05/01/2021

Affecting Transformative Change: Questions for Families and Other Advocates to Ask Their District Leaders

The current circumstances of the pandemic, the return to classrooms, and the infusion of stimulus funding provide education system leaders a chance to rebuild and reimagine […]
04/29/2021

Reimagine and Rebuild California Schools: Restarting School with Equity at the Center

COVID-19 and our nation’s reckoning on racial justice is calling on all of us—from state to local leaders, teachers, parents, students and advocates—to transform schools and […]
03/10/2021

Education Equity in Crisis: How to Address Learning, Promotions, Transitions and Grades in Light of School and College Closures

The COVID-19 pandemic has posed an unprecedented education equity crisis in California. A year ago, education leaders at schools and colleges across the state closed their […]

Karla Fernandez

Communications Manager

Karla Fernandez (she/her/hers) joins Ed Trust–West as a Communications Manager with over 11 years of experience advancing social impact initiatives.

Karla started her career as a teacher at Chicago Public Schools and UIC College Prep. After teaching, Karla joined United Friends of the Children to support LA County’s youth in foster care as a college counselor. Through Leadership for Educational Equity, Karla also served as a Policy Advisor Fellow for the office of a Los Angeles Unified School Board Member. She solidified her interests in policy analysis and quantitative research during her time with the Price Center for Social Innovation, the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles, and the USC Presidential Working Group on Sustainability. Before joining The Education Trust–West, Karla was the Associate Director for the Southeast Los Angeles (SELA) Collaborative, a network of nonprofits advocating for communities in SELA.

Karla holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology from the University of Chicago, a Master of Public Policy from the USC Price School of Public Policy, and a Graduate Certificate in Policy Advocacy from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Karla is based out of southern California and is passionate about using data analysis, communications, and digital strategies for policy advocacy and social justice efforts.