FIS Welcomes Mario Franco to its Board of Directors
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
Families In Schools (FIS) is pleased to announce the newest member to its Board of Directors, Mario Franco. As a financial and operational leader with extensive experience in program management and educational platforms, Mario brings tremendous knowledge, talent, and vision to FIS.
“The FIS Board is delighted to welcome Mario as our newest director,” said Tommy Chang, Chair of the FIS Board of Directors. “Mario’s leadership and vast experience in finance and operations will be a great asset to our organization, and his lived experience—having grown up in south LA and experiencing so many of the challenges our students face—will help further shape the direction of our work toward ensuring that families have the support they need to help their children succeed in school and in life.”
“We are thrilled and honored that Mario has agreed to join our Board of Directors,” added Yolie Flores, President and CEO of FIS. “His talents, experience, and dedication to students, families, and communities are just some of the strengths that will make him an outstanding board member and will help FIS continue to thrive as a premier family engagement and education advocacy organization. We wholeheartedly welcome Mario to FIS!”
Mario Franco
Mario Franco, PMP, CDFM, COR, is the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating and Financial Officer for Lutheran Social Services Southern California.
Franco brings more than 20 years of experience in operational efficiencies, financial analytics, critical thinking, leadership, enhancing team dynamics, and driving effective organizational activities toward a common cause or direction. His background includes organizational leadership, operations, financial management, leadership development, program management, procurement and acquisition, contract management, curriculum development, mergers and acquisitions, change management, enterprise solutions, IPO transactional activities, and public speaking.
He has extensive experience in program management initiatives, both in the United States and other countries. These economic restructuring and educational platform initiatives have accounted for more than $100 billion. Prior to his current role at Lutheran Social Services Southern California, Franco served as an interim director, chief operations officer, chief financial officer, consultant, commanding and executive officer, legal administrator, controller, budget officer, finance officer, training officer, and program and project manager.
He is an alumnus of Stanford University Graduate School of Business (Executive Education) with certification in Corporate Innovation and has a Leading with Finance certificate from Harvard Business School, a Certificate of Accountancy from National University, Certification in Generative AI for Business Leaders, and a Project Management and Contracting certificate from Defense Acquisition University. He is currently a member of the Institute of Management Accountants, Society for Human Resource Management, American Society of Military Comptrollers, American College of Healthcare Executives, Healthcare Financial Management Association, Disabled American Veterans Charity, and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
He has spoken at numerous professional venues, both stateside and foreign, on a variety of different topics, including organizational leadership, strategic planning, operational efficiencies, fiscal accountability, appropriated dollars, joint service agreements, team building, workforce engagement, and effective leadership. He also served 20 years as an active-duty United States Marine.