David Durand, Executive Director
David Durand 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 15 years has focused on youth leadership development, prison reform, gang intervention, poverty alleviation, as well as college access and success. Prior to joining Education is Forever as Board President and now Executive Director, David served as the Director of Student Affairs with Mount Tamalpais College (formerly the Prison University Project), District Partnerships Manager with the California College Guidance Initiative, Program Director with the Posse Foundation, Miami, as well as worked with a number of YouthBuild and John Muir Charter Schools of California sites in leadership roles or as a consultant. David holds a BA in French from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and a MA in Education, Leadership, and Change from Antioch University, Los Angeles.
David Durand 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 15 years has focused on youth leadership development, prison reform, gang intervention, poverty alleviation, as well as college access and success. Prior to joining Education is Forever as Board President and now Executive Director, David served as the Director of Student Affairs with Mount Tamalpais College (formerly the Prison University Project), District Partnerships Manager with the California College Guidance Initiative, Program Director with the Posse Foundation, Miami, as well as worked with a number of YouthBuild and John Muir Charter Schools of California sites in leadership roles or as a consultant. David holds a BA in French from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and a MA in Education, Leadership, and Change from Antioch University, Los Angeles.
Aaron Scholl, Board President, Co-Founder
Aaron is an educator in 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 Director at John Muir Charter Schools. Formerly, he served as Assistant Principal for YouthBuild Charter School of CA, Adjunct Faculty at LA Trade Tech College, and has consulted with workforce development agencies and education ventures across the country. He has a B.A. in Math Education from UC Santa Cruz, teaching credential from Cal. State Los Angeles, and a M.A. and Admin. Credential from UCLA.
Aaron is an educator in 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 Director at John Muir Charter Schools. Formerly, he served as Assistant Principal for YouthBuild Charter School of CA, Adjunct Faculty at LA Trade Tech College, and has consulted with workforce development agencies and education ventures across the country. He has a B.A. in Math Education from UC Santa Cruz, teaching credential from Cal. State Los Angeles, and a M.A. and Admin. Credential from UCLA.
Shannon Huang, Board 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 manages fundraising efforts including grants management, special events, and annual appeals, along with print, online, and social media communications to support the organization's $1.2 million budget. 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 manages fundraising efforts including grants management, special events, and annual appeals, along with print, online, and social media communications to support the organization's $1.2 million budget. 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.
Irene Hsieh, Board Treasurer, Co-Founder
Irene Hsieh 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. She is currently participating in a trauma-informed, anti-racist yoga teacher training, and she also serves as the lead teacher at her school and on the board of directors of YouthBuild Charter School of California.
Irene Hsieh 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. She is currently participating in a trauma-informed, anti-racist yoga teacher training, and she also serves as the lead teacher at her school and on the board of directors of YouthBuild Charter School of California.
Julia Hellmich, Board Secretary
A New York native, Julia resides in Washington, DC, and is the Managing Director for KIPP Forward for KIPP DC Public Schools. In this role, Julia leads the college and career work across the KIPP DC network. She and her team support more than 2,000 KIPP DC alumni in pursuing their postsecondary dreams to and through college, career, and beyond. 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 over a decade in the public education sector, Julia feels most privileged to lead her amazing team of advisors and 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 is the Managing Director for KIPP Forward for KIPP DC Public Schools. In this role, Julia leads the college and career work across the KIPP DC network. She and her team support more than 2,000 KIPP DC alumni in pursuing their postsecondary dreams to and through college, career, and beyond. 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 over a decade in the public education sector, Julia feels most privileged to lead her amazing team of advisors and work directly with kids and families, while simultaneously advising on big picture strategy and policy affecting students.
