Caryn Brandon

FOUNDER & CEO

My name is Caryn Brandon. I am the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of TouchUp, Inc. I am a graduate of California State University at Northridge and former accounting executive. I am also the mother of three wonderful young men who inspired me to create this revolutionary new organization, that I believe will serve to successfully impact the lives of many young people who deserve a second first chance. My oldest son is currently incarcerated in a California Men's Correctional facility. He, like so many young adults, will struggle to overcome the stigma of having taken a detour in his young life that will present obstacles some find impossible to overcome. I promise to devote every possible resource towards recharting their course.

Vincent Brandon

CHIEF TECHNICAL SPECIALIST, ICODE

Vincent is a strong information technology professional with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biochemistry from The University of New Mexico. He has joined iTouchUp as Executive Director of iCode. An experienced technical specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry, Vincent brings his knowledge and expertise in programming, technical writing, protocol revisions and consent revisions. He is also skilled in Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR), Cyclic Voltammetry, and Water Resource Management. Vincent will liaison between iCode partners, oversee implementation and management of iCode programs and projects, set schedules and manage progression planning for Coalition Code trainers, and manage student metrics and database utilization.

Dr. Shirley Sprinkles - Ph.D

CONSULTING PROGRAM DIRECTOR

Dr. Shirley Sprinkles-Morris received her Bachelor’s degree in Education from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1960. After teaching for approximately 14 years, she left the classroom in 1974 to work as Education Liaison to schools from the office of a prominent Los Angeles City Councilman. Her work brought her face to face with the problems of inner-city schools, students and parents. Solving them became her life-long passion. She organized citizen task forces to address school problems and to bring about more equitable education to under-served minority students and families. In 1985 she returned to the classroom and soon earned a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration from Cal State Los Angeles. After receiving a full scholarship in 1990 to the graduate school in UT’s Dept. of Bilingual Education. She completed her graduate work through a fellowship in the Cooperative Superintendency Program (CSP) in 1994 with a doctorate in Educational Administration, while working full time as Program Director in the Division of Gifted Education at the Texas Education Agency. She is currently practicing part-time as an independent intervention consultant assisting with the “turnaround” process of school districts whose accountability ratings are “Academically Unacceptable”. 

Jeff Griner

DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS

Nancy Espinoza

OPERATIONS MANAGER

New to the team, Nancy will serve as Operations Manager. In her role, Nancy will manage and direct activities and identify resources we will use to achieve our organizational goals. She will manage the logistical components of all iTouchUp events and fund raising efforts. Nancy will establish internal policies and measure performance criteria for employees, volunteers and contractors. Nancy will serve as the primary point person for current knowledge of rules and regulations involved in providing federal or public services. As a native of Los Angeles and mother of two teenagers, Nancy approaches her work with diligence and dedication to its purpose. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from California State University at Northridge and is currently working towards a Master’s Degree in Education Administration.

Alexis "Lexi" Tanner

PROGRAM COORDINATOR, EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

Alexis is a recent graduate from California State University at Monterey Bay, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology. She is currently serving in her role as Coordinator, Education Services, in which she facilitates and coordinates programs and events related to linking young people to training. She is a strong advocate of training and education as a crucial step in the journey towards self-sufficiency and independence. Alexis serves as the primary communication point- person between parents, educators, students and case managers. She oversees the administrative and logistical coordination required to ensure a smooth enrollment process for our students.

Ellen Brandon-Calhoun

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR RESOURCE & ADMINISTRATION, CONSULTANT

Born and raised in Los Angeles and mother of two teenagers. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Having recently left Disney after 20 years of service, Ellen has chosen to join iTouchUp as a consultant to manage administrative and business development functions. With an expertise in brand management and marketing, Ellen brings to iTouchUp a clear vision and focus on corporate strategic planning and goal implementation. Ellen will oversee corporate communication and messaging, as well as board development and planning.

Chloe Guzman

Marketing Coordinator USC Student

Lannice Renfro

MANAGER OF RESOURCE & ADMINISTRATION