BOARD and STAFF
Dixie L. King, MFA, Ph.D., Founder
Dixie King received her doctorate in cultural anthropology from UCLA in 1996, with a specialization in medical and psycho-cultural studies. She is a native of Kern County, and returned here in 1991 to work for the Kern County Superintendent of Schools. At KCSOS she taught staff from schools how to set up prevention and intervention programs to meet the needs of students who are at risk for academic failure, substance use, dropping out, and teen pregnancy. In 1997, Dixie opened her own business, Transforming Local Communities (TLC). The staff at TLC specializes in evaluating grant-funded programs in education, health, and criminal justice, using participatory action research whenever possible to involve the community in researching, understanding, and working to solve neighborhood and community problems. Dixie also provides training in cultural diversity, facilitation skills, and grant-writing. In 2018, after completing a project for Kings County Behavioral Health in which she and other members of her team worked with 16-24 year olds to research and address the mental health needs of young people, she was hooked! (You can see the Kings County video these young people produced at: https://youtu.be/JK93Gy6YVq0). Working with Lisa Elliott and others, she launched TYM4Change in October 2018.
Kelly Bernard, Board Member
Kelly Bernard is a Career Coach at Northern Arizona University where she supports undergraduates in identifying their interests, skill areas and competitive advantage, determining internships and jobs they want to apply for and then preparing strong applications and interviews. She recently started a Job Shadow program to help sophomores and juniors get more hands-on learning experiences in the hospitality industry. In 2018 Kelly earned her M.S. in Youth Development Leadership from Clemson University, where she focused on engaging youth in hands-on experiential learning, community service and cultural exchange activities. Since moving to Flagstaff, AZ in 2016, Kelly has enjoyed serving on the Board of Big Brothers, Big Sisters, and the Early Childhood Regional Partnership Council of First Things First Arizona, and being a Wish Granter for the Make A Wish Foundation. Kelly is a graduate of Yale University and lived and worked in Guatemala and Uruguay with entrepreneurship and youth development nonprofits. Prior to moving out west, Kelly worked as the Director of Civic Engagement for Citizen Schools, an education nonprofit that connects volunteer professionals with low-income middle school students to help them discover career paths and achieve their dreams. Kelly gets excited about helping young people develop the skills and opportunities they need to become their best selves and strong contributors to the community, which is what makes her so passionate about the work of TYM4Change.
Karine Kanikkeberg, Board Member
Karine Kanikkeberg, a career development resource teacher with the Kern High School District, Karine is responsible for the design, implementation, and performance of multiple youth and adult workforce development programs, including programs for youth with disabilities, emancipated foster youth, high school drop-outs, and low-income or migrant or seasonal farm workers. An accredited trainer of the Knowledge Skills and Abilities curriculum by the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth, Institute for Educational Leadership and National Youth Employment Coalition, she provides training for front-line staff across the country. Karine’s passion is helping youth and adults overcome education and employment barriers. She has a BA in Political Science and a teaching credential in Career Development.
Charlie McCarthy, Board Treasurer
Charlie McCarthy, CPA, grew up in the Kern River Valley, and has always been drawn to volunteer work. She joined the staff of Brown Armstrong in July, 2010 after graduating from California State University, Bakersfield with a degree in Business Administration. She is a member of the California Society of Certified Public Accountants, and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). She also has completed the AICPA not-for-profit certification II program. When not working or volunteering, you’ll find Charlie, a runner, training for her next race.
Autumn Paine, Board Member
Please welcome Autumn Paine, the newest addition to our Board of Directors! Autumn is a criminal defense lawyer with 13 years of experience in Oakland. She works primarily with youth in juvenile proceedings, work-aftercare, and collaborates with those who are underserved or unrepresented.
Jovon Dangerfield, MTh, Executive Director
Jovon Dangerfield is a man that enjoys wearing many different hats from community activist, to city leader in music and art initiatives, and much more. He's a locally renowned media personality with a home at FORGE 103.9 and uses his show, The Danger Zone, to draw attention to issues that impact our community and discuss potential for change. Jovon is passionate about creating positive changes in our community and uplifting those around him. He's making great strides as TYM4Change's new Executive Director and is pumped for the awesome future we have in store!
