Executive Leadership
Simona Cataldo
Chief Executive Officer
Meet Dr. Simona Cataldo, Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Cataldo is a seasoned mental health professional with a proven track record across multiple disciplines in the industry. Born in Italy, she has over 30 years of clinical and administrative experience in the non-profit and healthcare world between two countries, bringing a unique multicultural perspective to Victor. With a focus on fostering a positive and healthy workplace culture, Simona’s commitment to innovative leadership over the course of her career allows her to thrive in her current position as Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Cataldo describes herself as a wife, a mom, a leader, and a traveler. She is an avid reader and likes to visit places she reads about in books. She is four states short of visiting all of the US states.
Simona Cataldo
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Simona Cataldo joined Victor in 2016. Her experience and consistency serve as the backbone of the organization’s culture.
A results-oriented executive known for her exceptional leadership and strategic thinking, Simona has a proven track record of driving change and achieving outstanding results in fast-paced environments. Her multicultural background enhances her ability to navigate diverse teams and environments, making her a highly effective leader.
Simona’s educational background includes attending Harvard Business School for the Advanced Management Program (AMP) and earning a Master of Science in Clinical Psychopharmacology from the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology in Boston. Additionally, she completed specialized training in cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy and also holds a degree equivalent to a Doctor of Psychology from the Università di Roma "La Sapienza” in Rome, Italy.
Currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Victor Treatment Centers and Victor Community Support Services, she provides guidance and oversight to all of the departments, programs, and services that the organization offers. Her expertise in program development alongside her commitment to leadership and management development have led to the continuous growth and success of the organization. Her goal is to be a positive influence in the world by being an authentic and compassionate leader and teaching others what she has learned in her own journey of serving and developing people and organizations.
In her previous role as Chief Operating Officer at Victor Community Support Services and Victor Treatment Centers, Simona managed programs and services totaling over $80 million. Her exceptional operational management skills ensured high-quality service delivery outcomes across diverse service sites. She successfully led organizational changes, including key programmatic transitions and acquisitions. Simona's ability to attract top leaders further demonstrated her talent in building successful teams.
Before joining Victor, Simona served as Executive Director for the Cancer Center at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, one of the leading Harvard hospitals in Boston, MA. Her strategic contributions positioned the center for growth and success.
Beyond her professional achievements, Simona embraces a vibrant personal life. She is an active member of associations such as the California Behavioral Health Association and the Harvard Business School Alumni Association.. Simona's commitment to personal and professional growth is evident in her diverse skill set and her dedication to making a positive impact in both the non-profit and healthcare sectors.
Manuel Lua
Chief Operating Officer
Meet Manuel Lua, Victor’s Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Lua is a Marriage & Family Therapist whose experience includes multiple directorships as well as prestigious consulting positions with State and National services such as California’s Wraparound program for families and disenfranchised youth. As a respected voice in the family therapy space, Manuel is a valued member of Victor’s executive suite. Outside the office, his amazing wife and 3 children keep him on his toes. He enjoys spending time with his kids not only as dad, but as “coach” out on the baseball field.
Manuel Lua
Chief Operating Officer
Manuel Lua is a highly accomplished mental health professional with a diverse background in psychology, clinical practice, and leadership. He holds a B.A. in Psychology with double minors in Human Biology and Fine Art, as well as an M.S. in Clinical Psychology from San Jose State University.
Manuel has dedicated his career to providing support services and developing programs that have made a tremendous difference in the lives of many within our communities. As a Certified Infant Mental Health Practitioner/Specialist, he has honed his expertise in understanding and addressing the unique needs of infants and young children.
Manuel’s contributions extend well beyond his academic achievements. He has made significant contributions to the field through publications and offering professional development opportunities. He was a key contributor to California’s Wraparound Standards, a comprehensive guide used as the core practice model for Wraparound programs across multiple counties throughout the state. Manuel also coauthored the Victor Community Services Wraparound manual as well as various other published works in the field.
Throughout his career, Manuel has conducted numerous trainings and presentations on various topics related to Wraparound, leadership, and service delivery models. He has collaborated with multiple counties, including San Joaquin, Yolo, Yuba, and San Mateo, in developing and training core implementation models.
