Acting CEO / President

Tommy Chang, Ed.D

Dr. Tommy Chang is an education leader who has worked across the country, most recently serving as the Superintendent of Boston Public Schools from 2015-18. During his tenure, graduation rates increased and dropout rates decreased, and the school district had more high-performing schools than ever before. Prior to leading the school system in Boston, Dr. Chang served as the local instructional superintendent of the Intensive Support & Innovation Center at the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), where he focused on school turnaround efforts and supported innovative school models in the school district.

He is a fearless advocate for educational equity and for fostering safe, welcoming, and sustaining learning environments for all students, including immigrants, LGBTQ youth, court-involved students, and homeless youth. He is former biology teacher at Compton High School and a founding principal of a charter school in Venice, California and also previously served as special assistant to the superintendent of LAUSD.

A native of Taiwan who immigrated with his family to the U.S. at age six, Dr. Chang grew up in Los Angeles and holds an Ed.D. from Loyola Marymount University, M.Ed.’s from the Principals Leadership Institute and the Teachers Education Program at the University of California Los Angeles, and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania.

He is a member of Chiefs for Change, a non-profit organization led by bold and innovative district and state education chiefs, and Education Leaders of Color, an organization dedicated to elevating the leadership, voices and influence of people of color in education and to leading more inclusive efforts to improve education.

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 and Capacity Building

Lindsay Dumas, M.Ed.

Over the last decade, Lindsay’s work in higher education and non-profit organizations has been in advancing educational equity. She has several years of experience in creating brave spaces for intercultural dialogue through trainings, facilitations and workshops on inclusion, compassion, cultural humility and restorative practices. She is constantly pursuing ways she can be a better anti-racist leader, and enjoys challenging the status quo and empowering others to expand their worldview and perspectives as it relates to issues of intersectional justice. Lindsay holds her Master of Education in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership with an emphasis on diversity and equity from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

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.

Training and Capacity Building Program Manager

Meryah A. Fisher, MA, MPA, MAPP

Meryah A. Fisher, MA, MPA, MAPP (pronouns: they/she) earned a Master’s of Cultural Studies and a Master’s of Public Policy from Claremont Graduate University, a Master’s of Public Administration from Cheyney University. Additionally, they earned a dual BA in Africana Studies and Sociology with a Women’s Studies minor from Cal State Dominguez Hills. They are a current lecturer in the Department of Africana Studies at Dominguez Hills and a post-coursework fellowship student at Claremont Graduate University pursuing the school’s first interfiled Ph.D. in Cultural Studies and Policy/Politics. Meryah is a small-town South Jersey native who has worked for years as the Volunteer Coordinator for the Philadelphia Trans-Health Conference, founded a small New Jersey-based homeless-to-work initiative, and has a long history of case management for disabled persons, those suffering with mental health, and families impacted by homelessness. Additionally, they are an ambitious underground neo-soul singer-songwriter. Meryah’s academic and personal passions include challenging human rights and social justice threats through intuitively bridging sociopolitical gaps created by disparities, marginalization, systemic oppression, lackadaisical and radical self care, and lost or intentionally muffled voices. Their research interests have focused on the impacts and implications of policy and political institutions on minoritized groups, with emphases on placed on racialized groups and sexual/gender minorities. Among the many awards they have received over their years of service and dedication to community uplift and engagement, recently Meryah was the recipient of the 2018 Marilyn Brady Award for Distinguished Service at CSU Dominguez Hills, a student nominated award for their dedication to queer and trans identified students of color, and the 2019 Ella Josephine Baker Outstanding Faculty Service Award for critical service and mentorships to students.

Training and Capacity Building Program Manager

Daniela Hernandez

Daniela was born and raised in Leon, Guanajuato, Mexico; her bicultural and bilingual approach to life has always been a key component of her identity and it has allowed her to be curious and open to learn. At the age of 16, she migrated to the United States and witnessed many barriers in the education system that were designed to make her fail. However, with perseverance, resilience, grit, and support from her family and mentors, she was able to attend Crafton Hills Community College and transferred to California State University of San Bernardino (CSUSB) where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts, in Liberal Studies and a minor in Spanish.

She recently graduated from the Harvard Graduate School of Education (HGSE) with a master’s degree in Education, Leadership, Organizations, and Entrepreneurship with a concentration in Higher Education. During her time at HGSE, she was one of the leaders for the affinity group Comunidad Latinx, where she coordinated the Harvard-wide Latinx graduation.

Throughout her journey she has worked in a non-profit organization that is dedicated to create more equitable, and inclusive systems for communities. In this position as the Training and Capacity Project Manager II with Family In Schools (FIS), Daniela is committed to continue building pathways for equitable, anti-racist, anti-biased family, and community engagement systems.

