the local wellness collective leadership

Meet Heather Ellis a Yoga Alliance Certified E-RYT 500 Yoga Teacher and Meridian Yoga Therapy Practitioner.
Uniquely gifted, Heather specializes in working with Multiple Sclerosis and other autoimmune conditions. Her formal yoga education comes from Lighthouse Yoga and Science of Self Yoga where she owes her level of expertise in Meridian Yoga and NADA Ear Acupressure Certification. She comes to this team bringing with her a passion for sharing her wealth of knowledge with communities everywhere. Her hope is to diversify yoga and other methods of healing to areas where it is not easily accessible. 

Meet Brandy Rametta, 500 Hour RYT, Certified Meridian Yoga Therapy & CBT. Mental Health & Wellness  Event Curator.

Brandy Rametta uses yoga not just as a physical practice but also as a source of light to strengthen mental health and raise emotional intelligence. With a personal interest in helping others, she uses yoga as a form of therapy. Her advocacy for mental health and holistic practices to be implemented in school and work places, is relentless. In addition to inviting community speakers and wellness sponsors to the Heart & Soul Yoga space Brandy is also a public speaker, sharing her own yoga-inspired healing journey. She is passionate about executing wellness workshops, events and classes reflecting diversity, inclusion, healing, connection, health and wholeness. 

Awarded the 2023 Take Action LA Grant by California Mental Health Authority Services and Los Angeles County Mental Health Department

Awarded by The City of Whittier for her advocacy in mental health

Named by The Womens Empowerment Group as Los Angeles Top 100 Most Influential Women of 2023

Owner of Heart & Soul Yoga

Meet Dr. Christina Soibatian Ph.D. in Clinical-Community Psychology

Dr. Christina Soibatian is a UPenn-trained clinical psychologist, UCLA professor, consultant, and speaker for stress and trauma-related issues. She holds a Ph.D. in Clinical-Community Psychology focusing on prevention, consultation, and health promotion for individuals and families of diverse backgrounds. Her research and recent work has concentrated on empowerment and collaborative interventions for individuals who experienced trauma, including domestic violence, sexual assault, and war exposure. She is dedicated to promoting the wellbeing of individuals through culturally informed, trauma informed, and evidence-based practices. 

Meet Dr. Lori Ochoa, PhD Psychology & Behavior Analyst and  Empowerment Coach.

Dr. Ochoa is a Behavior Analyst and Life Coach. She thrives in helping clients maximize their potential and live with greater clarity, purpose, meaning, and direction. This amazing woman takes her extra time to dive into community work, where she connects herself to women's groups, schools and other areas in the community where she helps to motivate and inspire.

Meet Dr. Briana L. Boyd, Ph.D Licensed Clinical Psychologist 

Briana L. Boyd, Ph.D., is a licensed clinical psychologist in San Diego, California. Dr. Boyd has been practicing therapy for twenty years, in private practice for ten. She specializes in treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), combat-related PTSD, childhood trauma and sexual abuse, traumatic brain injury, anxiety and panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, poor boundaries, poor self-image, codependency, family and relational issues, and couples. 

Dr. Boyd is a social justice advocate and is committed to cultivating love and justice in local, national, and global communities.

Meet Shane Aspegren of ONDO Sound

 Formalized in 2020, ONDO was established by Shane Aspegren as a structure to further facilitate his longstanding interests in the healing aspects of sound. Shane’s unique approach to a holistic sound practice combines his multifaceted background—as a contemporary artist, composer, and musician—with training in therapeutic sound traditions. 

As an artist, Aspegren’s work has been commissioned, presented, collected and performed for more than two decades in cultural spaces, private collections, and institutions around the world. He has also released dozens of studio albums and performed hundreds of concerts internationally, ranging from DIY venues to many of the worlds major music festivals.  Aspegren has advanced training in various holistic modalities, including Meridian Yoga Technique (SOS NYC), Integrated Vibrational Therapy, and several others. . 