While teaching others, Manuel continues to work on his own professional development in his spare time. He successfully completed the High Potential Leadership Program at Harvard Business School, further enhancing his leadership skills and strategic thinking abilities.
Currently serving as a vital member of the Victor team, Manuel plays an instrumental role in providing support, training, and guidance to professionals in the field. His expertise in Wraparound, clinical psychology, and leadership positions him as a valuable resource and a catalyst for positive change within the organization.
Edward Hackett
Chief Financial Officer
Meet Ed Hackett, CFO of Victor, who brings unparalleled financial expertise to Victor’s executive suite. Ed has over 22 years of experience as a CFO in the mental health and foster care sectors. Ed joined Victor in 2017 bringing with him a long track record of driving financial stability, including managing multi-hundred-million-dollar budgets for numerous companies. In his free time, Ed enjoys long-distance running and has put in the miles all over the country. His accolades include competing in 5 marathons in 4 US cities. Although his long-distance days are mostly behind him, Ed hopes to cross the finish line of one more marathon before putting away his sneakers.
Edward Hackett
Chief Financial Officer
Ed Hackett is an accomplished nonprofit executive known for his collaborative approach and track record of success. With a strong background in finance and operations, he has consistently made valuable contributions to organizations by leveraging his for-profit experience. Ed is driven by a deep sense of mission to help clients and staff achieve their full potential.
Ed holds an MBA from Brigham Young University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the University of Connecticut. His academic achievements include memberships in the prestigious Beta Gamma Sigma and Golden Key National Honor Societies. Ed has passed the CPA exam and is an associate member of the CT Society of Certified Public Accountants.
As Chief Financial Officer for Victor, Ed brings his expertise in finance, information technology, and facilities to help Victor serve our clients. His experience enables him to drive strategic value and improve program operating margins while ensuring long-term sustainability.
In his previous role as the Chief Financial Officer of The Village for Families & Children, Inc., Ed played a pivotal role in the organization’s financial turnaround and growth. He successfully reduced budget dependence on endowment funds, implemented technology upgrades, and led significant refinancing efforts. Ed’s ability to build strong relationships with the board of directors and effectively manage the agency’s endowment and pension portfolios contributed to the overall success of the organization.
Ed Hackett’s extensive experience also includes serving as the Chief Financial Officer of Wheeler Clinic, Inc. During his tenure, he managed the financial resources of this nonprofit agency during a period of substantial growth. Ed’s efforts in implementing effective financial systems, optimizing cash flows, and reducing administrative expenses were instrumental in supporting the clinic’s expansion and improving overall efficiency.
Mindy Lanum
Chief Administrative Officer
Meet Dr. Mindy Lanum, Chief Administrative Officer for Victor. Dr. Lanum joined Victor in 2015 and brings with her over 25 years of experience in the nonprofit world, with extensive training in the areas of sociology and social psychology. Mindy’s leadership ensures Victor is able to provide quality programming for Victor’s clients as well as support for our employees. Outside of the office, you might find her experiencing 4 G’s in the front car of a roller coaster. There is nothing this thrill-seeker loves more… except, perhaps, freshly glazed donuts!
Mindy Lanum
Chief Administrative Officer
Mindy Lanum, Ph.D., is a highly accomplished professional with extensive experience in administrative leadership, program evaluation, and research. She currently holds the position of Chief Administrative Officer at Victor, where she plays a vital role in establishing administrative structures to support the organization’s strategic direction.
As the Chief Administrative Officer, Mindy leads the Quality Assurance and Program Evaluation and Outcomes team, ensuring data-informed decision-making and maintaining program excellence. She also oversees the Information Technology team, leveraging technology to drive operational efficiency and enhance organizational effectiveness.
Mindy's journey at Victor Community Support Services began in 2015 as the Director of Program Evaluation and Outcomes, where she developed and implemented a comprehensive evaluation plan to monitor agency-wide performance metrics and assess program effectiveness. Her proficiency in data collection and analysis enabled her to produce evaluation reports that informed decision-making and drove continuous improvement.
