Leadership Pasadena Gains Momentum with New Board Members

Leadership Pasadena, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering leadership development and impactful civic projects, has announced four new members of its Board of Directors. 

These new board members bring a wealth of expertise and a shared commitment to driving positive change within the Pasadena community.

Nely Meza-Andrade, currently serving as the Executive Director/CEO of Casa Treatment Center, has nearly two decades of experience in mental health, substance abuse, and community non-profits. She holds a Master’s in Counseling from San Francisco State University and an MBA with an emphasis in Entrepreneurship from Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles. Her work at Casa Treatment Center focuses on providing addiction treatment for women and their families.

Sara Goldman, a member of Leadership Pasadena Class of 2023, is serving currently as Accessibility Coordinator for the City of Pasadena, ensuring compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and providing valuable training and support to City Departments and the community. Goldman holds master’s degrees in Biomedical Sciences and Epidemiology and is currently enhancing her communication skills through American Sign Language studies at Pasadena City College.

Portia Harris, a board-certified Ayurveda Practitioner, brings a holistic approach to well-being and a passion for inclusivity. With two decades in higher education, Harris also presides over the Harris-Bacor Family Foundation, dedicated to uplifting underserved communities through philanthropy.

Howard Tan, a recent graduate of the Leadership Pasadena 2023 cohort, is currently a Commissioner in the Pasadena Recreation and Parks Commission. He is also the founder of a nonprofit organization dedicated to the Oak Grove Disc Golf Course. Since 1996, Tan has been working at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena and is currently System Administrator at JPL’s ASTER Science Computing Facility.  

“Our board is now a powerhouse of change-makers, each bringing their unique spark to ignite transformation,” Mary Spellman, Vice Chair of the Leadership Pasadena Board overseeing Board Affairs, said. “With Nely, Portia, Sara, and Howard on board, we’re not just leading, we’re blazing a trail towards a better community.”

As a community network and training program, Leadership Pasadena takes place over six months, January through June, and brings together leaders from diverse industries for peer-learning and potential collaboration. The program offers an immersive curriculum, hands-on projects, and meaningful connections with government, civic and community organizations. 

For more information, visit www.leadershippasadena.org.