Pilar Buelna
Board Chair, Governance Committee Chair

Executive Director of Social Services, The Salvation Army Los Angeles Area Command
Ms. Buelna has extensive experience in the non-profit sector. As Executive Director at The Salvation Army, she provides leadership and direction to a Department of nine social services sites in program planning and development, personnel management, contract compliance, budgeting, quality assurance and evaluation. Services under her purview include child care and youth centers, emergency housing for families, transitional housing for veterans, permanent housing for families living with AIDS, mental health and drug and alcohol rehabilitation. Prior to her work at The Salvation Army, Ms. Buelna worked in the educational non-profit sector at Families In Schools as the Director of the Parent Information & Resource Center, a federal grant. Through this grant, she worked in partnership with Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) to promote parental involvement for increase student achievement. Ms. Buelna began her career as a children's social worker with the Department of Children and Family Services and at City of Hope National Medical Center as a medical social worker. She received a Masters in Social Work from San Diego State University, a BA in English from California State University Northridge and is a licensed psychotherapist in the state of California.

Carlos Cruz
Treasurer, Finance Committee Chair

Assistant Vice President, Union Bank, N.A.
Mr. Cruz works in the National Banking - Client and Portfolio Management Group of Union Bank, where he is primarily involved in underwriting and in turn managing a portfolio of large syndicated credit facilities to various investment grade companies located throughout the U.S. Prior to Union Bank, Mr. Cruz was a Senior Credit Associate managing the Southern California loan portfolio of the Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF), a national Community Development Financial Institution that provides capital and technical assistance to help low income communities finance and build facilities for education, affordable and supportive housing, child care, and other community revitalization programs. Mr. Cruz has extensive experience in the financial services industry, including mutual funds, hedge funds, corporate treasury, structured credit, asset based lending and most recently commercial lending. Prior to moving to Los Angeles in 2007, Mr. Cruz spent 3 1/2 years working for an investment bank in New York City. Originally from Chicago, Mr. Cruz received a MBA with concentrations in Finance and International Business from the Loyola University Chicago Graduate School of Business and a BS degree in Business Administration with a major in Accounting from Marquette University.

Carolina Hernandez-Malone
Secretary

Director, College Awareness and Preparation Programs, Families in Schools
Carolina Hernandez-Malone is the Director for the College Awareness and Preparation Programs at Families In Schools (FIS) whose mission is to involve parents and communities in their children's education to achieve lifelong success. Prior to joining FIS, she worked as a professional expert in college advising and admissions for the Office of the Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs at UCLA. She managed and coordinated the implementation of student-centered activities, conducted training workshops for undergraduate students, parents, teachers, and counselors on admission requirements, academic advisement, and college readiness. She has worked with a variety of community organizations throughout Los Angeles to implement educational projects for families and schools staff. She has extensive experience in the field of academic advising, program design/management, college admissions, and parent engagement. She has also worked in the field of educational anthropology through the California State University, Long Beach where she finished her MA theses project on "Financial Aid Advising for Latino Parents" at California State University, Long Beach. Ms. Hernandez-Malone received her BA in Anthropology from the University of California, Los Angeles.

Claudia Lima

Senior Program Officer of Lending, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)
Ms. Lima has extensive background in community and economic development finance, accounting, budget analysis, LIHTC, NMTC, bond financing and municipal soft subsidies. At LISC, Ms. Lima is responsible for the lending and grant making activities of the Los Angeles Office. Her portfolio includes affordable housing, education, working capital, commercial/retail and other human/capacity building capital investments. In addition, Ms. Lima oversees and coordinates LISC's Building Sustainable Communities initiatives, a holistic community development approach that ensures transactions are evaluated within the context of surrounding neighborhoods to catalyze revitalization. Her past experience includes underwriting affordable housing projects, community facilities projects (charter schools and child care centers) as well as grocery stores and small businesses. Prior to joining LISC, Ms. Lima was a Senior Loan Officer with the Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF) where she was responsible for analyzing loan proposals, recommending financing structures and underwriting and preparing loan transaction reports. Prior to joining LIIF, Ms. Lima was a Community Development Finance Advisor with the Los Angeles LDC, Inc. (LDC), an economic development CDFI. Other past experience includes project management for an affordable housing developer and accounting for an affordable housing property management firm. Ms. Lima received her B.S. degree in Business Administration from the Marshal School of Business of the University of Southern California (USC) and completed the Ross Program in Real Estate from the Lusk Center of the University of Southern California. She completed her M.S. degree in Community Economic Development from Southern New Hampshire University. Ms. Lima is a board member of Southern California Association of Non-profit Housing (SCANPH) and Interim Treasurer at Equitas Academy Charter School, a K-5 charter school serving the Pico Union Area of the City of Los Angeles.

