Brittany Tipton, BA, Program Manager
Brittany Tipton is the Program Manager at Thrive Pediatrics, where she brings a deep passion for supporting families and children through thoughtful, community-centered programming. She earned her degree in Youth and Family Ministries with an emphasis in Social Services from Azusa Pacific University in 2018. Brittany is dedicated to creating meaningful connections that empower families, drawing from both her professional expertise and her heart for service. When she's not at work, she cherishes time with her husband and their two adventurous young boys, Hendrix and Lennon. A lifelong lover of stories, Brittany finds joy in reading—especially anything in the fantasy genre—and enjoys diving into imaginative worlds through games like Dungeons & Dragons
Evetta Herrera, BA, Lead
Evetta graduated from California state University of San Bernardino in 2017 with a Bachelor of Arts in Human Development, with a concentration in Early Childhood Development. She is honored to have the opportunity to help and teach kiddos grow into their full potential, which is extremely rewarding for her. In her free time, Evetta enjoys traveling and spending time with her loved ones.
Adrian Delgado, AA, Lead
Adrian is a mother of two beautiful daughters. Adrian and her oldest daughter successfully completed an early intervention program when her daughter was an infant in 2004 due to high risk factors, and therefore she can relate to families that have medically fragile babies or toddlers. Adrian completed her child development units at San Bernardino Valley College then went on to getting her A.A. in Education from the University of Phoenix in 2009. Adrian served families at Loma Linda for about 10 years. She joined Thrive Pediatrics in March 2016 and feels completely honored to be a part of the team. On her free time Adrian loves to spend time with her family.
Ashley Ponce, BA, Lead
Ashely is a wife as well as mother to a joyful baby girl. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Christian Studies with an emphasis in Global Studies and a minor in Christian Behavioral Science from California Baptist University. Ashely has been working with alongside people in their homes for 8 years in caregiving and now in early invention with infants and toddlers. She enjoy working with families and watching kiddos meet their milestones. In her spare time she enjoy building and collecting Lego sets, trying new foods and spending time with her husband and daughter.
Riley Barnes, BA, Lead
Riley grew up in a small town in the San Bernardino mountains and was actively involved with the youth in the community. She assisted a day care provider with infants and young children for 8 years and was a basketball coach for youth for 2 years. Riley graduated from Cal State San Bernardino in 2022 with her Bachelor's degree in Sociology. After graduation, she became a behavioral therapist for children with autism. While working with children on the spectrum, she was encouraged to broaden her field and begin to work with children with developmental delays at Thrive in September of 2022. Riley plans to return to school to begin her masters degree for Occupational Therapy in the fall. Riley is also a published author and enjoy spending my time writing, surfing, roller skating, and spending quality time with friends and family.
Samantha French, MA, Lead
Samantha graduated from the University of California, Riverside with a B.A. in Theatre, Film, & Digital Production. She then went on to receive her M.A. from the University of California, Santa Cruz in 2021. She started her career in ABA Behavioral Autistic therapies and is currently working full time as an infant teacher and also assists with intakes. She loves equipping families with the resources they need to help their little ones flourish. In her free time, Samantha enjoys teaching acting classes, attending theatre productions, and creating memories with her spouse and fur babies.
Brenda Acosta, BS
Brenda graduated from La Sierra University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Exercise Science. She began working for THRIVE in 2017. She serves families in the Highland, San Bernardino, Fontana, and Rialto communities. She enjoys the opportunity to give her kiddos a stronger head start in life. When she is not working she is out playing with her puppy, Rex.
Taylor Wingo, BS
Taylor grew up in Redlands, CA and recently moved back to the Inland Empire from Phoenix, Arizona. She graduated from Grand Canyon University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and is currently working on earning a Master of Education in School Counseling. Taylor loves working with children and began volunteering in local childcare and camp programs when she was 13/ In her professional career, she has split her professional experience ABA therapy with kiddos diagnosed with ASD and working in the school setting in a variety of roles, including assistant teacher, paraprofessional, and behavior coach. Through her volunteer and professional experiences, Taylor has developed a passion for helping clients and students meet goals based on their individualistic needs and making lifelong learning fun. In her free time, Taylor enjoys playing with her dog, Juniper, playing volleyball, painting, knitting, and spending time with family.
