Keysha Baynes, Strategy and Development Director
is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and a proud graduate of Clark Atlanta University. She has over 20 years of non-profit management experience with an emphasis on education and advocacy for black, K-12 students and young adults. After a decade as an expat in Asia, she relocated to Los Angeles in 2013 and began working for and adjacent to the Los Angeles Unified School District. Ms. Baynes joyfully brings her passion and expertise to the Education is Forever team and looks forward to growing with the organization.
is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and a proud graduate of Clark Atlanta University. She has over 20 years of non-profit management experience with an emphasis on education and advocacy for black, K-12 students and young adults. After a decade as an expat in Asia, she relocated to Los Angeles in 2013 and began working for and adjacent to the Los Angeles Unified School District. Ms. Baynes joyfully brings her passion and expertise to the Education is Forever team and looks forward to growing with the organization.
Eder Flores, College Success Director
Eder grew up in the small city of Bell, located southeast of Los Angeles. He came from proud Mexican immigrant parents who wanted the best for their four sons. Like many young men in my community, he was confused and needed strong college guidance. He always knew he wanted to go to college but like many of my peers, he never was provided the privilege to aspire towards a life of higher education. After high school he worked various jobs but always knew he wanted to attend his dream school, UCLA. At the age of twenty-one, he decided to take his education seriously and attended East Los Angeles Community College (ELAC). While working full time he achieved my dream and transferred to UCLA for his B.A. Shortly after, he decided to attain his master's degree and attended USC. As a result of his inadequate guidance as a young man, Eder strives to be that guidance for anyone to identify their potential to achieve their educational aspirations.
Eder grew up in the small city of Bell, located southeast of Los Angeles. He came from proud Mexican immigrant parents who wanted the best for their four sons. Like many young men in my community, he was confused and needed strong college guidance. He always knew he wanted to go to college but like many of my peers, he never was provided the privilege to aspire towards a life of higher education. After high school he worked various jobs but always knew he wanted to attend his dream school, UCLA. At the age of twenty-one, he decided to take his education seriously and attended East Los Angeles Community College (ELAC). While working full time he achieved my dream and transferred to UCLA for his B.A. Shortly after, he decided to attain his master's degree and attended USC. As a result of his inadequate guidance as a young man, Eder strives to be that guidance for anyone to identify their potential to achieve their educational aspirations.
Aaron Scholl, Board President, Co-Founder
Aaron is an educator and social entrepreneur. 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. He also develops affordable housing for college-aged youth experiencing homelessness. 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 and social entrepreneur. 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. He also develops affordable housing for college-aged youth experiencing homelessness. 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.
Kenny Altamirano, Alumni Board Member
Kenny graduated from CCEO YouthBuild in 2011 and earned two scholarships from Education is Forever. Currently, he serves as the Program Manager at Strength Base Community Change (SBCC) - Digital Dreamers, a nonprofit organization. In this role, Kenny focuses on providing educational opportunities for youth, drawing upon his passion for guiding and mentoring aspiring graphic designers and animators. Through collaboration with his students, he explores creativity, learning, and professional development.
Kenny graduated from CCEO YouthBuild in 2011 and earned two scholarships from Education is Forever. Currently, he serves as the Program Manager at Strength Base Community Change (SBCC) - Digital Dreamers, a nonprofit organization. In this role, Kenny focuses on providing educational opportunities for youth, drawing upon his passion for guiding and mentoring aspiring graphic designers and animators. Through collaboration with his students, he explores creativity, learning, and professional development.