Title: Empowering Possibilities Date: 4/10/2024 Time: All Day Location: Online Empowering Possibilities is a 24-hour, online fundraiser for disability related nonprofit organizations in Orange County. It is fueled by the power of social media and collaboration. Empowering Possibilities is a part of the “i heart oc” collaborative giving day initiative of the Orange County Community Foundation.…
Dr Connie Bartlett is a dedicated pediatrician whose unwavering commitment to children’s mental health and equity has been the cornerstone of her career. Growing up in a diverse community, she witnessed first-hand the impact of social determinants on children’s well-being, sparking her lifelong dedication to addressing health disparities.
Dr Bartlett’s leadership skills became evident early in her career as she spearheaded initiatives to address childhood obesity and championed behavior integration in primary practices. She earned multiple accolades for her work within and outside the medical group.
Within her practice, Dr Bartlett’s empathetic approach and comprehensive care have earned her the trust of both patients and colleagues. Her commitment to nurturing future pediatricians is reflected in her role as a mentor to medical students, inspiring them to merge clinical excellence with advocacy.
Beyond her clinical practice, Dr Bartlett is deeply involved in initiatives aimed at reducing health disparities among marginalized communities.
In her free time, Dr Bartlett enjoys cooking, traveling and skiing. She also volunteers at a local organization to ensuring equitable healthcare access to underserved children. Her advocacy work extended to legislative efforts, where she actively lobbied for policies promoting child health and welfare.
Screenings are completed at the start of treatment and then repeated every six months to track progress. Developmental screenings are conducted by a multidisciplinary team of occupational, physical, and speech therapists, as well as child development specialists. Screening tools include structured caregiver interviews, developmental inventories, and standardized assessments. If areas of concern are identified, the UP team creates individualized goals and makes a recommendation for ongoing treatment hours.
Personal Assistance contributes to an environment that fosters independent choice and participation while ensuring the safety of the participant. Services are paid for either partially or fully by Regional Center of Orange County (RCOC).
UP’s Personal Assistants provide support to adults with disabilities through a variety of center-based or community-based activities which may include attending college classes, working or volunteering at various job sites, accessing community resources (public transportation, library services, etc.), life skills acquisition, and more!
Personal Assistance is typically provided during an individual’s existing adult day program or in lieu of a day program schedule. Adult day programs are often Monday through Friday from morning to early afternoons, however, we coordinate hours case-by-case.
Aetna
Anthem Blue Cross
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Cigna
Kaiser
Optum
Providence Medical Foundation
UnitedHealthcare
Marina Bulkin, MA, BCBA, serves as UP’s Director of Clinical Services, overseeing our in-house clinical team of pediatric therapists, therapy aides, and child development specialists. Ms. Bulkin is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst and has tremendous experience treating children and adults with Autism and other developmental delays. Ms. Bulkin is also an experienced manager of operations, focusing on administrative efficiency and employee relations. She graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with her bachelor’s degree in Psychology before earning a master’s degree in Psychology from Pepperdine University.
Melinda Wilkes, MA, CVA, CNP, serves as UP’s Vice President of Community Based Services, overseeing our respite workers, inclusive childcare team, personal assistants, and CBS administrative team. Ms. Wilkes has 20 years experience in the nonprofit sector supporting the community with social services and disability services. Ms. Wilkes is also a leader in volunteer engagement in Orange and San Diego counties. She graduated from the University of California, Santa Cruz with her bachelor’s degree in Legal Studies before earning a master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from University of San Diego.
Valerie J. Reif, SPHR, serves as UP’s Chief Human Resources Officer. She has been engaged with UP for six years assisting through various stages of the organization’s transformation. She brings over twenty-five years of Human Capital Management experience leading national and international retail HR functions through transformational growth phases. She develops and leads the organization’s people strategies to ensure outcomes incorporate the culture, mission, values, and goals along with providing fair and equitable solutions for the team members. Valerie graduated from Webster University with her BA in Business Management, from UCLA with a Professional Designation in Human Resources and her SPHR Credential.
