Board & Accountability | Mesa Directiva y Responsabilidad

Carmen Aparicio joined the OCEAA Board in June 2020. She is a business professional focused in the area of Human Resources. Ms. Aparicio has experience in a variety of industries, both domestic and international which bring a wealth of knowledge to her role on the Board. She holds a Bachelors of Arts in Spanish and Bachelors of Science in Business Administration from the University of San Diego. Ms. Aparicio grew up in the city of Santa Ana and is dedicated to giving back to the community through philanthropy and volunteerism. Her professional focus is on equal pay and diversity & inclusion initiatives. As a board member, Ms. Aparicio has participated in committees key to the future of the school. Additionally, Ms. Aparicio is also an OCEAA parent with a daughter currently enrolled at OCEAA.

Edwin Alarid is an experienced higher education administrator and student affairs professional with a strong background in leadership development, student engagement, and equity-centered programming. His work focuses on supporting student success through inclusive practices, intentional community building, and effective organizational leadership.

Mr. Alarid currently serves as Assistant Director of Fraternity and Sorority Life at California State University, Fullerton, where he advises multiple councils and student organizations and leads initiatives related to risk prevention, leadership education, and student development. He has also held leadership roles in orientation and transition programs, overseeing large-scale student experiences, staff training, marketing initiatives, and budget management. His professional experience spans several institutions, including CSU Fullerton, CSU East Bay, the University of San Francisco, and Columbia University.

Throughout his career, Mr. Alarid has facilitated workshops on leadership identity, student retention, time management, and community engagement, with a particular focus on supporting first-generation and underrepresented students. He holds a Master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs and a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology. He brings a thoughtful, student-centered perspective to leadership and governance.

Alfonso Ceja has extensive experience working with and volunteering for nonprofit organizations in Orange County, where he has supported efforts to help homeless veterans secure stable, permanent housing. Through this work, he has developed a deep understanding of how housing impacts both individuals and communities, shaping his long-standing commitment to advancing affordable housing solutions.

His expertise includes navigating complex regulatory frameworks and securing funding for housing initiatives, ensuring projects are both compliant and financially sustainable. Alfonso regularly collaborates with local governments, community leaders, and development teams to advance projects from concept through delivery, playing a key role in achieving successful outcomes.

In addition to affordable housing development, Alfonso has a strong background in community advocacy and housing placement services, as well as in structuring and packaging projects that align with community needs and expectations. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and a Master of Science in Real Estate from Chapman University.

Jimmee Medina brings nearly two decades of experience in human resources leadership, organizational development, and people-centered strategy. She is known for her relational, values-driven approach to coaching and leadership development, partnering with leaders and organizations to build connected, collaborative, and innovative workplaces.

Ms. Medina previously served as the head of Human Resources for the City of Irvine, where she led a comprehensive leadership development strategy that elevated people-first practices and helped the city earn multiple “Best Place to Work” recognitions. Her leadership is grounded in core values of service, excellence, authenticity, and freedom, and in the belief that strong cultures are built when individuals feel valued and empowered.

Recognized as a Distinguished Leader in Human Resources by the Orange County Business Journal, Ms. Medina currently works with organizations such as Yahoo!, Pacific Clinics, and the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. She supports individuals and teams in conflict resolution, leadership excellence, and culture-building rooted in trust and belonging.

Ms. Medina holds a Master of Public Administration with a concentration in Human Resources and a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from California State University, Fullerton, along with advanced professional training through Harvard Law School, Pepperdine School of Law, the Disney Institute, and the Hudson Institute of Coaching.

Martha Saenz brings extensive experience in finance, accounting, and financial analysis, with a strong track record of driving process improvement and supporting sound fiscal decision-making. She is known for her analytical judgment, collaborative leadership style, and ability to translate complex financial information into clear insights for senior leadership and stakeholders.

