BOARD OF
DIRECTORS

Board of Directors

Project Youth OC’s Board of Directors is responsible for the overall governance and fiscal management of the agency. This impressive 40-member board is comprised of Orange County’s top legal professionals and business leaders. The success of Project Youth OC is due much in part to the strength and commitment of the Board.

A Message from 2025 Project Youth OC President

Wesley K. Polischuk, Esq.

“Great leaders don’t set out to be a leader… they set out to make a difference. It’s never about the role—always about the goal.”

As I step into the role of President of Project Youth OC’s Board of Directors, I am both honored and energized to continue the vital work of empowering our youth to forge healthier, brighter futures. For over 50 years, Project Youth OC has been a beacon of hope and a source of transformation for at-risk youth in Orange County. Our mission to keep youth in school, healthy, and drug-free through education, counseling, mentoring, and family strengthening remains steadfast.

We’re thrilled to have our new Executive Director, Laura Marcum, guiding us with her visionary leadership. Together, we are building on the foundation laid by our predecessors and are implementing an ambitious strategic plan to expand our outreach and deepen our impact. Our focus remains on positioning Project Youth OC as a one-stop center for prevention and intervention services—offering everything from juvenile crime diversion to health education, substance abuse treatment, mental health resources, college readiness, and family strengthening programs.

In 2025, our goals include:

  • Developing our board for the future: Ensuring we are equipped with strong, strategic leadership to guide Project Youth OC in the years ahead.
  • Expanding our presence across Orange County: Connecting more deeply with the communities we serve and raising awareness of our life-changing programs beyond our immediate network.
  • Elevating our brand of service: Continuing to innovate and adapt, providing tailored support to youth and families to help them overcome challenges and embrace opportunities.

At Project Youth OC, we know that second chances and healthy choices are achieved when the whole family is involved and focused on a positive future. Our partnerships with local school districts, law enforcement, and healthcare agencies remain critical as we tackle youth crime, gang involvement, behavioral health, and substance abuse challenges head-on.

This work would not be possible without the tireless dedication of our staff, board members, volunteers, and community partners—or the trust of the families we serve. Together, we are changing lives, one step at a time, and giving every young person the tools and support they need to succeed.

As we embark on this exciting new chapter, I invite you to join us in our mission. Whether through your time, resources, or advocacy, your support is invaluable. Let’s work together to ensure every youth in Orange County has the chance to dream, grow, and achieve.

Here’s to a year of growth, collaboration, and impact.

2025 BOARD OFFICERS

Wesley K. Polischuk, Esq.
President

Anthony C. Modarelli, III, Esq.
President-Elect

Kristin L. Gomez, Esq.
Secretary

Miguel P. Prietto, Jr., Esq.
Treasurer

Kelly L. Galligan, Esq.
Immediate Past President

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Christopher R. Aitken, Esq. Aitken Aitken Cohn

Deborah E. Arbabi, Esq.Crowell & Moring LLP

Alan BrutmanJudicate West

Anthony W. Burton, Esq.AWB Law, P.C.

Steven T. CardSavills

Shane P. Criqui, Esq.Stradling Yocca Carlson & Rauth

Alan J. Crivaro, Esq.Law Offices of Alan J. Crivaro

Erin R. Ezra, Esq.Berger Kahn

Mark A. Finkelstein, Esq.Umberg Zipser LLP

Carrie E. Foglesong, Esq.Law Offices of Carrie Foglesong

Todd G. Friedland, Esq.FBFK Law

Kelly L. Galligan, Esq.Rutan & Tucker LLP

Jessica L. Garland, Esq.Newmeyer & Dillion LLP

Kristin L. Gomez, Esq.Hyundai

Alan A. Greenberg, Esq.Greenberg Gross LLP

William B. Grenner, Esq.

Kevin J. Grochow, Esq.Kutak Rock LLP

Michele D. Johnson, Esq.Latham & Watkins LLP

Nikole M. Kingston, Esq.O'Melveny & Myers LLP

M. Alim Malik, Esq.Jackson Tidus

Hon. Jamoa A. Moberly (Ret.)ADR Services, Inc.

Anthony C. Modarelli III, Esq.DiMarco Araujo & Montevideo

Cheryl L. O'Connor, Esq.Jones Day

William S. O'Hare, Esq.Snell & Wilmer LLP

Wesley K. Polischuk, Esq.Robinson Calcagnie, Inc.

Miguel P. Prietto, Jr., Esq.Prietto Law, Inc.

Eddie Quillares, Jr.State Farm Insurance Agency

Vikram M. Reddy, Esq.Wu & Reddy, a Prof. Corp.

Daniel S. Robinson, Esq.Robinson Calcagnie, Inc.

Lewis R. Sifford, Esq.Sifford, Anderson & Company, P.C.

Maria Z. Stearns, Esq.Rutan & Tucker, LLP

William TaorminaCEO & Founder, Clean City Inc.

Eric V. Traut, Esq.Traut Firm

Christopher P. Wesierski, Esq.Wesierski & Zurek LLP

Past Presidents
2024 Kelly L. Galligan, Esq.
2023-2022 Maria Z. Stearns, Esq.
2021 Todd G. Friedland
2020 Mark D. Erickson
2019 Steven T. Card
2018 Brian M. Daucher
2017 Daniel S. Robinson
2016 Kyle S. Kawakami
2015 Christopher P. Wesierski
2014 Eric V. Traut
2013 Collie F. James, IV
2012 Mark E. Minyard
2011 John B. Hurlbut, Jr.
2010 Dennis W. Ghan
2009 Carolyn C. McKitterick
2008 Allan J. Crivaro
2007 James M. Skorheim
2006 Allan H. Stokke
2005 Kathleen O. Peterson
2004 Michael P. Maguire
2003 Wayne W. Smith
2002 William S. O'Hare
2001 Michael T. Hornak
2000 Marshall M. Schulman
1999 Cindy Stokke
1998 William B. Grenner
1997 Robert J. Whalen
1996 Rodger M. Carey
1995 Jess J. Araujo
1994 Hon. Judith M. Ryan (Ret.)
1993 Donald L. Morrow
1992-1989 Robert S. Barnes
1989-1987 Ann Avery Andres
1987-1985 Richard Schwartzberg
1985-1984 James Goff
1984-1980 James B. Bear
1979-1973 Arthur W. Gray
1972-1969 Stanford Shaw