Aaron Scholl, Co-Founder
Aaron is an educator from Los Angeles, CA. He is passionate about serving marginalized youth and specializes in unleashing the positive potential of Transitional-Aged Youth (TAY) into young leaders. Aaron is currently the Community Resource Coordinator at John Muir Charter Schools. Formerly, he served as Assistant Principal for YouthBuild Charter School of CA and Adjunct Faculty at LA Trade Tech College. He has a B.A. in Math Education from UC Santa Cruz, and a M.A. and Admin. Credential from UCLA.
Aaron is an educator from Los Angeles, CA. He is passionate about serving marginalized youth and specializes in unleashing the positive potential of Transitional-Aged Youth (TAY) into young leaders. Aaron is currently the Community Resource Coordinator at John Muir Charter Schools. Formerly, he served as Assistant Principal for YouthBuild Charter School of CA and Adjunct Faculty at LA Trade Tech College. He has a B.A. in Math Education from UC Santa Cruz, and a M.A. and Admin. Credential from UCLA.
Irene Hsieh, Co-Founder
Irene is a math educator who is passionate about community, equity, and justice. She’s spent the past 10 years working in schools across Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. and earned her B.A in Political Science and M.A in Urban Education from UCLA. Irene also serves as the lead content teacher at her school and on the board of YouthBuild Charter School of California.
Irene is a math educator who is passionate about community, equity, and justice. She’s spent the past 10 years working in schools across Los Angeles and Washington, D.C. and earned her B.A in Political Science and M.A in Urban Education from UCLA. Irene also serves as the lead content teacher at her school and on the board of YouthBuild Charter School of California.
David Durand, President
David has purposefully placed himself in positions that both benefit others and advance his abilities in making social change. David's main focus is to enable people of color to empower themselves, especially youth of color from disadvantaged communities. His work over the past 10 years has focused on youth leadership development, anti-recidivism, gang intervention, poverty alleviation, and college access.
David has purposefully placed himself in positions that both benefit others and advance his abilities in making social change. David's main focus is to enable people of color to empower themselves, especially youth of color from disadvantaged communities. His work over the past 10 years has focused on youth leadership development, anti-recidivism, gang intervention, poverty alleviation, and college access.
Shannon Huang, Vice President
Shannon has worked in the non-profit sector since 2008 with organizations including The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, America SCORES LA, and the Orange County Museum of Art. She has been the Development & Communications Manager at Ryman Arts since 2014 and is an advocate of art education. Aside from her work in the nonprofit world, Shannon spent 8 years at a biochemistry production laboratory and worked as a harvest intern at the Robert Mondavi Winery. Shannon earned her Master of Arts Management degree from Carnegie Mellon University and a B.A. in Humanities and Arts from UC Irvine.
Shannon has worked in the non-profit sector since 2008 with organizations including The Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, America SCORES LA, and the Orange County Museum of Art. She has been the Development & Communications Manager at Ryman Arts since 2014 and is an advocate of art education. Aside from her work in the nonprofit world, Shannon spent 8 years at a biochemistry production laboratory and worked as a harvest intern at the Robert Mondavi Winery. Shannon earned her Master of Arts Management degree from Carnegie Mellon University and a B.A. in Humanities and Arts from UC Irvine.
Julia Hellmich, Secretary
A New York native, Julia resides in Washington, DC and serves as the Director of College Counseling and Career Innovation for KIPP DC Public Schools. In this role, she ensures that 11th and 12th graders create and execute a strong plan for life after high school. Julia obtained a B.A. in human development from Cornell University and a M.A. in special education from George Mason University. Prior to joining KIPP DC, Julia worked for Friendship Public Charter Schools as their inaugural College and Career Coordinator and as a Special Education Teacher. After almost ten years in the public education sector, Julia feels most privileged to continue to work directly with kids and families, while simultaneously advising on big picture strategy and policy affecting students.
A New York native, Julia resides in Washington, DC and serves as the Director of College Counseling and Career Innovation for KIPP DC Public Schools. In this role, she ensures that 11th and 12th graders create and execute a strong plan for life after high school. Julia obtained a B.A. in human development from Cornell University and a M.A. in special education from George Mason University. Prior to joining KIPP DC, Julia worked for Friendship Public Charter Schools as their inaugural College and Career Coordinator and as a Special Education Teacher. After almost ten years in the public education sector, Julia feels most privileged to continue to work directly with kids and families, while simultaneously advising on big picture strategy and policy affecting students.