Ms. Saenz currently serves as Finance Manager for a private organization,where she partners with executive leadership on financial planning, performance analysis, and long-term financial strategy. In this capacity, she provides financial insight to support organizational priorities, capital planning, and strategic initiatives, including financing and acquisition-related analysis, while collaborating with accounting leadership and external advisors to ensure financial integrity and transparency.

Previously, Ms. Saenz held progressive finance and accounting roles that provided deep experience in financial controls, compliance, audit oversight, and enterprise-level financial reporting. Her background includes leadership roles within large, multi-entity organizations, where she supported financial planning, performance measurement, and executive-level reporting. Earlier in her career, she worked in public accounting, advising individuals, businesses, and nonprofit organizations on tax and financial reporting matters.

Ms. Saenz holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Management from California State University, Long Beach, and is bilingual in English and Spanish. She brings a thoughtful, disciplined, and governance-minded perspective to board service, with a focus on financial stewardship, accountability, and sustainable organizational performance.

Perla Zuniga brings more than 20 years of experience in private and municipal finance, with deep expertise in budget administration, financial planning, and public sector accountability. She is an accomplished and strategic finance professional known for her commitment to transparency, sound fiscal management, and continuous improvement.

Ms. Zuniga currently leads financial operations for a municipal police department, overseeing budgeting, cash flow forecasting, grants administration, and financial reporting in alignment with citywide objectives. Her professional background includes extensive experience in governmental accounting, audit coordination, treasury operations, and policy development. She has supported complex financial systems, presented to executive leadership and city councils, and supervised teams to ensure strong internal controls and effective service delivery.

Her prior roles with the City of Santa Ana and in the private sector have strengthened her ability to manage diverse funding sources, comply with regulatory requirements, and support strategic decision-making across organizations. Ms. Zuniga holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and is actively pursuing CPA licensure. She brings a thoughtful, detail-oriented perspective to governance and fiscal stewardship.

As a parent of two children currently attending the school, Perla is deeply invested in the success of the OCEAA community. She values the importance of preserving Mexican roots, cultural traditions, and the Spanish language, and believes it is essential for families living in the United States to stay connected to their heritage and remember where they come from. Perla is honored to serve on the OCEAA Board and looks forward to contributing both her professional expertise and parent perspective to support the school’s mission.

Mike Limon joined OCEAA as the Executive Director in 2018. Prior to OCEAA, Mike was the national Dir., Programs & Events for MIND Research Institute. Mike was responsible for cultivating and engaging national partnerships and executing STEM-based programs nationally for elementary and middle schools.

Mike co-founded and was a long time advisor of the Orange County Hispanic YOUTH Chamber of Commerce (OCHYCC) in 2009, which is still going strong! OCHYCC consists of higher education student board members; dedicated to linking culturally diverse college students to the professional world through career development, community involvement, and access to higher education.

Mike is currently the Southern Region Board Chair with the California Hispanic Chambers of Commerce. This is a state-wide umbrella organization for city & county Chambers, looking to make an impact and support businesses throughout California.

Mike achieved an Associates in Arts degree from Fullerton Community College; and then went on to California State University, Fullerton (CSUF) to achieve a Bachelorette degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. While at CSUF, Mike was involved with two different associations. First, was the Latino Business Student Association as a member, and secondly was the Finance Association as the Director of Corporate Relations. These two associations help Mike get acquainted with business protocol, social events and networking which helped shape Mike as a leader.

Dr. Llorente’s experience in education goes back more than 20 years, as a teacher for more than 15 years (in Elementary, High School and College), and as an administrator for almost 7. Education is his third career after Clinical Psychology and Spanish Translations, and it became his only career and his biggest passion ever since.

He has lived in the United States for almost 20 years, and enjoys the complexity and richness of the mix of cultures that is represented in our country.

Dr. Llorente’s dissertation dealt with innovative methods of Dual Language instruction, and Pedagogy and Arts have been areas of expertise through education and classroom practice.

As a leader, he always assumes positive intent and works alongside others to solve problems and improve teaching and learning. A nurturing and structured environment improves everyone’s chances of finding their better selves.