Leadership Team

 
Stu Semigran has more than 30 years’ experience as an educator, developing and facilitating training programs for youth and adults in educational settings worldwide. He has trained thousands of young people, professionals, educators and parents in l…

Stu Semigran has more than 30 years’ experience as an educator, developing and facilitating training programs for youth and adults in educational settings worldwide. He has trained thousands of young people, professionals, educators and parents in leadership development, dropout prevention, conflict resolution, violence prevention, team-building, self-esteem, and service learning programs.

Under Stu’s leadership, EduCare has grown to serve more than 30,000 students each year. From 1995-2000, he was instrumental in implementing school reform at over 70 schools and children’s centers through the Annenberg Project’s LEARN Reform of the Los Angeles Unified School District. He currently serves on the steering committee for Los Angeles Unified School District/Beyond The Bell Branch’s Take Action Campaign.

In 2012, Stu was a Humanitarian Award recipient, given by the David Chow Humanitarian Award Foundation in recognition of his service to youth. He is also the author of Making the Best of Me: A Handbook for Student Excellence and Self-Esteem.

Mr. Semigran holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, a California Lifetime Teaching Credential, and Master’s Degrees in both Theology and Psychology.

Stu Semigran
President and
Co-Founder

Jill Jacobson has 20 years experience in finance, legal contract management and negotiation, project management, strategic planning and development, and regulatory compliance and audit. In addition, as Finance Director, she is responsible for EduCare’s legal contract review and management, as well as grant writing.

Jill’s career in finance began with a decade in the institutional trust department at Bank of America, plus five years at Capital Group Companies engaged in emerging international market research and strategic penetration. Before joining EduCare, she managed the settlement of mortgage-backed securities at IndyMac Bank.

Ms. Jacobson holds bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance, as well as in Psychology, both from California State University, Long Beach.

Jill Jacobson
Chief Operating Officer
Armando Diaz has over 20 years of experience in non-profit management and youth development. He has worked to improve and expand the lives of families, at-risk and incarcerated youth, the underserved and victims of violence.Prior to his role at EduC…

Armando Diaz has over 20 years of experience in non-profit management and youth development. He has worked to improve and expand the lives of families, at-risk and incarcerated youth, the underserved and victims of violence.

Prior to his role at EduCare, Armando was the Associate Executive Director at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Venice. He was responsible for operations, grants management and the lead facilitator of community partnerships. Under his leadership, the Club received National Awards for its sailing program, arts program and family strengthening initiatives.

Armando is the past president and an active member of the Playa Venice Rotary Club. He served on the Advisory Council for Communities in Schools Los Angeles. In 2014 he was elected on the board of the North Hills West Neighborhood Council. He was named Gondolier of the Year in 2014 by the Venice High School Alumni Association and in 2011 was selected Person of the Year in Venice by the Venice Patch. Armando completed the USC Marshall School of Business’ Management Development Program in 2014.

Armando Diaz
Vice President of
Programs & Partnerships
 
 
 

Sergio Sicairos
Director of
After School Programs
Robert Underhill has more than 25 years of experience in accounting and finance, primarily working with financial statements, budgets, and forecasting. Prior to joining EduCare Robert spent 24 years working for the Walt Disney Company’s Cable TV di…

Robert Underhill has more than 25 years of experience in accounting and finance, primarily working with financial statements, budgets, and forecasting. Prior to joining EduCare Robert spent 24 years working for the Walt Disney Company’s Cable TV division as an accounting manager.

Robert has a passion for working with at-risk youth and has been volunteering at Sylmar Juvenile Hall for the past 20 years running a group mentoring program and spent 15 years coaching youth basketball at Ritchie Valens Park in Pacoima.

He earned a bachelors degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in finance from California State University at Fullerton.

Robert Underhill
Finance Director

Michael Rawson
Fund Development
Director
 

Administrative Staff

Robert
Gonzalez

 Regional
Manager

Daniel
Cortes

 Regional
Manager

Manuel
Chan Pool

 Regional
Manager

Jeanaah
Sampson

 Regional
Manager
 

Geneva (Gigi)
Barba

 Special Projects
Manager

Sandra
deTovar

 Human Resources
Manager

Vanessa
Senteno

 Senior Program
Manager

Coila
Romero

 Senior
Finance Manager
 

Joseph
Montesdeoca

 Human Resources
Associate

Adriana
Razo

 Case
Manager

Rocio
Rodriguez

 Program
Manager

Zeltin
Baez

 Case
Manager
 
 

Louis
Vargas

 Logistics and Supplies
Coordinator

Brianna
Zavala

 Special Projects
Coordinator

José
Sanchez

 Finance and Administrative
Coordinator

Arturo
Garay

 Compliance
Coordinator
 

Lynn
Farwell

 Executive Administrator and
Communications Coordinator

Sergio
Montero

 Compliance
Coordinator

Carol
Sanchez

 Special Projects
Assistant

Gloria
Mendoza

 Logistics and Supplies
Assistant
 

Howard
Doria

 Staff
Accountant

Samantha
Martinez

 Elementary LAP
Coordinator

Denise
Jauregui

 Special Projects
Coordinator – LAP

Darlene
Ku

 Special Projects
Coordinator – TUPE
 
 

