Leadership Team

Christopher Botten is a seasoned behavioral health executive with over 12 years of experience within the Los Angeles County Substance Use Disorder (SUD) system of care. He brings extensive expertise in nonprofit and public sector leadership, specializing in financial management, regulatory compliance, and operational transformation.

Chris holds a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in Business from California State University, Channel Islands. Throughout his career, Chris has led multimillion-dollar initiatives and spearheaded successful financial turnarounds, helping providers recover unbilled revenue, strengthen internal controls, and align operations with evolving county, state, and federal requirements. His approach emphasizes data-informed decision-making, strategic planning, and cross-sector collaboration to improve outcomes for underserved communities.

Karen Marder has been a dedicated member of the NCADD SFV team since 2007. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from California State University, Northridge and is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor II. In her current role as Director of Contracts Management and Quality Assurance, Karen oversees regulatory compliance, contract administration, and quality improvement initiatives to support excellence in client care and program operations. With over 17 years of experience at NCADD SFV, Karen brings a deep commitment to the mission of helping individuals and families by substance use.

Lizbeth Vivar is a public health professional with over 7 years of experience in substance use prevention. As Director of Prevention Services, she leads efforts to implement evidence-based prevention programs across the San Fernando Valley. Lizbeth strives to empower youth through education, community engagement, and mentorship to reduce substance use in underserved communities. She holds a Bachelor of Science from California State University, Northridge and is a recent graduate from Boston University with a Master of Public Health.

Pedram Moshfegh is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and behavioral health leader with over a decade of experience in leadership roles within substance use disorder and co-occurring treatment programs. He brings extensive expertise in clinical operations, regulatory compliance, quality improvement, and program development across both residential and outpatient settings.

In his role at NCADD-SFV, Pedram oversees clinical services, program operations, and strategic growth initiatives, including the development of Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) services and expansion into residential treatment. He has a strong track record of improving documentation and compliance systems, strengthening revenue cycle performance, and building high-performing clinical teams.

Pedram holds a Master of Arts in Psychology from Phillips Graduate University and a Bachelor of Science from the College of Engineering at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona. His leadership approach integrates analytical thinking, operational strategy, and a commitment to delivering high-quality, client-centered care.

Michelle Amado brings nearly 15 years of nonprofit leadership, strategic fundraising, and community advocacy experience. In her past executive and development leadership roles, she has directed multi-channel fundraising strategies, building fundraising programs from the ground-up, driving annual campaigns, and securing corporate partnerships to support nonprofit initiatives. She has led fundraising and development committees, directed annual events, and launched signature fundraising events that became annual staples – raising substantial revenue while expanding organizational visibility. Michelle’s experience spans donor stewardship, coalition building, digital campaign strategy, and long-term program planning.

Prior to joining NCADD-SFV, Michelle served as a Special Investigator for the State of California, managing complex financial investigations and regulatory compliance. This background, combined with her Master of Public Policy from Pepperdine University and Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice from Chaminade University of Honolulu, allows her to pair donor stewardship instincts with fiscal oversight to build sustainable development programs that maximize community impact.