Every young person deserves someone who stays.

Lynnette Gonzalez is the Founder and CEO of True-North Initiative. Drawing from her lived experience in foster care and years of professional work in recovery and mentorship, Lynnette leads with a prevention-focused approach to supporting foster and system-involved youth. Her work centers on early intervention, life skills, and consistent mentorship to help youth transition into adulthood with stability, guidance, and purpose. 

Dr. Bonnie Mitchell, DBH, LPCC, has dedicated her career to supporting individuals and families through mental health, addiction recovery, and integrated care. Since 2014, she has served in clinical and executive leadership roles—overseeing community health programs, directing multi-site treatment clinics, and expanding access to comprehensive behavioral health services. Now based in San Diego as Clinical Director of Healthy Life Recovery, Dr. Mitchell continues her commitment to building stronger communities, particularly through mentorship programs aimed at foster youth. She is especially passionate about investing in youth, believing that with the right support, young people—particularly those overcoming adversity—can thrive as they transition into adulthood. During the Annual Intensive, Dr. Mitchell provides clinical leadership and oversight, ensuring a trauma-informed, safe, and supportive environment for all participants. Her work also integrates evidence-based prevention education and emotional-regulation strategies, helping youth strengthen coping skills through life skills workshops and protective factors that reduce the risk of substance use.

Dr. Tunde Bosu (he/him) is a board-certified physician in Addiction Medicine and Family Medicine. He earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Southern California and his medical degree from Yale School of Medicine. With extensive experience in adolescent treatment settings, Dr. Bosu brings a trauma-informed, holistic approach that emphasizes self-acceptance, healing, and long-term wellness. He addresses the interplay of physical, emotional, and social health to support recovery and resilience. During the Annual Intensive, Dr. Bosu serves as Medical Advisor, helping ensure a safe, trauma-informed environment and clear protocols for health navigation, opioid awareness, and prevention education. He also contributes to life skills workshops and mentorship programs aimed at empowering foster youth.

Toni Collins serves as the On-Site Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) for True-North Initiative’s Annual Intensive. A trauma-informed nurse and longtime foster parent, Toni brings both clinical expertise and lived experience to her role.

Having supported foster youth and children in care for most of her life, she understands the complex needs system-involved youth often carry. As the on-site LVN, Toni provides medical oversight, health monitoring, and medication support while serving as a calm, trusted presence for youth throughout the program.

Liana Campos, Owner of Parallel Fashion, serves as a Workshop Presenter for True-North Initiative, leading sessions focused on entrepreneurship, branding, and mindset development. As a small business owner, Liana brings real-world experience and practical insight into what it means to think creatively, take initiative, and build something from the ground up.

Through her workshop, Liana encourages youth to see themselves as entrepreneurs—helping them recognize their strengths, develop confidence, and understand how personal branding, work ethic, and vision can shape their future. Her approach is motivating, relatable, and focused on empowering participants to believe in their potential beyond current circumstances.

Prince Rugira, RADT, serves as a Lead Youth Mentor and Cabin Counselor for True-North Initiative. Having rebuilt his own life through accountability, personal growth, and commitment to change, Prince brings lived experience, relatability, and integrity to his role with youth.

Prince understands firsthand how positive guidance, structure, and consistent support can alter a young person’s trajectory. As the Lead Cabin Counselor, he creates a safe, structured environment for youth while modeling responsibility, respect, and healthy decision-making. He is deeply committed to building trust through positive interactions and genuine connection.

In addition to mentoring, Prince supports group facilitation and engages youth in meaningful conversations that encourage self-reflection, accountability, and growth. His presence provides youth with a real-life example of resilience and the possibility of change, making him a cornerstone of the Annual Intensive experience.

Mike Boyd serves as a Workshop Presenter and Youth Mentor for True-North Initiative. With more than 33 years of experience on a military base as a flight paramedic, Mike brings deep real-world knowledge, discipline, and leadership to his work with youth.

During the Annual Intensive, Mike presents a workshop focused on the pathway to becoming a flight paramedic, exposing youth to career possibilities in emergency medicine and service-based professions. He also shares his personal journey of overcoming trauma, offering youth an authentic example of resilience, perseverance, and growth.

Beyond the workshop, Mike makes himself available as a long-term mentor, building positive relationships with youth and encouraging accountability, purpose, and confidence as they navigate their own futures.

Oscar Reyes serves as a Workshop Presenter and Youth Mentor for True-North Initiative, leading sessions focused on career pathways in cardiac scrub and radiologic technology. 

Drawing from his professional experience in the medical field, Oscar introduces youth to hands-on, in-demand healthcare careers that offer stability, purpose, and long-term growth.

Through his workshop, Oscar helps youth understand educational pathways, certification options, and real-world expectations within these career fields. He is passionate about encouraging youth to see themselves in professional roles and guiding them toward practical, achievable goals.

In addition to presenting, Oscar supports youth through mentorship—offering encouragement, guidance, and positive reinforcement as they explore future career possibilities and build confidence in their potential.

Charles Beal serves as Secretary & Treasurer on the Board of Directors for True-North Initiative and as Operations Manager for both the Annual Intensive and year-round programming. In this role, Charles oversees logistics, coordination, and on-site operations to ensure programs run smoothly, safely, and with intention.

With a strong background in recovery-based and support-focused environments, Charles brings structure, accountability, and consistency to the organization’s operations. His behind-the-scenes leadership allows staff and mentors to remain fully present and engaged with youth.

In addition to his operational responsibilities, Charles serves as a Youth Mentor, working alongside Prince Rugira to support youth through positive engagement, guidance, and example. His steady presence, reliability, and commitment to service make him a key part of the True-North Initiative team.