President and CEO
Jed Wallace
President and Chief Executive Officer
916-448-0995, ext 301
jed@calcharters.org
Jed serves as the President and CEO of the California Charter Schools Association.
Executive Team
Gary Borden
Senior Vice President, Statewide Advocacy
415-613-4022
gborden@calcharters.org
Cynthia Bryant
Senior Vice President,Government Affairs
916-448-0995., ext 304
cbryant@calcharters.org
Myrna Castrejón
Senior Vice President, Achievement and Performance Management
213-244-1446, ext 219
mcastrejon@calcharters.org
Myrna leads the team responsible for research and evaluation, academic accountability, and the Zoom! Data Source student data performance management program.
Danny Corwin
Chief Financial Officer
213-244-1446, ext 208
dcorwin@calcharters.org
As a member of the Association's Executive Team, Danny leads staff responsible for core financial and accounting systems, financial planning, and treasury. He is also responsible for securing financial support in the form of grants from private foundations, corporations and government agencies in order to sustain the programs and operations of the Association.
Frank Gonzalez
Senior Vice President, School Development and Support
310-867-5945
fgonzalez@calcharters.org
Frank leads the team that works directly in support of developing and existing member schools to accelerate the growth of high quality charters across the state.
Kerry Flanagan
Chief of Staff
858-337-6117
kflanagan@calcharters.org
Sharon Hicks
Executive Assistant
916-448-0995, ext 305
shicks@calcharters.org
Sharon is the Executive Assistant to Jed Wallace and coordinates the work of the Association's Leadership Team.
Ricardo Soto, Esq.
Senior Vice President, Legal Advocacy, and General Counsel
619-807-1034
rsoto@calcharters.org
Ricardo oversees the Legal Team, provides general legal counsel to the Association and advises the Association in relation to legal strategies targeted to support the Association's statewide and regional advocacy efforts, the membership, the charter school community, and the Association's initiatives and strategic objectives.
Peri Lynn Turnbull, APR
Senior Vice President, Communications
619-521-0914, ext 510
plturnbull@calcharters.org
Peri Lynn leads the team responsible for internal, external and online communications, media relations, video, social media, and website as well as the team responsible for providing technical assistance and training to members and developers.
CCSA Staff
Phillipa L. Altmann, Esq.
Senior Litigation Counsel
213-244-1446, ext 245
paltmann@calcharters.org
Phillipa's key areas of responsibility include working on trial court litigation and appellate opportunities on behalf of CCSA and the charter school community.
Joni Angel
Regional Director, Policy and Advocacy, Los Angeles
213-244-1446, ext 236
jangel@calcharters.org
Joni manages the cross-team collaboration on two major facilities initiatives at CCSA: Public School Choice and Prop. 39. She also works on the statewide Facilities team, managing special projects and writing the Facilities Strategic Execution Plan.
Daniel Assisi
Director, Information Technologies
213-244-1446, ext 211
dassisi@calcharters.org
Daniel develops strategies and policies to support continuous improvement of the Association's technology infrastructure, database management, processes for integration of various technology platforms, and support for the Association staff.
Allison Greenwood Bajracharya
Managing Regional Director, Policy and Advocacy, Los Angeles
213-244-1446, ext 215
abajracharya@calcharters.org
Allison manages the Los Angeles regional team to inform charter-related policy in Los Angeles, Kern, Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties. She also advocates on behalf of the collective interests of the Association's members in the Los Angeles Unified School District, which has more charter schools than any other district in the country.
Melissa Barnhart, Ph.D.
Senior Research Analyst
213-244-1446, ext 250
mbarnhart@calcharters.org
Melissa is responsible for leading relevant and methodologically rigorous analyses and authoring original research to assess and support improved achievement of California charter schools.
Nicole Bautista
Manager, Government Affairs
916-448-0995, ext 314
nbautista@calcharters.org
Nicole connects the work CCSA does in Sacramento with our members, including regular communications from the Government Affairs team and coordinating charter school visits with Legislators. She also works on legislative and regulatory issues.