Vikram Ravinder

Analyst, Huron Consulting Group
Having taught 8th grade algebra and science at John Liechty Middle School, just two miles from Equitas Academy, Mr. Ravinder has experience working in and serving the surrounding Pico Union community. As a Teach For America Corps Member, Mr. Ravinder was responsible for significant increases in student achievement and created community partnerships to provide opportunities for his students outside the classroom. Currently, Mr. Ravinder is an Analyst at Huron Consulting Group where he works with hospitals to achieve sustainable revenue cycle improvement. Prior to joining Huron Consulting Group, Mr. Ravinder was a 2010 Education Pioneers Fellow. In this capacity he worked with the Los Angeles County Office of Education to analyze current processes and develop an online system to streamline the distribution of funds to non-profit agencies partnered with the Office of Education. Mr. Ravinder graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a degree in Political Science and holds a Master's in Education with an emphasis on Urban Schooling from UCLA.

Sandra Salazar

Family Medicine Physician, Alta Med Health Services
Dr. Sandra Salazar is a Family Medicine Physician with Alta Med Health Services in Pico-Rivera where she practices culturally competent care for Latino Children, Youth and their Families. Dr. Salazar is a graduate of Wellesley College in Boston, MA where she completed her Bachelors of Arts in Spanish and Pre Medical course work. She then went on to Mayo Clinic in Minnesota where she conducted cancer research prior to Saint Louis University in Missouri where she completed her Doctor of Medicine degree. Dr. Salazar completed residency in Family Medicine at Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center. Throughout her undergraduate and graduate studies, she has enjoyed tutoring and mentoring inner city students. Dr. Salazar is the first to attend college in her family and believes in helping make schools true centers of community. She is a graduate of the H.O.P.E Leadership Institute and also a board member of the Southeast Los Angeles Democratic Club.

Brett Snyder
Vice Chair, Resource Development Committee Chair

Founder, Cranky Flier LLC
Mr. Snyder is the founder of Cranky Flier LLC, a company focused on assisting air travelers via its Cranky Concierge (crankyconcierge.com) air travel assistance service and CrankyFlier.com website. He has an extensive background with the travel industry, having worked for USAir, America West, Eos, and United in the areas of revenue management, marketing, sales, and strategy. Prior to founding his own company, Mr. Snyder worked for PriceGrabber.com, a comparison shopping site with more than 24 million unique users per month, where he built and managed the travel site in addition to managing new products for the site and community efforts. In his younger days, he was the youngest known travel agent in the United States at the age of 12. Mr. Snyder has a BA in Marketing and Tourism Studies from The George Washington University and an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business.

Monica Gonzalez
Dean of Student and Family Life

Ms. Gonzalez is a graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles where she earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology, Applied Developmental Psychology and Education. She furthered her education by attending California State University, Northridge and obtained her Master of Science in Educational Psychology and Counseling, along with her Counseling Credential. During her undergraduate experience she had the opportunity to become a peer counselor and develop her passion for facilitating the educational experience through counseling. As she worked towards her Masters degree she applied her experience at a variety of K-12 schools including Vaughn Next Century Learning Center. Ms. Gonzalez is excited to further our college mission here at Equitas Academy Charter at our Dean of Student and Family Life.

Zanita Gwin
Director of Curriculum and Instruction

Mrs. Gwin comes to Equitas Academy from an award winning elementary school in Illinois. She served as Principal of Carrie Busey Elementary School in Champaign for four years. In Champaign, she worked to develop and implement a School Wide Enrichment Program; maintain high academic achievement standards; and coordinate efforts between community groups and staff to provide innovative quality educational experiences for students and families. She has twelve years experience as an elementary school teacher. Ms. Gwin holds a Masters in Education, an administrative certification, a Masters in Education Leadership and Organization, and has completed 60 hours of course work toward her Doctorate in Education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is a highly experienced school leader with documented contributions in working with students, families, and staff to provide superior results. She is excited to join the Equitas Academy team in advancing the mission to equip students with the academic social and emotional dispositions necessary for college matriculation and graduation.

Erica Bello
Kindergarten/First Grade Teacher

Ms. Bello's path toward becoming a teacher started when she volunteered in a Kindergarten classroom at her local elementary school. Through that experience, she decided to attend California State University of Northridge (CSUN) where she enrolled in the Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP). While being a full-time student she also worked as a teacher's aide, which allowed her to gain even more experience in the education field. In 2006, Ms.Bello graduated with honors and received her degree in Liberal Studies while also acquiring her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. She has been teaching passionately for 3 years and is excited to grow as a professional at Equitas Academy.

