Shared purpose.
Meaningful connections.

Shawn D. Parker founded Engaging In Molding Choices (EMC) to provide others with the life tools he wishes he had growing up.

Raised without a father and facing many childhood challenges, Shawn learned that while hard work is important, it is not enough. He was never taught how to communicate effectively, manage money, build healthy relationships, understand his emotions, or navigate life's setbacks. Instead, he learned many of life's hardest lessons through personal struggles, disappointments, and experience.

Today, Shawn asks every EMC participant three important questions:

• What do you want to be?

• Who do you want to become?

• Who would you like to help or support throughout your life?

Whether your goals include building a successful career, creating a strong family, becoming a respectful and compassionate person, strengthening your spiritual life, or making a positive difference in the lives of others, Shawn believes those goals begin with learning the right life skills.

That belief became the foundation of EMC.

A turning point in Shawn's life came on his 33rd birthday when he realized the pain he had carried from growing up without a father. Instead of allowing his past to define him, he chose to grow from it. With the guidance and mentorship of Mr. Charles Oxton, Shawn discovered the life-changing value of having someone who believes in you, encourages you, and helps you become the person you are capable of becoming.

Throughout his career, Shawn worked in retail, customer service, management, and business ownership, experiencing both success and failure. Those experiences reinforced one important lesson: success is built not only on hard work, but also on communication, financial understanding, emotional awareness, healthy relationships, and positive mentorship.

Today, as the founder of Engaging In Molding Choices (EMC), Shawn's mission is to help youth, young adults, adults, and families develop the skills, confidence, and character needed to become the person they want to be—and to positively impact the people around them.

His goal is simple: to help others learn through education and mentorship so they can build the future they want and help others along the way, without having to learn life's toughest lessons the hard way.

Fysal graduated from Binghamton University in New York with a degree in Political Anthropology and began working for EF International, an international education and language instruction organization. As a leader in both of EF’s nonprofit divisions, he took on the role of School Director for EF’s English language school in Santa Barbara. He then went on to work for Santa Barbara Business College as its Director of International Operations. Fysal has since been active in consulting with developing businesses as well as volunteering with various community organizations.

Born in Mexico City and raised in Santa Barbara, California, Iliana Gonzalez has built a career centered on service, leadership, and creating opportunities for others. As a working single mother raising two sons, she learned early the value of resilience, perseverance, and leading by example. Guided by mentors like Janet Belch, a high school ROP teacher who believed in her potential and encouraged her growth, she developed a deep appreciation for servant leadership and the importance of lifting others along the way. Throughout her professional journey, she has worked across multiple industries—including banking, government contracting, nonprofit organizations, and entrepreneurship—developing a diverse background in operations, administration, community outreach, and client advocacy.