Shanteal Martinez, BA
Shanteal Martinez grew up in the Inland Empire and have been with Thrive since 2020. She is a proud first-generation student who graduated in Fall 2022 from California State University, San Bernardino with a Bachelor's in general psychology, and is currently in her master's program at California Baptist University for Industrial and Organizational Psychology. When not working on school, Shanteal enjoys being active and spending time outside on hikes and the beach with her dog.
Kayla House, BA
Kayla was born and raised in San Bernardino California. She is a single mom of three boys ages 4,2, and 1. Kayla graduated from Cal State San Bernardino with Bachelor’s of liberal studies with a specialty in special education and began working with Thrive in 2021. She loves to go to Disneyland with her boys as well as relax by the pool. She plans to continue her education in early intervention and has been promoted to Training Early Intervention Specialist.
Stephanie Padilla, BS
Stephanie is a proud first-generation college graduates as she graduated from the University of California, Riverside with dual bachelor's degrees in Sociology and Theatre. During her time at UCR, Stephanie received multiple scholarships and a prestigious fellowship. She started her Carrer as a behavioral therapist before transitioning into early intervention. She is looking forward to becoming a Speech Language pathologist. Outside of her session's Stephanie loves to draw, paint and create memories with family and friends.
Jocelyn Garcia
My name is Jocelyn and love to workout and being healthy. Although my simple pleasures are ice cream and crunchy chocolate chip cookies. Love spending time with my family and friends because I do believe family is everything. I am a certified adrenaline junkie, love the amusement parks and having a fun time.
Christy Bell, BA
Born and raised in San Bernardino County, Christy has always had a passion for working with kids. She graduated with an AA in Child Development from Crafton Hills and, BA in Human Development. Christy worked at a preschool for 13 years, working with children in the infant room and three-year-olds. Christy took a long pause to help her son get the extra help he needed, including diagnoses and an IEP that supported him throughout his school years. Christy has also supported her daughter to succeed into the young adult she is now. Christy started working at Thrive in January 2024 and has thrived to advocate for all the children on her caseload. Christy reaches out to her therapist and other coworkers when she needs extra help with her children on her caseload. Christy also helps train new teachers. Christy loves to spend time at Knotts, going on trips, and spending time with her family.
Alyssa Marino, BA
Alyssa is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Psychology, driven by a deep passion for working with children and making a positive impact in every life she touches. With a heart for connection and care, she brings warmth, energy, and dedication to every space she steps into. When she’s not studying or working, Alyssa enjoys quality time with her family and friends, getting creative with makeup, and staying active at the gym. She also loves going off-roading, arranging handmade flower bouquets, and soaking up all things western—from the boots to the backroads. A lover of plants, books, and peaceful moments, she finds joy in life’s little details and aims to bring that same joy into the lives of the children and families she supports.
Ashlee Leon
Ashlee started her career as a preschool teacher and then went into special education before starting in early intervention last year. She has always had a heart for working with littles, especially those with special needs as she has a brother with special needs. In her spare time, Ashlee likes to paint and craft or go thrifting. She finds joy in travel, going to theme parks (especially Disney), and of course spending time with family and friends. Ashlee also loves a good theme and will find any reason to dress up or plan a themed outfit!
Maricruz Perez, BA
Maricruz graduated from Grand Canyon University in 2021 with a bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education. She enjoys working alongside kiddos building connections, watching them grow, and learning/achieving their milestones. Working in pediatrics has been amazing helping kiddos meet their goals and meeting/building a relationship with the families. In her spare time Maricruz enjoys being outside. Going on hikes, going to the beach, going camping, fishing, and enjoying time with her family.
