our team
Jacqui Medina
Jacqui Medina is the Founder & CEO of Lotus Rising LA, a nonprofit working to help families in Los Angeles rebuild after disaster. She is also the Founder & Principal Designer of Studio Aki, where she has spent years shaping spaces that feel personal, intentional, and reflective of the people who live in them. After witnessing the devastation of the 2025 wildfires, the meaning of home took on a deeper urgency.
At the core of her work, in both design and disaster recovery, is the belief that home is more than just a physical structure. It’s about stability, history, and belonging. But rebuilding takes more than funding. It takes people. As a natural connector, Jacqui brings together experts, creatives, and partners who share a vision for a stronger, more resilient Los Angeles.
Whether she’s working with industry leaders, engaging the creative community, or building relationships in construction and design, Jacqui understands that lasting impact comes from collaboration.
Through Lotus Rising LA, she is helping ensure families aren’t forced to start over somewhere else. They can rebuild, stay rooted, and continue shaping the communities they’ve always called home.
Founder & CEO
board of directors & advisors
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Dr. Christina Holtz, MD
Board Member
Dr. Christina Holtz, MD is an emergency medicine specialist dedicated to serving communities in crisis. As a Board Member of Lotus Rising LA, she brings her frontline medical expertise, deep understanding of disaster response, and unwavering compassion to help families rebuild after devastation.
A practicing physician at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center and Olive View-UCLA Medical Center, Dr. Holtz has spent years navigating high-stakes, high-pressure environments, treating those affected by trauma, displacement, and disaster-related emergencies. Her work goes beyond the ER—she understands that recovery is not just about survival but about restoring stability, dignity, and a future.Christina’s commitment to her community runs deep. She has witnessed firsthand the challenges families face in the aftermath of disaster and is dedicated to helping them rebuild. Alongside her husband, Don, she also runs Valley Hot Yoga in Woodland Hills, a space dedicated to healing, resilience, and well-being.
Her ability to balance medical expertise, community-driven advocacy, and a deep sense of care makes her an indispensable force in Lotus Rising LA’s mission—ensuring that rebuilding goes beyond structures, creating a foundation for long-term well-being and support.
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Victor Corona, AIA
Lead Architect Advisor
Victor Corona, AIA, is a seasoned architect and the Principal of VMC Architecture, bringing over 30 years of experience in designing and leading transformative projects across Los Angeles. As an Architect Consultant for Lotus Rising LA, Victor provides strategic guidance in rebuilding, sustainable design, and planning solutions to help families return home after disaster.
Throughout his career, Victor has worked on high-profile projects that define the city’s landscape, including:• Los Angeles Convention Center Expansion
• MTA North Hollywood Redline Subway Station
• Habitat for Humanity’s first multi-family project in LA
• Urth Caffé locations
• American Golf renovations
• The Jeffrey Foundation school expansion
In addition to his architectural practice, Victor is a dedicated educator, teaching at College of the Canyons and UCLA Extension, where he mentors the next generation of architects and designers. His expertise in urban planning, community-driven projects, and sustainable construction makes him a key partner in Lotus Rising LA’s mission to rebuild stronger.
copywriting/storytelling team
(aka “the Word Nerds”)
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Belinda Chen
Copy Editor / Word Nerd
Belinda is a native Angeleno who developed a strong sense of social justice as a student at UC Berkeley. While there, she ran a sexual harassment and sexual assault prevention program for undergrads and was an advocate for students and faculty who experienced sexual violence.
She received her Master’s in Public Health in Epidemiology at UCLA and has had a long career in public health and research administration.
She is also a bit of a health and fitness geek and has been a yoga teacher for nearly 20 years.
LA is her hometown, and she is committed to helping her fellow Angelenos rebuild and recover after the devastating wildfires.
Fun fact: Belinda has a long-standing Monday night Mario Kart game online with her family that has been ongoing for nearly 20 years.
Fave quote: “A heart filled with love is like a phoenix that no cage can imprison” - Rumi
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Cara Batema
Storyteller / Word Nerd
Cara is a musician and orchestrator who loves Los Angeles. When she’s not writing notes, Cara writes words; her passion for building isn’t limited to sentences and syntax — she’s also dedicated to helping people rebuild their homes and their lives.
Cara is excited to bring these skills to the Word Nerds team and support the important work of Lotus Rising LA.
Fun fact: As a redhead (1-2% of the population) who plays guitar (8-10% of people), Cara is basically a unicorn with a six-string 10-string because it’s actually a pedal steel guitar.
Fave quote: “LA, you raised generations of dreamers, of doers, of people who refuse to quit. The fire is tough, but this city is tougher. We’ll rebuild because LA’s heart can’t be broken.” – Naomi Selick
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Allison Walker
Storyteller / Word Nerd
Allison is a multimedia journalist and communications specialist who uses storytelling as a bridge to a better world.
