Management

Robert L. Gutierrez AYE Director - robert@aye-la.org 
A native of Los Angeles, Robert L. Gutierrez, has served as AYE Director for the past 42 years.  Under his leadership, AYE has operated internship and summer job training programs with 400 public and private employers in the Los Angeles Metropolitan area. Robert has overseen the growth and development of AYE into one of the largest and most successful job training programs for youth in Los Angeles County. 
Robert oversees several major federal, state and local government programs serving youth and adults as well as having hands on in  the development of private foundation, business, and corporate support. Under his tenure, AYE has consistently achieved stellar performance ratings from Los Angeles City and County Workforce Development Boards.
Robert is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley with a BS degree in Business Administration, California State University, Long Beach, Masters of Public Administration, and UCLA’s Anderson School of Business Executive Management Program. He has served on Archdiocese Justice and Peace Commission, Salesian Boys and Girls Club Board, Catholic Charities Regional Board and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Detention Ministry. 
As Vice President of Making The Right Connections, he continues a life time of service by providing parish-based programs serving children in some of poorest communities in Los Angeles. 

Rosa H. Penaloza Program Director - rosa@aye-la.org 
Rosa H. Penaloza, MBA, serves as Program Director and currently oversees all County and special projects operations including implementation of Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA), Youth @Work, America’s Job Centers of California, YouthBuild, and This Way Ahead-LA programs. Ms. Penaloza brings a wealth of experience in managing both adult and youth workforce development programs.  Her professional experience includes over 15 years of program administration of federal, state, and local government contracts, including oversight of Riverside County operations with an annual budget of over $6 million.  Ms. Penaloza holds a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Redlands, and a Bachelor’s of Science in Business Management with a minor in finance from the University of Phoenix.  Ms. Penaloza is a Certified Life Coach, Public Notary, and Senior Examiner for California Council of Excellence. Ms. Penaloza is fluent in Spanish and very passionate about serving people.  She is a proud member of Rotary International, and serves as Director of Special Projects for the Moreno Valley Rotary Club.

Joanne Peterson Associate Director - joanne@aye-la.org 
Joanne Peterson, M.S., C.F.R.E., brings over thirty years of experience in non-profit fund development, marketing, and public relations to AYE.  She held key positions in social & human services, higher education, health care, and the arts, as well as acting as a freelance fundraising consultant for over a decade. Originally from the East Coast, Joanne is now active with various LA chambers, the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning, as well as local chapters for the National Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Carol J. Champion Quality Improvement Manager / Finance - carol@aye-la.org 
Carol J. Champion has over 40 years of experience in a variety of industries including Law, Entertainment, Real Estate, Information Systems, Accounting, and Nonprofit. She is a lifelong resident of Los Angeles with a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from Mount Saint Mary’s University.  Carol also holds certifications in Human Resources Management, ADP, Insurance, Notary Public, and Los Angeles County Child Support Workshop. Carol is currently pursuing her CPA, and is a member of the Mount Masters Toastmasters, International.

Jesse Limon Information and Records Manager - jesse@aye-la.org  
Jesse Limon, started his career with AYE in 1999 as an intern under the JTPA program. While attending high school, he worked part-time in the evenings in the Accounting Department. After graduating high school, Jesse was transitioned to a permanent full-time staff role while attending night school and graduated with a B.S. in Telecommunications from Mount Sierra College . Jesse now oversees the IT, MIS, Payroll, and Accounts Payables for AYE.