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Dr. Heger received her bachelor’s degree and M.D. from the University of Southern California. In 1984, she founded the Center for the Vulnerable Child (CVC) at LAC+USC Medical Center for the evaluation of child abuse, which would grow to become the multi-disciplinary, public-private partnership known as the Violence Intervention Program. Dr. Heger is the Executive Director of VIP, as well as a Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, and has extensive knowledge and background working with victims of violence. 

She is highly respected in government industry, is well versed on policy matters and is considered a world-renowned expert in the field of child sexual abuse and assault. She has received the President’s highest award for victim advocacy, and continues to be a powerful advocate for the rights of children and families impacted by violence.

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Astrid Heppenstall Heger, MD

Executive Director of the Violence Intervention Program at LAC + USC, Founder and CEO of VIP Community Mental Health

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Dr. Fuentes received his bachelor’s degree from University of California Los Angeles, and his M.D. from the University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine. During his Residency at LAC+USC Dr. Fuentes met Dr. Heger and became passionate about her mission to protect and treat all victims of family violence and sexual assault. After receiving his Board certification in pediatrics in 2004 Dr. Fuentes was hired as one of the first Pediatricians for the Community Based Assessment & Treatment Center (CATC/Hub).

Dr. Fuentes is a Senior Physician and current Medical Director of the LAC+USC VIP CATC (Hub) Clinic, an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at USC, a VIP Board member, and a member of the Family Strengthening Project Strategic Council sponsored by the Junior Blind of America foundation and First 5 Los Angeles. He is passionate about health issues affecting the foster care population and driven by his hope for policy change within foster care.

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Jorge Fuentes, MD

Medical Director, Community-Based Assessment and Treatment Center

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As Chief Operating Officer for the VIP Community Mental Health Center, Dr. Mejia is responsible for administrative and clinical operations and management. Additionally, she is responsible for management of an annual operating budget of over $10 million, which encompasses federal, county, and community-based grants and contracts.

A native Angeleno, Dr. Mejia has a passionate commitment to serving and improving the lives of the most vulnerable and underserved children and families living in Los Angeles County, and holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Multi-cultural Community Mental Health from the California School of Professional Psychology.

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Maribel Mejia, PhD

Chief Operating Officer, VIP Community Mental Health Center

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Bin Li received her Master of Business Administration in 1989, later becoming a Certified Public Accountant. As the Chief Financial Officer of the Violence Intervention Program, she has worked for the organization for almost 10 years.

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Bin Li, CPA

Chief Financial Officer, VIP Community Mental Health Center

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As the Development & Communications Director at VIP Community Mental Health Center Billy Ray is responsible for fundraising, donor cultivation, community engagement, corporate partnerships, and communication strategies. Additional areas of focus include Board relations, volunteers, event planning and execution, data analytics, social media, and providing support for Grants. Billy Ray has spent the past 20-years working in the non-profit sector, primarily in the areas of film and theatre, with an emphasis on Southern and LGBTQ+ causes. Born and raised in Alabama, Billy Ray now calls Los Angeles home.

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Billy Ray Brewton

Communications and Development Director, VIP Community Mental Health Center

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Board of Directors

Chairperson

Linda Bernstein Rubin

Secretary/Treasurer 

Andrew Batiz

Alison Petrocelli, Esq.

Richard Leweke

Astrid Heppenstall Heger, MD

Jennifer Mele

Charon D’Aiello Sandoval

Deborah Santana

Lyne Scott, MD

Professor Stephen A. Nuno

Jorge Fuentes, MD

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