Meet Our Team

Leadership

RanDee McLain, LCSW

Courage to Call Program Manager

RanDee is a proud US Navy veteran that spent time in Iraq, Kuwait and Spain. After being medically separated in 2009, RanDee went on to earn a B.S in Criminal Justice from SDSU in 2012 and her Master’s degree in Social Work with a concentration in Military and Veteran’s programs from USC. After a difficult transition, RanDee decided to make a career of serving her fellow veterans and their families. Her passions include serving post 9-11 veterans, specifically those that are justice-involved and/or those who have difficulty transitioning. RanDee serves on the Board of Directors for the San Diego Veterans Coalition and the San Diego Enforcers. RanDee is currently assisting with the San Diego Federal Veterans Treatment Court as the mentor coordinator and trainer. In her spare time, RanDee is on faculty with Justice for Vets and the National Association of Drug Court Professionals (NADCP) where she teaches Veteran’s Treatment Courts, DUI Courts and Drug Courts across the country. RanDee writes a monthly mental health column for Homeland Magazine and SD Veterans Magazine . In 2014, RanDee was named the San Diego County Veteran of the Year.

RanDee McLain

Courage to Call – Program Manager
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Shivonne Ayala

Executive Assistant to VP at Veterans Village of San Diego

Shivonne N. Ayala joined the United States Navy in 2000 and served for 12 years, both active duty and as a reservist. Her military employment included Aviation Maintenance Administration, Navy Recruiter, and Logistical Support Specialist, earning the rank of E5. She was stationed in Norfolk, VA, Great Lakes, IL and currently lives in San Diego, CA with her husband and 2 children. Mrs. Ayala currently serves as the Executive Assistant to the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer for Veterans Village of San Diego. She is also a Navy spouse for the last 15 years to her active duty husband who has been serving for the last 21 years in the Navy. Mrs. Ayala holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Business Administration. In her free time, she enjoys the beaches, pools, shopping, movies, cooking, playing sports and spending time with her family.

Shivonne Ayala

Executive Assistant to VP
at Veterans Village of San Diego
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Robert Smith

Military Services Supervisor

Servant leader | Team-Oriented | Structured
Robert is a Retired Navy Senior Chief, passionate about organizational leadership with a comprehensive background in leadership theory, strategic thinking, building collaborative relationships, diversity, and creativity.
“People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.” ~ Theodore Roosevelt

Robert Smith

Military Services Supervisor
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Supervisors

Jennifer Santis

Community Liaison

Jennifer brings 16 years of experience as a Navy spouse. She holds a Master’s Degree in Strategic Communication and a Bachelor’s Degree in Inter-Disciplinary Studies focusing on Sociology, Psychology, and Childhood Development. Jennifer has been a part of the Courage to Call team for five years. She currently serves as co-chair of the San Diego Military Family Collaborative (SDMFC) and formerly served as Communications Chair with the San Diego Women Veterans Network. Jennifer is also involved with the Domestic Violence Council, Alcohol Policy Panel and the GI Film Festival. She is truly committed to delivering caring service to veterans, military families and community partners.

Jennifer Santis

Community Liaison
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Veteran Peer Navigators

Michael J.

Veteran Peer Navigator

Michael J. served 6 years in the United States Marine Corps, working as a Jet Mechanic. He learned what team work really was and he currently uses that attitude as a Veteran Peer Naviagator. He enjoys working with fellow veterans to help other veterans and active duty with issues in their lives. He is fulfilling his passion to help others at Courage to Call.

Michael Johnson

Veteran Peer Navigator
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Juan Narvaez

Veteran Peer Navigator

Juan Narvaez is a Veteran Mental Health Clinician at Courage to Call. Before retiring from the US Navy in 2016, Juan earned a B.S in Criminal Justice from Saint Leo University and a Master’s degree in Social Work with a concentration in Military and Veteran’s programs from the University of Southern California. Juan is also a registered Associate Social Worker in the state of California. After retiring from the Navy, Juan worked as a Housing Navigator for VVSD and Family Engagement Specialist with the YMCA helping youth in foster care/probation system. Juan has a passion for helping active duty service members, veterans, and their families.

Juan Narvaez

Veteran Peer Navigator
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Diana Phillips

Social Work Intern

Diana is an Intern with University of Southern California’s School of Social Work. She received her undergraduate degree in social work from Florida International University which is located in Miami, Florida. Diana’s enthusiasm towards working with veterans comes from her mission to help improve the lives of others. Being a military spouse has taught her the many things the armed services can provide for the well-being of the enlisted.

