Andrea O'Hara
Executive Director

Andrea O’Hara joins the City of San Diego following more than 12 years of supporting child and youth programs in both the nonprofit sector and the public school system. As the first-ever Executive Director for the Office of Child and Youth Success, O’Hara is tasked with launching new programs and initiatives to focus City resources on supporting child care, youth in career development and training, accessing mental health resources, and other necessary focused supports to ensure The City of San Diego is a place where children, youth and families can thrive. In 2023, her office will embark on creating the first-ever Child and Youth Master Plan.

After leaving the private sector in 2009, O’Hara began her public career as a Senior Budget Analyst for The Neighborhood House Association, supervising the administration of federal funds supporting Head Start services. In 2011, she joined the San Diego Unified School District as the Early Childhood Education Business Manager before shifting her focus in 2013 to district operations, leading the Strategic Sourcing and Contracts division for the second-largest school district in California.

Andrea earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership and Supply Chain from The University of Arizona, Global Campus. From 2021-2022, Andrea completed a School Business Officer program from The University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education. O’Hara has been a volunteer with the Girl Scouts of America since 2010 and is a mother to three daughters who have attended San Diego County schools.

Tara Ryan
Acting Executive Director

Tara Ryan brings extensive experience in early education and public administration, including teaching, coaching, program administration and leadership, to the City of San Diego’s Office of Child and Youth Success. She has broad experience designing, planning, and implementing early learning and care programs and large public initiatives.

Prior to coming to the City of San Diego, Tara served as the deputy director for the Center for District Innovation and Leadership in Early Education (DIAL EE), focusing on supporting California school districts to better align and integrate early learning and K-12 systems through strong leadership and strategy. Previous roles include senior director of the i3 Institute, director of early education at the San Diego County Office of Education, San Diego Child Care and Development Planning Council coordinator, and director of operations at the San Francisco Unified School District's early education department. Prior to her various roles in administration and leadership, Tara served as an elementary school teacher and early education teacher on special assignment focused on curriculum development, assessment, and professional learning.

Tara earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations from San Diego State University and a master’s degree in education with a focus on social justice and equity issues from San Francisco State University. She also holds a multiple-subject teaching credential and administrative services credential. Tara has two school-age children who are active San Diego community members.

Brilly (Breejy) Gonzalez
Community Development Specialist II

Brilly (Breejy) Gonzalez brings a dynamic, service-oriented background to the Office of Child and Youth Success, where she serves as a Community Development Specialist II.

Brilly’s dedication to supporting her community spans a range of impactful roles, from coordinating afterschool programs to promoting micro-mobility initiatives. In 2020, Brilly shifted her focus to addressing one of San Diego’s most pressing challenges, housing insecurity. As a Housing Coordinator, she built strong partnerships with nonprofit organizations, property partners, and community members while connecting individuals, families, veterans, and transitional-aged youth with stable housing in San Diego’s competitive market. Her ability to collaborate and innovate has left a lasting mark on the collective.

Brilly’s nonprofit sector experience has given her valuable insights into driving creative and tangible solutions to community challenges, regardless of scale. She is committed to making a meaningful impact, one connection at a time. Brilly holds a B.A. in Psychological Studies from California State University, San Marcos.

Denise Amavizca
Associate Management Analyst

Denise Amavizca brings extensive experience in fiscal budget administration, procurement of goods and services, and grant finance support and administration to the Office of Child and Youth Success. Prior to joining OCYS, Denise worked for more than 9 years in various City of San Diego departments, most recently in the Economic Development Department-Real Estate & Airport Management Division (formally Real Estate Assets Department), and the Office of Emergency Services (formally Office of Homeland Security).

Denise’s background derives from budget development and monitoring projections for various budget programs and elements in Real Estate & Economic Development. Denise has assisted with overseeing purchase orders and time sensitive invoice payments in multiple departments and provided onboarding support for hiring of new staff members and interns. Denise also had the pleasure of assisting with the administration of various grants in OHS making sure all federal and state requirements were met prior to expenditure, working directly with fellow senior budget analysts. Denise will now be helping OCYS’ efforts into further developing and implementing the City of San Diego’s Child and Youth Plan.

Denise received a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Administration from National University and plans on continuing to expand her educational goals.

OCYS Youth Interns

• Tianna Fair
• Tessa Garrison
• Amy Gianetto
• Kwincy Lambert