Meet Abigail, a CTR Certified Trauma Informed Coach, Reiki/Light Worker and Owner of Energy Light Healing 

This beautiful soul is a sound & frequency healer using her gift of emitting vocal tones to assist in aligning and activating through vibration. Her work is centered around bringing awareness and remembrance of the truest essence of you by using modalities like frequency & sound. She also assists women and men to attune to their inner feminine & masculine energy through womb healing. As a Soul Coach she is focused on connecting personal strengths and releasing limiting mindsets.

Meet Barbara Guerrero Certified Massage Therapist, Energy Healer and Holistic Medicine

Barbara is a passionate healer, guide, and wellness enthusiast. Her transformative journey began eight years ago when she discovered the profound healing powers of yoga. Eager to broaden her understanding of wellness, Barbara pursued an Ayurveda program at the Southern California University of Health Sciences and earned her National Ayurvedic Medical Association Practitioner certification. She also holds certifications as a Certified Massage Therapist and Holy Fire Reiki Energy Healer.

In 2020, Barbara turned her calling into reality, opening the doors of Sol Healing Therapy. This sanctuary reflects her commitment to clients' well-being, providing a safe and tranquil space. Recognizing that healing is a unique journey for each individual, Barbara tailors each session by combining bodywork, energy healing, and Ayurvedic practices to meet her client's specific needs.

Kasie Randolph - Ambassador 

With an 18-year tenure as a hope warrior at the City of Hope and the proud mother of two sons Kasie is on a mission to empower holistic healing through sharing tips, resources and products that nourish the mind, body and soul. With humor, passion, and experience, she strives to create a space where love and wellness intertwine seamlessly. As a yoga enthusiast, Kasie embraces each day with an open heart and deep belief that healing comes from within.  

Wendy Guzman - Ambassador 

Wendy Guzman is a wellness advocate and founder of Bloom Wellness. Bloom Wellness focuses on building community and empowering people through a holistic approach. Wendy offers services such as 1:1 coaching, meditation, retreats, workshops, and collaborations as an effort to create a safe space for communities to learn from and support each other.

Ravven Murphy - Ambassador 

Ravven is a dedicated single mother and a dynamic entrepreneur with a passion for empowering women. With over 7 years of experience as a certified personal trainer, she specializes in postpartum fitness. Alongside her fitness expertise, Ravven is a digital marketer and content creator, leveraging her skills to amplify her message of female empowerment. As the visionary behind Mood Forever, Ravven organizes transformative women's empowerment events, creating spaces for connection, growth, and celebration.  Driven by her belief in the power of holistic wellness, Ravven's ultimate goal is to foster a culture of strength and resilience among women, inspiring positive change on physical, mental, spiritual, emotional, and financial levels.

Krystal Rose is a Rapid Transformation Therapist (RTT®), NLP Practitioner, Hypnotherapist, and a business owner.

 As a healer, Krystal helps clients identify the root cause of internal issues and transforms them at a subconscious level. She practices and preaches that the key to lasting transformation is integrative healing and an empowering tribe.

Krystal is leading a program that partners with local stylists to give those transitioning out of homelessness, domestic violence, or trafficking a self-love and self-care makeover. Participants can receive coaching as well as aesthetic care.

Dulce Carrillo - Ambassador 

Dulce Carrillo is passionate about volunteering and supporting her community. She currently serves with the Air National Guard as a Religious Affairs Airman where she aspires to exercise spiritual fitness. Spiritual fitness is the ability to adhere to beliefs, virtues, or values needed to develop a fulfilling life with quality of service. Dulce is a devoted mother, proud veteran, and business owner.

Bonnie Bilitch - Ambassador 

A native Californian, Bonnie has lived in the College Hills Historical District in Whittier for over 20 years, where she and her husband James raised their three children. She recently retired from the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services.  She finds her active volunteer work with CASA, The Whole Child and now The Local Wellness Foundation to be of the upmost importance to share with community members.

Nikomi Arroyo - Ambassador

A Whittier native, Nikomi is a wife, mother, chef, vinyls DJ, community speaker and owner of Phlight Restaurant in Whittier, CA. Nikomi has been gathering the Whittier community for good eats and wine for almost 20 years. Beyond being a restaurant owner, Nikomi is passionate about bringing community together and making the City of Whittier a great place to live and visit.