The Villa de Vida, Inc. Team
In addition to our Board of Directors, the following individuals are part of the Villa de Vida, Inc. team.
Izabel Bautista
Operations Manager
Izabel received her bachelor’s degree in art and photography at San Jose State University where she worked as a Program Director at the East Palo Alto YMCA. She subsequently received a master’s degree from New College of California in San Francisco in Humanities and Leadership, and recently a master’s and Ph.D. candidacy from Antioch University in Yellow Springs Ohio in Leadership and Change.
She has extensive experience in various administrative and organizational leadership roles, such as Project Manager, Life Coach, Multicultural Director, and Associate Dean. Most recently, her work with Girls on the Run as the Program and Operations Manager involved onboarding, training, and coordinating a team of 300+ volunteer educational coaches across San Diego County to lead after school programs focused on social emotional learning, community service, and introducing 1,200 youth to physical exercise and running their first celebratory 5k in Mission Bay!
Izabel is the founder of the Las Comadritas Project; a program that serves Latina youth in the Sherman Heights/Barrio Logan area in San Diego and builds their leadership skills. In addition, she is the co-founder of the Fremont High School Alumni Foundation South Central Los Angeles, an organization focusing on scholarship philanthropy, mental health, financial literacy, and college preparation. Izabel is excited to join the team at Villa de Vida as the Operations Manager!
Spenser Bryant
Direct Support Professional
Spenser is a San Diego local. He graduated from California State University San Marcos with a bachelor’s degree in Psychological Science. He has extensive experience navigating the CSU Disabled Students Services. Spenser prioritizes building relationships with clients to create a better environment to help them succeed and enjoys encouraging his peers to be the best version of themselves. Spenser is overjoyed with the opportunity to be a part of the Villa De Vida, Inc. team and assist in following the organization’s mission of empowering adults with developmental challenges to live life fully.
Elizabeth Cushman
Direct Support Professional
Elizabeth is a San Diego native that has worked with the IDD community for many years. She has been a Poway resident since 1979 and attended Poway High School. Elizabeth continued her education in Psychology and Special Education and is also CPR/BLS certified. Prior to working with the IDD community, Elizabeth worked as a CNA for Palomar Health providing in-home care to individuals in the San Diego area. In her spare time she enjoys activities with her family and friends and attending live music events. Elizabeth is very excited to be part of the Villa de Vida, Inc. team!
Jessica Farber
Resident Support Coordinator
Jessica Farber is a Native San Diegan. She graduated from California State University San Marcos with bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Spanish. While in college, she worked as a Job Coach for adults with developmental disabilities and has since worked in various capacities for other nonprofits. One of these positions was as the Director of Services for a company that co-owned low-income apartments throughout San Diego. While there, she supervised resident service coordinators who provided services to the residents, such as English as a Second Language, computer literacy classes and after school tutoring. She is excited about being able to utilize her previous work experience, along with her relationship and community building skills, to help create a dynamic and engaging program for the residents of Villa de Vida, Poway, and the greater San Diego community. Jessica has been with Villa de Vida, Inc. for four years.
Zach Hill
Activities Aide & Direct Support Professional
Zach is a Native San Diegan. He is a firm believer in assisting his peers through advocacy and a love for healthy lifestyle and sports. He is the current Vice President of San Diego People First, an organization promoting advocacy for people with developmental disabilities. He also helps as an assistant coach for the 2nd Recess youth running club in San Diego. Zach hopes to share new ideas, approaches, and positive energy with the residents, programs, and activities at Villa de Vida, Inc.
Emily Kipp
Activities Coordinator & Direct Support Professional
Emily is a native Powegian and recently graduated from Cal State Northridge where she earned her bachelors in Kinesiology Dance. She first worked with Villa de Vida as a volunteer, leading art classes, self-care, and meditations. Last year she joined the team as an activities coordinator and is back from school to continue her work with Villa de Vida. She enjoys engaging with the residents to plan events that encourage creativity and wellness. Emily cherishes every moment she gets to spend with the residents and staff and is eager to continue growing at Villa de Vida, Inc.
Gary Knapp
Direct Support Professional
Gary is a native Minnesotan. He obtained an Associate degree in Information Technology, and has been working with the IDD community for 6 years. He is very much a utility support professional, having experience in group homes, senior care facilities, in-home support, and most recently helping a client as a student support specialist at Palomar college. Having experience in these different areas has equipped him with the tools and knowledge to assist people in a way that helps build their confidence, regulate insecurities and create a peaceful positive community. He enjoys spending time playing his musical instrument, reading, learning something new every day, and encouraging others to grow along with him.
Kayleen Mojica
Activities Coordinator
Kayleen is a proud SoCal native with a passion for community engagement that’s taken her across California. Originally from Long Beach, she earned her degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Studio Art from Cal State East Bay. Her work has brought her to North County San Diego, where she continues to advocate for equitable access to resources and opportunities. Kayleen recently completed a year-long term as an AmeriCorps STEM VISTA at Cal State San Marcos, serving as a Student Engagement Specialist. In that role, she combined mental health advocacy, educational outreach, and creative programming to support students and strengthen campus-community connections. Now, as the new Activities Coordinator at Villa de Vida, Kayleen is excited to bring her energy, creativity, and dedication to this vibrant community.
Rosalie Regina-Torres
Direct Support Professional
Rosalie has lived in San Diego for a majority of her life. She attended college in New York at St. John’s University where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. Prior to working at Villa de Vida, Inc., Rosalie worked as an ABA therapist for a year and a half. While attending St. John’s, she earned her mandated reporter certification while completing a research project on how to best assist developmentally disabled victims of abuse. She hopes to utilize her interpersonal skills, as well as the skills she’s learned through ABA, to continue to work with people of all ages with disabilities. Rosalie loves working with this population and she’s excited to continue learning and growing with the Villa de Vida, Inc. team!
Kenzie Tibbs
Direct Support Professional
Kenzie is a proud Arizona native; she attended the University of Arizona. Having worked in the community for several years, she brings valuable experience to her role at Villa de Vida. Before joining the team, Kenzie spent two years as an ABA therapist and is also CPR certified. She takes great pleasure in running Day Programs and providing Tailored Services to meet individual client needs. She is dedicated to building meaningful relationships and passionately advocates for her clients’ needs. In her free time, she enjoys relaxing at the beach and staying active through workouts.
Elizabeth Wood
Direct Support Professional
Elizabeth is a proud San Diegan who has lived in this wonderful city for most of her life. In high school, she volunteered as an activity helper in an elderly care home, working with patients one on one and in groups to help create community and an active lifestyle. She went on to graduate from Sonoma State University with a bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in Education. She then went on to complete her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential program at Sonoma State University. Elizabeth is proud to be an elementary school teacher for over 3 years, with experience teaching students with learning and intellectual disabilities. She enjoys using her skills to help this population feel confident in themselves. She is grateful to be part of the Villa de Vida team!