Leadership
Akilah Templeton
For a copy of Akilah Templeton’s Bio, please contact her assistant: michael.land@vvsd.net.
Brett Crozier
As the Chief Operating Officer at Veterans Village of San Diego, Brett oversees all operations of a complex veteran-centric nonprofit organization focused on homelessness, behavioral health, employment and housing. A thirty-year Navy veteran with a deep understanding of military culture, he has experience and success in leading large diverse organizations and expert knowledge of issues pertaining to veteran challenges in the San Diego area.
Brett grew up in Northern California, graduated from the United States Naval Academy, and embarked on a career in the Navy, flying dozens of combat missions over Iraq and leading at the highest levels of operational command. He served as the Commanding Officer of a combat F/A-18 strike fighter squadron, the world’s largest and most advanced communications ship USS Blue Ridge, and ultimately the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt before retiring from the Navy in 2022.
Brett currently resides in Coronado, California and when not focused on veteran’s issues in the San Diego area you can usually find him at the beach surfing with his wife Mary and their three sons.
Rebecca Neff
Ms. Neff has been an HR Professional for over 15 years. She has served in the non-profit sector, as well as in the healthcare, banking, and law industries. She is passionate about hiring the right person for the position, giving each employee the tools needed for success, and then watching that employee do what they do best. She also believes employee engagement, recognition, and training are key factors in having an amazing workforce.
Becki holds a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management and Organizational Development from National University. In her spare time, she loves to spend time with her family, walk, knit and crochet.
Shari Finney
Cohen Clinic San Diego
Shari oversees all clinical operations at the Cohen Clinic at VVSD. The Southern California city is, at heart, a military town and Shari, a San Diego native, is thrilled to bring her more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit management and clinical experience to the clinic, with a long history of deep ties to the local community.
Shari has spent many years in nonprofit service in San Diego. For eight years she served on the Board of Directors of the Regional Task Force on the Homeless, as well as the Social Action Collaborative. Additionally, she served on the Council to End Homelessness during its inception. She also received commendations from the Mayor of San Diego from 2009 to 2014 for excellence in treatment programs; recognition for innovation from the United Way of San Diego for creating the Recuperative Care Unit for medically fragile homeless and in 2007 she received the San Diego Business Journal’s Woman of the Year award.
A licensed marriage and family therapist, Shari received her Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of San Diego. Prior to her appointment to the Cohen Clinic, she was the Executive Director of Peninsula Shepherd Center and prior to that was the Vice President of Clinical Programs for San Diego Rescue Mission. She enjoys utilizing her skillset and experience to manage effective treatment programs that assist veterans in attaining recovery, self-sufficiency, and healing.
Having grown up with a father who served in the Air Force and in a military city, Shari knows it is an incredible honor to provide care to those who served our country. She also understands the endless stress and sacrifice military families experience and looks forward to providing care for all military family members, including children and spouses.
In her spare time, Shari enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, and 3 dogs, gardening and working out. She also volunteers at the local YMCA by working at gymnastics meets and as a captain of an annual fundraising camping to support underprivileged children.
Program Directors
Craig Batrez
Esperanza Griffin
