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.
Analisa "Lisa" Salud
​Director of Finance
(831) 424-6655 Ext. 11
Lisa brings over 30 years of financial, administrative, and operational leadership experience to her role. She has led finance and human resources functions in both corporate and nonprofit environments, with expertise in budgeting, audits, compliance, and operational infrastructure. She has previously served in executive roles such as CFO, VP of Finance/HR, and Director of Finance, where she oversaw accounting, HR, and operations. She has achieved over 25 years of audits and streamlined financial and operational systems.
Lisa has been involved in her community, serving as Board Treasurer, Finance Chair, and Advisory Committee Member in multiple organizations throughout the Bay Area/Silicon Valley and San Benito County. Her leadership reflects a strong commitment to fiscal responsibility and community engagement.
Dr. Edgar Castellanos, MD, MPH, FSAM​
​Medical Director
(831) 424-6655 Ext. 21
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 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 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.
Brianna Bostwick, LVN​
Nurse Supervisor
(831) 424-6655 Ext. 15
Brianna has over 20 years experience in the nursing field, with the past 12 years focused exclusively on the field of drug and alcohol addiction treatment. Brianna's passion lies in helping individuals reclaim their lives through compassionate, evidence-based care. With extensive experience in both inpatient rehabilitation and outpatient medication-assisted treatment (MAT), she brings a deep understanding of the recovery journey from both clinical and human perspectives. Whether working hands-on with patients or supporting them through long-term recovery plans, her commitment remains the same: to provide high-quality, respectful, and individualized care that empowers lasting change.
Gillian Waford, CADC I
Director of Program Operations
(831) 424-6655 Ext. 23
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.
Amber Umbarger
Program Manager, Youth Prevention Services
(831) 424-6655 Ext. 32
Amber brings years of experience in counseling, client support, and program coordination. Her background includes providing direct care to both youth and adults diagnosed with Substance Use Disorder and co-occurring mental health conditions in both residential and outpatient settings. She has worked with diverse populations across Monterey and San Luis Obispo Counties, offering individual and group counseling, case management, and crisis intervention services.
She is passionate about empowering youth and families through education, early intervention, and access to resources that promote healthy, substance-free lifestyles. Amber is excited to continue her work with Valley Health Associates and is dedicated to supporting the well-being of the clients and communities she serves.