Check out the photos from the Networking Reception:

Check out the photos from the Summit:

Agenda | Workshops | Regional Breakouts | Speakers | Resources

Agenda

Thursday, December 7

Friday, December 8

Widney Room

Crocker Room

Hershey Room

Rose Room

Bradbury Room

Governors Room

Boardroom

AJ Frigillana, Workforce Development Program Manager, San Francisco Beacon Initiative

Plenary: Voices from the Workforce: Expanded Learning Practitioners in Conversation with Author and Researcher Bianca Baldridge

After receiving her Bachelor's of Arts degree in Communications Studies from the University of San Francisco, AJ began her career journey in the nonprofit world, building and leading several youth-serving programs- including youth workforce development and multicultural/identity-based programs. As the Workforce Development Program Manager for the San Francisco Beacon Initiative, she's followed her life's work of being complicit in the success of BIPOC youth and staff. Working to advocate for job quality, focus on staff retention, and create intentional spaces for leadership development at both the youth participant and program staff level.

Bianca Baldridge, Associate Professor, Harvard Graduate School of Education

Plenary: Voices from the Workforce: Expanded Learning Practitioners in Conversation with Author and Researcher Bianca Baldridge

Workshop: Reclaiming Community: BIPOC Expanded Learning Practitioner Affinity Space

Bianca Baldridge is an associate professor of education with expertise in community-based education and critical youth work practice at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Baldridge’s research explores the sociopolitical context of community-based youth work and critically examines the confluence of race, class, and gender and their impact on educational reforms that shape community-based spaces engaging Black and Latinx youth in the US. Baldridge’s book, Reclaiming Community: Race and the Uncertain Future of Youth Work (Stanford University Press), examines how racialized market-based reforms undermine Black community-based organizations’ efforts to support comprehensive youth development opportunities.

Chris Valenzuela, Director of Programs, Partnership for Children and Youth

Plenary: Event emcee and moderator

Chris Valenzuela has over ten years of experience advancing equity in the youth development and nonprofit sectors, with a background in program design and fundraising. As Director of Programs, Chris leads the delivery and management of PCY’s technical assistance projects. Chris earned a B.A. in Politics from the University of California, Santa Cruz, and an M.S. in Education from Johns Hopkins University.

Christopher Jefferson, Senior Vice President Youth Development, YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles

Workshop: Piecing it Together: ELO-P Program Models for Success

Christopher Jefferson serves our community by supporting and leading the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles’s youth development strategy. As Senior Vice President of Youth Development, Chris oversees School-Age before and after school programs, preschool, day camp, early learning readiness, family and caregiver engagement programs, youth advocacy and strategic planning. Chris has always had a passion for developing, supporting, and mentoring young YMCA leaders, both staff members and youth.

Danny Salas, Chief Program Officer, Woodcraft Rangers

Workshop: Retention is the New Recruitment

Danny Salas, Senior Chief Program Officer, oversees the agency’s expanded learning programs that cover a range of specialty areas including STEM programming, Visual & Performing Arts, Literacy & Numeracy, etc., while guiding a team of Directors and Program Managers who are responsible for almost 1000 passionate and highly trained site-based site coordinators and club leaders. Danny is recognized as a leader in California’s afterschool enrichment arena, serving on multiple state committees and community groups, including a board membership of the Rosemead Kiwanis.

Dr. Anne Larson, Professor and Youth Development Specialist, California State University Los Angeles

Workshop: Leveraging Workforce Dollars and Partnerships

Dr. Anne Larson is a Kinesiology Professor with youth development expertise at Cal State LA and the Youth Development Lead for GRYD, the City of Los Angeles Mayor’s Office of Gang Reduction/Youth Development. Dr. Larson is the founder of Activating Intentional Youth Development Approach (AIYDA), a tool to develop and deliver intentional PYD programming to young people, and directs AIYDA-based OST programming and professional development in school, community-based, and juvenile justice settings. She holds an EdD from Teachers College/Columbia University.

