Torhon Barnes

Strategic Partnership Consultant

Bio
Torhon is a former foster child and social work professional with over 20 years of leadership experience in public health and non-profit administration. He has a proven track record of promoting equity and supporting underserved communities. Recognized for his effective program management and team leadership, Torhon has received several awards, including the 2024 Future Leaders Award from the OC Black Chamber. He serves on the Advisory Board for the California Department of Public Health’s Black Health Equity Advisory Group and the Calbright College Healthcare Advisory Council. Torhon is a published co-author of “Teaching Hope: Stories from the Freedom Writer Teachers.”

Torhon holds a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor’s degree in Child and Adolescent Studies from California State University, Fullerton. He is also a champion of adult intramural sports and is dedicated to helping others turn their tragedies into triumph!

What would you do on a free Saturday?
Take an early morning hike, pick-up flag football game in the afternoon, and a nice dinner with family/friends.

If you could teach any class, what would it be?
I would teach a cooking class.

What is one thing about your hometown that you would brag about?
Sacramento, CA – Our golden nuggets are Dr. Cornel West, LeVar Burton, and the Sacramento Kings along with many Olympic athletes and stars.

Mary Zhuang

Research Associate

Bio

Mary is a proud UCI Alumni (go anteaters!) with a major in Human Biology and minor in Health Informatics. Finding her passion for data and health equity through the UCI Public Health Information and Technology (PHIT) Internship, Mary now works as a Research Associate at Advance OC. During her time at Advance OC, her emphasis has been in data analysis and narrative building to identify and address the social determinants of health and developing innovative solutions that empower communities and reduce inequities in healthcare delivery.

What would you do on a free Saturday?
Go on a long mountain hike or read at a cafe with friends and a Matcha latte!

If you could teach any class, what would it be?
I would host a sports workshop!

What is one thing about your hometown that you would brag about?
Toronto, Canada – The fall foliage is hard to beat!

Britney Chen

Intern

Bio
Britney is a recent Bachelor of Science in Public Health, Global Health graduate from California State University, Fullerton. At Advance OC, she serves as an intern and currently supports a variety of research initiatives under the organization. She is passionate about utilizing the power of data to paint meaningful pictures of the current health landscape. In doing so, she hopes that proper resources and programs can be allocated to promote health equity for all. In the future, Britney is interested in pursuing further schooling for an MPH in Epidemiology.

What would you do on a free Saturday?
On a free Saturday, I’d most likely be baking or taking my dog for a walk on the trails around my neighborhood!

If you could teach any class, what would it be?
It would 100% be crochet amigurumi! I picked it up about a year ago and now it’s become one of my top hobbies!

What is one thing about your hometown that you would brag about?
The San Gabriel Valley has amazing Asian food!

Irma Gil

Office Manager

Bio

Irma is the office manager at Advance OC. She is a first-generation Mexican American and loves to engage with the community and help those in need. With a proven track record in community engagement, particularly within the Latinx population, Irma’s contributions to projects like the COVID-19 and Older Adults Needs Assessments have been invaluable. Her bilingual skills, coupled with a genuine passion for community enhancement, make her an essential part of our team, ensuring that diverse voices are heard and accounted for in our initiatives.

What would you do on a free Saturday?
I like to go hiking

If you could teach any class, what would it be?
Cooking class ( Mexican food )

What is one thing about your hometown that you would brag about?
It has the biggest celebration for Dia de Los Muertos

Elsy Salcedo

Project Analyst

Bio
Elsy is a proud graduate of Cal State University, Long Beach, where she earned both her Master of Public Health and Bachelor of Science in Health Science with a focus on Community Health Education. A dedicated public health professional, Elsy has extensive experience serving underserved communities. Bilingual in Spanish and English, she specializes in bridging language and cultural barriers to ensure equitable access to health resources. Elsy has a strong background in community outreach, data collection, research, and translation. Passionate about promoting health equity, she has collaborated on needs assessments and health education projects, leaving a positive impact on community well-being.

What would you do on a free Saturday?
I would go on a long hike with my family, followed by a coffee date and a relaxing massage.

If you could teach any class, what would it be?
I would love to teach a nutrition class, especially for moms-to-be. I believe that everything we eat impacts us, whether in the short or long term. Healthy eating habits established early in life can significantly influence health outcomes in the future.

What is one thing about your hometown that you would brag about?
My hometown is Puerto de La Libertad in El Salvador, known for its beautiful beaches that are popular among surfers. Puerto la Libertad has even hosted the World Masters Surfing Championship, organized by the International Surfing Association, making it one of the top surfing destinations.