Our Leadership Team

Lina Lumme

Executive Director/CEO

Lina Lumme immigrated to America in 2003 and has been involved with non-profit organizations serving the local community. She is a member of the Fieldstone Leadership Network and holds a Certificate in Volunteer Management, Executive Directors Leadership, and Nonprofit Management. Lina has served as the Executive Director/CEO of The Youth Center since January 2010. Lina served on the Boards of Directors of the Precious Life Shelter, Los Alamitos Education Foundation, P4S Family Resource Center, and Rotary of Los Alamitos/Seal Beach. In 2010, Lina Lumme was honoree of Life Time Achievement by NPDOC. In 2015, Lina was awarded by LAUSD for her outstanding contribution to Every 15 Minutes Program. In 2017, Lina was acknowledged by Senator Nguyen and US Congress for her contribution to the youth of local community. In 2018, Lina was named Rotarian of the Year. In 2020, she received an Honorary Service Award from LAUSD PTA Council and was named 2022 Woman of the Year in 2022 by California State Assembly.

Maryam Guirao

Director of Development

Maryam Guirao has lived in the Los Alamitos community for over 25 years. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies from California State University, Long Beach & her Master of Science in Nonprofit Management in 2013. Maryam is a Certified Grant Writer through the American Grant Writers Association. Her experience includes many years as the Fundraising Director at the American Cancer Society Relay For Life division, Director of Development at the American Heart Association, as well as Volunteer & Event Consultant and Coordinator for the annual Rossmoor Community Services District, Winter Festival. She has been awarded the Platinum Presidential Volunteer Service Award and has been recognized by both the California State Assembly and local city councils for her outstanding fundraising efforts. In her spare time, Maryam enjoys trips to Disneyland with her daughter & husband, baking, traveling, volunteering in the community, and taking dance classes. She is very excited to join The Youth Center as the Director of Development & build lasting relationships with board members, donors, and community members to further support their amazing mission.

Youth Programs Supervisor

Meet our new Youth Programs Supervisor, Janae! Janae received her degree in Sociology from University of California, Santa Barbara with a minor in Science and Mathematics Education. Janae grew up in Hawaii but has spent the last 9 years living in Southern California. She adores children and loves to help in the community any way that she can. In her spare time, she loves to spend time with her go, an australian cattle dog named Kiwi. Janae is very excited to see all the amazing things that she can and will do for The Youth Center!

Fundraising Coordinator

Amanda Hernandez is attending Cypress College and is Majoring in Human Services. She has an Associates Degree in Psychology and plans on transfering to Cal State Fullerton for a Bachelors Degree in Human Services. She started at The Youth Center at the beginning of 2022 as a volunteer for the after school Rascals Program. Through her passion for working with children and initiative to get things done, she has been welcome as a permanent member of our staff here at The Youth Center.

Gina Elefante

Administrative Director

Gina Elefante is an administrative professional with a background in customer service. Her affiliations with the Lions Club, Seal Beach Police Foundation, Chamber of Commerce and Every 15 minutes program were the precursors to becoming an employee. She has years of experience working with the public and has volunteered for numerous Youth Center events. She has achieved many awards for her volunteerism and was voted Seal Beach 2019 Citizen of the year.

Hans Lumme

Teen Camp Director & After School Coordinator

Hans Lumme holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Anthropology from California State University Fullerton. He completed his student teaching at Tustin High School and earned his teaching credential from California State University Long Beach. Hans is a full time teacher in a Special Education Department at Marshal Academy of the Arts in Long Beach. Hans has worked with the Youth Center for 19 years in various capacities. He first attended the Youth Center as a teen participating in sports activities. Hans is skilled at getting youth to participate in group activities and is gifted at developing mentor relationships with our participants. His goal is to create a feeling in the youth that this center is a place that they can be themselves, share their problems, and look to the staff for guidance. Hans likes to connect with the parent(s) to reassure them that their child is special and being cared for by the Youth Center. Hans also manages 150+ community volunteers during our month-long sale of Christmas trees.

Tara Farajian

View U Director

Tara Farajian, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 20 years of experience. She graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Spanish. Tara received her Master’s degree in Social Work (multi-cultural concentration in children, youth and families) from California State University, Long Beach and is licensed by the Board of Behavioral Sciences. She has a private practice and also the Executive Director of nonprofit Transitions In Motherhood.

Ally Hatakeyama

Leadership Council President

Ally Hatakeyama is the president and founder of the Leadership Council of Students. She loves to support the children and their mental wellbeing through engaging programs, and seeing the smiles and happiness of the kids inspires her to try to make a difference everyday. Ally is the president of Emerging Leaders, a club at Los Alamitos High School that focuses on leadership development and strives to create a club environment in which members will find safety to share, challenge themselves to step beyond their comfort zone, and learn from role models. As a high schooler, she looks forward to her future in further supporting children’s mental health and giving back to the community!