Community Engagement Advisory Board Members

Durriya Ahmed (She/They),
Social Justice Learning Institute

Durriya Ahmed is a first-generation Bangladeshi-American from Anaheim, California, and a recent graduate from the University of California, Los Angeles with a degree in History and Geography and a minor in Public Affairs. Currently, Durriya is a Youth Justice Fellow with the Social Justice Learning Institute based in Inglewood, California, examining the intersections between labor and educational access for low-income communities of color. While in undergrad, Ahmed was a 2023-2025 Obama-Chesky Voyaged for Public Service, EdTrust Higher Education Data and Policy Implementation Intern, UC Student Association Campus Climate Officer, and GENup Chief of Media and Director of Higher Education Policy.

Omar Butler (He/Him),
New Door Ventures

I am Omar Butler, a proud native of San Francisco’s Bayview Hunters Point community and first-generation college graduate. I serve as Chief Executive Officer of New Door Ventures, a Bay Area nonprofit supporting Transition-Age Youth on their path to economic mobility. I have over 20 years of leadership experience in college access and success and workforce development landscape. I also serve on the board of directors for College is Real, a Richmond- based nonprofit supporting first generation college students and the San Francisco Children’s Council which believes every San Franciscan’s deserves quality early care and education so they can reach their full potential. I hold a BA degree in Black Studies from California State University, Long Beach.

Lisa Countryman-Quiroz (She/Her),
Jewish Vocational & Career Counseling Service

Lisa Countryman-Quiroz joined JVS in 2013 and became CEO in January 2020. Under Lisa’s leadership, JVS has continued to flourish while evolving JVS programs and services to meet the rapidly changing needs of our current economic environment. Leading with empathy and vision, Lisa has set a 10-year strategic vision for JVS which will drive scaled impact and systems and policy change. Supporting this ambitious vision is a commitment to working in partnership across the social service ecosystem and creating and fostering a culture of learning and inclusivity to support the whole JVS community in achieving their full potential. Lisa currently sits on the Executive Committee and Stakeholder group for the California Worker Equity Initiative, the UCSF Healthforce Pathfinder council, the C2C Community Engagement Advisory Board, and the National Skills Coalition WIOA advisory council. Lisa holds a master’s degree in Comparative Literature from SUNY Buffalo and a bachelor’s degree in German and Classics from Loyola University Chicago.

Lorenzo Gamboa (He/Him),
Santa Clara University

Hola, my name is Lorenzo Gamboa. I am honored to be a first generation college graduate who grew up in rural Colorado to immigrant parents and now works as an admission officer for my alma mater, Santa Clara University. I hold a Bachelor Degree in Economics from Santa Clara, Masters of Science in Immigration and Education from University of Arizona, Masters in Business Administration from Santa Clara and an Educational Doctorate from the same very soon. I have spent much of my time exploring and understanding the opportunities and challenges that exist in higher education because I want to become the bridge of knowledge I and my parent’s once craved to understand. Now with close to two decades of work experience I aspire to make sure all families seeking out the same can become a reality.

Natalia Tonatiuh Gonzalez (she/her/ella),
Riverside County Office of Education

Born and raised in the Eastern Coachella Valley, Natalia Tonatiuh Gonzalez is the Community Engagement and Partnership Representative at the Riverside County Office of Education, where she focuses on building strategic partnerships to enhance educational opportunities across the region. With years of experience in education and public service, Natalia holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from UCLA and a Master’s degree in Communication from California Baptist University. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Organizational Change and Leadership from the University of Southern California.

Adam Gottlieb (He/Him),
UNITE-LA

Adam Gottlieb serves as the Director of Postsecondary Strategy & Policy at UNITE-LA. In his role, he oversees policy and systems change strategy as they relate to postsecondary access and success at local, state, and federal levels. He also leads the L.A. Region K-16 Collaborative, bringing together key leaders of K-12, higher education, workforce, civic offices, and nonprofits to support equitable education and career attainment in the L.A. region. Adam received a B.A. from the University of Redlands in Political Thought and Practice and an M.P.P. from Vanderbilt University in Education Policy. He is the current president of the University of Redlands Alumni Board of Directors and serves as a member of the University Board of Trustees. Adam also serves in advisory capacities for numerous state and education agencies as well as higher education institutions, supporting student success efforts.

Abigail Grattidge (She/Her),
California Polytechnic State University, Humboldt

Residing in the most northern region of California, Abby serves as the Career Advisory for students in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at Cal Poly Humboldt. In this role, she is dedicated to guiding students as they explore diverse career pathways, define their goals, and pursue purposeful opportunities. She is especially committed to advocating for students as they navigate institutional barriers, the hidden job market, and the unique economic challenges of rural communities. A proud first-generation four-year college graduate, she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Humboldt State University. She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Public Sociology, with scholarly interests in rural sociology, economic sociology, and community development.

