President & CEO

Lupe Rivera

Lupe Rivera is an intentional service-minded leader with an authentic passion and commitment to advocate for diverse, equitable, and inclusive service platforms that guarantee access, opportunity, and advancement for all while striving to identify and eliminate barriers. Having worked in the nonprofit sector for over two decades, Lupe specializes in capacity building with extensive knowledge in program development/evaluation, staff and board development, fundraising, financial administration, organizational leadership, and strategic planning. Lupe has a long history of advocating for social justice, equity, women’s and children’s rights, and education.

Lupe began her career in the nonprofit sector as a founding staff member of the First Day Coalition – a transitional homeless shelter serving men and women in the greater Los Angeles County area. Lupe simultaneously worked as a Case Manager and Grants Manager/Executive Associate, building a foundation for long-term impact and sustainability. She then transitioned to Branch Director for the YMCA of Greater Long Beach, where she spearheaded in leading service led programing to over 300 families through initiatives focused on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

Later, Lupe served as Program and Operations Director/Interim Executive Director for Kids In Sports, located in South Los Angeles. There she provided critical leadership in daily operations, ensuring service delivery to over 8,000 children a year through 500 volunteers with after-school sports programming. Rivera was later recruited by the Boys & Girls Club to serve as Vice President to lead and support the merger of clubs and build an infrastructure that would meet the community’s evolving needs and ensure long-term sustainability.

As Lupe’s career continued to unfold, she went on to serve as Executive Director for the South Asian Helpline and Referral Agency (SHARA), who serves survivors of all forms of abuse within the South Asian community through culturally sensitive and linguistically specific services. She spearheaded the organizational shift from founder/volunteer-led to an operational/governance organization. During her tenure, she developed effective partnerships, collaborations, and strategic alliances with government agencies, foundations, corporations, and service partners to increase SAHARA’s impact, visibility, and financial sustainability. Simultaneously, Rivera was recruited by the Department of Justice – Office of Violence Against Women in Washington D.C. to serve as a Federal Grants Peer Reviewer to advocate and support the distribution of 6.2 million in service contracts for nonprofits throughout the United States.

Most recently, Lupe served as CEO and Executive Director for the Center for Restorative Justice Works – a nonprofit focused on advocating, educating, and demonstrating the critical need to heal, re-weave, and re-connect the primary relationship between a child and their incarcerated parent (s). She spearheaded statewide programming that served over 1500 children and families a year. Through her dedication and advocacy efforts and partnership with the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Lupe gained a 1.3 million contract to ensure gender-based programming across California, serving the most underserved female institutions.

Lupe received the County of Los Angeles Commendation Award from Supervisor Don Knabe in the Fourth District in recognition of her dedication and service to the community’s affairs and for the civic pride demonstrated by numerous contributions for the benefit of all the citizens of Los Angeles County. Additionally, Lupe was chosen by fellow peers and professors to receive the Whitehead Leadership Award for academic excellence from the University of Redlands – School of Business. She is also a long-standing member of the Los Angeles County’s Domestic Violence Council and the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence.

Lupe holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Redlands and a Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Management from Antioch University; she is recognized as a Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) by the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance, currently the only national nonprofit credential. Furthermore, Lupe seeks to pursue her Ed.D. in Organizational Innovation.

Vice President of Programs

Tina Ochoa

I am dedicated to equitable access to education, and family/ community engagement. I bring over 15 years of combined, local, state and national experience in the fields of civic engagement and professional development, to my role as the Vice President of Programs. I am a graduate of the University of Arizona, and hold a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Sociology. It is a as a result of my studies in juvenile justice that I found a passion for first for working within the juvenile courts, then the school system and ultimately within the communities which I live and serve.

Director of Advocacy

Sandy Mendoza

I advocate for underprivileged families whose lives are often overwhelmed by circumstances of peril, poverty, and race. All families have a right to see their children grow up healthy, and receive a quality education that prepares them to graduate, college and workforce ready.

My passion for social justice was ignited when as one of thousands of Los Angeles Unified students, we walked out in protest of the treatment by teachers and administrators because of our Mexican heritage.

Director of Training & Capacity Building

Rachel González

I strongly believe in the mission of Families In Schools. I have seen the impact parents and families have on their children’s education in both my personal life, and throughout my professional career. As the Director of Training and Capacity Building at Families In Schools (FIS) I work to develop curricula, trainings, tools and resources in order to build the capacity of both school and community organization staff, as well as the families they serve, so that they are better able to work in partnership with one another.

Senior Marketing & Communications Manager

Cynthia Perez

It is a joy to work with families, my colleagues, and our community partners. Since my initiation at Families In Schools, I have had the privilege of collaborating with very talented staff members to build public relations and awareness of our family engagement programs and initiatives. As the Communications & Marketing Manager, I oversee the streamlining and operations of our communications and marketing campaigns. As a first-generation college graduate, I am very proud to work for an organization whose mission touches me on a deeply personal level.

Program Manager

Silvia Torres

I am the program coordinator for the SKILLS Grant and the School2Home partnership. I am also part of a team that provides various professional development at various schools and agencies. I began my professional journey with Families in School as the program coordinator for GEAR UP Project STEPS. As a student I was part of the first GEAR UP Project STEPS grant at North Hollywood High School where I also graduated from. After graduating, I attended California State University Northridge, where I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Central American Studies. While earning my Bachelors I worked as a consultant working directly with students and parents.

Community Engagement Coordinator

Jessica Torres

As the Community Engagement Coordinator at Families In Schools, I strive to create a bridge for students, families, and communities to have greater access to opportunities, resources, and connections that will support their students’ educational journeys. I approach community engagement with a growth mindset, always looking for new ways to enhance experiences, and collaborate while also ensuring an inclusive space.

I began my career in the nonprofit field soon after I completed my Bachelor’s at Soka University of America. From animals to youth, my passions grew, including my interest to become more knowledgeable of the sector that I had grown to admire. This led me to Antioch University where I graduated with a Master’s in Nonprofit Management and learned not only the ins and outs of the nonprofit system but how to create a greater impact as a leader. And not just any leader, but a compassionate leader.

In my free time, I enjoy reading, journaling, taking care of my plants, and spending time with my furbabies.

Operations Coordinator

Victory Onyekwere

Victory Onyekwere leads the organization’s internal operations – overseeing the overall functioning of business operations, including finances, staffing, policies, marketing, and goal setting. Victory received a BS in Public Health Sciences from the University of California, Irvine, with a focus on community organization and sustainability. During this period, Victory developed a deep admiration for the nonprofit sector as she began to realize how instrumental nonprofits were in their ability to improve the quality of life for the community. This awareness has empowered Victory to join the nonprofit sector to play a behind-the-scenes yet, very instrumental role in community and educational restructuring.

In this position, she plans to uncover the needs within Families In Schools, define and set policies/ guidelines, oversee and streamline financial information while working closely with HR to hire, train and support new employees. Furthermore, as a big-picture critical thinking leader, Victory will liaise within Families In Schools to ensure that the organization’s ongoing success remains sustainable for the next generation of leaders.

Curriculum Development Coordinator

Carolina Hernandez-Malone

Carolina Hernandez-Malone grew up in South America and immigrated to the United States when she was 13 years old. Her educational experience and struggles have led her to advocate for an improved educational experience that focuses on high expectations for immigrants like her.
She currently serves as a Senior Consultant supporting the development of curriculum, professional development sessions, and mechanisms for schools that help families understand the Pre-k-12th system, explore college and career options, and advocate for an educational experience that ensures college and career readiness.