Lisa Berlanga
Regional Director, Orange County and San Diego Region
619-521-0914, ext 503
lberlanga@calcharters.org
Lisa provides an array of services for existing charter schools and advocates for charter developers who are interested in opening up new charter schools in Orange County and the San Diego region.
Matt Bragman
School Development Manager, Los Angeles
213-244-1446, ext 206
mbragman@calcharters.org
Matt manages the development process for new schools working toward authorization in the greater Los Angeles area. This includes outreach, technical support, project management, and petition development guidance.
Courtney Brown
Manager, Operations
213-244-1446, ext 256
cbrown@calcharters.org
Courtney provides operational support to various projects and programs within the Association. She also helps manage internal technology systems and operation processes while coordinating a number of teams of outside consultants.
Leilani Cannon
Research Analyst
213-244-1446, ext 251
lcannon@calcharters.org
Leilani analyzes data on the achievement and performance of California charter schools. Leilani contributes to the research body of knowledge on charter schools and provides data analyses to support CCSA's strategic initiatives.
Erica Castillo
Membership & Accounting Coordinator
213-244-1446, ext 203
ecastillo@calcharters.org
Erica verifies and processes accounts receivable, accounts payable, cash receipts and provides customer support relating to billing and payment inquiries from the Association's vendors and members.
Jennifer Chu
Director, School Insurance
805-234-2991
jchu@calcharters.org
Jennifer manages enrollment and client servicing for CCSA-JPA programs for charter schools.
Tristan Clerihew
Data Technology Specialist
213-244-1446, ext 214
tclerihew@calcharters.org
Tristan provides customized technological , ZOOM! Data Source support to schools in the Los Angeles, Bay Area and Sacramento Regions, assisting them in meaningful implementation of the ZOOM! program to enhance their data-driven culture.
Misti Cole
Director, School Health Insurance Benefits
209-204-9212 or 888-392-EWBT
mcole@calcharters.org
Misti is responsible for developing strategic partnerships, programs, and initiatives with insurance providers, consultants, and charter leaders at the statewide and regional levels to ensure all charter school members have access to affordable quality health benefits without the administrative burden. Misti develops partnerships and initiatives critical to achieving sustainable membership growth and valuable insurance resources for charter schools/employees.
Bob Coontz
Vice President, Insurance Products & CCSA-JPA Administrator
213-244-1446, ext 204
bcoontz@calcharters.org
Bob leads the Association's insurance products group, including the California Charter Schools Joint Powers Authority, Employee Welfare Benefits Trust and School Risk Management, LLC.
Chase Davenport
Vice President, School Development
916-448-0995, ext 403
cdavenport@calcharters.org
Chase oversees program management for specialized programs that support new and early stage schools and supports strategy setting for continued growth of charter schools statewide.
Fiorella Del Carpio
Director, Parent and Community Engagement, Families That Can
213-256-5912
fdelcarpio@familiesthatcan.org
Fiorella engages with the community around education issues, working to build relationships with parents, principals, local leaders and wide variety of community-based organizations throughout Los Angeles. The goal of Families That Can is to educate, empower and mobilize families to hold our leaders accountable for ensuring every child has access to a high-quality public education.
Richard Driver
Coordinator, Compliance and Research*
916-448-0995, ext 328
rdriver@calcharters.org
KishaLynn Elliott
Director, Organizational Relations
213-244-1446, ext 246
kelliott@calcharters.org
Meagan Fox
Director, Interactive Technology
916-448-0995, ext 406
mfox@calcharters.org
Meagan manages the Association's online presence in order to provide valuable information and high quality service experiences to our members and other website visitors.
Alicia Gallegos Fambrini
Director, San Jose Charter Schools Consortium
408-375-2928
agallegos@calcharters.org
Alicia facilitates the work of the Consortium where she brings together charter leaders who are focused on closing the achievement gap and ensuring that every student in San Jose has a seat at an excellent school. She supports the development of high-performing charters and works to engage community leaders in the charter movement in order to increase college success in low income San Jose communities.
