Jaq Waldron
Director of Operations
Jaq has extensive knowledge of recovery and 12-Step Programming. She helps connect our substance use clients with the large and vibrant recovery community here in Southern California, and ensures our program adheres to the highest ethical standards within the treatment world.
Zack Hale
Facilities Director
Zack believes that it is important to guide clients to recovery through both work and fun. He knows just how these kids think and feel, and uses his experiences to help them navigate the ups and downs of healthy living. He is passionate and positive about his work at Ascend and hopes to continue growing and learning with the company.
Ashtar Goldreich
Director of Compliance
As a Client Success Manager, Ashtar implemented electronic medical record systems at over 100 substance abuse facilities across the Western United States for three years. She was exposed to many different types of facilities in this role and expanded her knowledge of the treatment field. Ascend was her first client as a Client Success Manager, and she was overjoyed to be able to join the Ascend Team as their Director of Compliance.
Ashtar is passionate about helping people, and even though her role seems behind the scenes, she has the ability to ensure clients thrive by encouraging the team at Ascend to maintain the highest standard of care through proper procedure and documentation.
Brenda Reyes
Facility Manager | Santa Clarita Programs
With over 10 years of experience working with kids, and two years in the mental health field, Brenda has prioritized hard work and diligence for clients during her entire career. As facilities manager she is also responsible for supporting mentors, all the way to ensuring the clinical staff has everything they need to help their clients succeed.
Brenda believes that connecting with clients and providing an engaging environment is essential to their treatment and recovery. Being a mother herself, Brenda has first-hand experience with adolescents and their struggle with learning healthy coping skills and emotional regulation. She uses all the tools at her disposal to ensure a safe space for any client at Ascend, making the residential treatment facilities a great environment for processing mental health concerns and growing as a young person.
Emely Hernandez
Facility Manager | Encino Programs
In her role as Facility Manager, Emely continues to guide client towards healthy habits in their everyday lives. Her goal at Ascend is to show clients that there will always be someone there to support them when they reach out for help — that it’s healthy to express their emotions. Emely also strives to ensure our newly hired mentors are trained to help guide our clients and be good role models for them. She provides guidance for her mentor team and encourages them to reach out when they have questions on how to drive the program. She hopes to continue to support Ascend’s clients and mentors for many years to come.
Trey Hyde
Special Projects Manager
In the past, Trey has served as program coordinator for high school students who were interested in going to college and studying medicine but lacked the knowledge and resources to get there. He has years of experience in the healthcare field, serving communities both in the hospital and in afterschool programs.
Trey has a passion for working with adolescents and strives to be a positive presence, showing young people that no matter the past, their dreams are still attainable.
Program Manager | Agoura PHP & Intensive Outpatient Program
Derrick Williams
Program Manager
After college, he worked in schools and homes as a behavior therapist assisting students with overcoming their academic and/or social challenges. In this position, he was able to identify evident disparities within the school district. This experience furthered his intent to assist those who are not able to access the necessary tools for a sustainable life. It was during this time that Derrick proposed developing a nonprofit to assist at-risk youth make better life choices. Derrick went back to school and received a Master’s in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, and Peacebuilding.
While at Ascend, Derrick is working on developing his nonprofit so he can help improve the socioeconomic health of communities and reduce the recidivism rate of at-risk youth while supporting them in becoming functioning members of society.
Program Manager | Culver PHP & Intensive Outpatient Program
Molly Elkin
Program Manager
Favorite quote: “Be yourself, everyone else is already taken.” – Oscar Wilde