Erin Diaz
Third Grade Teacher

Ms. Diaz graduated from Pepperdine University in Malibu, California, where she majored in Political Science with a minor in Spanish. As a sophomore, she studied abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She is an alumna of the 2006 corps of Teach for America and worked on her multiple subject teaching credential at CSU Dominguez Hills. Ms. Diaz taught for four years at a high performing college prep charter school in South Los Angeles, specializing in reading intervention, social studies, Spanish, and dance. During this time, she started the school's cheerleading squad and taught her scholars on many field trips in places including San Francisco, Houston, Utah, and even Costa Rica. Ms. Diaz concurrently travelled throughout the country to observe numerous high performing charter elementary and middle schools as part of an intensive teaching and leadership development program with the national KIPP (Knowledge is Power Program) Foundation. Ms. Diaz is excited to be teaching first grade at Equitas Academy Charter School and looks forward to learning of each of their numerous college acceptances in 2022!

Karina DiGirolamo
Enrichment Director

Karina Burrell currently teaches literacy and dance at Equitas Academy Charter School. Scholars at Equitas Academy are trained in ballet, tap, hip-hop and creative dance. The dance program at Equitas Academy also provides opportunities for students to learn and perform a diverse range of dance styles from around the world. Ms. Burrell is a credentialed educator with more than five years of experience as a classroom teacher, performing arts instructor and child and adolescent literacy specialist. Before joining Equitas Academy as a founding teacher, Ms. Burrell taught second and third grade at Loyola Village Fine and Performing Arts Magnet in the Los Angeles Unified School District. With her graduate school training in child and adolescent literacy, Ms. Burrell has served as a reading intervention teacher for Loyola Village, as well as for elementary schools in the Wiseburn School District. Ms. Burrell also has experience teaching English internationally. She is TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certified and has taught English and writing courses to children and adults in Guam, Italy, and Korea. These experiences have provided her with rich training and knowledge about English language learners, allowing her to identify and respond to the needs of all students. For the past five years, Ms. Burrell was the Artistic Director of the Westchester Lariats, a non-profit internationally renowned dance troupe. She has choreographed, trained and traveled with the performing group of dancers on summer tours to Northern California, San Diego, Hawaii, and Hungary. Ms. Burrell earned her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies (2004) and her Master of Arts in Child and Adolescent Literacy (2006), both from Loyola Marymount University.

Marilyn Espinosa
Second Grade Teacher

Marilyn Mach Espinosa graduated from California State University, Los Angeles earning a bachelor's degree in Child Development along with a Preliminary Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. She also holds a Master's degree in Instructional Technology, which she has used in her classes to create new interactive learning experiences for all students. Mrs. Espinosa has teaching experience in all grade levels urban school districts. As a teacher, she was able to develop her teaching skills and work with children of all ages. Her technology experiences include helping to create an online course for the Los Angeles Unified School District and being the webmaster for her former elementary school's website. Currently, Mrs. Espinosa is applying for UCLA's induction program in hopes to clear her credential and enhance her teaching skills. Mrs. Espinosa is excited to be working for Equitas Academy as a 2nd grade teacher. She feels that all students deserve an equal opportunity to have a great education and is looking forward to seeing all her students graduate from college.

Ashley Kinney
Part Time Enrichment Teacher

Michelle Labayen
Kindergarten Teacher

Ms. Labayen's passion for teaching began at an early age. As one of the eldest in her family, she would teach the ABC's and 1,2, 3's to those around her. From then on she immersed herself in educating youth by becoming part of organizations such as: YMCA Anaheim Achieves, Think Together, and AmeriCorps. Ms. Labayen pursued her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and minor in Education at the University of California, Irvine. She then continued her education by enrolling in the University of California, Riverside where she earned her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and Master's in Education. Upon completing her degree, she worked as first grade teacher for five years in the South Angeles area. She is elated to be part of the Equitas team because she feels that its mission and vision reflects upon her own philosophy of instilling the value college to all students. Ms. Labayen is looking forward to meeting and working with all the students and families of Equitas Academy.

Stephanie Lee
Kindergarten Teacher

Ms. Lee is originally from the small city of Stockton, in Northern California. She moved to San Diego to pursue her Bachelor's Degree in Political Science/International Relations at the University of California, San Diego. In addition to her Bachelor's degree, she also holds a minor in Africa Studies, which she completed most of her coursework for while studying abroad in South Africa. Upon completing her degree, Ms. Lee chose to obtain her teaching credential and Master's of Education degree at the University of California, Los Angeles. She has taught for two years in the South Central Los Angeles area and greatly enjoys the energy and imagination of young students. Ms. Lee is very excited to join the Equitas team of dedicated and passionate educators this year as the Enrichment Director. She is looking forward to working with all the Equitas classes and ensuring that all students they become well-rounded, college ready, and equitastic!

