Erin became the CEO of Hope Cooperative in 2016 after serving as the agency’s first Development Director for a period of three years. Prior to leading Hope Cooperative, Erin spent over 25 years in the food business as a sales and marketing professional. In 2008 she co-founded and served as Executive Director for a non-profit substance abuse treatment program for teens in Placer County. After successfully merging that program into a larger non-profit, Erin found her niche in the non -profit world. Serving as the first Development Director for Hope Cooperative was an incredibly rewarding and energizing experience. She looks forward to building the resources to offer expanded services to enhance the lives of the people we serve. Erin holds a Masters Degree in Marriage and Family Counseling from San Jose State University and Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Sociology from San Diego State University.

Karen has provided administrative oversight, support and leadership for TLCS programs since 1988. In that time she has created and overseen many different housing and case management programs and has been actively involved in the community to ensure quality services for adults with a psychiatric disability. She holds a Bachelors of Arts degree from Concordia University, Chicago, Illinois and a Master’s degree from California State University, Sacramento. She is also a highly regarded trainer in Motivational Interviewing. Her guiding belief and principle is that when the individuals we serve are treated with dignity and respect amazing life changes will happen. It is also critical to provide staff with a supportive and positive environment to further ensure quality services.

Paul Powell has worked in the field of Mental Health and Rehabilitation for thirty-five years. He received a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s degree in rehabilitation counseling and a post-graduate degree in counselor education from the University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida. Paul maintains his credential as a nationally Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (C.R.C.). Paul has worked in several leadership roles on staff at TLCS since coming on board with the Agency in 1985, which included serving as the Associate Director for Administrative Services and Associate Director for Property Development and Operations and currently serves as Director for Special projects. Paul has also served in leadership roles with the Sacramento County Association of Mental Health Contractors. Paul was recognized as the 2003 Mental Health Worker of the Year.

Karina started with Hope Cooperative in 2019 as Executive Coordinator and quickly worked her way up to External Affairs Manager in just a few short months.  For eight years she enjoyed a successful career in event production in the Bay Area and Sacramento, and in her free time, served on the non-profit board of Stockton Lambs in San Joaquin County.  As her commitment with Lambs was coming to an end, she decided she wanted to follow her passion and transition full time into the non-profit sector.  Karina enjoys building relationships, being active in the community and is an active member of Junior League Sacramento.

Cassaundra Cochron, AMFT has been working in the field of mental health for ten years, and has been a member of the Hope Cooperative family since 2016. As Program Director, Cassaundra is responsible for the complete oversight and day-to-day operations of the Triage Navigator Program. The overall goals of the program are to improve client’s experience in achieving wellness and recovery, provide timely access to needed services, and reduce unnecessary hospitalizations, inpatient days and recidivism, and mitigate unnecessary expenditures of law enforcement. Cassaundra also oversees the Mobile Crisis Support Team that provides peer support to individual’s in the community who have directly interfaced with law enforcement, and are in need of crisis intervention. Additionally, Cassaundra provides individual therapy to Hope Cooperative clients. Cassaundra graduated in 2010 from California State University, Dominguez Hills with a BS in Criminal Justice Administration and a minor in Business Management. She then earned her a MA in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Marital Family Therapy in 2013 from the University of San Francisco.  Cassaundra’s personal goal is to direct a program that advocates for consumers and consumer services while leading a team that is strength based and client centered.

Maria Pruett, MFT has worked in the mental health field for the past fourteen years.  Maria has experience working with at risk youth and their families, who struggled with mental health, the child welfare system, juvenile system, and family courts.  Maria spent the last four years working with adults with dual diagnosis, homelessness, medical health concerns, psychiatric needs, and the court systems.  Maria has her B. A. in Psychology, from CSUS, a MA in Marriage and Family Therapy.  Maria is the program director for the Regional Support Team where she oversees client care for psychiatric treatment, rehabilitation, individual therapy, group therapy advocacy and self-help.  Maria works with a team using a recovery oriented approach to ensure the clients receive mental health services that meet their individual and cultural needs. 

Charles Cochran joined TLCS as a board member August 2016. Charles is a Vice President and Business Banking Team Lead serving the Sacramento area with Banner Bank. Charles holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Redlands and has worked in finance, banking, and related occupations for more than 10 years. Charles is passionate about the growth of small and medium businesses in Northern California and TLCS is excite he has joined our team.

“Homelessness is one of the most pressing challenges our region faces. Hope Cooperative has been making a difference for more than 40 years, and I am honored to join the Board and help the organization continue to do the important work it does every day.”

Michele Adams has been a State Farm Insurance Agent in Sacramento since 1993.  She received her undergraduate degree from Illinois State University and a Masters in Management from the University of Illinois.   As a business owner, Michele has become increasingly aware of the challenges facing people experiencing homeless while also struggling with mental health disabilities in the Sacramento area.  She is eager to partner with others in the business community to increase awareness and support for the valuable services offered through TLCS, Inc.

Tim was vice president and general manager of the Perceptual Computing Marketing & Enabling Group at Intel Corporation. He led the company’s sales and market enabling for the development and deployment of advanced computing solutions based on natural sensing and interactions, branded as Intel® RealSense Technology. His responsibilities included creating and growing new businesses and driving sales and marketing in the areas of interactive computing systems, immersive virtual reality devices, and autonomous robots. He joined the board in 2018 because he’s passionate about creating housing for those in our community who are in need.

John Orcutt was admitted to the California State Bar in December of 2008, and began his own practice shortly thereafter. Originally from the East Coast, John and his family moved from the D.C. area in June of 2009, and he started practice in Sacramento. John’s legal background includes working for a nonprofit organization, to being in house in a large management consulting firm during law school, before opening his own firm in Sacramento. John is active in the Sacramento County Bar Association, as a board member of the SCBA, a board member of the SCBA’s Small and Solo Practice Division, and Chair of the Business Section’s executive committee. John has also volunteered for the Sacramento Superior Court, helping with the Law Day legal clinics, One-Day Divorce clinics, and the Domestic Violence Restraining Order clinics the Family Court sponsors. In 2015, John was listed as one of the top attorneys in Sacramento by Sacramento Magazine, a peer-nominated award. John’s legal practice revolves around advising businesses, especially in business ownership disputes. John moved to Oak Park in June of 2014, and started seeking ways to help his new homeless neighbors in a meaningful way. He learned about TLCS and its mission as a part of that search, and joined the board to fulfill that goal.