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

Omar Butler is the Chief Executive Officer of New Door Ventures, a Bay Area nonprofit dedicated to helping transition-age youth build skills, gain work experience, and achieve economic mobility. With over 20 years of leadership experience in college access, student success, and workforce development, Omar has dedicated his career to creating equitable pathways for young people to thrive. A proud native of San Francisco’s Bayview-Hunters Point community and a first-generation college graduate, he brings both personal and professional passion to his work. Omar also serves on the boards of College Is Real, a Richmond-based nonprofit supporting first-generation college students, and the San Francisco Children’s Council, which advocates for high-quality early care and education for all San Franciscans. He holds a Bachelor of Arts 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, EdD (He/Him),
Santa Clara University

Lorenzo Gamboa is a proud first-generation indigenous Mexican college graduate and Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Admission at his alma mater, Santa Clara University. He holds a bachelors, a masters, an MBA and Doctorate degree in Education. He is most proud of being a husband, father, son, brother and community advocate for those striving to navigate the waters of higher education and being able to share his own life experience to the knowledge of this field. His ultimate goal in life is to leave a legacy his kids can follow and be proud of.

Natalia 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

Dar’rell Jones is a proud 2nd generational native of San Bernardino, California, where all 11 aunts and uncles were born and raised. He graduated from California State University, San Bernardino with a degree in Biology and Business Administration. As a first-generation college graduate, Dar’rell developed a deep passion for helping other first-generation students navigate their academic and career journeys. This passion has driven him to spend the past 5 years at BLU Educational Foundation, where he currently serves as the Career Program Manager. In this role, he oversees all of the organization’s career programming and collaborates 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

Karina Lopez is a Tenured Counselor for the EOPS/CARE/Next Up Program at Compton College. In her role she has the blessing of working with diverse students that are first-generation, low-income, single parents, AB540, and/or current and former foster youth. She mentors them to ensure they successfully complete college and accomplish their academic, professional and personal aspirations. She has worked in higher education for 10 years. She previously worked at Pasadena City College and Mt. San Antonio College as an EOPS/CARE/Next Up Adjunct Counselor. She is proud to be the first in her family to graduate high school and attend/graduate college. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from California State University, Northridge (CSUN) and 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.

Danielle McCullough-Carmesin (She/Her),
Ferndale Unified School District

Danielle Carmesin serves as Superintendent and Principal of Ferndale Unified School District, where she has led for three years, focusing on student success, teacher support, and strong community partnerships. With over 18 years in education, she brings experience as a teacher, instructional leader, school administrator, and private business owner, dedicating to improving systems and creating safe, thriving schools. Under her leadership, Ferndale Elementary was named a California Distinguished School in 2025. Mrs. Carmesin is honored to serve on the California Cradle-to-Career Advisory Board, supporting statewide efforts to strengthen educational equity and opportunity.

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),
Campaign for College Opportunity

Dr. Alexis Takagi is a Research Analyst at the Campaign for College Opportunity. Alexis is a proud first-generation California community college transfer student and student advocate, she discovered her love of education and its transformative power at Foothill College, where she earned her AA in Social Sciences before transferring to Santa Clara University, where she completed her BA in Communications with high honors and later her EdD in Social Justice Leadership in Higher Education from the 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, where she served as the student representative for the independent nonprofit sector. As a student affairs practitioner-researcher, Alexis committed to advancing equity and access in higher education through a student-centered approach that amplifies student voices and removes barriers to opportunity.