Joseph K. Lyou, Ph.D.
President & CEO

(213) 223–6866

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What I love about California:

The diversity of people and cultures―there’s always someone interesting to meet and always good food or music worth discovering.

Bio:

Dr. Joseph Lyou joined CCA as president and CEO in 2010 and is based in Los Angeles. A highly regarded leader in California’s environmental movement, Joe came to CCA with 20 years of experience in state environmental policy and advocacy, as well as knowledge of science and air quality policy. He previously founded the California Environmental Rights Alliance and has held management positions with the California League of Conservation Voters Education Fund and Committee to Bridge the Gap. Lyou serves as the governor’s appointee to the South Coast Air Quality Management District Governing Board, and he is an active participant on many regional and statewide advisory committees on air pollution, air toxics, environmental justice and environmental health. He received his Ph.D. from UC Santa Cruz in 1990.

Nidia Bautista
Policy Director

(916) 498-1560 x 3

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Bio:

Nidia Bautista, policy director, has been with CCA since 2003. Currently based in Sacramento, she is responsible for managing the organization’s advocacy and outreach efforts in California’s inland valleys. Previously, Nidia served as field representative for Congresswoman Hilda L. Solis, worked on several progressive campaigns throughout Los Angeles County and helped produce an environmental directory for the East San Gabriel Valley. She majored in political science at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Luis R. Cabrales
Deputy Director of Campaigns

(213) 223–6868

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Why I fight for clean air:

To provide my son and future generations a healthier, safer environment.

Bio:

Luis R. Cabrales is the deputy director of campaigns in the Los Angeles office. Before coming to CCA in 2006, he served as California Organizer at the National Environmental Trust. Additionally, Luis is a co-founder of Residents of Pico Rivera for Environmental Justice and co-creator of "Nuestra Voz" (Our Voice), a roundtable talk show on KPFK. Luis received a bachelor’s degree in cultural anthropology at Cal State L.A.

Danielle DesRochers
Office Manager

(213) 223–6867

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Bio:

Danielle DesRochers manages CCA’s office operations from our headquarters in Los Angeles. She joined us in 2011, bringing with her 25 years of executive support experience for a diverse variety of corporations—including Verizon, Neutrogena and Ralph’s. Danielle is a Los Angeles native and studied business administration and international business at Riverside and Long Beach Colleges.

Liz Ernst
Development Director

(213) 223–6872

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My goal as a clean air advocate:

To build a stronger network of supporters by allowing them to see the impact of their support. Together, we can make clean air a reality.

Bio:

Liz Ernst is CCA's development director. Based in the Los Angeles office, she works to grow the organization's base of support. Prior to joining CCA in 2007, Liz was a fundraising consultant for nonprofit organizations, including the Autry National Center in Los Angeles and the Society for Contemporary Art in Chicago, and she previously served as assistant director of development for the Art Institute of Chicago. Liz has also worked as an account executive and auctioneer in auction houses in Atlanta and Chicago. She attended Skidmore College in New York, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in art history and business.

Monica Howe
Communications & Design Manager

(213) 223-6870

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What clean air means to me:

Not seeing a brown blanket of smog on the horizon.

Bio:

Monica Howe has been with CCA's Los Angeles office since 2008. Formerly with the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition and the Bicycle Kitchen, she has advocated for years to clean up L.A.'s air by reducing vehicle use. Monica also works as a singer, songwriter and performance artist. She attended Art Center College of Design, earning a bachelor's degree in photography and fine art.

Elizabeth Jonasson
Campaign & Outreach Associate

(559) 486-3279 x 1

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What I love about California:

Diversity of thought, lifestyle, ethnicity, food; whether you like the beach, desert or snowy mountains, there is truly a space for everyone. Well, except for more polluters.

Bio:

Elizabeth Jonasson, campaign and outreach associate, staffs our Fresno office and works on air quality issues affecting the San Joaquin Valley. Prior to joining CCA in 2010, Elizabeth worked in community outreach and revitalization for the City of Fresno, and she received the 2010 Central California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce 2010 Rising Star award. Elizabeth is multi-lingual and has lived in five countries; she studied international relations at Instituto Technologico Autonomo de Mexico (ITAM) in Mexico City and is currently pursuing an MBA at Fresno State.

Candice Kim
Senior Campaign Associate

(213) 223–6865

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What I love about California:

Working in California, we often get to set groundbreaking precedents in the national and even international movement to reduce air pollution and protect public health.

Bio:

Candice Kim is Senior Campaign Associate in the Los Angeles office, working primarily on stemming toxic air pollution from ports and freight transportation in the state of California. Prior to joining CCA in 2005, Candice spent many years engaged in public health, immigrants’ rights and community and labor organizing, with a focus on organizing health professionals. She has bachelor’s degrees in art and sociology from the University of California at Santa Barbara.

Nicole Nishimura
Development Associate

(213) 223–6871

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What clean air means to me:

That people aren’t getting sick from the air they breathe.

Bio:

Nicole Nishimura joined our Los Angeles office in 2010. Prior to joining CCA, Nicole worked with the California Environmental Rights Alliance, an environmental justice organization based in Southern California. She graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a degree in mass communications and a minor in peace and conflict studies.

Shankar B. Prasad, M.B.B.S.
Executive Fellow

(916) 498-1560 x 4

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What clean air means to me:

Increasing the life expectancy of Californians, reducing kids’ asthma attacks and school absences, and improving quality of life for the most impacted and needy.

Bio:

Shankar B. Prasad, M.B.B.S., joined our Sacramento office as Executive Fellow in 2008. Prior to entering the nonprofit world, Dr. Prasad spent five years in clinical practice, three years conducting air pollution health effects research, and 21 years of civil service in environmental health research and policy development. As Deputy Secretary for Science and Environmental Justice at the California Environmental Protection Agency, Dr. Prasad initiated and led the agency in evaluating and improving the quality and role of science in the decision-making process. In his tenure as Health Advisor to the Chairman of the California Air Resources Board, his efforts led to the Board’s adoption of environmental justice policies and actions. Working as Health Effects Officer at the South Coast Air Quality Management District, he initiated the air pollution health effects research program. Dr. Prasad is a member of the National Environmental Justice Advisory Council.