Marisa Johnson (She/Her),
Campaign for College Opportunity

Marisa Johnson is the Director of Policy Impact at the Campaign for College Opportunity. Marisa has worked for the Campaign for College Opportunity in different roles over the past five years, starting as a Policy Fellow in 2019. Marisa was born and raised in Hollister, California, a rural city where many in the community first access higher education through the community college system. Marisa’s mother was a first-generation student who instilled the transformative power of higher education, which drives the work she does today. Marisa earned a BA in Social Work from the University of Portland, a Master of Social Work (MSW) and a MS in Disaster Resilience Leadership from Tulane University.

Dar’rell Jones (he/him),
BLU Educational Foundation

My name is Dar’rell Jones, and I am a proud 2nd generational native of San Bernardino, California, where all 11 of my aunts and uncles were also born and raised. I graduated from California State University, San Bernardino with a degree in Biology and Business Administration. As a first-generation college graduate, I developed a deep passion for helping other first-generation students navigate their academic and career journeys. This passion has driven me to spend the past 5 years at BLU Educational Foundation, where I currently serve as the Career Program Manager. In this role, I oversee all of the organization’s career programming and collaborate with K-12 school districts, higher education institutions, and companies to create streamlined and purposeful career pathways.

Karina Lopez (She/Her/Ella),
Compton College EOPS/CARE/ Next Up Program

My name is Karina Lopez; I am a Tenured Counselor for the EOPS/CARE/Next Up Program at Compton College. In my role I have the blessing to work with first-generation, low-income students, student-parents, and/or current and former foster youth. I guide them and mentor them to ensure they can successfully attend and complete college so they can make their academic, professional and personal goals come true. I have worked in higher education for 10 years and I previously worked at Pasadena City College and Mt. San Antonio College as an EOPS/CARE/Next Up Counselor. I am a first-generation college student and was the first to graduate high school and attend/graduate from college. I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from California State University, Northridge (CSUN) and my Masters in Educational Counseling from University of Southern California (USC).

Carla Lopez-Valdes, PhD (She/Her),
Para Los Niños

Dr. Carla Lopez-Valdes has been a social justice advocate in the nonprofit sector for over 15 years. Through this work, she has advocated for domestic workers’ rights, health access, civic engagement, and education equity for underserved communities across Los Angeles County. It is her personal mission to advocate for policies and programs that play a critical role in ensuring communities in need can fully thrive. She currently serves as the Associate Director of Government and Community Relations at Para Los Niños (For The Kids), an organization that works through a holistic lens to ensure children and families can succeed.

Juliet M. Maestas, EdD (She/Her),
Hoopa Valley Tribe

I am Juliet McKinnon Maestas, I currently serve as the Executive Director for the Hoopa Valley Tribe. I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Native American Studies from the University of California, Davis, as well as a Master’s in Higher Education Leadership and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from California State University, Sacramento. My research examines the intersection of settler colonialism and boarding schools on present day postsecondary aspirations among California Native American high school students, centering tribal culture and community values.

Mike Nguyen (He/Him),
Student at University of California, Berkeley

Mr. Nguyen is from the San Francisco Bay Area and proudly represents all students across the State of California in overseeing the development of the Cradle-to-Career Data System. Currently, he is a first-generation undergraduate student at the University of California, Berkeley. Prior to his appointment to the Board, Mr. Nguyen served in local office as Commissioner, representing nearly half a million youth in the County of Santa Clara. His work has centered around improving public welfare through educational advocacy, civic engagement, and hunger awareness. Mr. Nguyen is a national scholar and advocate recognized by numerous media outlets, the United Nations Association of the United States of America, the U.S. Department of Education, and the White House.

Alexis Takagi, EdD (She/Her),
Santa Clara University Basic Needs Coordinator

Dr. Alexis Takagi is Santa Clara University’s inaugural Basic Needs Coordinator, leading efforts to support students experiencing food, housing, and financial insecurity through direct services, advocacy, and partnerships across campus and with external community organizations. She also serves as a Research Fellow at the Campaign for College Opportunity. A proud first-generation California community college transfer student and student advocate, Alexis earned her AA in Social Sciences from Foothill College, her BA in Communications with high honors from Santa Clara University, and her EdD in Social Justice Leadership in Higher Education from Santa Clara University’s School of Education and Counseling Psychology. In 2022, she was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to the California Student Aid Commission (CSAC), which oversees $3.2 billion in financial aid, serving as the student representative for the independent non-profit sector. Alexis’ work and research center on elevating the student voice and advancing socioeconomic mobility by addressing systemic barriers to educational equity.