Community Partnership Council Members

Dr. Rosolyn Harper

Dr. Rosolyn Harper is a native of San Diego. She holds a Master’s and Doctorate in Counseling Psychology from Southern California Seminary and has dedicated over two decades to the mental health field.

Her career spans roles such as Program Manager, Clinical Supervisor, and LMFT and a Biblical Faculty Mentor/Teacher. Currently she is the Clinical Director at Genesis Recovery, specializing in substance abuse treatment, and a Clinical Supervisor at Community Research Foundation.  She is Certified Clinical Supervisor for Addictions, and trained Counselor for Domestic Violence Victims and level 2 Offenders. Dr. Harper is also trained in various therapeutic modalities, including CBT, DBT, EMDR, Brain Spotting and Trauma-Informed Care, and works with families, justice-involved, and survivors of trauma.

In her free time, she enjoys studying and teaching the Word of God, she likes to dance, watch mystery movies, and spending time with her family.

Bernard Johns

Bernard is a dedicated advocate and community leader with extensive experience in violence prevention, intervention, and trauma-informed care. With a background in peer support, group facilitation, and community health work, he has worked closely with diverse populations, including justice-impacted individuals, to promote healing and accountability. Passionate about addressing the root causes of violence, he has been instrumental in developing and implementing strategies to reduce community violence, support survivors of domestic and intimate partner violence, and address the impacts of suicide through education and support networks.

A certified peer support specialist and community health worker, Bernard brings lived experience and professional expertise to fostering restorative justice practices and improving communication between the community and policymakers. Committed to creating safer, healthier communities, Bernard is honored to serve on the Community Partnership Council, contributing to meaningful change and sustainable solutions.

Carie Rodgers, PH.D., ABPP

Dr. Rodgers is the Senior Advisor for Strategy & Impact at PsychArmor, a San Diego based non-profit that transforms the way our nation engages with the military and Veteran community. a nationally recognized expert in training and education, behavioral health, and suicide prevention, Dr. Rodgers has a deep understanding of practical application of science and best practices. Dr. Rodgers is also a senior analyst at A-G associates, where she hold a leadership positions within the firm and provides strategic direction in project development, strategy and delivery, collaborating with corporate, non-profit, and government partners. Dr. Rodgers spent nearly two decades in federal service at the department of Veterans Affairs as a faculty member at UCSD, where she was an active clinician, researcher, educator, and leader. She is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in California and is passionate about public service.

Lon Chhay

Lon Chhay is the Executive Director at the Asian Solidarity Collective in San Diego, CA. He spent a total of 22 years incarcerated, beginning at the age of 14. Lon has been both a victim and an aggressor of gun violence during his younger years on the streets of City Heights. During his time in prison, Lon achieved three associate degrees in Sociology, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Communications and Media Languages. He graduated from San Diego State University with a BA degree in Sociology. Additionally, Lon holds a seat as a City Commissioner on Gang Prevention and Intervention. His work remains a passion as he successfully balances being a dedicated father and husband. Lon enjoys the outdoors and going fast on two wheels in his free time. 

Bevelynn Bravo

For over two decades, Bevelynn has devoted her life to supporting families affected by the loss of a loved one due to violent crime, primarily gun violence. Having experienced the murder of her 21-year-old son, she has had to learn how to rebuild her life and find new purpose. As the CEO of the nonprofit organization Mothers with a Message, which she founded, Bevelynn shares her story with youth and parents to convey the pain of a mother, encourage them to reassess their choices and consequences, and respect the value of life. Additionally, she facilitates victim impact panels within men in prison, so they understand how their actions devastate their own community and countless victims left behind, with accountability comes forgiveness and change.  Currently, Bevelynn works at Union of Pan Asian Communities (UPAC) as the program manager for the community violence response team, responding to county-wide homicides, and manages UPAC's mentoring program aimed at gang-involved and at-risk youth. 

Brenda Rosales

My name is Brenda Rosales. I was born and raised in San Diego. I am a current San Diego State student majoring in Psychology.  A mother of three that has been affected by suicide loss, incarceration, gun violence, and gang violence. A mentor the youth through Union of Pan Asian Communities and Community Wraparound. With my lived and learned experience I hope to be of service to the community and help reduce gun violence across our county.  

Pualani Vazquez

Pualani Vazquez serves as the trauma injury prevention and community outreach coordinator for Scripps Mercy Hospital, a distinguished adult level 1 trauma center. As a member of the trauma response team and in collaboration with community-based organizations she helps develop and implement a diverse array of evidence-based programs via public health outreach. Her primary objective is to diminish the frequency, severity, and fatality of unintentional injuries in San Diego, prioritizing safety and equity in her initiatives. Deeply committed to fostering healthier and more equitable communities, Pua actively contributes to numerous regional, state and national task forces. She centers her work on promoting trauma-informed care through authentic community engagement and collaborative efforts. She works on advocating for comprehensive safety education to enhance the environments where people live, learn, work, and play. Originally from Hawai’i, she has found her home in San Diego, where she finds joy in advocating alongside her family. Together, they strive to contribute to a community where every individual can traverse securely and safely, fostering an environment of inclusivity and well-being. 

Therese Hymer

Therese Hymer serves as President of San Diegans for Gun Violence Prevention (SD4GVP).  SD4GVP is a coalition of concerned citizens united to end gun violence in America. The coalition is made up of national and San Diego county gun violence prevention organizations; it includes local community-based organizations, faith communities, and individual citizens. SD4GVP works to prevent gun violence through advocacy, education, community outreach, and arts activism.  Therese started her volunteer work against gun violence in 2017, and has served as Lead of the Legislation & Advocacy Team since 2018. She participates in the statewide CalVIP Coalition, which focuses on addressing community violence, and the California Firearm Safety Group, which advocates for strong state gun safety laws.  A graduate of Stanford Law School, Therese is a retired lawyer who practiced for 22 years, first at Gray Cary Ware and Friedenrich and then as General Counsel & VP of Human Resources of a midsized nationwide distributor.  She has also served on the board of a number organizations focused on education and women.  Therese received a B.S. in Economics from Miami University in 1983 and a JD from Stanford University in 1986.  

Annie Lyles

Annie’s educational background, professional experience, and personal story are centered around gun violence prevention with youth and families. She was raised in San Diego before earning a BA in Social Policy from Northwestern University and an MSW from the University of Washington with a concentration in social justice models. She worked in local schools and for the County of San Diego’s Office of Violence Prevention before traveling the country as a violence prevention expert for federal agencies, private foundations, and local municipalities. She returned to San Diego eight years ago to raise her family while working full time with San Diego youth and local systems.