With a career spanning investigative broadcast journalism, nonprofit media advocacy, and digital content creation, she’s covered critical issues like human trafficking, racial health disparities, and homelessness.
Moved by the resilience of her neighbors in the wake of the LA wildfires—navigating bureaucratic red tape, corporate interests, environmental health impacts, and psychological scars—she knew she had to do something.
That’s why she’s overjoyed to contribute to an organization that understands home isn’t just a place; it’s the foundation of health and longevity.
Fun fact: An avid mythology nerd, she’s obsessed with animals with different-colored eyes (especially her own cat) whose gaze, according to legends, can see into both Heaven and Earth.
Fave quote: “Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world." – Desmond Tutu
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Amanda Walgrove
Storyteller / Word Nerd
Amanda is a freelance writer and editor based in LA. She has spent much of her career writing marketing content for brands like Spotify, PayPal, and American Express, but her heart lies in purpose-driven storytelling.
This has led her write for nonprofits including the ACLU, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, and International Rescue Committee.
With Lotus Rising LA, she jumped at the opportunity to use her words to help families rebuild in the city she loves most.
Fun fact: I’m also a comedy writer and performer! Once filmed a commercial with Kelly Clarkson and she called me funny. Still riding that high.
Fave quote: "The older I get, the more I’m conscious of ways very small things can make a change in the world. Tiny little things, but the world is made up of tiny matters, isn’t it?" - Sandra Cisneros
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Mike Peterson
Copy Editor / Word Nerd
Mike is a freelance writer, editor, and public relations strategist based in North San Diego County. A former journalist and a current PR specialist, he is passionate about the power of stories to challenge assumptions, connect communities, and effect positive change.
In his decade-long career, Mike has written, pitched, and told stories across a variety of different topics, from Silicon Valley tech giants to national nonprofits. He has worked with a number of social impact organizations, including the California Endowment, the Appleseed Network, the Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab, and the People’s Collective for Environmental Justice.
Born in Los Angeles and raised in North San Diego County, he is a native Southern Californian who is passionate about the people, culture, and land that make this region special.
Fun fact: A person of varied interests, Mike is also a singer-songwriter, registered yoga teacher, and avid rock climber and hiker.
Favorite quote: “We tell ourselves stories in order to live.” - Joan Didion
events & fundraising
(aka “rally & raise” team)
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Venus Lee
Chief Development & Events Officer
Venus is a fundraiser and event coordinator with more than two decades in the non-profit space. She's been a part of an organization that surpassed it's $6 billion capital campaign goal 18 months early and another that achieved an unprecedented 100% Board of Trustees giving.
She developed partnerships with local and national companies including 24-Hour Fitness, Papa John's, Ikea and Bed, Bath & Beyond as well as coordinated the logistics for events of 1,000+ attendees.
As someone who personally knew and worked with people impacted by the Maui wildfires, Venus is excited to be a part of an organization dedicated to helping vulnerable populations impacted by natural disasters return home.
Fun fact: Venus has visited or lived in 39 countries and 5 territories on 4 continents.
Favorite quote: "Everything happens for a reason." - Anonymous
consultants, strategists, & support
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Paul Ordoñez
Executive Assistant
Paul brings a background in advertising, public relations, and restaurant operations to his role at Lotus Rising LA. With years of experience in hospitality management, he developed strong organizational instincts, attention to detail, and a calm, solutions-focused approach in fast-paced environments.
Now supporting our team as Executive Assistant, Paul is instrumental in keeping projects running smoothly behind the scenes and ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. He’s excited to grow in this new chapter and contribute to a mission rooted in community, care, and impact.
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Sharon Bushy
Business Consultant
Sharon is a brand strategist and business consultant with over two decades of experience in marketing, messaging, and leadership coaching. At Lotus Rising LA, she provides strategic insight and operational guidance to support long-term growth.
She is the founder of Business Building Blocks, where she helps entrepreneurs and organizations refine their vision, strengthen their systems, and scale with clarity. Outside of work, Sharon teaches Krav Maga and volunteers in her community, offering self-defense training as a tool for empowerment.
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Van Mendoza
Web Designer & Media Consultant
Van is a product designer and digital strategist with a background in leading creative teams at Google, Apple, TikTok, and Sony. He brings deep experience in UX, branding, and content to his work with Lotus Rising LA, building a digital presence that drives engagement and action.
From shaping Google’s Search UX to helping startups scale to $70M+ exits, Van has designed for billions of users and collaborated with global brands and artists. His work blends strategy with storytelling to inspire and mobilize real-world impact.