Sam Joo
Chief Executive Officer
CEO & Directors
Before stepping into the role of CEO at AADAP, Sam Joo served as the Vice President of Student and Community Services for Para Los Niños. In that capacity, he led a dynamic team comprising seven directors and more than 140 employees dedicated to transforming communities, strengthening children and families, and supporting youth as they transitioned to higher education and the workforce.
Sam’s deep commitment to community service began early in his career when he worked as a substance abuse counselor with AADAP. There, he witnessed firsthand the generational challenges posed by the crack epidemic in South Los Angeles, particularly its profound impact on children and youth. Driven by a resolve to tackle systemic challenges, Sam transitioned to AADAP’s Prevention Unit, where he managed multiple community projects focused on improving neighborhood conditions and enhancing the quality of life for local families.
Meet the Directors
Aris Tubadeza, M. SC
Administrative Director
Joel Jacinto
Development Director
Jenny Pham
Fiscal Director
Angela Bartolome, LCSW
Clinical Director
James Stinson
Treatment Director
Jose Esqueda
Youth and Family Programs Director
Jeanne Shimatsu
Prevention Director
Louis Lewis
Employment Access Director
Dr. William King, MD
Medical Director
Dr. David Yoon, MD
Medical Supervisor
Board of Directors
Michael Yoshiba
Richards, Watson, & Gershon
Chairman
Michael Yoshiba has been on the AADAP board for over 12 years. He is an avid Dodgers fan and a whiskey connoisseur.
He currently is a lawyer at Richards, Watson, & Gershon. Prior to joining Richards, Watson & Gershon in 2001, Michael represented the State of California, Department of Transportation, in its Legal Division for over six years as a Deputy State Attorney and before that, as a right-of-way agent for over ten years.
Meet the Board
Ty Carter
Healthcare Advisor, Your Choice Insurance Services
Vice Chairman
Nicole Johnson, LMFT
Family Services Advocate, McKinley Mental Health Services
Treasurer
Steven Arellano, Sr.
Sergeant of Police, Los Angeles Police Department (Ret.)
Secretary
Saundra Bryant
Executive Director, All Peoples Community Center
Victor Harewood, Jr.
Broker
Dr. Warren Yamashita, MD MPH FAAFP
Director of Addiction Medicine and Family Physician, Harbor Community Health Centers
Kobe Kobayashi
VP, Portfolio Manager, Preferred Bank
Stephanie Cherng
Project Manager, SoCalGas
John Saito, Jr.
Project Manager & Sensei, Murakawa Communications
April Li
Director of Financial Reporting & SOX Governance, Southern California Edison
Victoria Leonido
Supplier Diversity Project Manager, SoCalGas