Ellen Gardner
Manager, Development
916-448-0995 ext. 439
egardner@calcharters.org
Ellen Gardner is responsible for the management and organization of CCSA's development and fundraising activities. The major responsibilities include writing grant proposals and reports, conducting research on funding prospects, tracking progress of measurable outcomes and working collaboratively with CCSA staff across the state.
Alice Gualpa
Research Analyst
213-244-1446 ext. 223
agualpa@calcharters.org
Alice analyzes data on the achievement and performance of California charter schools. Alice contributes to the research body of knowledge on charter schools and provides data analyses to support CCSA's strategic initiatives.
Sam Gelinas
Special Projects Manager, School Development and Support
213-244-1446, ext 220
sgelinas@calcharters.org
Sam manages the High Quality Grant Program and other key school development support systems for the School Development and Support team.
Elaine Guarnieri-Nunn
Managing Regional Director, San Francisco Bay Area Region
415-902-8222
eguarnieri@calcharters.org
Elaine oversees CCSA member relations and advocacy priorities for the Bay Area region, which runs the expanse from San Luis Obispo in the south to the Del Norte County and the Oregon border to the north, and oversees intensive work in the greater Bay Area, such as the Oakland Charter School Collaborative and the San Jose Charter School Consortium.
Joe Harrington
Director, Financial Services
916-448-0995, ext 410
jharrington@calcharters.org
Joe manages the Association's suite of financial services, including the Growth Loan program and California Charter Building Fund. He maintains relationships with the banking and investment community to attract and distribute capital to the charter schools requiring cash flow and/or facility financing.
Willow Harrington
Director, Charter Launch/School Development
916-448-0995, ext 412
wharrington@calcharters.org
Willow directs the Charter Launch program, a comprehensive developer support program that serves school teams statewide.
Sara Hernandez
Regional Director, Policy & Advocacy, Los Angeles
213-244-1446, ext 207
shernandez@calcharters.org
Sara cultivates and maintains relationships with members, elected officials, and local district leaders to advocate on behalf of the LAUSD charter members' policy needs, with a focus on special education and authorizing work.
Tanya Hoffman
Director, Legislative Affairs
916-448-0995, ext 300
thoffman@calcharters.org
Tanya oversees all of CCSA's legislative efforts, in addition to our federal work on ESEA reauthorization. She also directs legislative strategy discussions and recommends positions on charter school legislation.
Sierra Jenkins
Director, Communications
213-256-9489
sjenkins@calcharters.org
Sierra is responsible for planning and executing strategic communications efforts to support CCSA's advocacy work, including developing key collateral for parents and the public, email communications, media outreach and social media.
Tracey Katz
Deputy Director, ZOOM! Data Source
213-244-1446, ext 222
tkatz@calcharters.org
Tracey guides the support and technology work of the ZOOM! Data Source program, CCSA's student achievement data program, and ensures that participating schools receive customized technological support and targeted professional development to enhance their data-driven culture. Tracey also works with the Accountability team in support of CCSA's various school accountability initiatives.
Laura Kerr
Regional Director, Northeastern Region
916-230-7496
lkerr@calcharters.org
Laura provides an array of services for existing charter schools and supports charter developers who are interested in opening up new charter schools in the Sacramento region, which includes Vacaville, Redding, Stockton, Grass Valley, Placerville, Chico, Elk Grove and all points in between.
Dan Kreinbring
Senior Facilities Advisor
213-244-1446, ext 247
dkreinbring@calcharters.org
Dan advocates on behalf of charter schools seeking to use or construction facilities with various entities such as school districts (e.g., Proposition 39), public agencies and private organizations. Further, he provides technical assistance to members on facility related matters, promotes new and improved pathways for facilities financing, and encourages policies increasing access to safe, equitable, long-term facilities for charter schools.