When Diana joined the Courage to Call team, she was amazed at how others share the same mission.

Diana Phillips

Social Work Intern
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Georgina Valdez

Social Work Intern

Georgina Valdez

Social Work Intern

Meghan Lally

Social Work Intern

Meghan Lally

Social Work Intern

Kenneth Landry

Social Work Intern

Kenneth Landry

Social Work Intern

Peer Specialists

Dianne Martin

Peer to Peer Support Specialist

Dianne served in the US Coast Guard for over 6 years. The majority of her service was as a Boatswain Mate performing search and rescue at small boat units along the Atlantic Coast. She grew up in a little town called Durant, MS and now calls San Diego home. She has been with Courage to Call since February 2010. Her passion is to help other and give back to Military Veterans and their families.

Dianne Martin

Peer to Peer Specialist
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Jennifer Medrano

Peer to Peer Support Specialist

Jennifer served in the United States Marine Corps for over 4 years as a motor transport operator. She deployed to Afghanistan in 2011 conducting combat operations to construct forward operating bases, patrol bases and to support infantry units in the area of operation to establish presence and repair routes for locals to use. After leaving the Marine Corps, she attended San Diego State University, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work in May 2018. Jennifer considers the Marines she served with as family and has a passion for helping veterans, military service members and their families.

Jennifer Medrano

Lead Peer to Peer Specialist
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Family Support Partners

Megan Ramey

Family Support Partner

Megan Ramey is an Active Duty Navy spouse. She has served as an FRG President and is currently an Ombudsman. Megan’s passion is helping others navigate through military life during and after the service. She is excited to be a part of the Courage to Call team and to have the opportunity to continue working with the military community.

Megan Ramey

Family Support Partner
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Outreach Specialists

Jimmy Muller

Veteran Peer Outreach Specialist

James “Jimmy” Muller is a United States Coast Guard Veteran of 8 years. During his time in service (2004-2012) he became an Operation Specialist earning qualifications as a Combat information Center Supervisor, Situation Unit Controller (SITU), and Operation Unit Controller (OPCON). During his last assignment as an OPCON Jimmy was credited with saving 438 lives and over 8 million dollars’ worth of property. Jimmy served aboard two Coast Guard Cutters the Munro and the Jarvis, as well as serving at Sector St. Petersburg, Florida directly in control of all USCG missions in the Gulf of Mexico.

After Service in the USCG, Jimmy moved to San Diego to attend school at Mesa College and San Diego State University where he received his bachelor’s degree with distinction in Kinesiology. Once he earned his degree, Jimmy felt the urge to give back to the veteran and military affiliated community in which he loves. Jimmy started a career at Courage to Call (C2C) in September of 2019 as an Outreach Specialist. As an Outreach Specialist, Jimmy coordinates C2C’s food distribution, is an active member in San Diego County’s coordinated Homeless outreach efforts and veterans committees and groups. Jimmy can also be seen at many San Diego County events representing Courage to Call as the point resource for all the resources in San Diego County that directly impact Active Duty, Veterans and Military Affiliated.

Jimmy Muller

Veteran Peer Outreach Specialist
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William Felty

Veteran Peer Outreach Specialist

William Felty is a Post 9/11 Marine Corps Veteran, and he served faithfully from 2003 to 2007 with a 13-month deployment to Iraq in 2006. He has continued to serve after his military service, volunteering many hours annually with organizations such as the San Diego Veterans Coalition, the San Diego Military Family Collaborative, the Mission Continues, and others.
William studied diligently and earned his Master’s Degree in Social Work from Cal-State San Marcos in 2019. William is known to many as “The Go To Guy” on local and national Veteran resources, and he makes himself available to those who are in need when possible. He is happily married to Vyanh and adores her. They enjoy spending time together with their pet dog, Missy, and going on outdoor adventures.

On average, more than 20 Military Service Members and Veterans take their own life each day, and this weighs heavily on him and inspires him to #BeThere for our Nation’s Military Service Members, Veterans, and their Family Members. In order to remind himself and invite others to #BeThere for fellow Veterans, he does 22 pushups every day alone or with others, and as of January 2020, he has surpassed 1,200 consecutive days of pushups.

William Felty

Veteran Peer Outreach Specialist
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Administrative

Cassandra Johnson

Administrative Assistant

Cassandra Johnson is a US Navy Veteran continuing to serve those who have or are serving our country in any capacity. God Bless America.

Cassandra Johnson

Administrative Assistant
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