CHARNA WIDBY
Executive Director
With more than 25 years of experience working across public systems to improve access to coordinated care and support for families, Charna Widby serves as Executive Director of First 5 Riverside County (F5RC), appointed by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors. Throughout her career, Charna has shown deep commitment to early childhood development, systems building, and access for children and families statewide.
"First 5 Riverside County is strongest when families feel supported and connected from the very beginning,” said Supervisor Chuck Washington, Chair of the Riverside County Children & Families Commission. “Charna Widby brings a clear vision for building on the strong foundation of prior leadership while deepening community partnerships so families can access support earlier and every child in Riverside County can grow up healthy and ready to succeed.”
Charna has been an integral part of these efforts as Assistant Director, and previously Deputy Director at First 5 Riverside County. Prior to that, she served as Chief Government Affairs and Public Policy Officer at First 5 LA and as a Director at The Raben Group, partnering with counties, coalitions, and philanthropic organizations to advance early childhood policy, strategy, and funding.
Charna holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Chicago and master’s degrees in public policy and dispute resolution from Pepperdine University. She also earned a certificate in public health from the University of Iowa.
BEN SLAGTER
Assistant Director
Ben Slagter is the Assistant Director for First 5 Riverside County. Ben helps lead countywide early‑childhood initiatives by supporting strategic planning, program implementation, and oversight of services for children ages 0–5 and their families. He collaborates with county and community partners, manage resources, and ensure programs align with the Commission’s priorities and community needs.
Throughout Ben's career, he has led high-risk child abuse investigations, critical incident reviews, and system improvement strategies. He has emphasized data-driven decision-making, accountability, and the development of performance dashboards focused on safety, permanency, and well-being outcomes. He is also an active researcher, conducting studies on CQI methodology, court report timeliness, regional decision-making variation, and risk assessments on child welfare outcomes.
PATRICIA PÉREZ
Deputy Director
Patricia Pérez serves as a Deputy Director of First 5 Riverside County where she leads the Commission's fiscal and administrative operations. Her areas of responsibility include budgeting and financial management, contracts and procurement, human resources, information technology, facilities, and other core administrative functions. She has played a pivotal role in strengthening fiscal operations, improving financial oversight, and supporting long-term planning though changing revenue conditions and evolving organizational needs.
Patricia's public service career began with the City of Anaheim and later continued with the Riverside County Transportation and Land Management Agency. Since joining First 5 Riverside County, she has advanced through a series of progressively responsible positions in contracts, grants, fiscal management, and administration before being promoted to Deputy Director.
Patricia holds a bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems and a Master of Business Administration in Accounting. She brings a practical, collaborative, and solutions-focused approach to leadership, with a strong commitment to accountability, continuous improvement, and public service.
LYNN STEPHENS
Executive Assistant IV to Executive Director Charna Widby
Lynn Stephens serves as Executive Assistant to the Executive Director of First 5 Riverside County and coordinates the operational execution of Commission and Advisory Committee activity. With nearly two decades supporting First 5 leadership, Lynn manages the full lifecycle of public meeting support ensuring Commission business is prepared, compliant, and professionally delivered.
Lynn also serves as Custodian of Records and Statement of Economic Interests (Form 700) Filing Official, supporting records management and public records coordination. She is widely relied upon for her accuracy, and deep institutional knowledge, providing continuity and operational leadership for the Commission.
Prior to her current role, Lynn held several positions within First 5 Riverside County, including serving as one of the organization’s first County Commission Coordinators. Before joining First 5, she began her career as a Certified Nursing Assistant, providing care for individuals living with dementia. She later transitioned into the special education field, working with students with special needs and behavioral challenges.
Lynn also brings extensive executive-level experience from her nearly decade-long tenure as Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer of The Carolyn E. Wylie Center for Children, Youth & Families, where she supported the Founder, Board of Directors and Chief Financial Officer.