Mindy has made significant contributions to the various other organizations she has worked for as well. As the Research and Evaluation Manager at Youth Guidance, she integrated and analyzed student-level data to evaluate the effectiveness of support programs within schools. Additionally, as an Independent Consultant at Advantas Consulting, Mindy played a pivotal role in developing and implementing evaluation plans for educational programs.
Her education background includes a Doctorate of Philosophy in Applied Social Psychology from Loyola University Chicago, complemented by a Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in Psychology and Sociology from Nebraska Wesleyan University.
Mindy's dedication to data-driven decision-making, commitment to program excellence, and proven leadership abilities contribute to the overall success of the organization. Her expertise in administrative management, program evaluation, and research makes her an invaluable asset in driving growth and effectiveness within Victor.
Lorena Jauregui
Director of Human Resources
Meet Lorena Jauregui, who joined Victor in the 2018 merger with Rosemary Children’s Services. Her much-valued experience with Rosemary includes over 20 years of service in human resources. Now in the role of Director of Human Resources for Victor, Lorena’s insight and experience are a key part of the leadership team. Besides Victor, Lorena’s other passion is the film industry. Ask her any question about any movie or TV show, and she’ll give you the answer!
Lorena Jauregui
Director of Human Resources
Lorena Jauregui is a highly experienced professional with a career spanning over 20 years in the fields of Human Resources and nonprofit organizations. She joined Victor in 2018 following a merger with Rosemary Children's Services.
Prior to her time at Victor, Lorena was a part of Rosemary Children's Services, where she first joined the agency in 1999. She served as a Human Resources Manager from 2002 to 2007, contributing her expertise in HR management. Later, she took on the role of Human Resources & Administrative Director from 2007 to 2018, showcasing her commitment to organizational development and success.
Lorena's dedication to both the development of the team and the mission of the Agency is evident in her work. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration and Human Resources Management, which has provided her with a solid foundation for her career. Additionally, she has obtained a certificate from the HR Certification Institute as a Senior Professional in Human Resources, further validating her expertise in the field.
With her extensive experience and qualifications, Lorena plays a vital role in the success of Victor and its human resources operations. Her commitment to supporting the team and aligning with the agency's mission and values ensures that Victor remains a thriving organization dedicated to its mission and its staff.
Sharmelle Parker
Vice President of Innovation
Meet Sharmelle Parker, Vice President of Innovation. Ms. Parker has been with Victor for over a decade and has served in various roles, first as an Executive Director and eventually as Vice President of Innovation – the position in which she currently serves. Sharmelle boasts over 25 years of experience in social services, a career that has allowed her to use her interpersonal gifts to love people and see them have success in their own lives. She brings high energy, creativity, and valuable field experience to the leadership team. When Sharmelle isn’t at work, you’ll likely find her spending time with her 3 beloved grandchildren, or upside-down on a roller coaster loop!
Sharmelle Parker
Vice President of Innovation
Sharmelle Parker arrived at Victor Community Services in 2012 as the Executive Director of the Perris site. In 2017 Sharmelle was named Executive Director of San Bernardino, and in 2023 she was promoted to the role of Director of Innovation for all of Victor, then to Vice President of Innovation.
With over 20 years of management experience as well as her field experience as a social worker, Sharmelle brings a unique and valuable blend of skillsets to the organization as a whole.
Sharmelle holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from California State University, Los Angeles and a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California. Additionally, Sharmelle studied at Harvard Business School as part of an Executive Leadership program in 2022.
In her current role, Sharmelle is a key contributor to all agency initiatives. She collaborates with senior leaders, leveraging data to assess opportunities and develop action plans aligned with excellence, customer satisfaction, and fiscal responsibility. Sharmelle also represents the organization with external stakeholders, ensuring Victor stays ahead of industry trends and needs. Sharmelle's commitment to excellence ensures the delivery of high-quality services to our communities.
Throughout her career, Sharmelle has demonstrated excellent leadership skills and a determination to bring positive change to her community and work environment. She has previously held positions at Prototypes, Telecare Corporation, Portals House Inc., and Catholic Charities of Los Angeles. Sharmelle's leadership development initiatives and commitment to creating positive working environments have made her a beloved and valuable team member at Victor.