Dr. Laura Cantu, Vice President, Academic Affairs, LA Mission College

Workshop: Leveraging Workforce Dollars and Partnerships

Eileen Pedersen, Head of Program Innovation and Support, Playworks

Workshop: Growing Workforce Through Collaborative Partnerships

Eileen is the Director of Special Projects with Playworks and brings more than 15 years of experience in education. As director of program quality, Eileen designs and implements systems and tools to support Playworks’ program teams in managing and measuring program quality and impact across the country.

Eliana Mancilla, Associate Director of Learning and Development, Woodcraft Rangers

Workshop: Retention is the New Recruitment

Eliana Mancilla, in her role as the Associate Director of Professional Development and Learning, is at the forefront of driving professional development initiatives at Woodcraft Rangers, spearheading a dynamic approach to ensure that learning becomes a transformative and engaging experience for all staff members. Her expertise extends to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education programming, family engagement, developmentally appropriate practices for young children, servant leadership and coaching.

Elizabeth Cushing, Chief Executive Officer, Playworks

Plenary: Power of Partnerships: Building a Movement

Elizabeth Cushing is CEO of Playworks, a national organization dedicated to ensuring access to safe and healthy play for all kids. During her tenure Elizabeth has led Playworks’ scaling strategy, growing from a San Francisco Bay Area-focus to a national organization reaching more than 700,000 children every year. She is an advocate for collaboration amongst youth development organizations and is committed to making sure every kid gets to play every day.

Erica Lim, Senior Program Officer, The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation

Plenary: Opening Remarks

Erica Lim manages the Skills portfolio for The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, increasing access to the educational opportunities and experiences L.A.'s youth need to thrive and join a competitive workforce. Erica is also a Board-certified teacher and holds a Doctor of Education Leadership from Harvard University, a masters in teaching from the Relay Graduate School of Education and a bachelors in foreign service from Georgetown University.

Jessica Flores, Project Manager, ExpandLA

Workshop: Leveraging Workforce Dollars and Partnerships

Jessica is a native Angeleno who grew up near the Port of Los Angeles. She has extensive experience in philanthropy and program development. As a first-generation college graduate, she is passionate about helping families and students get access to resources that lead to better opportunities for the family as a whole. Jessica graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a B.A. in Psychology and minors in Business and Spanish.

John Fuentes, Associate Director, Bay Area Community Resources

Workshop: Supporting Expanded Learning’s Need for a Little R & R

John Fuentes is the Associate Director for Expanded Learning with Bay Area Community Resources, an Expanded Learning Quality Support Coach and Citykids Foundation Board member. John brings over 25 years of experience in the field of youth development which began at The CityKids Foundation, NYC. Using his background in music and theater, John began working in school-based expanded learning programs when he moved to Oakland, CA from Brooklyn, NY in 2005.

Julee Brooks, Chief Executive Officer, Woodcraft Rangers

Workshop: Piecing it Together: ELO-P Program Models for Success

Julee Brooks is a visionary and strategic nonprofit leader with nearly 20 years of experience delivering excellence in programming and guiding youth-focused nonprofit agencies through dynamic organizational growth and building coalitions for maximized social impact. Brooks’ tireless leadership of Woodcraft Rangers, where she has served as CEO since 2018, has propelled the organization to currently serve over 20,000 youth at over 110 Title 1 schools throughout Los Angeles county. Brooks is also deeply involved in influential advocacy organizations. She is a steering committee member of CA3, the statewide voice for expanded learning programs, and an advisory board member of Expand LA, a county-wide collaborative committed to solving LA’s most complex challenges for youth.

Kim Richards, Chief Executive Officer, BGC Carson

Plenary: Power of Partnerships: Building a Movement

Kim Richards has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 30 years, 15 of them serving as the CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Carson. Prior to her career in Boys & Girls Clubs, she worked for several national nonprofits including the American Red Cross, YMCA and American Cancer Society. She serves on a number of local, state and national committees, advisory councils and boards in the areas of expanded learning, STEM and teen programming, social and emotional wellness and community engagement. Kim holds a BA in Psychology and an MBA, both from Western Washington University.

kourtney andrada, Senior Director of School-Based Programs, Girls Inc. of Alameda County

Workshop: Leveraging Workforce Dollars and Partnerships

Kourtney, a Southern California native, moved to the Bay Area after graduating from the University of California, Santa Cruz. In 2006, she came to Girls Inc., where she is currently Senior Director of School Based Programs. Kourtney’s passion for working with youth is demonstrated through her diligence and commitment to the youth, families, community members, and youth workers specifically throughout the East Bay.

