Staff Bios
Brad Lupien, M.Ed. - Co-President
Brad Lupien holds a Bachelor's in Social Work from the University of Vermont and a Master's in Teaching from Simmons College in Boston , MA . While teaching in the inner-cities of the Boston Public School system, he developed the Outdoor Education Club. His extensive athletic and outdoor experience includes guiding month-long wilderness excursions through the Rocky Mountains and National Parks. Brad left teaching in the classroom to teach in the outdoors. As a Partner of CHAMPIONS , Brad brings his belief in the power of self-confidence to the mission statement of CHAMPIONS.
Angelo Quiceno - Vice President
Mr. Quiceno joined CHAMPIONS in March 2005. As Executive Director, he focuses on managing the division of after school programs, with a special interest on compliance, systems operations and financial management. Prior to Champions Mr. Quiceno owned and operated Q's Sports and Tutoring Services, which provided in home services for children with special needs. Mr. Quiceno currently lives in Los Angeles with his wife.
Wanda Williams, M.Ed. - Executive Director of After School Programs
Wanda Williams was born in New Mexico and raised in Ohio . She received a Bachelor's in Education from Ohio State University . In July of 2000 Wanda completed her Master's in Teaching in Curriculum and Instruction, and a Teaching Certification from Carson-Newman College in Jefferson City , TN. Wanda comes to CHAMPIONS with over twenty years of experience working with children. She taught for four years in elementary schools as a PE instructor and has experience counseling children with special needs in both the classroom setting and at residential treatment facilities. She has eight years of summer camp experience, working as a counselor, team leader, and director. As a Director for CHAMPIONS, Wanda applies her experience and enthusiasm for teaching to her roles in and out of the classroom.
Peter Leslie - Executive Director Adventure
Peter Leslie graduated from UCLA after earning a degree in English Literature. Peter's experience with adventure sports began while working in Yosemite National Park, and his love for rock-climbing and mountain hiking eventually led to his becoming a part of the Champions team. During his employment, Peter has worked as a Physical Education coach at dozens of Los Angeles schools and participated in numerous adventure programs and teambuilding events.
Julie Munjack - Executive Director of Strategy and Public Affairs
Julie Munjack was born and raised in Los Angeles. After graduating with a Bachelors of Arts in Rhetoric with Honors from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Julie returned to Southern California to earn a Master of Public Policy from the University of California, Los Angeles. Julie brings with her a diverse professional background, with experience ranging from developing measures for and ways to reduce GOOD Magazine’s environmental impact to building youth political participation as a Virtual Producer for the MySpace/MTV Presidential Dialogue Series. Julie had her first experience with CHAMPIONS working in the after-school programs after graduating from Michigan, and she is thrilled to be back as part of the executive team to expand the sphere of CHAMPIONS’ influence. Julie enjoys getting outdoors (and is Wilderness First Aid certified), traveling abroad and has lived in both Spain and Israel. In her free time, Julie plays soccer in two area leagues and regularly participates in running fundraisers for charity, including a full-length marathon in her dad’s honor.
Evelyn Dolphin – Human Resources Director
A native of Los Angeles (by way of Atmore, AL, Columbia, SC, Mainz, Germany and Ft. Lewis,WA), Evelyn is forever a UCLA Bruin. Her love of athletics-including her adventures as a UCLA cheerleader – and belief in the power of physical education and nature to contribute to a full and healthy life style - have led her to CHAMPIONS. Evelyn brings extensive expertise in human resources management, recruiting, staff development and training, corporate legal affairs, facilities and office management across several disciplines, including law firms and entrepreneurial companies. Evelyn is excited to be a part of the growth and development of the CHAMPIONS staff. She believes in the power within each of us to do amazing things when we connect to each other. On the weekends you can usually find Evelyn hiking and hanging out with family and friends exploring the gorgeous California countryside.
