Staff

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

Carol (she/her/hers) started her career in the late 1990s in academia, teaching various core college courses in departments of…

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

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

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

At a young age, Dr. Mayra A. Lara (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…

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,…

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

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

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

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…

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

Denise Castro (she/her/hers) is a Policy Analyst at The Education Trust–West. Denise joins The Education Trust–West. with experience in…

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…

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

Samantha C. Thompson (she/her/hers) is the Associate Director of Early Learning Policy at The Education Trust—West. Samantha served as…

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

Since Natalie (she/her/hers) joined The Education Trust—West in 2014, she has supported the organization’s policy research, analysis, and position…

Jana Luft (she/her/hers) is The Education Trust–West's Interim Associate Director of Educator Engagement. She brings experience as a teacher,…

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

Rachel Ruffalo’s (she/her/hers) career in education spans more than twenty years of serving as a teacher, new school developer,…

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

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

Natalie (she/her/hers) serves as People and Operations Manager at The Education Trust–West. Before her current role, Natalie was Manager…

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