Orange County Childrens Therapeutic Arts Center

MANAGEMENT

CEO/Executive Director

Dr. Ana Jimenez-Hami

CEO/Executive Director Experience

Dr. Ana Jimenez-Hami is the Founder and Executive Director of the OC Children’s Therapeutic Arts Center (OCCTAC), a nonprofit (501c3) organization located in the City of Santa Ana and founded in the year 2000. In addition, she served as an Adjunct Faculty at Chapman University, School of Education during the past 15 years. Dr. Jimenez-Hami has dedicated her life to helping communities at-risk and families with special needs students for the past 30 years. Prior to founding OCCTAC, she taught at California State University (Los Angeles), Loyola Marymount University, and the University of Puerto Rico. Dr. Jimenez-Hami holds a PhD in Educational Psychology from the University of Southern California, and Bachelors and Master’s degree in Music Therapy and Psychology from Florida State University. Dr. Jimenez-Hami has been recognized continuously in the community for her contributions in the fields of Arts and Culture, Education and Social Services for promoting equality, human rights and social justice. During the past 35 years, she has dedicated her life to helping communities at-risk and children and families with special needs students. Dr. Jimenez has served on various (local, state and national) Boards that involve Youth and the Arts. She has been a Board Member for the following entities: 1) State Board - VSA Arts & Disability, 2) State Board - California Arts Advocates, 3) National Board - NACOPRW (National Conference of Professional Puerto Rican Women), 4) Regional Board - MECCA (OC Multi Ethnic Collaborative of Community Agencies), 5) Local - City of Santa Ana Workforce Investment Board, and 6) OCCTAC, as the Founder & Executive Director of the organization. Dr. Jimenez- Hami has been recognized often in the community for her contributions to the fields of Arts & Culture, Social Service, and Education. Most recently she was awarded the 2020 Women of the Year Award by LULAC (League of United Latin American Citizens in OC). Other awards include the following: (2017) Women who Make a Difference in OC Award; (2013) OC Register Hero of the Year; (2012) OC Department of Education, Outstanding Contributions to Education Award (2008) Regional Center of OC Award Nominee for Professional Development, (2007) National Hispanic Business Women Association Award for Organizational Entrepreneurship; (2007) Faculty Award from Chapman University; (2006) Community Building Award by the City of Santa Ana; (2004) Human Relations Award from the Orange County Human Relations Commission for promoting equality, human rights and social justice; (2003) Community Building Award in the fields of Arts & Culture by the National Organization of MANA, and others. Dr. Ana Jimenez-Hami’s passion is to bring artistic access to children and families of very limited resources with and without special needs; empower at-risk youth through education and leadership development and reach their highest potential. In addition, Dr. Ana Jimenez has great passion for teaching and inspiring future leaders in the community; as well as researching educational methods that help the Latino community succeed in the academic world, and reach for higher educational goals.

Staff Information

Staff Demographics

Ethnicity

Gender