Candice Lamarche
Producer, 20th Annual California Charter Schools Conference
415-845-6017
clamarche@calcharters.org
Candice leads the planning and execution of CCSA's Annual Conference. The event annually attracts over 3,200 charter school teachers, leaders and supporters from across the state and is the premiere networking and professional development event for education reform professionals.
Anne Lee, Esq.
Senior Legal Counsel
213-244-1446, ext 230
alee@calcharters.org
Anne advises the Association in relation to corporate, tax and general counsel matters. She also advises members of the Statewide and Regional Advocacy Teams providing legal strategies regarding charter school issues, disputes and opportunities. In addition, Anne manages the Association's programs connecting members with private charter school attorneys.
Ainye Long
Organizer, Parent and Community Engagement, Families That Can
510-290-0153
along@familiesthatcan.org
Ainye is the face of Families That Can in the community, working to build relationships with parents, principals, local leaders and wide variety of community-based organizations throughout Oakland. The goal of Families That Can is to educate, empower and mobilize families to hold our leaders accountable for ensuring every child has access to a high-quality public education.
Michelle Low
Director, Regulatory Affairs
916-448-0995, ext 321
mlow@calcharters.org
Michelle works on the Association's statewide and federal advocacy efforts regarding regulatory actions through coordination with state agencies, boards and commissions.
John Madrid
Regional Director, Central Valley Region
916-448-0995, ext 319
jmadrid@calcharters.org
John provides an array of services for existing charter schools and supports charter developers who are interested in opening up new charter schools in the Fresno area.
Allison Magill
Special Education Advisor
619-248-3979
amagill@calcharters.org
Allison provides information and guidance to charter schools surrounding a variety of special education issues. Allison also works on state and regional special education policy issues to strengthen the position of charter schools in the world of special education.
Sara Mattingly
Managing Director, Finance and Development
213-244-1446, ext 234
smattingly@calcharters.org
Sara sustains the Association's programs and operations by securing grant commitments to meet annual fundraising goals. Sara also ensures that grant reporting requirements are fulfilled.
Kristen McCaw
School Development Manager, Northern California
213-244-1446, ext 419
kmccaw@calcharters.org
Kristen manages the development process for new schools working toward authorization for Northern California, including the Sacramento Valley and Greater Bay Area. This includes outreach, technical support, project management, and petition development guidance.
Alice Miller
Director, Knowledge Management
916-448-0995, ext 407
amiller@calcharters.org
Alice provides charter school leaders with information and training on all charter school issues, including finance, board governance, petition writing, curriculum and facilities.
Colin Miller
Vice President, Policy
916-448-0995, ext 303
cmiller@calcharters.org
Colin works to ensure charter schools have a favorable legislative, budget and regulatory environment at the state level through liaison with state agencies, boards and commissions and as a partner with our legislative advocates. Colin also works with Association staff and membership to interpret and implement legislative and regulatory actions of the state and to represent members concerns in Sacramento.
Carlyn Obringer
Manager, Technical Assistance
916-448-0995, ext 416
cobringer@calcharters.org
Carlyn provides technical assistance by responding to inquiries and by creating web-based resources for schools, the general public and Association members.
Jennifer Orlick
Senior Research Analyst
213-244-1446, ext 225
jorlick@calcharters.org
Jennifer is responsible for leading relevant and methodologically rigorous analyses and authoring original research to assess and support improved achievement of California charter schools. She also leads Geographic Information Systems (GIS) regional mapping analyses to support CCSA initiatives and to assess student achievement in California's charter schools.
Gina Plate
Senior Advisor, Special Education
619-212-9918
gplate@calcharters.org
Gina leads the Association's Special Education team, which provides information and guidance to charter schools surrounding a variety of special education issues. The team works to strengthen the charter school movement by focusing on state and SELPA-level special education policy issues and doing in-depth advocacy work with groups of charter schools.