Julio Arroyo – Regional Manager High School Programs
A Native New Yorker and graduate of Skidmore College, Julio Arroyo received his Bachelors Degree in Dance Performance and Choreography with concentrations in Psychology and Anthropology. While performing and choreographing throughout the North East, Julio worked as a Teaching Artist for various Arts Organizations, Camps and the New York City public school system for 10 years. Shortly after moving to Los Angeles in 2006 he joined the Champions family as a Program Director and has since become a Regional Manager within the After School Programming Department. Julio continues to choreograph and teach dance in Los Angeles for Champions and the Best Foot Forward Ballroom Dance Program, as well as perform in LA and NYC.
David Nunez – Regional Manager High School Programs
David Nunez joined CHAMPIONS after graduating from UCLA with a degree in Chicano Studies. Born and raised in Los Angeles, David has committed himself to helping youth empower themselves in order to become future leaders in their communities. David comes from an arts background performing on various stages throughout Los Angeles with numerous theatre groups as well as performing his own spoken word poetry. Working with youth since the age of 14 David continues to learn as much from the students he works with as they do from him. During his three years with LAUSD David discovered that working with kids, adolescents and young adults is the true fountain of youth. Working at CHAMPIONS has broadened David’s world view and brought him closer to understanding the roll nature plays in creating well rounded individuals.
Nick Araya - Lead Adventure Guide
Nick Araya joined CHAMPIONS in 2008 as a skilled educator with a passion for the outdoors. Since earning his undergraduate degree in Psychology, this Wisconsin native has been actively involved in technical tree climbing, footlocking his way up tree trunks in thirteen states! Nick is an ISA certified arborist who has received Facilitator Training from Tree Climber's International. A highly qualified educator trained in CPR/First Aid since 1995, he's just as comfortable on a snowboard, mountain bike or setting top rope rock climbing anchors as he is climbing a tree. Nick spent six years serving as a High Ropes counselor and Trip Leader for Maine summer campers and most recently spent his days educating young Angelinos on how to properly plant and care for trees. He enjoys sharing his passion for nature with Los Angeles youth. Nick also runs his own rope splicing and arboreal rigging company, servicing tree climbers around the world.
Chad Reilly - Director of Adventure Programs
Chad Reilly holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Sports Administration from the University of Southern Mississippi in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. While growing up on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi, Chad found his passion for the outdoors during his adventure of obtaining the Eagle Scout Badge with the Boy Scouts of America. Prior to Champions, Chad worked as an Assistant Director at Pepperdine University’s Cottontail Ranch Camp, where he learned the joys of working with and bettering today’s youth. Chad is certified with the WMI Wilderness First Aid and First Responder, certified instructor with the American Red Cross for CPR, AED & First Aid, Class B Commercial Drivers License and has completed GPS navigation, setting anchors and top ropes. While not in the backwoods, Chad enjoys hanging out at the beach, surfing, volleyball, basketball and spending time with his friends, family and Jill (his dog).
Lisa Stone - East Coast Regional Manager
Lisa Stone was born and raised on the Jersey Shore. She grew up playing skeeball and body surfing in the ocean every summer. College brought her to Massachusetts were she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology at Merrimack College. She began her career as a social worker in Massachusetts and eventually moved on to the business world. She held various positions as well as dabbled as an entrepreneur of her own small chocolate fountain business. Her love for children and education took her on a journey into teaching. She attended National University for teacher certification in Los Angeles. Lisa taught at public and private elementary schools throughout Los Angeles. During her teaching career she created a girl’s summer camp, directed an intervention program and held several volunteer positions. Her most recent positions have been as a director for both a learning center and test prep company. Lisa believes that every child aspires to achieve and strives to succeed if given the opportunity.
Alex Herrera - Senior Director of Camps and Enrichment
Alex Herrera is a native Northern Californian with over 10 years of experience in working with youth in a Day Camp setting. Though his experience mainly derives from working with the City Park and Recs, Alex has also worked in the non-profit setting serving troubled youth and creating programs to better serve their needs. After graduating from St. Mary's College in Moraga, CA, with a BS in Political Science, Alex set out to start his own camp consulting group which served the population of Orange County, CA. After a year and a lot of hard work, Alex decided to place his business on hold and join CHAMPIONS as Sr. Director of Camps & Enrichment. We at CHAMPIONS hope that Alex's experience in day camps and specialty classes will drive us to the forefront of Recreation and Enrichment.