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 Coordinator

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.

Office Manager

Alan Martinez

I will always remember how excited I was every day at the end of class to share what I learned with my mother. However, when my parents separated and my mother started working, I lost a lot of motivation for school. After working in multiple jobs like tree trimmer, bartender, and fork-lift driver, I realized the hard way how important it is to pursue higher education. I balanced being a father and husband while being a full-time student and working two full-time jobs. If it were not for the support of my family, friends, and mentors, I would not be in the position I am today.

I believe in “paying it forward,” so I do what I can to support those in similar situations like mine. However, as proof of the importance of parental involvement in education, I seek to provide families with the resources they need and tackle this problem at the source.

Program Coordinator

Lisette Saenz

As the first high school graduate and first generation college student in her family, Lissette understands the vitality of parental involvement for student success. With her degree in Anthropology from UCLA, Lissette uses her knowledge of diversity and culture to encourage, empower, and highlight the importance of education. Lissette is passionate about student and parent learning especially in under-served and under-represented communities. As a Latina, she understands the importance of preserving one’s cultural identity, and utilizing it to bridge the gap in education. In her spare time, Lissette likes to attend Los Angeles Clipper games, watch soccer, hike, read, and learn.

Program Coordinator

Rebecca Rahimi

I am passionate about eradicating disparities and engendering a stronger sense of community and learning through equitable access to education. I’m privileged to work at a noble organization like Families in Schools that provides necessary programming and resources to schools and families within the greater Los Angeles County and its neighboring cities.

I obtained my BA in English Literature from California State University, Northridge and my MA in the Social Foundations of Medicine and Health at Vanderbilt University. I chose to pursue those fields in order to learn more about the importance of culture, community, education, and healthcare, all of which are necessary components in working towards acknowledging and advocating for basic human needs. When I’m not working or researching, I enjoy reading, binge-watching TV shows, listening to true-crime podcasts, and spending time outdoors.

Community Engagement Coordinator

Jessica Torres

I began working with nonprofits after I completed my Bachelor’s at Soka University of America. From youth to animals, my passions grew and I found myself wanting 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. I believe in the value of creating empowered communities and providing inclusive spaces for all. At Families In Schools, I strive to build connections through collaborative efforts and create positive experiences for others.

On my free time, I enjoy reading, journaling, and spending time with my furbabies.

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.