Maria Recarte, Executive Director
Maria Recarte is a first-generation Mexican- Honduran who grew up in South Central Los Angeles, Tongva Land. Her calling of community and educational advocacy stems from witnessing the school-to-prison link firsthand in her community and her immediate family. For over 10 years, Maria has worked in several educational leadership positions across Los Angeles County to help transform educational institutions into spaces of intention and inclusion. She believes that purposeful and attainable education can bring about individual, familial, and community change. Maria received her Social Welfare and Communications Bachelor’s Degrees from UC Berkeley.
Maria Recarte is a first-generation Mexican- Honduran who grew up in South Central Los Angeles, Tongva Land. Her calling of community and educational advocacy stems from witnessing the school-to-prison link firsthand in her community and her immediate family. For over 10 years, Maria has worked in several educational leadership positions across Los Angeles County to help transform educational institutions into spaces of intention and inclusion. She believes that purposeful and attainable education can bring about individual, familial, and community change. Maria received her Social Welfare and Communications Bachelor’s Degrees from UC Berkeley.
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 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 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.