Jasmine Villanueva, BA
Jasmin Villanueva is truly passionate about supporting children and their families through play and connection. She graduated from California State University of San Marcos in 2023 with a B.A. in Human Development and a minor in Communication. Helping little ones grow and thrive brings her so much joy, and Jasmine feels incredibly grateful to be part of each family’s journey. Jasmine approach her work with compassion, care, and a genuine love for what she do. Watching a child make progress—no matter how small—is one of the most rewarding parts of her day. Outside of work, she loves staying physically active, going to the gym, spending time outdoors, and trying out new coffee shops. Jasmine is also a big fan of everything pink and cute—it’s just part of who she is!
Jessie Welch, BA
Jessie holds a B.A. in Sociology from California State University, Fullerton, where she dedicated her time to community service by teaching art classes to at-risk youth. With over four years of experience providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services, she has worked closely with children and young adults with disabilities, fostering growth through compassion, structure, and creativity. In addition to her work in human services, Jessie is a passionate oil painter whose artwork has been featured in several galleries and museums—most notably at The Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture. Her dual commitment to both art and advocacy reflects her deep belief in the power of creativity as a tool for empowerment and healing.
Kailey Nuno, BS
Kailey graduated from California State University San Bernardino in 2024 with a Bachelor in Arts in biological psychology. She is excited to extend her knowledge about kids and how to help. She is also excited to help children succeed in reaching their goals! During her free time, Kailey enjoys traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Dayana Duenas, BS
Dayana graduated from the University of California, Irvine with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She has gained valuable experience working with children and families through her volunteer work at Loma Linda Children’s Hospital, UCI Medical Center, and pediatric therapy clinics, where she both volunteered and shadowed occupational, physical, and speech therapists. Through these experiences, she developed a strong passion for supporting children’s development and building meaningful connections with families. Dayana will soon begin her Doctorate program in Occupational Therapy at Loma Linda University and is excited to continue growing in a field where she can make a positive and lasting impact. She loves working with children and values the opportunity to witness their growth while helping them build skills to thrive in their everyday lives. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with friends and family, baking, and exploring new coffee and matcha spots.
Isabella Larin, BA
Bella holds a bachelor's degree in education from Arizona State University, where she completed early childhood-focused passion projects centered on increasing community access to developmental resources and creating accessible activities for busy families. She is currently pursuing her master's degree in education to further expand her impact in the field. Bella has experience working as a Youth Development Specialist in school settings, supporting children by providing enriching activities and being a mentor for students. Through her work, she has developed a strong commitment to fostering inclusive, supportive environments where all children can thrive. She is especially passionate about equity and accessibility in education and strives to ensure that all families have the tools and support they need for their children’s development. In her free time, Bella enjoys playing video games, watching movies, creating art, reading, and spending time outdoors, including hiking.
Juliet Wallace, BA
Juliet graduated from the University of California, Riverside with a BA in Sociology in 2025. She has always had a strong passion for working with children and supporting their growth during the early stages of development. Being able to work with young children and their families is incredibly meaningful to her, and it is a career that truly brings her joy and fulfillment. In her work, Juliet enjoys building positive relationships with families and creating a supportive, encouraging environment where children can learn, grow, and reach their developmental milestones. Juliet also plans to continue her education in the future to become a speech therapist so that she can further support children’s communication and language development. Outside of work, she loves spending time with her nieces and nephew, as well as with friends and family. Being around children in both her personal and professional life continues to inspire her passion for early childhood development and reinforces why Juliet loves the work that she does.
Janelle Urbina, BS
Janelle graduated from California State University San Marcos in 2024 with her bachelor’s of science degree in Kinesiology. She’s always been fascinated by how the body moves and functions, which inspires her to help others stay active and healthy. Janelle especially enjoy working with kids and creating fun ways to get them moving. Outside of work, she loves staying active whether it’s working out or spending quality time with her family.