Arturo
Cabral

 Human Resources
Assistant

Andre
Yacapin

 Compliance
Assistant
 

Afterschool Program Staff

Alain Leroy Locke
College Preparatory Academy

Jessica Baldovinos
Senior Site Coordinator

Jennifer Escalante
Assistant Site Coordinator
Augustus Hawkins
High School

Priscilla Hernandez
Site Coordinator

To be announced
Assistant Site Coordinator
Bell High School

Sandra Padilla
Site Coordinator

Esmeralda Serna
Assistant Site Coordinator
Birmingham High School

Daniel Rodriguez
Senior Site Coordinator

Graciela Cerrilos
Assistant Site Coordinator
 
César Chavez
Learning Academies

Yolanda Montero
Site Coordinator

Angelica Guardado
Assistant
Site Coordinator
Diego Rivera
Learning Complex

Jaime Vega
Senior Site Coordinator

Berenice Rios
Associate Site Coordinator
Downtown Magnets High School

Michelle Hernandez
Site Coordinator

Tanya Mendoza
Assistant Site Coordinator
Estéban Torres High School

Arturo Garay
Senior Site Coordinator

Sarah Hernandez
Associate Site Coordinator

Xochitl Solis
Assistant Site Coordinator

 
Firebaugh High School

Frankie Lopez
Site Coordinator

Valorie Bullock
Assistant Site Coordinator
Jordan High School

To be announced
Site Coordinator

Crystal Jimenez
Assistant
Site Coordinator
Lincoln High School

Edgar Cortez
Senior Site Coordinator

To be announced
Assistant Site Coordinator
Lynwood High School

Treneisha O'Neal
Site Coordinator

Mary Love
Assistant Site Coordinator
 
Dr. Maya Angelou
Community High School

Deon Angelo Ramirez
Site Coordinator
Panorama High School

Paola Herrera
Site Coordinator

Nayelly Tovar
Assistant Site Coordinator
Robert F. Kennedy
Community Schools

Mayra Tec
Senior Site Coordinator

Karen Perez
Associate Site Coordinator

Alexander Ibarra
Assistant Site Coordinator
San Fernando High School

Israel Martinez
Site Coordinator

Yeimy Caceres
Assistant Site Coordinator
 
San Fernando Institute
of Applied Media (SFIAM)

Liliana Barba
Site Coordinator

Erick Baca
Assistant Site Coordinator
STEM Academy of Hollywood at
Helen Bernstein High School

Sarahi Morales
Site Coordinator

Genesis Pastor
Assistant Site Coordinator
Sylmar Charter High School &
Sylmar Biotech Health Academy

Gerardo Olea
Senior Site Coordinator

Leticia Duarte
Associate Site Coordinator

Eyleen Carrillo
Assistant Site Coordinator
Valley Oaks Center for
Enriched Studies Magnet (VOCES)

Jonathan Olague
Site Coordinator

Yurico Hernandez
Assistant Site Coordinator
 
Van Nuys High School

Briana Cisneros
Site Coordinator

Melizza Coral
Assistant Site Coordinator
Walnut Park Middle School,
STEM Academy

Adriana Guevara
Site Coordinator
Washington Preparatory High School

Jocelyn Morales
Site Coordinator

Jessica Phillips
Assistant Site Coordinator

ACE and ACE Initiative Staff

Birmingham Community Charter
High School

Yesenia Leon
ACE Initiative
Site Administrator

Birmingham Community Charter
High School

Graciela Cerrillos
ACE Initiative
Site Administrator

ArTES Magnet at César E. Chavez
Learning Academies

Daniel Rojo
ACE Initiative
Site Administrator
Social Justice Humanitas Academy at César Chavez Learning Academies

Javier Fernandez
ACE Initiative
Site Administrator

Communication and Technology School
at Diego Rivera Learning Complex

Brigit Escobar
ACE Initiative
Site Administrator

Communication and Technology School
at Diego Rivera Learning Complex

Veronica Mireles
ACE Initiative
Site Administrator

Public Service Community School
at Diego Rivera Learning Complex

Taiz Bonilla-Avelar
ACE Initiative
Site Administrator

Amelia Earhart
High School

Daisy Vite
ACE Initiative
Site Administrator

Sylmar Biotech &
Health Sciences Magnet

Lisseth Velasquez
ACE Initiative
Site Administrator
Laurel Cinematic Arts &
Creative Technologies Magnet

Briana Aguilar
ACE Initiative
Site Administrator
Academic Leadership Community
at Miguel Contreras
Learning Complex

Open
ACE Initiative
Site Administrator
School of Business and Tourism
at Miguel Contreras Learning Complex

Jacqueline Cruz
ACE Initiative
Site Administrator
Los Angeles School of
Global Studies at
Miguel Contreras Learning Complex

Iliana Avila
ACE Initiative
Site Administrator

School of Social Justice
at Miguel Contreras Learning Complex

Open
ACE Initiative
Site Administrator
Mission
High School

Vianca Carchi
ACE Initiative
Site Administrator
South East
High School

Magaly Barajas
ACE Initiative
Site Administrator

South East
High School

Abigail Menjivar
ACE Initiative
Site Administrator
Jahmie Hilecher
ACE Facilitator
Jesse Rodriguez
ACE Facilitator
Margalit Ward
ACE Facilitator
Alison Andino
ACE Facilitator
Jaycy Hernandez
Event Captain / Support Staff
Sarah Hinchcliff
ACE Facilitator in Training
Support Staff
 
Alexa Nof
ACE Facilitator in Training
Support Staff
Amy Rubinstein
ACE Facilitator in Training
Support Staff