & Director of the video production and editing department

Blanca Mercado is an attorney, video creation director, and dedicated advocate whose work is shaped by her experience as a proud mother of two children on the autism spectrum. Educated in Mexico, she built her foundation in law before beginning her advocacy journey. Co-founding a local community‑based nonprofit, where she discovered her passion for supporting families and elevating underserved voices.

Her greatest vocation has always been motherhood. Years spent caring for her son without services strengthened her resolve, deepened her compassion, and inspired her commitment to helping other families navigate complex systems with dignity and confidence.