Vanessa Romo (she/her/hers) is a Research and Data Analyst at EdTrust-West. She joins EdTrust-West with experience in research, education policy, data analysis, and non-profit alumni engagement. […]
Maya Valree (she/her(s)) joins EdTrust-West as a Policy Analyst (Parenting Students). Before joining EdTrust-West, Maya was the graduate student coordinator for the Students with Dependents program […]
At a young age, Dr. Mayra A. Lara (she/her/ella) immigrated to the United States from Mexico with her parents and sister, and they made Los Angeles […]
Esmeralda Marcial (she/her/hers) joins EdTrust-West as the Manager of External Relations with a background in organizing, electoral campaign management, community engagement, local policymaking, and advocacy. Esmeralda’s […]
Daisy Ruiz-Purcell (she/her/hers) joins EdTrust-West as a fierce advocate for education equity. As a first-generation college graduate who is also the child of immigrant parents from […]
Camille Medrano (she/her/hers) joins EdTrust-West as a Senior Educator Engagement Associate. From her experiences navigating the education system in direct service roles across education, and through […]
Karla Fernandez (she/her/hers) is a Communications Manager at EdTrust-West with over 11 years of experience advancing social impact initiatives. Karla started her career as a teacher […]
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.