Staff

Christopher J. Nellum, Ph.D. (he/him/his), is the Executive Director of The Education Trust–West, a nonprofit education equity organization focused…

Carol Hedgspeth, Ph.D. (she/her/hers), started her career in the late 1990s in academia, teaching various core college courses in…

Rachel Ruffalo (she/her) serves as the Senior Director of Strategic Advocacy at the Education Trust—West. Rachel’s career in education…

Sarah Pugeda (she/her/hers) joins The Education Trust–West as an Executive Assistant to the Executive Director. She has many years…

At Ed Trust–West, Lange Luntao (he/him/his) works closely with his colleagues to drive high-impact campaigns that achieve meaningful policy…

At a young age, Mayra A. Lara, Ed.D. (she/her/ella), immigrated to the United States from Mexico with her parents…

Esmeralda Marcial (she/her/hers) joins The Education Trust–West as the Manager of External Relations with a background in organizing, electoral…

Megan Kane (she/her/hers) joins The Education Trust–West as the External Relations Associate with a background in educational equity, research,…

Daisy Ruiz-Purcell (she/her/hers) joins The Education Trust–West as a fierce advocate for education equity. As a first-generation college graduate…

Mariel (she/her/hers) joins The Education Trust–West with a background in K-12 education and expertise in writing, storytelling, press relations,…

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

Esha (she/her/hers) joins The Education Trust–West with a background in student affairs, writing, and digital media communications. She oversees…

Brian Rivas (he/him/his) has been working to improve educational opportunities for disadvantaged students in California for nearly twenty years.…

Melissa Bardo (she/her/hers) serves as the Associate Director of Policy and Government Relations for the Education Trust–West. Overseeing the…

Raquel Morales (she/her/hers) joins The Education Trust–West as the Policy and Government Relations Associate. As a first-generation student who…

Melissa (she/her/hers) joins The Education Trust–West with a background in education research and policy advocacy across the birth through…

Christa Koppuzha (she/her/hers) was raised by Indian immigrants who instilled the value and power of education in her from…

Vanessa Romo (she/her/hers) is a Research and Data Analyst at The Education Trust–West. She joins The Education Trust–West with…

As a Research and Data Analyst, Isaac Alferos (He/They) joins the Education Trust—West team with his experience as an…

Since Natalie Wheatfall-Lum, J.D. (she/her/hers), joined The Education Trust—West in 2014, she has supported the organization’s policy research, analysis,…

Roy (he/him) joins The Education Trust—West as a Policy Analyst (TK-12) with considerable experience in research and policy analysis,…

Pamela M. Low (she/her) is a K-12 Policy Analyst at the Education Trust—West (ETW), where she works to improve…

Benito Aranda-Comer (he/him) joins The Education Trust–West as a K-12 Policy Analyst. Before joining the Education Trust–West, Benito was…

Denise Luna (she/her/hers) is the Associate Director of Higher Education Policy at The Education Trust—West. As a daughter of…

Sesen (he/him) joins the team as a Higher Education Policy Analyst. Sesen is, first and foremost, a student advocate.…

Maya Valree (she/her(s)) joins The Education Trust–West as a Policy Analyst (Parenting Students). Before joining The Education Trust–West, Maya…

Crystal A. Moore, Ph.D. (she/her/hers), is the Director of Educator Engagement at The Education Trust–West. In this role, she…

Brieana Johnson (she/her) joins The Education Trust–West as a Senior Associate of Educator Engagement. A fierce advocate for educational…

Camille Medrano (she/her/hers) joins The Education Trust–West as a Senior Educator Engagement Associate. From her experiences navigating the education…

Natalie (she/they) serves as Associate Director of People & Operations at The Education Trust–West (ETW) where they manage the…

Janel Lloyd (she/her/hers) joins The Education Trust–West as the Operations Associate, with a background in operations, finance, client services,…

Erika (she/her/hers) comes to Ed Trust–West with over 12 years of operational support experience in the private and non-profit…

Angelica Ramirez (she/her/hers) joins The Education Trust–West as the Senior Development Associate. She comes to The Education Trust–West with…