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
Read more about RanDee
Email RanDee

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
Read more about Shivonne
Email Shivonne

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
Read more about Robert
Email Robert

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 six 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
Read more about Jennifer

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
Read more about Michael

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
Read more about Juan

Alex Smith

Veteran Peer Navigator

Alexandria is a Marine Corps veteran spouse. She received her Master of Social Work with a concentration in behavioral health in 2018 as well as her bachelor’s degree in Human Development in 2016. Alexandria has previous experience working with military veterans and their families in mental health and behavioral health setting’s. Her previous experience also includes individual counseling, group counseling, crisis intervention, coordination of care and case management. Alexandria is a registered Associate social worker for the state of California.

Alex Smith

Veteran Peer Navigator
Read more about Alex

Joseph Ombrello

Veteran Peer Navigator

Joe is a US Army veteran that served as an OPFOR and Scout Platoon Leader, Civil Affairs Team Leader, and Company Commander. After leaving the Army in 2013, Joe went on to open a CrossFit InnerFire gym and took a position as a police officer in Ohio. Joe worked in law enforcement, continued to serve in the Army Reserves, and ran his CrossFit gym. While working in these fields he realized the difficulties that many veterans had in their transition back to civilian life. He returned to the helping professions after almost 10 years away and realized that assisting veterans is what he found most important. He has a B.A. in Liberal Studies and Psychology and a M.Ed. in Human Relations. He is currently completing his second master’s degree in Social Work.

Joseph Ombrello

Veteran Peer Navigator
Read more about Joe

Georgina Valdez

Veteran Peer Navigator Intern

Georgina Valdez

Veteran Peer Navigator Intern

Meghan Lally

Veteran Peer Navigator Intern

Meghan Lally

Veteran Peer Navigator Intern

Peer Specialists

Lana Zakary

Peer to Peer Support Specialist

Lana Zakary

Peer to Peer Specialist
Read more about Lana

Elizabeth Goudima

Peer to Peer Support Specialist

Elizabeth Goudima

Peer to Peer Specialist
Read more about Elizabeth

Guillermo Elizondo

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.

Guillermo Elizondo

Peer to Peer Specialist
Read more about Guillermo

Outreach Team

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
Read more about Megan

Miguel Quinones Rodriguez

Veteran Peer Outreach Specialist

Miguel Angel Quinones-Rodriguez retired from the US Army as a SFC after 21 years, 9 months, and 22 days of service. He served all the over the world with stops in Korea, Iraq, Kuwait, and Central and South America. His radar teams provided the air space security for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt lake City, UT. His teams also provided air space security for POTUS in Crawford. TX. He now holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. Miguel’s passion after retiring has been helping others especially the veteran community. Miguel is a proud father of 3, Marissa 9, Miguel 6, and Marcus 10. In his free time, Miguel travels around playing softball.

Miguel Quinones Rodriguez

Veteran Peer Outreach Specialist
Read more about Miguel

Elias Guedea Jr.

Veteran Peer Outreach Specialist

Elias is a Marine Corps veteran with 8 years of service. He left the Marine Corps July 25, 2011 due to medical reasons. Once out he pursued a Bachelor’s in Computer Science. Elias loves to go off-roading and play video games. His favorite hobby is working on and playing with his RC cars and drones collection.

Eli Guedea Jr.

Veteran Peer Outreach Specialist
Read more about Eli

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
Read more about Cassandra