Office of the Executive Director
Ryan J. Smith
Executive Director
Ryan J. Smith is currently the Executive Director of The Education Trust–West, a research and advocacy organization focused on educational justice and the high academic achievement of all California students...
External Relations
Raquel Simental
Director of External Relations & Communications
An Oakland native, Raquel joins Ed Trust – West with an extensive skill set in public policy work, advocacy, and communications. Most recently the Public Affairs Director for the Sacramento/San Joaquin Valle...
Jelena Hasbrouck
Communications Manager
Jelena comes to ETW with a background in relationship-building roles in communications, advocacy and social work. Jelena has held various communications roles throughout her career including writing for public...
Anthony P. Chavez
External Relations Associate
Raised in the farm worker movement his grandfather founded, Anthony grew up participating in United Farm Workers’ marches, picket lines, and political campaigns. He has spoken around the country about the le...
Research & Policy Analysis
Carrie Hahnel
Deputy Director, Research, Policy Analysis, and Practice
Carrie has 15 years of experience in education research, policy, and practice. Since joining ETW in 2010, she has researched current conditions and policy solutions in areas such as school funding, accountabil...
Theresa Chen
Senior Research & Policy Analyst
Theresa has over 10 years of experience in research, data and policy in the public and nonprofit sectors. Most recently, Theresa was the Manager of Assessment Systems at KIPP Foundation, managing the creation,...
Natalie Wheatfall
Policy Analyst
Natalie comes to Education Trust-West with a legal background. As a practicing attorney, Natalie has experience in various areas of civil rights law, including LGBT equal rights, fair housing, and immigratio...
Leni Wolf
Research & Policy Analyst
Leni’s work in education policy began as a Teach For America corps member in bilingual classrooms in Phoenix, after which she taught at a high-performing charter school in Minneapolis. While earning her Mast...
Joe Jackson
Policy and Data Analyst
Prior to join Ed Trust–West, Joe served as the Education Excellence team’s Research Associate with Urban Strategies Council. While with Urban Strategies, he analyzed local, state, and federal datasets for ...
Practice
Sarah Feldman
Director of Practice
Dr. Sarah Feldman joins the Ed Trust-West team with a wealth of experience in the practice of education. Dr. Feldman is a life-long researcher and educator who worked to improve public education for nearly a...
Verónica Flores Malagon
Senior Practice Associate
Verónica joins Education Trust-West with thirteen years of experience in developing culturally relevant programs and advancing educational equity in underserved communities. She began her career as a bilingua...
Linda Murray
Senior Advisor
Dr. Linda Murray is currently serving as Superintendent-in-Residence for the Education Trust-West (ETW) and is responsible for helping lead the practice work of the organization in California. The work is cent...
Government Relations
Brian Rivas
Director of Policy and Government Relations
Brian has been working to improve educational opportunity for disadvantaged students in California for nearly twenty years. His career in education policy began in the University of California’s Office of St...
Planning, Grants & Administration
Rachel Emmons-Bradley
Director of Operations and Planning
Rachel comes to us from Teach for America with an eight year run in operations and strategy across various teams including as the Director of Strategic Planning and Operations for TFA New York, the Director of...
Margaret (Margie) Canto
Operations Coordinator
Margie has an extensive background in administrative operations and executive support and has worked in both the public and non-profit sectors. Before joining ETW, Margie worked at a law firm in San Francisco....
Ed Trust—West Staff Contact
The Education Trust—West
Tel: 510.465.6444
Fax: 510.465.0859
For general inquiries about The Education Trust—West, please contact Margie Canto at x300.
For information on job opportunities or internships, visit our career opportunities page.
For media inquiries, contact Jelena Hasbrouck at (408) 833-4039.
For information about research and policy analysis, including data inquiries contact Leni Wolf at x310.
For government affairs, contact Brian Rivas at (916) 761-9060.
For information about our practice work with schools and districts contact Sarah Feldman x339.