Our staff
Diana Castañeda is the founder of Corales de la Tierra. Diana received a Master of Arts in Montessori Education from Saint Mary’s College of California and has worked in the education field for more than ten years. Her professional experience includes working as a Montessori preschool teacher, an assistant at a Reggio Emilia based preschool, a children’s yoga instructor and a behavioral consultant for individuals with developmental disabilities. In her position as a behavioral consultant, Diana established herself as a leader and supervisor. She created and led a Spanish-Speaking Parent Support Group. In addition to gaining diverse professional experiences, Diana has also traveled extensively in Europe, North America, Central America and South America. Her travels have given her insights into many different cultures and have taught her diverse ways of interacting with people and nature.
Aaron Ash has often been described as a jack of all trades. He graduated from Colorado College with a bachelors of arts degree in drama. In college he worked in the theater scene shop building sets. After college he spent a year and a half learning permaculture in the Sonoran desert. This endeavor instilled a deep sense of how interconnected humans are with our mother Earth. Aaron worked as a camp counselor at various summer camps working with kids of all ages from 7-16. Additionally he is trained in nonviolent communication (NVC). During his time working at Bridging Worlds Behavioral Services he was trained in heart centered ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis). A fun fact about Aaron is that he built his own tiny house.
Gustavo Andrade joined the Corales de la Tierra team as a Spanish mentor, although his extensive background in various disciplines allows him to mentor students in other subjects as well. Mentoring is not new for Gustavo as he has been active in mentoring and teaching since high school. There he tutored students in mathematics, biology and literature. While he was a university student Gustavo continued his work as a tutor in various subjects and for individuals with disabilities. After graduating with a Bachelors of Mathematics, Gustavo continued to advance his educational and professional development. He studied yoga and Buddhist philosophy in India, gained experience as a programmer and a web developer in the United States and Mexico and studied massage, lion dance and martial arts in China. In addition to serving as a mentor for Corales de la Tierra, Gustavo additionally works as a masseuse in Tijuana, Mexico. A fun fact about Gustavo is after suffering a knee injury while learning amateur boxing in Texas, he developed a non-surgical approach to the management of ACL injuries!
Cami Courtright comes to Corales with over fifteen years of experience as a mentor and instructor of independent living skills. She is known by her colleagues and clients as authentic, grounded and humble. She has an ease with people that allows those around her to relax. She has worked with a variety of populations including individuals with developmental disabilities to boost independence. She has experience as a behavioral consultant and worked with clients overseeing vocational training, improved functional communication and skills acquisition. Cami enjoys being outdoors and has infused nature-based knowledge in her approaches to working with individuals. She has also facilitated groups for cultivating social skills, writing/creativity and self-esteem issues. Cami has traveled to Central America and throughout western Europe and Scandinavia. Cami’s interests include finding new walking trails, independent film and writing. A fun fact about her is that for five years while living in Sebastopol she wrote a humorous blog about the town!
James Reed has recently joined Corales, inspired by his past experience working in behavioral services. He is a writer, carpenter, a budding musician and the father of a young daughter. James is trained in Shiatsu massage therapy. He has lived in Sebastopol for eight years. He deeply appreciates serving the population that Corales serves because he is genuinely inspired by the courage and openness of the clients and by the generous hearts of the Corales staff. James is known for the gentle way he interacts with clients and how his kind, encouraging nature allows people to feel comfortable being themselves.
Elliot Lerman is a new member of the Corales team. Elliot has a masters of science in Mental Health Counseling from Long Island University.He is also a behavioral analyst candidate. He has worked with individuals with disabilities for over eight years with a wide variety of age groups. Elliot has had experience in the school setting,working in the community, and long term assisted living facilities. Elliot’s philosophy is to approach learning through fun and play. He believes that play is fundamental to exploring this world and is passionate about showing people their true potential. A fun fact about Elliot is that he is a master Hula hooper. Elliot has helped a number of volunteer organizations put on theater productions and has put together art programs exploring meditation and visual arts. Elliot also loves animals and going outdoors.
Gregory Washburn is also a new addition to the Corales team, specializing in vocational development. Before devoting his time to helping people find and maintain meaningful employment, Greg was a dedicated student. He spent years studying art, history, science, and English literature, while also traveling to Europe, and living in Alaska—giving into his love of wonder and a desire for awe. He began his tutoring and mentoring career while studying astronomy and math at Santa Rosa Junior College. Greg started by tutoring students in math. Eventually, he was asked to work for the College to Career program where he tutored students with intellectual disabilities and/or autism. Greg transferred to the University of California, Berkeley where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in English. Afterwards, he went right back to working with people with disabilities. He’s been happily working as an vocational coach ever since.
Diala Campa comes to Corales with an Engineering degree in Graphic Design. She began working in education helping to create activities and educational materials for her mother’s pre-kindergarten class. This led her to begin working independently with teachers and educators in the creation of custom educational materials. She later worked for a bilingual education book publisher for ages K-12 creating visual support materials such as flashcards, activities, games, etc. Diala participated in team sports for many years. The discipline and collaboration she learned from those experiences are qualities she continues to apply to her work and life. Diala is passionate about history and creative expression in all its forms. She enjoys reading, researching, and crafting in her free time. A fun fact about her is she’s a fan of the Tijuana Toros baseball team!
Holly Urquhart brings a diverse range of experiences to the Corales team. With a passion for nurturing and supporting individuals of all abilities, Holly served as a teacher's assistant in a special education school in Santa Rosa, where she honed her skills in creating inclusive and supportive learning environments. With over a decade of nanny and childcare experience, Holly has developed a deep understanding of the unique needs of both children and adults, further enhanced by her work with individuals with varying abilities. Holly's strengths lie in her broad understanding of ABA behavior analysis, coupled with her experience in working with diverse age groups and ability levels across various settings. With a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Studies and Education, Holly is committed to fostering inclusive environments where all individuals can thrive. In her free time, Holly indulges her creative side through arts and crafts projects. She also finds solace in nature, often exploring the scenic beauty of Sonoma County through hiking adventures. An active participant in queer and music culture, Holly enjoys engaging with her community and staying connected to her passions. Holly's upbringing in Scotland until middle school has provided her with a multicultural perspective, enriching her approach to her work and interactions with others.
Meg Davis has been a Certified Life and Health Coach for 5 years. She derives immense joy and a fulfilling sense of purpose by helping people change their lives through a number of different modalities. Meg graduated from Sonoma State in 2007 with a degree in Liberal Studies, via a program similar to a Waldorf style of learning. Since graduating, she has spent time in several different fields, offering her broad and unique skill sets she loves to share with her clients. Due to her passion for living an active and healthy lifestyle and first-hand experience in just how transformational nutrition and activity can be in someone’s life, Meg excels in offering perspective, tips and creating growth in all areas related to health and wellness with her clients at Corales. In her free time you can find Meg taking long walks with her dog, in her kitchen cooking, playing tennis, training in Muay Thai or reading an exciting fiction book.