Community Advisory Committee

Marc Lerner, MD

Dr. Lerner is an esteemed professional, an Orange County resident, and an active leader in the medical community. As a Board Certified General, Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrician, and a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics and the Chief of the Division of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics for the University of California Irvine, Medical School, Dr. Lerner has addressed important clinical issues and research for Orange County children and their families. He has worked with thousands of children throughout his career in pediatrics, and has seen first-hand the positive impact of early and timely help for children and families with health and developmental needs.

David Nunez, MD MPH

Dr. Nunez is a graduate of the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine and completed his pediatric residency there as well. He is Board certified in Pediatrics, holds a Master of Public Health from Harvard School of Public Health, Boston Massachusetts and also did a Fellowship in Minority Health Policy/Social Medicine at Harvard. Dr. Nunez boasts a broad background in direct patient care, state public health program leadership and management, and experience in public/private collaboration for implementation of clinical and public health program models. In his most recent position as Family Health Medical Director for the county, Dr. Nunez is dedicated to ensuring the health and wellness of young children in Orange County.

Sheri Senter, EdD

Dr. Sheri Senter is the Founder and CEO of National Pediatric Support Services (NPSS), established in Orange County in 1982. NPSS specializes in early care and education programs, consultancy, advocacy and technology. Dr. Senter is also Board Chair of The Child Care Amenity Group and Executive Director of Professional Dance Network. Dr. Senter has served as a special education teacher, part-time community college and university instructor, and is currently an active member of the Orange County Child Care and Development Planning Council. She is a noted author and presenter at local, state and national conventions. Her education includes a B.A. from USC, an M.A. from Azusa Pacific University and an Ed.D. from USC, along with numerous additional specialized coursework.

Cathy Wietstock, EdD

Dr. Wietstock manages programs and services that support students in preschool through college. Some of her professional assignments and activities include: Director for Early Intervention for School Success; Executive Board member, Latino Education Attainment, Orange County Business Council; Preschool English Learner Guide state trainer; and Board member for CREER: Communitidad y Familia and Orange County Head Start. Cathy has been a professional educator for over 29 years and has taught both at the K-12 and college levels. She is a National Board Certified Teacher, Early Childhood Generalist. She received her Bachelor’s degree from University of California, Irvine in Psychology, a Master’s degree from United States International University in Education and her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from California State University Fullerton.

Shu-Chen Jenny Yen, PhD

As an early childhood educator for nearly 15 years, Dr. Yen understands the importance of the early years for children, and will bring to the Commission early childhood-related research evidences and knowledge. Dr. Yen served as the Secretary of California Association for the Education of Young Children (CAEYC) from 2005-2007, and has been the facilitator of the Mandarin workshops for the CAEYC since 2005. Most recently, she serves on the Dual Language Lerner Teacher Competencies Advisory Committee. Dr. Yen received her MS in Early Childhood Education and Ph.D. in Early Childhood Development from the University of Missouri-Columbia. Her research interests include young children’s temperament and behavioral adjustment in early childhood settings.