Samantha Sanchez, BA
Samantha grew up in the San Bernardino mountains and have been up there ever since. Growing up she always knew that she wanted to work with children and wanted to become a kindergarten teacher. As Samantha got older she realized that she wanted to work with special needs children and began my journey towards that goal. She graduated from California Baptist University with her Bachelors in Early Childhood Education. She has worked in a school setting for 4 years and once an opportunity popped up to work with children with developmental delays she knew that’s where she needed to be and has been with Thrive for 8 months! She truly love working with children and always look forward to seeing all her kiddos. In Samantha’s spare time she loves being with family and friends, going to the beach, serving in her church, going to the movies, and trying new activities and foods.
Jessica Padilla-Amaya, BA
Jessica graduated from California State University, San Bernardino in 2023. Her journey working with youth began in 2018 through an after-school program, where her passion for adolescent behavior and development took root. Since then, she has expanded her expertise by working in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and serving as a 1:1 aide in schools, supporting both neurotypical and atypical children with diverse behavioral and educational needs. Jessica deeply values the collective effort it takes to nurture children, embracing the wisdom behind the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” She feels truly blessed to work with a younger age group, drawing on her well-rounded experience to provide meaningful support to her students and their families. Outside of her professional life, Jessica enjoys quality time with her loved ones and actively serving in her church’s kids ministry and worship team, where her dedication to community and growth shines.
Robert Schumm, BS
Robert is currently studying to be a Physical Therapist Assistant and will be graduating in 2026. He graduated from Cal State Fullerton in 2022 with a degree in Kinesiology. Robert has a strong interest in orthopedic and pediatrics. He is passionate about helping others around him with care and understanding. Outside the clinic, Robert enjoys staying active through hiking. He also enjoys photography, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Sandra Faltas, BA
Sandra was born and raised in Egypt and moved to the United States at the age of 13. She values her cultural background and enjoys embracing and sharing her culture with others. Sandra graduated Magna Cum Laude from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona with a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies. She has always had a passion for working with children, which began at a young age through volunteering at her church. Over the years, she has continued to build her experience working with children in a variety of settings. Sandra has worked as an ABA therapist for approximately eight years, supporting children and helping them reach their individual goals. She also gained valuable experience working at a preschool, where she served as a teacher for two-year-olds. Through these roles, Sandra developed a strong passion for helping children grow, learn, and improve day by day. She is excited to be part of the Thrive Pediatrics team and is dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of the children and families she serves. In her free time, Sandra enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, traveling, and exploring different cultures.
Alyssa Jimenez, BA
Alyssa graduated from University of California, Irvine in 2025 with my B.A in Education Sciences. She worked in early education (preschool) for 4 years during college, prior to making the switch to early intervention. Alyssa loves working with littles and being able to be a big part of such an important time for their development. She also love building connections with the families she works with to create a safe and comfortable environment for everyone. She strive to continue learning more about all areas of development to offer her families more insight and support. When not working, Alyssa stays active by going to the gym, snowboarding, going to the beach, and doing races.
Angie Gonzalez, BA
Angie is a proud graduate of the University of California, Riverside, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science. Before beginning her career in early intervention, she worked closely with low-income families, providing parenting courses and support. Angie is passionate about continuing her education and looks forward to pursuing a degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Outside of work, she enjoys going to the gym, exploring new places, and spending quality time with her family.
Angela Ybarra, BASW
Angela earned her bachelor's degree in social work at Cal State San Bernandio and was previously a behavioral technician that worked in an in-home and school setting. Her interest in Mental Health and child development has made her want to pursue a career in counseling/therapy for infants through adolense. Angela's experience interning in the Perris school district allowed her to expand her learning in the children's mind and dive deeper into the ideas and skills needed to become a better social worker and better counselor/therapy. You can find Angela during her off time spending her time with her family, being outdoors, playing with her two fur-babies, looking for new plants to take into her care and watch thrive under her supervision, or even having a great time with her beloved nieces and nephews each and every day.