In addition to her passion for working with communities and families, she envisions supporting transfer students in their transition from community college to a 4-year university. As a transfer student herself, she understands the importance of creating spaces that promote students to experience a sense of belonging; through partnerships with universities, a culturally responsive curriculum by creating welcoming and brave spaces for students.

Her hobbies include photography, running, and hiking. She is always ready for an outdoor adventure!

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.

Advocacy Coordinator

Sarah Luna

Sarah Luna has earned two Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and Creative Writing from the University of California, Riverside, as well as a Master of Professional Writing degree from the University of Southern California. Much of her writing focuses on the intersectionality of social justice and family life.

With Families in Schools, she hopes to develop in various fields of the nonprofit sector to aid in the rapidly-changing environment of education today. Holding a deep love for Los Angeles, she would like to be instrumental in assisting people from all walks of life to access the necessary tools to grow and flourish in a global city like Los Angeles while simultaneously helping to close the disparity gap for certain populations. In short, this job is what contributing to equity looks like.

In her spare time, she likes reading, cooking, and subjecting friends to her karaoke singing.

Trainer

Nasario Vasquez Jr.

Nasario Vasquez Jr. is a Program Coordinator for a TRIO-Talent Search project at California State University, Dominguez Hills serving middle & high school students learn the ins and outs of the college admissions process and support their family attaining an understanding of the importance of creating a college-going culture at home, serving the communities of South Central Los Angeles, Watts, and the South Bay. 

Additionally, Nasario has been involved with Families in Schools for over 3 years and was the recipient of the Excellence in Parent Engagement Award from FIS in 2018. He now serves as a Trainer and Facilitator for the organization.

Nasario is also pursuing a master’s degree from California State University, Los Angeles, in Latin American Studies. He obtained a B.A. from CSULA in Spanish in 2019, after transferring from community colleges. He is also a father of two kids and is navigating pre-school with his eldest son.

Trainer

Martha Castillo

Martha Castillo is a first-gen maverick turned edupreneur. Her mission is to equip students and leaders with the tools necessary to close the equity gap in education. As a former special education teacher and college readiness counselor for the most underserved students in The Bronx, NY, and Los Angeles, CA she is aware of the challenges first-gen students face when transitioning
to college and has dedicated her career to helping underserved students receive the guidance and resources necessary to successfully achieve their educational goals. Martha earned her bachelor’s degree in public administration from the University of La Verne and her M.S. E.d in education from The City College of New York. As a first-generation college student, diagnosed with a learning disability while attending community college, she is familiar with the challenges
first-generation students face when transitioning to college. Martha has dedicated her career to helping underserved students receive the guidance and resources necessary to successfully achieve their educational goals. By continuously building relationships with fellow educators and members of the community she strives to provide the best tools and practices available to help students and leaders thrive.

Trainer

Lucy G. Muñiz

My name is Luzelena (Lucy) G. Muñiz I was born and raised in the Coachella Valley. I attended UC Santa Barbara earned my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Spanish. I continued on to the University of Southern California to earn my Master in Social Work. I currently reside in Indio; a place I have always home. After attending college and beginning my career in the Los Angeles area, I made the decision to return home and serve the community where I grew up. I am currently employed full-time as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker within the medical field helping individuals with chronic illness. 

I was blessed with mentors and family support in pursuing higher education and my goal is to assist parents and students identify their own support system. As an employee of FIS, I am able to share my own experiences and provide students and parents with skills and traits they can use daily to achieve success. I have been with FIS as a part-time employee for 8 years in an array of different roles: college workshop facilitator, coordinator for community engagement campaigns, facilitator for parent and student focus groups in assessing the needs of their schools, and as a professional development trainer for schools districts and community-based organizations. I have enjoyed every one of those roles as I am able to connect with individuals that share a common goal of wanting lifelong success for students. I am able to observe the level of commitment from different capacities; parents, teachers, counselors, principals, and mentors. As a first-generation college graduate, I understand the emotional component of having support from parents and community to help the students achieve their goals.

Trainer

Joe Smith

Joe Smith’s life experience allows for a unique approach to understanding people, cultures, and the demographics that impact education. A husband and father of five, Joe Smith is best known as LineBackerDAD. Joe aims to engage schools, districts, parents, and stakeholders with the highest passion and integrity. Joe places a unique emphasis on intentionally engaging fathers and father figures. It is Joe’s humility and great skill to effectively engage, train, and inspire stakeholders and communities, expanding how parent engagement is practiced.