Raquel Morales

Policy and Government Relations Associate

Raquel Morales (she/her/hers) joins The Education Trust–West as the Policy and Government Relations Associate. As a first-generation student who also used to be undocumented, she understands the importance of educational equity for students of color and students from low-income communities.

Raquel is passionate about working with organizations and non-profits that provide direct services to communities of color. She has worked with organizations that seek to provide services to insecure food households and foster youth. During her undergraduate career, she has also advocated for the accessibility and affordability of the UC with the University of California Student Association (UCSA), first as the Legislative Committee Chair and later as President of the organization. Throughout her tenure with the organization, she focused on increasing transparency around student fee increases, coalition building, and increasing UCSA’s advocacy efforts in Sacramento.

Born in Nicaragua and raised in Sacramento, Raquel holds a dual Bachelor’s degree from the University of California, San Diego, in Ethnic Studies and International Studies.

 

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  • Sacramento, CA
State Data Systems
Transitional Kindergarten Implementation
Multilingual Learners / English Learners
Legislative & Budget Advocacy

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.