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LA Leads! 2026 Cohort

The fourth cohort of LA Leads! Fellows brings a deep commitment to collaborative learning and systemic change within LAUSD. Over 11 months, this cohort deepens their leadership under the mentorship of GPSN Senior Advisor and former LAUSD Board President Mónica García. This dynamic group understands that building a more effective public education system requires addressing the intersectionality of race and poverty head-on.

Fellows

Meet the cohort

Camille Medrano

EdTrust-West / Senior Associate, Educator Engagement

Clarence Kidd

Good Human Music / Chief Executive Officer

Deana Porras

Los Angeles Conservation Corps / Senior Program Manager

Dorian García

Girls Inc. Of Los Angeles / Chief Program Officer

Evelyne Santiago

City Year Los Angeles / Managing Director, Impact

Gabrielle Tilley

The Los Angeles Trust for Children’s Health / Associate Director of Policy & Partnerships

Jonathan García

Partnership for Los Angeles Schools / Chief of Staff

Julio Cruz

Boyle Heights Technology YouthSource Center / Director

Melissa Palacios

Promesa Boyle Heights at Proyecto Pastoral / Community Schools Manager

Nancy Villarreal

Parent Organization Network (PON) / Executive Director

Nicholas Wu

Communities In Schools of Los Angeles / Interim Executive Director

Olga Gonzalez

Innovate Public Schools / Lead community organizer

Steven Enrique Ortega

InnerCity Struggle / Director of Youth Organizing

Excited and honored to be selected for the LA Leads! 2026 Fellowship cohort... building relationships that expand opportunities for young people and families across Los Angeles, especially in Boyle Heights, South LA, and Watts through my work with the Partnership for Los Angeles Schools.

— Jonathan García