Lilia Cardenas, Interim Director, Healthy Lifestyles, Boys & Girls Clubs of Carson

Workshop: Growing Workforce Through Collaborative Partnerships

Lou Calanche, Executive Director, ExpandLA

Plenary: Power of Partnerships: Building a Movement

María “Lou” Calanche, is the inaugural Executive Director of ExpandLA bringing extensive professional experience leading youth development, community, and systems change efforts in Los Angeles. Lou has been a community leader in East Los Angeles for more than 20 years and leverages her background, experience, and extensive connections to ensure she is advocating for improved systems of care for LA’s youth. Lou has a Master of Public Administration Degree and is a Doctoral Candidate in Public Administration at USC, focusing her research on land-use policy and citizen participation. Read more about Lou on the ExpandLA website.

Majanaye Anderson, Regional Director, Los Angeles Unified School District, LA's BEST Afterschool Program

Plenary: Voices from the Workforce: Expanded Learning Practitioners in Conversation with Author and Researcher Bianca Baldridge

In her 17 years of service, she has held every position from frontline staff member to Regional Director for the second largest school district in the nation. Majanaye studied Sociology at Cerritos Community College and Social Policy and Public Service at the University of California Irvine with a specialization in governance. She also earned a Certificate in After-school Education (CASE) from University of California, Irvine School of Education. Majanaye’s goal is to harness change in quality youth development by utilizing after-school programs and quality mentors to address inequities.

Mary Hewitt, Commissioner and Secretary, Los Angeles County Workforce Development Board

Workshop: Leveraging Workforce Dollars and Partnerships

Mary E. Hewitt is the Chief Executive Officer for the Kollab Youth Workforce Development program. For close to a decade, she was Executive Director of the Los Angeles County Alliance for Boys & Girls Clubs. Mary is the founder and creator of the award winning Kollab Youth program which provides under-resourced youth meaningful employment through a comprehensive program to achieve economic and income mobility. She graduated from Central Washington University in Mass Communications & Broadcast  Journalism with a Political Science Minor and obtained a Master’s Degree from Georgetown University in International Affairs.

Rebecca Goldberg, Impact Group Facilitator, Grantmakers for Education

Workshop: Funders’ Role in Supporting the Expanded Learning Workforce

Rebecca Goldberg is a non-profit and philanthropic advisor who is passionate about uplifting the youth development sector and creating equitable learning environments for all young people. She facilitates two funder groups and designs programming for Grantmakers for Education focused on out-of-school time and equitable grantmaking practice. She spent seven years in philanthropy leading a national youth development portfolio at the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation working with large, national youth organizations and intermediaries in California to bolster social-emotional learning, improve program quality, develop organizational capacity and sustainability, and infuse equitable policies and practices within the organizations.

Sharon Ramos, Consultant, Abbney Consulting

Workshop: Growing Workforce Through Collaborative Partnerships

Sharon Ramos has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 20 years, eight of them serving as a senior leader driving organizational impact in the youth development sector. She is currently working as an independent consultant. Sharon provides guidance in several key areas such as performance management, succession planning, collaborative partnerships, and human resources. Sharon received a BA in Psychology and Social Behavior from the University of California, Irvine and a Master of Public Administration specializing in Nonprofit Management from California State University, Northridge. 

Veronica Granados, Director of Learning and Development, Woodcraft Rangers

Workshop: Retention is the New Recruitment

Veronica Granados, a seasoned professional with over 18 years of experience in afterschool programs, currently serves as the Director of Learning and Development at Woodcraft Rangers. In her current capacity, Veronica spearheads the development and facilitation of Woodcraft’s pioneering training program. Her work at Woodcraft Rangers reflects decades of achievements in championing inclusivity for the benefit of students, not only within Woodcraft Rangers but across all expanded-learning programs.