Meet Our Staff
Trusted Career Coaches, Specialists, and Leaders.
Judy Takano is the Chief Financial Officer and owner of the Career Institute. Her Master's degree is in Counseling from CSUSB and she excels in the budgeting, expenditures, billing, and auditing departments of the company. She is passionate about helping others set and accomplish their goals and dreams by employing her gifts of being objective, supporting, and trusting. She has strong leadership skills, is organized, and is captivated by new ideas that help others progress. Judy has strong interpersonal, group communication, and presentation skills that engage her in meaningful solution-based projects.
Jana joined the Career Institute team in 2009 assisting in the Summer Youth Employment Program. She worked as a Career Mentor for 7 years and transferred to the Administrative Department. She has the experience and insight needed to meet the administrative needs of the participants and the staff. Jana works on the Fiscal and Compliance Team to ensure our program delivers great service. She also works as the Program Coordinator for our HSS Contract assisting customers achieve success in completing their CMA Occupational Training Program. She finds great joy working with the customers and their caseworkers. She is the smiling voice at the end of the line when you call the Career Institute. It is her mission to help interested parties get the help and information they are seeking.
Briana Stalker enrolled into our Youth Program in the summer of 2009. She proved to be a valuable asset to Career Institute so at the completion of her work experience, she was offered a position within our company. Briana has worked her way up the ranks within the company to her current position as our Workforce Development & Coaching Coordinator. Here she works side by side with our President, Judy Takano, making sure all the proper procedures are taking place. Briana also enjoys working on our marketing materials and seeing the project come to the finish line.
Cristine Holdaway has a background in Accounting. She received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and minored in Business from Brigham Young University. She has provided accounting services for the Career Institute for the last 24 years as well as several other clients in the Inland Empire. She has also been involved in church auxiliary organizations and loves working with young people.
Thalia Garibay earned her Master's in College Counseling and Student Development from Azusa Pacific University in 2016. She holds an Associate in Science and Associate in Arts in Liberal Arts Studies from Pasadena City College and a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from CSULA. She is currently a College Counselor at Chaffey College and San Bernardino Valley College where she assists students in navigating the college system and helping them reach their academic, personal, and career goals. As a Career Mentor for Career Institute, her goal is to help individuals in the community find their passion and navigate their career options for personal growth and future opportunities. Her goal is to educate students, provide students with endless support and resources, and instill leadership in students.
Yvon graduated from the University of South Dakota in 2016 with her bachelor’s degree in social work and a minor in Child and Adolescent Development. She recently earned her Master’s degree from the University of La Verne in Educational Counseling PPS. Yvon has been a softball coach/mentor for over 5 years at the collegiate level. She really enjoys working with young adults and teaching them the importance of a growth and positive mindset. As a career mentor, her goal is to help individuals find their passions and reach their academic, career, and personal life goals.
LouAnne designs, teaches, and evaluates curriculum. A valued staff member since 2009, she brings a passion for excellence to the workplace. Life coaching has been an integral part of the success we have had with the team members of IEHP. LouAnne is insightful, caring, and always takes the time to help others navigate obstacles and see a brighter future.
Amy Frost
Business, Career and Wellness Program Director (Facilitator/Mentor/Coach)
Karina V. Augustus
Career Coach
Karina V. Augustus graduated from CSU, Long Beach with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Minor in Spanish. She later earned a Master of Science in Higher Education from CSU, Fullerton. She has worked in both academic and student affairs, and has worked in a variety of public institutions. Most recently she worked at a CSU as an Academic Advisor for the College of Natural Sciences. She is currently a career specialist for the UC system and assists students with career and professional development. Karina is committed to being a change agent in the field and continue creating equitable opportunities for people who have historically been underserved and/or underrepresented.
Praveeta Bhatnagar knows that the road to success requires the drive to keep pushing forward and never giving up. As a former business owner and experience through partnerships with various county organizations, Praveeta knows and understands the importance of being a positive influence on the youth in her community. Praveeta currently works in the Career Institute’s Barstow location assisting transitional youth with education, employment, and life skill training. Praveeta currently resides in Barstow with her husband and son and is continuing her education at Barstow Community College.