Marisa Quintanar
Regional Director, Policy and Advocacy, LA
213-244-1446, ext 241
mquintanar@calcharters.org
Elizabeth Robitaille, Ed.D.
Vice President, Research & Evaluation Team
213-244-1446, ext 209
erobitaille@calcharters.org
Elizabeth leads the team responsible for assessing the achievement of California charter schools, exploring key areas of strength and weakness for the charter school movement, and providing data analyses to support CCSA’s strategic initiatives.
Jeff Sands
Senior Manager, School Development, Central Valley and Northeastern California
916-448-0995, ext 325
jsands@calcharters.org
Jeff provides an array of services for existing charter schools and supports charter developers who are interested in opening up new charter schools in the Fresno area and Northeast California.
Alison Schoenbeck
Legal Data Analyst
619-521-0914, ext 502
aschoenbeck@calcharters.org
Alison manages the Association's legal databases and provides advocacy and litigation support to the team. She is responsible for public records requests, data procurement, review, synthesis and analysis. Alison also coordinates the Legal Team's publications, presentations and facilitates the Legal Advisory Committee's meetings.
Brianna Swartz
Director, Membership Services
916-448-0995, ext 405
bswartz@calcharters.org
Brianna develops systems and strategies to ensure the Association is providing the membership infrastructure and services to enroll, retain and support its members.
Corri Tate Ravare
Executive Director, Families That Can
213-840-3033
cravare@calcharters.org
Corri is the Executive Director of Families That Can, the charter school parent organizing and outreach group for the California charter schools community. In this role, Corri manages efforts across the state to organize parent and stakeholder constituency efforts aligned with the charter school community's advocacy priorities. This work includes the development of a grassroots network of parents and other family members throughout California who engage on both local and statewide matters.
Rosaline Top
Director, Special Projects
916-448-0995, ext 311
rtop@calcharters.org
Rosaline works to assess the efficacy and impact of Association programs and overall progress toward completion of the organization-wide strategic objectives.
Kisheen (KW) Tulloss
Organizer, Parent and Community Engagement, Families That Can
213-271-0153
ktulloss@familiesthatcan.org
KW engages with the community around education issues, working to build relationships with parents, principals, local leaders and wide variety of community-based organizations throughout Los Angeles. The goal of Families That Can is to educate, empower and mobilize families to hold our leaders accountable for ensuring every child has access to a high-quality public education.
Cindy Uribe
Coordinator, Accounting
213-244-1446, ext 231
curibe@calcharters.org
Cindy verifies and processes accounts receivable, accounts payable, cash receipts and provides customer support relating to billing and payment inquiries from the Association's vendors and members.
Julie Ashby Umansky, Esq.
Vice President, Legal Advocacy, and Executive Director, Charter Schools Legal Defense Fund
619-521-0914, ext 501
jumansky@calcharters.org
Julie monitors litigation affecting California charter schools and advises the Association on how certain court decisions impact the California charter school movement. She manages the appellate advocacy agenda and the Association's Legal Services Loan Program which allows schools to fund legal challenges to unfair and illegal district practices. In coordination with the other members of the Association's Legal Advocacy Team, Julie also develops legal advocacy strategies to help resolve collective issues facing charter schools, including charter authorizing issues and Prop. 39 facilities issues.
Liliana Uribe
Manager, Accounting and Finance
213-244-1446, ext 216
luribe@calcharters.org
Liliana manages Accounting and Finance staff responsible for accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, benefits, and preparing period end financial statements and reports.
Vicky Waters
Director, Media Relations
916-448-0995, ext 302
vwaters@calcharters.org
Vicky is responsible for providing a link between the Association and regional, statewide, and nationwide media, drafting press-related material, proactively pitching stories, and answering reporter inquiries.
Music Watson
Director, Strategic Communications
310-770-4473
mwatson@calcharters.org
Music is responsible for planning and executing strategic communications efforts to support CCSA's key statewide and local advocacy and policy priorities and initiatives, leading the Association's communications with members and overseeing CCSA's video production and social media presence.