California Achieving a Better Life Experience Act Board
Susan Rotchy
Rotchy has played an instrumental role in advocating for people with disabilities after becoming paralyzed from an automobile accident. Susan began her activism at the local community college and she went on and received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at Golden Gate University.
Pete Cervinka
Background: Pete Cervinka became Acting Director of the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) on September 9, 2024. Pete has more than 25 years of leadership, program management, and policy development experience in various roles across state agencies.
Kim Rutledge
Background: Kimberly Rutledge, of Sacramento, was appointed Director of the Department of Rehabilitation on January 31, 2025. She has been Deputy Director of Legislation and Communications at the Department of Rehabilitation since 2022.
Julie Gaona
Julie Gaona was an Advocate at the Community Access Center from 2001 to 2010. She is a member of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities, Los Angeles Regional Office Regional Advisory Committee; the Statewide Self-Advocacy Network; the University of Southern California Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Community Advisory Committee; and Communities Actively Living Independent and Free. Gaona is Secretary of the Self-Advocacy Board of Los Angeles.
Joe Stephenshaw
Background: Joe Stephenshaw was appointed as Director of the California Department of Finance by Governor Newsom in July of 2022. In this role, he serves as the Governor’s Chief Fiscal Policy Advisor. Prior to his appointment, Stephenshaw served in Governor Newsom’s Office as a Senior Counselor on Infrastructure and Fiscal Affairs.
Malia M. Cohen
State Controller Malia M. Cohen was elected in November 2022, following her service on the California State Board of Equalization (BOE), the nation’s only elected tax commission responsible for administering California’s $100 billion property tax system. She was elected to the BOE in November 2018 and was Chair in 2019 and 2022. As Controller, she continues to serve the Board as its fifth voting member.
Fiona Ma, CPA
Fiona Ma is California’s 34th State Treasurer. She was first elected on November 6, 2018, with more votes (7,825,587) than any other candidate for treasurer in the state's history, and reelected in 2022. She is the first woman of color and the first woman Certified Public Accountant (CPA) elected to the position.
The State Treasurer’s Office was created in the California Constitution in 1849. It provides financing for schools, roads, housing, recycling and waste management, hospitals, public facilities, and other crucial infrastructure projects that better the lives of residents.