Board of Visitors

The purpose of SOE’s Board of Visitors (BOV) is to support the Dean in advancing the school’s vision by building a more robust culture of philanthropy in support of SOE’s programs, scholarships, and faculty support and research; building strategic partnerships; and strengthening programs that prepare teachers, educational leaders, and mental health professionals.

The BOV serves as LMU School of Education’s most fervent ambassadors and provides thought partnership, expertise, and strategic guidance to advance SOE’s mission, elevate its impact, and support its ongoing commitment to excellence.

Dean’s Leadership Council

Marlene Canter

Board Member, Joseph Drown Foundation; Board Chair, Academy for Jewish Religion California (AJRCA)

Marlene Canter's LinkedIn

Tony L. Digiovanni

Board Chair and Past President, Claremont Lincoln University; Board of Regents, LMU

Tony Digiovanni's LinkedIn

Debra Duncan

Education Advocate

Dan Estes 

Program Director, Specialty Family Foundation

Dan Estes LinkedIn

Matt Hill, Ed.D. ’18

CEO, Waterford.org

Matt Hill's LinkedIn

Mary Odell

Board Chair, Riordan Foundation

Catherine Sanders

Senior Program Officer, Carrie Estelle Doheny Foundation

Catherine Sanders LinkedIn

Sr. Jane Wakahiu, LSOSF, Ph.D.

Associate Vice President of Program Operations and Head of Catholic Sisters Initiative, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation

Jane Wakahiu's LinkedIn

Innovation and Leadership Council

Adriana Abich

CEO, Camino Nuevo Charter Academy

Adriana Abich's LinkedIn

Veronica Alvarez

Executive Director, Create CA

Veronica Alvarez' LinkedIn

Christina Arellano

President, Pax Christi Academies

Christina Arellano's LinkedIn

Karisa Avalos ’04, M.A. ’07

Academic Excellence Specialist, Archdiocese of LA; Board Co-Chair, SOE Alumni Association

Karisa Avalos' LinkedIn

Tommy Chang

CEO, New Teacher Center (NTC)

Tommy Chang's LinkedIn

Cristina de Jesus

President and CEO, Green Dot Public Schools

Cristina de Jesus' LinkedIn

Shawna Draxton, Ph.D.

Executive Director, WISH Community and Academy Charter Schools

Shawna Draxton's LinkedIn

Paul Escala

Senior Director and Superintendent of Schools, Archdiocese of Los Angeles

Paul Escala's LinkedIn

Karla Estrada

Deputy Superintendent of Instruction, LAUSD

Karla Estrada's LinkedIn

Carrie Fuller

Managing Director, School Networks, Archdiocese of Los Angeles

Carrie Fuller's LinkedIn

Andrew Furedi, Ed.D.

President and CEO, Para Los Niños

Andrew Furedi's LinkedIn

Korey Hlaudy, M.A. ’14, Ed.D. ’22

Assistant Principal, The Accelerated Schools; Board Co-Chair, SOE Alumni Association

Korey Hlaudy's LinkedIn

Mayra Lara

Director of Southern California Partnerships and Engagement, EdTrust West

Mayra Lara's LinkedIn

Laura J. McGowan-Robinson, Ed.D. ’16

Founder and CEO, Diversity in Leadership Institute

Laura McGowan-Robinson's LinkedIn

Veronica Melvin

President and CEO, LA Promise Fund

Veronica Melvin's LinkedIn

Nick Melvoin, M.A. ’10

Board Member, Los Angeles Unified School Board 

Nick Melvoin's Bio

Mary O’Neill Grace

Former Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, Anaheim Elementary School District

Mary O’Neill Grace's LinkedIn

Ana Ponce, Ed.D. ’13

Executive Director, Great Public Schools Now

Ana Ponce's LinkedIn

Sofia Roditti

CEO, Equitas/Equitas Academy

Sofia Roditti's LinkedIn

Jesus “Jesse” Rodriguez

Chief of Staff, Verbum Dei Jesuit High School

Jesus “Jesse” Rodriguez' LinkedIn

Blake Silvers

Superintendent, Wiseburn Unified School District

Blake Silvers' LinkedIn

Erin Studer

Executive Director of Charter School Programs, CHIME Institute’s Schwarzenegger Community School

Erin Studer's LinkedIn

Robert Tagorda

Chief Academic Officer, Archdiocese of Los Angeles

Robert Tagorda's LinkedIn

Matt Wunder

CEO and Superintendent, Da Vinci Schools

Matt Wunder's LinkedIn

Casey Yeazel, M.A. ’01

Principal, St. Bernard College Preparatory

Casey Yeazel's LinkedIn