Administration, Faculty & Staff

Barbara Firestone, PhD

Susan Berman, PhD
Executive Director
The administration, faculty and staff of The Help Group comprise more than 850 professionals with a heartfelt commitment to helping children with special needs experience achievement and success.
Our multidisciplinary expertise includes program development and administration, special education, clinical psychology, psychiatry, neuropsychology, speech and language pathology, occupational therapy, social work, counseling, nursing, adaptive physical education, professional training, and research. This depth of experience and knowledge enables The Help Group to offer a wide range of educational and therapeutic programs of the highest quality.

Oscar Valadez
Chief Financial Officer

Elena Brewer, MBA
Vice President of Human Resources &
Community-based Programs

Elin Bradley
Director of Therapeutic Schools and Residential Treatment

Pamela Clark, MA
Director of Autism Schools

Heather Humphrey
Senior Director of Adult & Clinical Services

Lucyna Iga Gaj, LMFT
Senior Director, Family Based Programs & Services

Claudia L. Kernan, Ph.D.
Director, The Help Group/UCLA Neuropsychology Program

Randy Kissel
Director of Facilities

Stephanie Lord, Ph.D.
Director of Psychology Training

Nicole Jorenson
Director of School-Based Behavioral Services

Erika Maya
Senior Director of Strategy & Marketing

Ken Moon
Senior Director of Information Technology

Amy Gomez
Corporate Controller

Bradley Shahine
Director of Public Affairs

Laurie Stephens, PhD
Sr. Director of Autism & Clinical Services

Debby Webb, MSW
Sr. Executive Administrator
