Our Team

Casey Gwinn, Esq.
President

Casey Gwinn is the President and Co-Founder of Alliance for HOPE International and the Founder of Camp HOPE America and is also the visionary behind the Family Justice Center movement, first proposing the concept of the Family Justice Center model in 1989. In 2002, he founded the first Camp HOPE America in San Diego and it is now moving across the country. Casey is a national expert on domestic violence, including prosecution, strangulation, Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE), and best practices. Prior to this position, Casey was the elected San Diego City Attorney.

Gael Strack, Esq.
Chief Executive Officer

Gael Strack is the Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of the Alliance. Gael is a national expert on domestic violence and strangulation. Prior to this position, Gael was the founding director of the San Diego Family Justice Center, former prosecutor with the San Diego City Attorney’s Office, defense attorney and deputy county counsel.

John Hamilton
National Director of Camp HOPE America

John collaborates with human services agencies, clinicians, and youth development leaders to offer hope to children around the country. John is an expert in youth programming and trauma-informed care at camp. He brings a unique hope and healing-centered approach to the work, which moves people from theory to practice. With a master’s degree from Western Seminary and twenty-plus years of camp experience, John specializes in forging unlikely partnerships and developing unified teams.

Yesenia Aceves
Director of the Pathways to HOPE Project

Yesenia Aceves is the Director of the Pathways to HOPE Project and is responsible for the development and coordination of this program, which works with Camp HOPE America youth, guardians, and volunteer mentors.  The evidence-based Pathways program aspires to raise hope scores for trauma-exposed youth while exploring STEAM career paths.  She is also a professional artist infusing creativity into all aspects of the Alliance including art projects, branding, and graphics.

Jamal Stroud
Mentor and Outreach Manager 

Jamal provides oversight of all mentoring and outreach components of Camp HOPE America. He has a BA in Social Science from Allen University and an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Lenoir-Rhyne University. In 2017, Jamal founded Big Homie Lil Homie (BHLH), a nonprofit mentoring program for young boys growing up without father figures. Jamal is also a motivational speaker who prioritizes children and overall improvement of character.

Erica Yamaguchi
Training and Education Manager 

Erica is the Training and Education Manger for Camp HOPE America. She has a Master of Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, along with 20+ years of experience working with youth in a variety of settings such as residential, community and government-based agencies. Before joining the Alliance for HOPE International, she was employed by the Guilford County Family Justice Center and assisted in launching Camp HOPE America - NC. Energized by relationships & community, she provides trauma-informed care and healing centered engagement. 

Andrea Barkley
Administrative Assistant

Andrea graduated from California Lutheran University with a Bachelor’s in Psychology. She started a Rape Survivor Group at the University and joined RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) as a speaker to share her personal story. Andrea has also had emotional trauma training for survivors of traumatic experiences. She is honored to be able combine her personal and professional background with the passionate team at the Alliance.

Alek Gastelum
Intern

Alek Gastelum is an Intern for the Alliance and provides administrative and programmatic support to Camp HOPE America and the Pathways to HOPE Project. Alek attended Camp HOPE America as a camper from 2014 to 2016 and has served as a Camp HOPE America Counselor since 2017. This experience makes him a key component on the Pathways to HOPE Project team as he assists with project planning and events.