Leadership & Staff
Nonprofit Staff
Christine Harris
Director of Board Engagement & Special Projects
Peter Mockary
Controller
Evelyn Wang
Director of Evaluation
Christie Aames
Site Engagement & Volunteer Associate
James Carter
Human Resources Manager
Jessie Rojas
Marketing & Communications Manager
Salvador Manriquez
Government Relations Associate
Susana Reyes
Evaluation Associate
Naomi Broder
Development Operations & Events Manager
Brian Lam
Director of Institutional & Corporate Giving
LaTasha Evans
Executive Assistant
Daniel Reyes
Evaluation Assistant
Lauren Schaefer
Corporate Relations Manager
Bersabel Belay
Senior Accountant
Operations Staff
Deanna Galarza
Director of Leadership Development
Ronald W. James
Director Central Operations
Michael Santillan
City Wide Events Director
Daniel Monterroso
Director of Workforce Development
Oscar A. Lopez
Director of Technology
Justine M. Lozano
Regional Director
David Mena
Specialist, LA’s BEST, School Support Administrator
Ulisses Curiel
Regional Director
Katherine Lucero
Regional Director
Nineth Montoya
Regional Director
Manuel De Jesus Gonzalez
City Wide Events Coordinator
Claribel Yanez
Staff Development Coordinator
Sasha Santacruz
Director of Digital Learning
Majanaye Anderson
Regional Director
Yesenia Benitez
Arts Director
James Gonzalez
Digital Learning Program Coordinator | Nonprofit
Erika Dandridge
Director of Staff Development
Ana Bonilla
Regional Director
Derrick Smith
Workforce Development Coordinator | Nonprofit
Monica De La Cruz
Director of BEST Fit
Jessie Galvan
Workforce Development Coordinator | Nonprofit
Virginia Medrano
Education Coordinator | Nonprofit
Maria Cuevas
Out-of-School Senior Director
Nonprofit Leadership
Michele Broadnax, MBA
Michele Broadnax is a seasoned nonprofit executive with more than 30 years of experience leading high-impact initiatives that advance educational equity, community well-being, and opportunities for young people across California. As CEO, Michele brings a strategic, collaborative, and values-driven approach to strengthening programs, building organizational capacity, and creating meaningful results
for the communities she serves.
Throughout her career, Michele has held executive leadership, fundraising, and program development roles in a wide range of youth-serving organizations, including Child360, Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles, Fontana Unified School District, and several other organizations committed to educational
access and youth development. From 2019 to 2023, she served as President and CEO of the Los Angeles Education Partnership (LAEP), where she guided the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic, supported families through unprecedented transitions, and deepened LAEP’s commitment to addressing racial disparities in education.
Michele also brings experience working with public institutions, having served as a consultant for the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE). She is a member of the inaugural national fellowship of the Institute for Nonprofit Practice’s Black Leadership Institute and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the LA County Fair Association.
Known for her ability to build partnerships, elevate community voice, and drive mission-aligned growth, Michele remains deeply committed to expanding the systems and supports that help young people and families thrive. Her leadership is anchored in equity, accountability, and a profound belief in the potential of every child.
Operations Leadership
Dee Ann Rivera
The key to Dee Ann’s position is to have an understanding of processes and putting systems in place that enable the Operations Office to be the most productive in improving logistics for all those systems. Dee Ann has been with LAUSD for over three decades working on school campuses; supervisory roles; administrative leadership; advocating legislation; and currently program infrastructure. Her contributions to LA’s BEST began in 1994, a few years after obtaining her degree. This 23-year journey with LA’s BEST started as a site coordinator, eventually events coordinator and current director. During this time she has obtained countless relationships, collaboration partners, program insights, support networks, resources and experience that she uses daily for the benefit of our children.
“My core motivation is social justice. I feel this program has evolved with the times, is making new leaders and advocates in creating opportunities for children regardless of ZIP code.”