Crystal Parks, Staff Supervisor and Lead Youth Coordinator
Crystal Parks is a Bakersfield native that received her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from CSU Bakersfield. After retiring from the criminal justice field as a Corrections Officer after 16 years of service, she discovered her passion. She has been dedicated to serving youth exhibiting at-risk behaviors and strengthening underserved communities. She began her new career path with Community Action Partnership of Kern (CAPK) as a Program Educator. Her tenure with CAPK allowed her to be involved in numerous programs such as the Justice Assistance Grant, Gang Prevention, Realignment For Success, and Starbucks Prep Works, among others. Since June 2019, she has been the Youth Coordinator for TYM4Change. Youth empowerment is how sustainable change happens and Crystal feels very honored to be a part of this organization.
Kylie Neuwirth, Administrative Assistant
Kylie is the Administrative Assistance at TYM4Change. She graduated from California State University Northridge with a Bachelor's Degree in Cinema and Television Arts and is excited to bring her five-plus years of entertainment industry experience to the incredible youth at TYM4Change! Her goal is to enable the TYM4Change Youth with all the support and skills they will need to become successful individuals and agents of change in their worlds.
Ren Amaya, Youth Coordinator
Ren is a Youth Coordinator at TYM4Change, but before that, they were a youth volunteer themself. They have been volunteering with the program since its founding, and have been a staff member since 2022. They are currently attending CSUB as an undergraduate biology major with plans to go into marine biology.
Lori Bagala-De Marco, Youth Coordinator
Lori is one of the Youth Coordinators at TYM4Change. She recently earned her Associate Degrees in Physical Anthropology and Liberal Arts from Bakersfield College and will continue her education at CSUB. Her interests lie in PaleoAnthroplogy, travel, and fossil hunting. Lori is excited to support the Youth Volunteers as they meet new challenges and achieve their individual goals.
Antwan "AJ" Newton, Film Coordinator
AJ is the Film Coordinator at TYM4Change. He has over ten years of experiences working firsthand with video cameras, editing software, music equipment, and more. He graduated from Film Connection Film Institute in 2021. AJ is looking forward to teaching as much to his youth and his peers as possible while trying to reach our goals here at TYM4Change.
Cici Lee, BYJP Intern
Cici is a graduate of Golden Valley High School. She joined TYM4Change in May of 2022 and has loved it ever since. She does calligraphy and enjoys singing, song writing, and listening to music. In her free time, she studies and researches mental illnesses. She hopes to give back to her community and youth who are in need, and strongly believes that no one should suffer alone in silence.
Desiree Calloway, Jr. Staff Support
Desiree "Desi" Calloway holds one of our few Youth Staff Support positions at TYM4Change. Desi originally grew up in the Bay Area where she resided for half of her life, then moved to Stockton for a few years before coming to Bakersfield. She has earned her Associates Degrees in Liberal Arts and Early Childhood Education at Bakersfield College and her Bachelors Degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing at CSUB. Some of her interests and passions revolve around photography and cinematography, cars, the gym, faith, animals, traveling, and spending time with family, friends, and her community. Desi hopes to be a part of growing positive change and the rise of youth empowerment locally.
Dylan Dueñas, BYJP Intern
Dylan graduated West High School and is a youth researcher at TYM4Change. He is extremely passionate about filmmaking and photography and loves meeting new people. He can’t wait to gain social skills and leadership skills.
Isabella Alcala, CollegeCorps Fellow
Isabella "Bella" Alcala is a student and CollegeCorps member from CSUB. She is majoring in child, adolescent, and family studies and eventually plans to work with kids as a future job. In her free time, she likes to draw and write stories. Bella enjoys singing, listening to music, and watching shows and movies.
Johnathan Mealy, BYJP Intern
Johnathan is an artist and writer born in Bakersfield, California. He was born to a Latin mother and a biracial father of Irish and African-American descent. Johnathan enjoys drawing and writing in his free time, but loves taking in and observing art as well, whether it be books, movies, games, or shows. Johnathan aspires to be a strong, moving force in creativity for kids and adults alike.
Rafael De La Mora, Jr. Staff Support
Rafael is a student at Bakersfield College. He enjoys writting and going on hikes in his freetime. Rafael joined TYM4Change in January 2023 because he enjoys giving back to his community and is working to becoming a teacher in the future.
Yanira Felix, BYJP Intern
Yany joined TYM4C around May of 2022, she is a graduate of Foothill High School. Yany enjoys doing creative makeup and is interested in behavioral psychology. She joined TYM4C because she was interested in growing her skills in social interaction, and to gain work experience. She wants to be a high school psychiatrist when she is older, because she wants kids to be and feel emotionally supported at the age when they need it most.