Heather Mund
First Grade Teacher

Heather Mund graduated from San Francisco State University with a Bachelors Degree in Film. While working as a Multimedia Producer in San Francisco for an online news magazine she discovered her talent for teaching and earned an elementary teaching credential from Cal State Northridge. For eight years, Ms. Mund has passionately served students and their families in Los Angeles as a teacher in first, fourth, and fifth grades. In addition, she developed after school programs at two schools, served as a new teacher mentor, and procured 5,000 books for her school through a partnership with a nonprofit organization. In 2007, she earned a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership from Pepperdine University. She is delighted to bring her enthusiasm for teaching and learning to Equitas Academy.

Susannah Perez
First/Second Grade Teacher

Mrs. Perez is a founding teacher at Equitas Academy. She began her teaching career eleven years ago in the Buena Park School District teaching 2nd, 3rd and 4th grades. During her tenure with the BPSD, which spanned eight years, she was very active in the school community building relationships with students and families. Among her contributions was the formation of an after-school soccer program that culminated in a district "tournament". She also developed and coached an after-school running program for students in grades 3-6. The students she coached participated in several races that included the Knott's Berry Farm Coaster Run and the Orange County Marathon Kids Run. Mrs. Perez believes it is important that students, teachers, and parents work together to make education meaningful. She has organized parent literacy nights, science investigation nights and campus clean-ups to bring all of these important people together with that goal in mind. Mrs. Perez also spent two years co-teaching a 5th grade inclusion class in Savannah, GA. Due to her background, Ms. Perez is convinced that every student has the capacity to learn and experience success given the right environment and support. Mrs. Perez graduated from California State University, Fullerton where she earned her B.S in Physical Education. She also attended Chapman College, now Chapman University, where she captained the women's soccer team and earned MVP awards. She earned her teaching credential through National University in Orange.

Nayeli Quintana
Kindergarten Teacher

Mrs. Quintana graduated from California State University, Los Angeles where she earned a Bachelors Degree in Liberal Studies with a concentration in Elementary Education. She also earned a California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential, which brought her one step closer to fulfilling her dream of becoming an elementary school teacher. Before graduation, Mrs. Quintana worked for four years with kindergarten through fifth grade students in an urban elementary school. This opportunity gave her the experience and skills to reach students of all abilities. After graduation, Mrs. Quintana worked as a first grade teacher at a private school in Los Angeles. She loves working with first grade students because she gets to see them grow into confident readers and writers. She is thrilled to join Equitas Academy this year as a first grade teacher and looks forward to working with such a dedicated staff and wonderful scholars.

Adolfo Rodas
Third Grade Teacher

My passion for education and teaching others transformed my perspective on what matters in life. I acquired my Bachelors Degree in Accounting at CSU Dominguez Hills. I later pursued a Masters Degree in Education and a multiple subject credential to have the opportunity to work with students that need an opportunity to shine. I have been a teacher now for the last 11 years. My experience ranges from 4th grade to adult school. I have taught in private schools, public schools, and charter schools. In addition, I have worked in tutoring facilities like Sylvan Learning Center to assist students in mathematics. My experience has also opened doors to integrate the utilization of technology in classrooms where students develop skills that will take them another step towards meeting today's demand in higher education and professions. I developed a strong belief that any individual can learn regardless of age, background, and disability. I am truly passionate about making others succeed in their education.

Danelle Tickel
First Grade Teacher

Mrs. Tickel discovered her passion for teaching and working with children early on in life through her mom, who was also a teacher. She went to school at the University of CA, San Diego and graduated with her B.A. in Human Development. After graduating, she continued on with her education at UC San Diego to obtain her California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and her Masters of Education. Mrs. Tickel began her career in Vista, CA, teaching second grade for three years. After getting married last summer, Mrs. Tickel moved with her husband to the Los Angeles area to be closer to family, and is thrilled to be joining the amazing team at Equitas Academy as a first grade teacher. She loves bringing out her students' creativity, challenging them to work to their potential every single day, and inspiring a love of lifelong learning as they strive to one day become college graduates!

Christen Tobias
Enrichment Teacher

Miss Tobias graduated from California State University Northridge with a Bachelors Degree in Liberal Studies and a concentration in Art. She received her Preliminary California Multiple Subject Teaching Credential along side her degree in 2007. While attending, she was a part of the four year ITEP program (Integrated Teacher Education Program). She is currently working on clearing her credential through the BTSA program and looks forward to beginning her Masters. After graduating from CSUN, Miss Tobias worked for Glendale Unified's ASES (After-School Education and Safety Program) for two years where she gain experience working with Pre-K -6th grade students. Miss Tobias loves Equitas Academy and teaching Kindergarten! Her favorite part about Kindergarten is watching her scholars blossom into brilliant readers and independent writers over the course of one short year.

Dora Diaz
Housekeeping/Nutrition

Veronica Gutierrez
Office Assistant

Amanda Grande
Program Leader

Kimberly Melendez
Program Leader

David Torres
Program Director