Staff

As Coordinators for the JJAB, Ellen Ben-Naim and Sharon Marinuzzi oversee the day to day operations of the organization—communicating and collaborating with partners, programs and community members, facilitating board activities, gathering data and program information, overseeing organizational finances, exploring fundraising opportunities, reporting to funders, managing public outreach, participating in trainings and continuum coordinator meetings, and advocating for youth. They are also involved in assessing community needs, identifying programs to meet those needs, as well advocating for JJAB and our youth in the community and at the state level.

Sharon Marinuzzi has twenty years of experience working in the justice system (county, state, and federal) including several years working with juveniles. Sharon has been a NM licensed attorney since 1990 and has previously served a criminal prosecutor, federal investigator, and administrative law judge. Before joining the LA JJAB, Sharon worked as Assistant General Counsel for NM Department of Health. She holds a J.D. from the University of NM, School of Law and a B.A. in Law and Society and Criminal Justice from the University of California, Santa Barbara. Sharon is a 2012 graduate of Leadership Los Alamos and currently serves on the Board of Directors of Dance Arts Los Alamos (DALA).

Ellen Ben-Naim is our newest staff member. She began her tenure as co-coordinator of JJAB in October, 2012. Ellen has lived in Los Alamos since 1996 and has been active in the community both professionally and as a volunteer. Her previous positions include Children's Books Buyer and Community Liaison for Otowi Station Bookstore, Religious School Director of the Los Alamos Jewish Center and Case Manager for the Interfaith Recovery Network following the Cerro Grande Fire. She currently serves on the Library Board, and she has held a variety of volunteer positions in the schools and in the community. Ellen received a Master's of Arts from Brandeis University in Jewish Communal Service and a Bachelor's degree from Duke University.

JJAB's Youth Resource Advocate coordinates services and offers resources to youth in need of intervention. Referrals are received from the community, the schools, and the juvenile probation office. Youth complete a comprehensive survey called the JIFF to help identify their strengths, interests and challenges and to help create an individualized service plan. A behavioral health assessment is offered free of charge to all participants. The Youth Resource Advocate is available to help families connect to services and find the support they need.