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.

Program Manager

Jeffrey Wiser

My name is Jeffrey Wiser and education is what inspires me. My mother taught me to read at a young age, setting me on a path for educational success. Looking back at the support from my family and my teachers, it’s clear that I couldn’t have done it alone.

In my current role, I manage and facilitate two Professional Learning Networks (PLNs) – one in the Central Valley (in partnership with Californians for Justice) and one in Los Angeles. Through this work, we bring together parent and community engagement leaders from local LEAs to build capacity around key state priorities (LCFF, LCAP, California School Dashboard, Cycles for Continuous Improvement, etc.) and help LEA participants identify and overcome challenges.

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.

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.

Finance Manager

Narciso Robles

I was born and raised in Los Angeles and have been working in the field of Accounting and Finance for over a decade. After obtaining my Associate’s degree from Los Angeles Trade Technical College, I graduated from the University of Southern California with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting. I was the second born of seven children to a first generation immigrant family and being one of the older siblings, it was my desired commitment to support my family financially after high school graduation. I worked in a variety of occupations and professions gathering different experiences. After at least five years, I returned to a more formal educational setting.

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.

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.

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.

Community Engagement Coordinator

Jessica Torres

My name is Jessica Torres and 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 also how to create a greater impact as a leader. I believe in the value of creating empowered communities, educating others, and creating an inclusive space for all while building connections and collaborating.

*A little fun fact about me is as a child and young teen I performed in a group called Future America which was actually a performing arts nonprofit! I sometimes wonder if this was the start of my curiosity for the nonprofit world.