Candidate for
Council Member; City of Perris

Tonya has organizing and advocating in her blood. "Tonya has been organizing and advocating for others as early as elementary school," her parents say often. It is not a surprise that Tonya has had over 17 years working and advocating within various communities and in the fields of social service and education.

Tonya is currently employed as a Senior Vocational Counselor, with the Department of Rehabilitation (DOR). She began her tenure with DOR in 2005, working throughout Los Angeles County and later transferred to the Inland Empire area. Tonya works with teens/adults with disabilities + including veterans. She has assisted hundreds in their pursuit to obtain employment. Shortly after her arrival to DOR, Tonya identified there was a great need for enhanced resources and services for the ex-offender population. Having a passion and desire to improve the rates of recidivism, she developed a relationship with California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and Federal Probation and created a specialized caseload working with the ex-offender population. Recently, she has expanded her work with the Riverside County Office of Education (RCOE), Perris Union High School and Val Verde Unified School Districts. She now serves and assist high school students within the Transition Partnership Program (TPP) counseling them towards obtaining the education and skills required to gain a meaningful career.

Tonya received her B.A. in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz, her M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University, and is pursuing a Doctorate in Organizational Psychology from Walden University. Tonya is working towards completing her dissertation through Walden University. Her dissertation research focuses on cyberbullying within the workplace. Tonya's research interests focuses around her desire to maximize employee and organization potential. Her future interest includes researching work motivation, work attitudes, and organizational change and development.

In 2005, Tonya became a member of AFSCME Local 2620 and since that time she has served as a steward, member of the advisory committee, DOR labor management team, and negotiation team, vocational rehabilitation professionals/occupational advisory chair, and election chair to AFSCME's constitution and officer elections. Tonya is also the creator of "REHABENINGS," newsletter dedicated to providing information to those AFSCME members working within the vocational rehabilitation professions.

Tonya also has specialty training and experience. She is a 2013 graduate of the Emerge California + a unique 7 month intensive training that prepares women to successfully run and serve in public office. Her additional specialized training/experience completed include, but are not limited to: mediation and negotiation, grant writing, coaching, organizational and leadership development, employment/labor law, human resource management, group and team dynamics, stewardship, employee selection and placement, political action and lobbying, legislative analysis, time and organizational management, and conflict resolution.

Tonya has held membership and several leadership positions within various organizations. These organizations include, but not limited to: American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME); Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. (AKA); American Psychological Association (APA); Association of Black Psychologist (ABP); Black Voice Magazine (Santa Cruz); Boys and Girls Club; Coalition for Mental Health Professionals; Emily's List; PTO/PTA; School Site Council; Santa Cruz County Suicide Prevention; Society of Industrial and Organizational Psychologist (SIOP); National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP); and Third World and Native American Society Press (TWANAS).

She was recently appointed as the President of Run Women Run Inland Empire Chapter, an organization that recruits, inspires, trains and encourages women to run for public office and seek appointments.

Tonya's professional and personal life has been characterized by her commitment to making her community a better place to live, work, shop, play and raise a family Tonya is actively involved within her community and beyond. She founded Operation Well and Fit Communities, a movement geared towards providing physical, mental and spiritual wellness education/workshops, advocacy and resources to the residents within the Inland Empire.

She resides with her family in Perris and enjoys spending time with her husband Jason and three children (Devon 20, Brianna 17, and Jaylyn 12), attending Crossword Christian Church, and reading.