Emerging Professionals

The Emerging Professionals program is a vital part of ABHPC’s Prevention Pathways program, supporting individuals who are early in their prevention career. ABHPC partners the emerging professionals with mentors who have a seasoned and diverse knowledge base in the prevention field. Emerging professionals work with their mentors to hone their existing skills and gain experience as consultants in the prevention field. Emerging professionals create content and facilitate trainings independently and in conjunction with their mentors and other ABHPC consultants.

Accomplishments: All of our emerging professionals participated as leaders and facilitators in the 2025 Regionals Action Lab. The emerging professionals continue to provide high-quality professional competency trainings, community of practice sessions, and customized training and technical assistance to partners across California including Tribal communities, county leaders, higher education settings, and statewide conferences. The emerging professionals leverage their networks to build up the ABHPC program and the prevention workforce.

Join Us: If you are early in your prevention career and interested in growing your skills as a consultant and expanding your network, the Emerging Professionals program is a great place to start. If you are interested in learning more, please reach out to Olivia Shrago at oshrago@cars-rp.org.

Learn more about our emerging professionals below!

Brittney Sampson

(she/her)

Brittney Sampson is a Substance Use Disorder Certified Counselor. She works with At-risk youth, foster youth, and youth on probation and in the Butte County Juvenile hall. Brittney is the program coordinator for the statewide Youth Peer Mentor Program. She is certified Mindfulness-Based Substance Abuse Treatment (MBSAT) facilitator and currently facilitates YPMP groups with the MBSAT curriculum for youth in Shasta, Glenn, and Butte Counties and is also a Peer Mentor at YPMP Natural High Retreats. Brittney also works for the Butte County Public Defender Ronald A. Reed, a Juvenile Defense Lawyer, and is currently the Legal Secretary for Butte County’s Public Defender’s consortium Project Upstream.

Heaven’Le James

(she/her)

Heaven’Le James is an inspiring 18-year-old entrepreneur and advocate dedicated to uplifting marginalized voices. With a passion for social justice, Heaven’Le serves as a Brand Ambassador for the Race and Gender Equality Project (RAGE) and has accrued over 200 hours as a youth facilitator, specializing in tobacco use prevention in local schools.

Recognized with the Leadership & Excellence Award from Eagle Vision Community Development Corporation, she advocates for Black women’s rights and has spoken at the Capitol of Sacramento. Driven by creativity and a desire to make a difference, she actively participates in community initiatives, including hosting a body positivity art show. With a talent for brand management and event planning, Heaven’Le is committed to fostering growth and equity in all endeavors.

Jason Strickler

(he/him/el)

Jason Strickler, M.A., is a Social Entrepreneur and Substance Use Prevention Coordinator from Sylmar, CA, in the San Fernando Valley. Dedicated to social change and youth empowerment, Strickler is the Chair of Rethinking Access to Marijuana (RAM) and a leader in the substance use prevention movement in Los Angeles County. He specializes in coalition coordination, fostering strategic relationships, and designing impactful programs for at-risk populations.

With over a decade of experience across diverse industries, he brings valuable insights into cultivating and sustaining healthy organizational cultures. Strickler earned a Master’s in Social Entrepreneurship and Change from Pepperdine Graduate School of Education and Psychology, where he distinguished himself as a top 3 finalist in the social enterprise fast pitch competition. He also holds a BA in Communication Studies with a minor in Journalism from California State University, Northridge.

In his personal time, Jason enjoys reading, exploring music, tending to plants, and caring for his two beloved cats, Sniffles and Gravy.

Paul Raymond Wolf Steele

(he/him)

Paul Raymond Wolf Steele is an individual with a rich and diverse background rooted in the Chiricahua Apache, Chicano, Jewish, and German communities. From a young age, Paul has actively assisted his mother in various training endeavors, from tribal work to school assemblies. As he matured, Paul continued his involvement in training, even leading his own vaping prevention sessions on Native American reservations. Beyond his training experience, Paul boasts a background in engineering and construction, dedicating countless hours to constructing small homes for homeless veterans. Holding the esteemed title of Seventh Generation Advisor for the Chicahua Apache Nation, Paul is driven by a primary goal—to make a positive impact in prevention work. Inspired by the mentors who guided him, he is resolute in his commitment to paying it forward throughout his lifetime.

Estefania Caldera-Alvarado

(she/her/ella)

Estefania Caldera-Alvarado has a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and is a Prevention Program Director for a community-based organization. As a director, she has led a variety of youth, parent, and community member training on Alcohol and Other Drugs Prevention to increase knowledge and facilitate conversation around substances. Estefania believes that healthy communities are achieved through collaborative effort. She is passionate about empowering community members to take action in advocating for themselves, their families, and their communities. Through her work, she looks to influence the next generation to take their voice and wield it to make an impact in their community and beyond.

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