Piero Broccardo, MBA, CPIM, serves as UP’s Chief Financial Officer, overseeing finance, accounting and treasury management. With over 25 years of experience in technology, entertainment, software, and consumer products, Piero is a financial and operational thought leader. Piero holds an MBA in International Business and Finance from Pepperdine University, a Bachelor’s degree in Economics & Math from California State University Fullerton, an Executive Certificate in Board Room management from UCI’s Paul Merage School of Business, and a Certificate in Production and Inventory Management. He has led companies globally in the practice areas of Finance, Operations, &Human Resources holding positions as Head of SEC Reporting, Chief Pricing Officer, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer. Piero has received recognition as one of the top 10 business leaders to watch in 2023, he was nominated as CFO of the Year by the Orange County Business Journal in 2023 and in addition has been recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine.
Dr. Ramin Baschshi, M.D., is a distinguished leader in the nonprofit sector, serving as the President & CEO of Unlimited Possibilities since 2018. Under her visionary guidance, the organization has experienced remarkable growth, expanding from a $4 million entity to an impressive $11.5 million force for good. Dr. Baschshi’s leadership has ushered in innovation, including the establishment of a state-of-the-art pediatric therapy center, doubling service capacity, and introducing cutting-edge therapies. Her commitment to community service is evident through her role as Board Chair of First 5 Children and Families Commission, advocating for the welfare of California’s young children and families. Dr. Baschshi’s unwavering dedication to inclusivity and child welfare is propelling Unlimited Possibilities to become a cornerstone of the disability community, leaving a lasting impact on Orange County and beyond.
Piero Broccardo, MBA, CPIM, serves as UP’s Chief Financial Officer, overseeing finance, accounting and treasury management. With over 25 years of experience in technology, entertainment, software, and consumer products, Piero is a financial and operational thought leader. Piero holds an MBA in International Business and Finance from Pepperdine University, a Bachelor’s degree in Economics & Math from California State University Fullerton, an Executive Certificate in Board Room management from UCI’s Paul Merage School of Business, and a Certificate in Production and Inventory Management. He has led companies globally in the practice areas of Finance, Operations, &Human Resources holding positions as Head of SEC Reporting, Chief Pricing Officer, Chief Financial Officer & Chief Operating Officer. Piero has received recognition as one of the top 10 business leaders to watch in 2023, he was nominated as CFO of the Year by the Orange County Business Journal in 2023 and in addition has been recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine.
Christina Garkovich, CFRE, is an experienced nonprofit executive with over 23 years of expertise in fundraising and marketing. In her current role as Chief Advancement Officer, she has dedicated nearly five years to advancing the organization’s mission through a full agency rebrand and significant growth in fundraising. Christina’s journey began in leadership roles at organizations focused on supporting at-risk children and families. She holds a degree from California State University, Long Beach, which she combines with her extensive practical knowledge to excel in her field. Christina’s dedication to professional excellence is underscored by her recognition as a Certified Fund Raising Executive. She possesses a wide-ranging fundraising skill set, excelling in strategic leadership, donor cultivation, corporate engagement, and event management. Her personal mission is to make a profound and enduring impact within the nonprofit sector.
Dr. Ramin Baschshi, M.D., is a distinguished leader in the nonprofit sector, serving as the President & CEO of Unlimited Possibilities since 2018. Under her visionary guidance, the organization has experienced remarkable growth, expanding from a $4 million entity to an impressive $11.5 million force for good. Dr. Baschshi’s leadership has ushered in innovation, including the establishment of a state-of-the-art pediatric therapy center, doubling service capacity, and introducing cutting-edge therapies. Her commitment to community service is evident through her role as Board Chair of First 5 Children and Families Commission, advocating for the welfare of California’s young children and families. Dr. Baschshi’s unwavering dedication to inclusivity and child welfare is propelling Unlimited Possibilities to become a cornerstone of the disability community, leaving a lasting impact on Orange County and beyond.
