Our Board Members

Jeremy has always had an interest in justice and policy issues starting with an internship on Capitol Hill in college and continuing on through his job as a Special Agent with U.S. Department of Homeland Security Investigations in the years following 9/11, working primarily in undercover weapons smuggling and non-proliferation, as well as anti-terrorism and narcotics. Currently, he is one of the owners and operators of MotoSonora Brewing Company. Jeremy earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Arizona and a law degree from Pepperdine University. Over the years, Jeremy has worked as a lawyer, university professor, ski patroller, surfboard shaper, and survey diver. He has also written three thrillers based loosely on his experiences working for Homeland Security.

John has a longstanding history in the field of international education spanning more than 25 years. He has been an active and contributing member of the international education industry including NAFSA, the Association of International Educators, and Forum on Education Abroad.

John first studied abroad in London in 1986. He began his international education career as a Foreign Student Advisor for the State University of New York at Oswego in the Office of International Education. John attended graduate school at the University of London, School of Oriental and African Studies where he completed a master’s degree in Area studies: China.
During this time, John was also the executive director of the SUNY Oswego London Center which led to the development of CAPA’s first program center in London.

As an entrepreneur and leader, John continues to evolve and support the field of international education. He strives for new and innovative ways to enhance the student experience in academics, personal and professional development and cultural exchange using state-of- the-art
technology to create globally collaborative communities across the CAPA network of programs. His entrepreneurial approach to learning takes students to places they never knew they could go and prepares them to function and compete in an increasingly interdependent globallandscape.

Currently, John sits on the Access Advisory Board for the Fund for Education Abroad, the Advisory Council for Diversity Abroad, the Best Buddies Challenge Executive Committee, and the Development Board of the California Innocence Project.

Aimee Halfpenny is a fund development professional with nearly twenty years of experience working for nonprofits throughout Southern California. As the Director of Development for Mama’s Kitchen she was responsible for generating over two million in revenue and oversaw four signature fundraising events annually.

She has a passion for supporting vulnerable populations, and in her most recent role, she fundraised for critical services to assist former foster youth who have transitioned from the child welfare system. Aimee participated in the Fieldstone Foundation’s Emerging Nonprofit Leaders program and is a former AFP San Diego Chamberlain Scholar.

Aimee believes CIP’s work is fundamental to reversing systematic poverty, racism and the injustices especially prevalent among impoverished communities. She is honored to help CIP further their great work to exonerate the wrongfully convicted and reform the criminal justice system.

After graduating from Baylor University with a marketing and management degree, Alli Temnick took on as many nonprofit jobs as possible to see how she could most effectively impact the world around her. After interning or working for Make-A-Wish, Compassion International, the Phoenix Rescue Mission, AmeriCorps, the Spanish Ministry of Education, and United Way, Alli decided to get her Masters in Nonprofit Administration from the University of Notre Dame.

Right around that time, Alli read a book called Just Mercy, that opened her eyes to the injustices of the criminal justice system in a profound way. Reading Just Mercy caused her to evaluate what role she could play in improving that system, eventually leading her to volunteer and eventually join the Board of the California Innocence Project.

Richard is a partner in the law firm Marcus Errico Emmer Brooks PC. In over three decades of representing condominium communities, Richard has been actively involved in the industry, both professionally and personally, as someone who believes in the common interest ownership concept and is committed to defending and advancing it.

Richard is probably best known in New England for his success in winning “equal rights” to municipal services for condominium communities. Less well-known but equally significant has been his work on the Massachusetts Legislative Action Committee and the CAI National Amicus Team to influence laws and litigation affecting condominium communities in New England and nationwide.

As an active Instagram user (@richardbrooks59), Richard can often be seen spending quality time with his family and supporting the efforts of the California Innocence Project. Fun fact: Richard was an extra in the Brian Banks film.

Emily Simpson is new to CIP.  Emily Simpson is an attorney, wife, and mom to three small children.  She graduated from Miami University of Ohio and was a high school Spanish teacher for four years. Then she received her Juris Doctorate from Thomas Jefferson School of Law.  She is a member of the California Bar, as well as the Utah Bar.  She has practiced in the areas of Family Law and Copyright law.  Emily is also a current cast member of The Real Housewives of Orange County.  She has a strong passion for criminal justice reform and is excited to be a part of the CIP team.  She is also excited to use her party planning skills to plan fundraising events for CIP.

Amber is in-house employment counsel for Eastridge Workforce Solutions, an employee-owned company based in San Diego.  Eastridge provides full-service talent acquisition and management solutions for companies throughout the United States and across the globe.

Prior to transitioning to her in-house role, Amber worked as an employment litigator and advisor at Jackson Lewis and later, Procopio, Corey, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP.  She was actively involved in the pro bono committees at both firms.  Shortly after learning about CIP through the Wrongfully Accused podcast, she was introduced to CIP’s Jasmin Harris.  Amber and Jasmin partnered together to launch an army of CIP volunteer attorneys at Procopio.

Amber also volunteers with Frosted Faces Foundation, an organization that promises family and quality veterinary care for senior animals whose love and lives are in jeopardy.  She has two wonderful dogs and she runs a lot (too much, according to her husband, who is also wonderful).

Neil Strum is the Senior Vice President of US Business Affairs at Sony Pictures Television and was an Executive Producer of the Brian Banks movie. Neil was previously Executive VP of Business and Legal Affairs for Universal Television as well as held Senior VP Business Affairs positions at the William Morris Agency and The Family Channel/MTM Studios. Neil also spent time in the music business as a principal at Pyramid Records and the Tube Music Channel. Neil started his legal career as a criminal prosecutor for the City of San Diego

Neil became inspired to support the CIP when he was introduced to Brian Banks by Justin Brooks soon after Brian’s exoneration. Soon after that, Neil agreed to help Brian and Justin navigate the many opportunities presented to Brian in TV and Film soon; culminating in all three serving as executive producers on the Brian Banks film.