Board of Directors
Safe Schools Desert Cities is led by a dedicated team of educators, advocates, and community leaders who are passionate about creating safe, inclusive spaces for LGBTQ+ youth across the Coachella Valley and Morongo Basin. Our board members bring diverse experiences and a shared commitment to empowering students through visibility, support, and celebration.
Eric Ornelas
President - Communications Committee Chair
Eric Ornelas is Board President and Communications Committee Chair for Safe Schools Desert Cities. He serves as Communications Specialist at The Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands in Rancho Mirage, where he shapes internal and external messaging to spotlight Sunnylands’ nonprofit mission.
Eric represented Sunnylands on the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors from 2019 to 2024 and graduated from Leadership Coachella Valley as a proud member of the Class of 2025. He is also the host of the “Retro Lunch & Brunch” show on KGAY 106.5 & 92.1 FM, delivering vibrant dance-music mixes to Coachella Valley airwaves.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communications from California State University, San Bernardino, and certificates in graphic design and nonprofit management. Eric and his husband, Cathedral City Mayor Pro Tem Raymond Gregory, have lived in Cathedral City for over twenty years. They have two adult children and one grandson. In 2015, Eric and Raymond received the Safe Schools Desert Cities Champion for Youth Award for their exceptional support of LGBTQI+ youth.
Tori St Johns
Vice President - GSA Liaison (DSUSD)
Tori St Johns is Vice President and GSA Liason. For over 27 years, she’s advanced student support through the Desert Sands Unified School District’s Student Assistance Program, empowering young people to embrace their authentic selves.
She represents the 4th District on the Riverside University Health Systems Behavioral Health Commission, chairs the RUHS Children’s Mental Health Committee, and leads the Health/Mental Health Initiative Committee for the Regional Access Project Foundation. Her dedication to LGBTQ+ students dates back to the 1980s.
Raymond Gregory
Treasurer - Safety Committee Chair
Raymond Gregory serves as Treasurer and Safety Committee Chair. He is the Mayor Pro Tem of Cathedral City, elected in November 2018 to represent District 5 on the City Council.
Prior to public office, he devoted 27 years to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department—rising to Assistant Sheriff—serving in patrol, jails, internal affairs, and as commander of the Indio Station and Chief of Police for Coachella and La Quinta.
He holds a BA in Administration (Management) from California State University, San Bernardino, and an MA in Management from the University of Redlands. Raymond lives in Cathedral City’s Panorama neighborhood with his husband, has two adult children, and one grandchild.
Enrique Campos
Secretary - Communications Committee
Enrique Campos serves as Secretary and a member of the Communications Committee. Enrique is a Community Engagement Coordinator at DAP Health, where he develops outreach initiatives to expand healthcare access for LGBTQ+ communities.
He began with Safe Schools Desert Cities in 2015 as a teen volunteer and delivered the Student Speaker address at the 2016 Harvey Milk Diversity Breakfast. Before joining DAP Health, Enrique guided nonprofit leadership searches as Recruiting Coordinator at McCormack+Kristel.
Ron deHarte
Board Member
Ron de Harte is the 27th Mayor of Palm Springs, sworn in December 2024 as the city’s first openly gay Mexican-American mayor.
He is also CEO of Greater Palm Springs Pride, co-chair of the Community Leadership Council, and serves on boards including The LGBTQ Archives of the Desert and the United States Association of Prides. He represents Palm Springs on multiple Coachella Valley Association of Government committees—Economic Development, CVAG Executive, Energy & Environmental, Homelessness, and the California Coalition of Mayors.
A proud first-generation college graduate from Glendale, AZ, Ron holds graphic design and public relations credentials, owns a small business in Palm Springs, and continues his lifelong commitment to human rights and community service in the Coachella Valley
Jennifer Jungwirth
Board Member - GSA Liaison (MBUSD)
Jennifer Jungwirth is a high school teacher at Yucca Valley High School in the Morongo Unified School District. She brings over two decades of experience teaching Spanish and French.
As a devoted GSA advisor, she founded and mentors the True Colors Gay–Straight Alliance and partners with the Morongo Basin Humane Society on community service initiatives.
Her long-term dedication to LGBTQ+ youth earned her the 2019 “Friend of Pride” award from Greater Palm Springs Pride for outstanding allyship and mentorship.
Lisa Todd
Board Member - GSA Liaison (PSUSD), Scholarship Committee Chair
Lisa Todd is GSA Liaison for Palm Springs Unified School District and chairs the Scholarship Committee. Since joining Palm Springs Unified in 2010, she has risen to Director of Student Services, designing and implementing programs that foster academic success and inclusivity.
As a founding GSA advisor at Desert Hot Springs High School, Lisa has championed safe, affirming spaces for LGBTQ+ youth across the district. She lives in Palm Springs with her dog, Tipsy, and enjoys music, hiking, and travel.
Garrett Schaperjahn
Board Member - Events Coordinator, GSA Liaison Committee Chair
Garrett Schaperjahn serves as Coordinator of Student Services for Palm Springs Unified School District, where he oversees district-wide attendance, student welfare, and support services.
On the Safe Schools Desert Cities board, he chairs the Events Committee and acts as GSA Liaison, coordinating inclusive events and strengthening engagement among Coachella Valley schools.
Ray Culver
Board Member
Ray Culver brings more than 30 years of experience in the staffing and talent industry. As Global Managing Director for TALiNT Partners and founder of CWsolutions Group, he helps organizations across the U.S. and Europe strengthen their people strategies and build inclusive workplaces.
Before launching his own firm, Ray held leadership roles with Scout Exchange, Randstad, and ManpowerGroup, where he developed national and global workforce programs.
Based in Southern California, Ray is also deeply involved in nonprofit and community work. His global perspective and dedication to equity make him a valued member of the Safe Schools Desert Cities board.
Kelly Matheny
Board Member
Kelly Matheny is an Education Specialist and Physical Education Teacher with more than 15 years of experience supporting diverse learners. She teaches at La Quinta High School, where she provides academic and behavioral support for students with mild to moderate disabilities and leads training on inclusive practices.
Kelly holds a Master’s in Secondary Education and a Reading Specialist Authorization. She serves as department chair, School Site Council representative, and advisor to LGBTQ+ student clubs, including the Gender and Sexuality Alliance (GSA).
A strong advocate for equity and student well-being, Kelly is passionate about ensuring that every student feels safe, supported, and seen.
Paul Williams
Board Member
Paul Williams is an educator, activist, and longtime advocate for LGBTQQIA+ youth. A proud graduate of Beaumont High School, Paul founded the school’s first Gay-Straight Alliance as a student—and now co-advises the same club as a teacher.
He teaches science at Beaumont High, where he leads AP Environmental Science and Anatomy & Physiology. Paul earned degrees from UC Berkeley and the University of Redlands and was named the 2018–19 California League of Middle Schools Region 10 Educator of the Year and 2025 Beaumont Unified Teacher of the Year.
Paul’s passion for creating safe, affirming spaces for students makes him a natural fit for the Safe Schools Desert Cities board.
PO Box 1662
Palm Springs, CA 92263
Safe Schools Desert Cities Corp is a registered non‐profit 501(c)(3) public charity organization and contributions are tax deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.
