LEADERSHIP TEAM
La Tonya Glover joined Valley Health Associates (VHA) in the Spring of 2021 bringing over 25 years of experience in social welfare, education, and managerial acumen. La Tonya’s work has and continues to positively impact individuals from historically excluded communities in her roles as a social worker, counselor, educator, volunteer and more recently as the Executive Director of Valley Health Associates. Throughout her career, she has integrated with and guided dozens of diverse teams to reach strong outcomes using ingenuity, innovative and collaborative methods. She has a successful track record of leading teams through times of constant change and organizational development.
La Tonya has also served as a Board Member for numerous organizations, such as Palenke Arts, Restorative Justice Partners Inc., and Girls' Health in Girls' Hands. In addition to her successful career and work as a Board Member for multiple organizations, giving back to the community has been her lifelong passion. So much so that her hard work and dedication to the community, the homeless, local church organizations and support for nonprofits that benefit various youth programs led to her most recent nomination and award as the Monterey County Weekly's 'Do-Gooder" 2016.
Esmeralda Montenegro Owen
Development and Communications
Esmeralda Owen brings a wealth of experience in fundraising and marketing strategies. As the founder of Precious Stone PR Inc., she has specialized in supporting non-profit organizations on the Central Coast to reach their fundraising needs as well as increase visibility and brand awareness. As a journalist by trade, Owen uses the power of storytelling to enhance the awareness of needed services in the community.
Owen has worked for Hartnell College, the National Steinbeck Center, Youth Orchestra Salinas, Univision, and Telemundo. She is a board member for the Salinas Airshow and the Sunset Cultural Center, on the Women’s Fund Committee, and Hospice Giving Foundation.
Anna Diaz-Infante BS, Accounting
​Director of Finance
(831)424-6655 Ext. 11
adiazinfante@valleyhealthassociates.com
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Anna Diaz-Infante is a seasoned accounting professional with over 20 years of experience in nonprofit, government, and corporate finance. She specializes in full-cycle accounting, financial reporting, grant compliance, and fund accounting, with a strong track record of managing multimillion-dollar budgets and supporting complex funding structures. Anna has led audits, overseen payroll and benefits, prepared financial reports for leadership, and implemented system improvements to streamline operations. She is especially skilled in managing restricted and unrestricted funds across programs and grants, ensuring accuracy and compliance. With a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and a Finance Certificate from Golden Gate University, Anna brings both technical expertise and a practical, collaborative approach to every organization she supports.
Dr. Edgar Castellanos, MD, MPH, FSAM​
​Medical Director
(831)424-6655 Ext. 21
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Dr. Edgar H. Castellanos obtained his medical degree from University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine and his Masters in Public Health from Loma Linda University. He is certified in addiction medicine through the Society of Addiction Medicine as well as the American Board of Addiction Medicine. He is a Fellow FASAM through the American Society of Addiction Medicine And a Diplomat Certified in Addiction Medicine through the American Board of Preventative Medicine. Dr. Castellanos considers himself fortunate to work with Valley Health Associates and other non-profit agencies in Monterey County, collaborating with amazing counselors and dedicated staff members.
Dr. Christa Balch M.D.​
Medical Doctor
(831)424-6655 Ext. 21
cbalch@valleyhealthassociates.com
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Dr. Christa Balch is a family medicine doctor who graduated from SUNY Stonybrook School of Medicine trained locally at Natividad Medical Center. She is board certified in Addiction Medicine as has worked in addiction medicine since 2015. She has enjoyed working with patients at Valley Health Associates since 2017. She feels it is an honor to get to know and walk alongside patients in their journeys towards sobriety.
Lena Allen, LCSW​
​Clinical Director
(831) 424-6655
lallen@valleyhealthassociates.com
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Lena has over 21 years of experience working with children, adolescents, adults, and families in a variety of settings. She has a background in working with the community with depression, anxiety, trauma, personality disorders, and substance use disorders. Throughout her career she has worked in numerous substance abuse programs, adolescent and adult residential treatment centers, forensic settings, behavioral health, and legal and court settings.
Veronica Ibarra
Associate Director of MAT Services
(831) 424-6655
vibarra@valleyhealthassociates.com
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Veronica was born in Los Angeles, California, but moved to Salinas during her high school years and has been living in Salinas ever since. Since 2020, she has been providing mental health and substance use disorder services to homeless and Hispanic communities. Specifically, Veronica has worked to provide care and resources to pregnant women struggling with homelessness and substance use. Veronica has a strong desire to help her community achieve better hope and recovery through her deep sense of compassion.
Rachele Garcia, SUDCC
Director of programs
(831) 424-6655 Ext. 19
rgarcia@valleyhealthassociates.com
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Rachele has over nine years of experience working in areas of substance use and with individuals who have co-occurring diagnoses. She has worked throughout Monterey and Santa Cruz County to help improve conditions for people. Her efforts in supporting those with substance use and mental health have taken her to many different environments. Rachele has provided services in the prison setting, residential, MAT clinics, and Outpatient settings for both youth and adults. Over the years, Rachele has developed a passion for serving communities and those struggling with substance use and mental health, who are among some of the most vulnerable populations. Rachele is excited to be part of the team at Valley Health Associates and looks forward to serving the clients and the community.
Elida Garcia, LVN​
Nurse Supervisor
(831) 424-6655 Ext. 15
egarcia@valleyhealthassociates.com
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Born and raised in Salinas, California, Elida was raised by a strong, hardworking single mother who was a migrant worker an experience that instilled in her a deep sense of resilience and dedication to service. Elida has over five years of nursing experience in home health pediatrics, skilled nursing, and substance use treatment. As a bilingual nurse fluent in English and Spanish, she is passionate about breaking down language barriers to ensure every patient receives compassionate, high-quality care. Elida is committed to serving patients and the community with integrity, empathy, and hard work.
Gillian Waford, CADC I
Associate Director of Quality Assurance & Program Administration
(831) 424-6655 Ext. 23
Gwaford@valleyhealthassociates.com
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Gillian brings over eight years of experience in addiction treatment, care coordination, and program administration. Her background includes providing direct support to a wide range of populations, including perinatal clients, individuals experiencing homelessness, and those with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. She has worked in both residential and outpatient settings, with a focus on improving access to care and supporting long-term recovery. Gillian now focuses on quality assurance and program operations, helping to ensure services meet clinical and regulatory standards. She approaches her work with a strong sense of purpose, drawing from hands-on experience and a deep commitment to supporting both clients and the teams who serve them.