Board Members & Advisory Council
At LA’s BEST, our Boards and Advisory Council work together to ensure the continued strength, growth, and impact of our mission. Through governance, advocacy, and community connection, these dedicated leaders guide our vision and amplify our reach so that every child in Los Angeles has access to high-quality, equitable expanded learning opportunities.
Governing Board
The LA’s BEST Governing Board provides strategic leadership, financial oversight, and accountability to advance our mission. Board members serve as trusted advisors and ambassadors, ensuring that LA’s BEST remains a strong, transparent, and mission-driven organization that meets the needs of children, families, and communities across Los Angeles.
Damián Mazzotta
Board Chair
Managing Director, The Long Term Partners
Adam Deromedi
Board CFO
Vice President, Corporate Strategy Global Lead, AECOM
Alisa Sommer O’Hara
Board Vice Chair
Head of Global EdTech Partnerships, Google
Dr. Richard S. Cheung
Advisory Board Co-Chair
Private Practice
Kristen Kolbeck
BEST Friends Board Chair
Stadium Operations, Los Angeles Rams
Alan Brady
Principal, Deloitte Consulting LLP
Judith Bay
Marketing and Development Consultant
Christopher Dusseault
Partner, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
Brian Duck
Founder & Owner, Atelier Management
Neal Fraser
Chef/Owner, Redbird, Vibiana
Dione Garlick
Of Counsel, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
Max Gorin
CEO, Lifeline Ambulance
Peter Hidalgo
Director of Government Affairs, Charter Communications
Edith Moreno
Deputy Executive Director, Office of Public Accountability / Ratepayer Advocate, City of Los Angeles
Mary Odell
Chairman, The Riordan Foundation
Kelechi Ogbunamiri
CIO, Hankey Group
Andrew Said
Deputy City Attorney, The City of Los Angeles
David Travers
President, ZipRecruiter
Efren Vasquez
Director, Advisory, PwC
June Sale (In Memoriam)
Advisory Board Chair Emeritus and Child Care Consultant
The Honorable Richard J. Riordan (In Memoriam)
Founder, The Riordan Foundation
BEST Friends Board
The BEST Friends Board unites emerging and established leaders who are passionate about making a difference in the lives of children. Members contribute their time, talent, and resources to support fundraising, community engagement, and advocacy efforts—helping to amplify the impact of LA’s BEST while building meaningful connections that strengthen our future.
Interested in joining the BEST Friends Board?
Becoming a “BEST Friend” is a rewarding opportunity to make a lasting impact in the lives of young people while strengthening Los Angeles communities.
Kristen Kolbeck
BEST Friends Board Chair
Stadium Operations, Los Angeles Rams
Danielle Lew
Marketing Director, Modern Times, Inc
Hirak Bali
Vice President, TerraMar Capital
Kyle Briggs
J.P. Morgan Wealth Management, Vice President
Jonathan Fields
CEO, Assembly
Jaclyn Frattali Petrovich
VP of Marketing & Communications, Pex
Justin Fredericks
Director of Business Development, iAmplify
Justin Fredlender
Vice President of Growth, Ritual
Brian J. Gaughan
Supervisor Airport Operations Customer Service, United Airlines
Paul Keltner
Regional Vice President, Zurich North America
Megan Lachinski
Brand Marketing, Instagram
Sandra Maciel
Consultant, Consumer Products
Bill Mayne
Senior Vice President Operations, Milani Cosmetics
Miguel Melendez
Senior Writer, Entertainment Tonight
Raymond Mora
Programs and Support Manager, End Homelessness California
Eliana Spero
Buchalter's Los Angeles, Attorney
Evita Wong
Senior Associate Director of Advancement, Jhpiego
Vanessa Karubian
Founder, Wevolve
Brett Young
ArentFox Schiff LLP, Attorney
Advisory Council
The LA’s BEST Advisory Council is a network of influential champions who elevate our visibility, open doors to new partnerships, and broaden our reach. Council members leverage their expertise and networks to expand awareness, connect strategic partners, and advocate for the importance of equitable expanded learning in Los Angeles.
Dr. Richard S. Cheung
Advisory Board Co-Chair
Private Practice
Bryant Alexander, Ph. D.
Dean, College of Communication & Fine Arts, Loyola Marymount University
Lisa Boren
Q&A College Admissions – Freelance Writer
Bill Coggins, MSW
Retired Executive Director and Founder, Kaiser Permanente Watts Counseling & Learning Center
Jennifer Cowan M.A.
Executive Director, Connections for Children
Deidre Lind
Advisor, Mayor's Fund LA
Rosa Navas
Regional Integrated Marketing Director, American Cancer Society
Pedro A. Noguera, Ph.D.
Dean, Rossier School of Education, USC
Laura C. Romero, Ph. D.
Founding President, Brillante Strategies
Martha Watson, MSW
Psychotherapist/Consultant
June Sale (In Memoriam)
Advisory Board Chair Emeritus and Child Care Consultant
