Operations Office

The key to Dee Ann’s position is to have an understanding of processes and putting systems in place that enable the Operations Office to be the most productive in improving logistics for all those systems. Dee Ann has been with LAUSD for over three decades working on school campuses; supervisory roles; administrative leadership; advocating legislation; and currently program infrastructure. Her contributions to LA’s BEST began in 1994, a few years after obtaining her degree. This 23-year journey with LA’s BEST started as a site coordinator, eventually events coordinator and current director. During this time she has obtained countless relationships, collaboration partners, program insights, support networks, resources and experience that she uses daily for the benefit of our children.

Ronald began working at LA’s BEST in October 2002. Ronald has held a variety of positions at LA’s BEST including Traveling Program Supervisor, Site Director, and Project Coordinator, and Director of Digital Learning. Ronald has 20 years of experience as a professional in the Expanded Learning field. Prior to his time at LA’s BEST, Ronald worked for organizations including the Los Angeles Conservation Corps, where he served as an AmeriCorps member providing expanded learning opportunities. Ronald has also worked as a Regional Supervisor and Program Director providing support for expanded learning programs throughout the city of Los Angeles.

Deanna began working at LA’s BEST in 1994, and has more than 30 years of experience working with youth. She is responsible for providing support and development to the North Region. Her role includes monitoring program sites to ensure that program values are implemented, and that sites are in compliance with terms and conditions of grants. Her role also encompasses being responsible for creating and supporting continuous learning opportunities, and assisting staff in successfully integrating ideas and strategies towards quality student engagement. Deanna earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies from Cal State Northridge, and has committed her career to youth because she loves to work with those working for the future.

Maria has more than 25 years of experience serving youth. She has assimilated the understanding needed as an afterschool practitioner into her various positions within LA’s BEST. Currently, Maria is responsible for providing support and development to the East Region. Her role includes monitoring program sites to ensure that program values are implemented and that sites are in compliance with terms and conditions of grants. Maria’s is also responsible for creating and supporting continuous learning opportunities, and assisting staff in successfully integrating ideas and strategies towards quality student engagement.

Edith began working at LA’s BEST in 1989, and has nearly 30 years of experience in the field of education, community building, nutrition education, and afterschool enrichment program development. She earned her degree in Liberal Arts and obtained her teaching certificate in Early Childhood Education. Edith began her career with LA’s BEST as a playground worker and has seen the organization grow from its original 10 sites to the 198 operating today. As the Director of BEST Fit, Edith has helped develop and coordinate a wide variety of nutrition, physical fitness, and gardening programs.

Michael began working at LA’s BEST in September 2003. As a member of the City Wide Events Department, he is responsible for departmental grant and payroll management, quality seasonal sports programming (flag football, basketball, softball, and soccer), organizing and coordinating events and trainings (Dance and Drill Team Showcase, Community Jam, City Wide Science Fair, Health Fair), and supervision of warehouse supply inventory and distribution to sites. Michael has more than 10 years of experience in the afterschool field. Prior to serving as the City Wide Events Director at LA’s BEST, he served as a Program Worker, Program Supervisor, and Traveling Program Supervisor. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).

Daniel began working at LA’s BEST in January 2008. As a member of the Staff Development Department, he works with the learning facilitator team as well as various stakeholders to develop and deliver trainings to staff. In addition, he works with the Director of Staff Development to develop and maintain systems that support all staff development efforts. Daniel began his work with LA’s BEST as a Program Worker and continued his growth as Program Supervisor, Site Coordinator and Learning Facilitator. In addition to working with LA’s BEST, Daniel has worked as a teacher assistant, a staff development consultant, and has worked with the Los Angeles County Office of Education.

Oscar began working full-time at LA’s BEST in November 2001. However, he has been providing technology support to the organization since 1988. As a member of the Technology Department, he is responsible for designing and managing the systems necessary to support LA’s BEST mission. Oscar has more than 30 years of experience in the technology sector. Prior to working at LA’s BEST, Oscar co-founded a technology startup, and worked at several other technology startups and at the Anderson School at UCLA. He studied mathematics with an emphasis in computing at UCLA.

Justine began working at LA’s BEST in April 2001. As a member of the Human Resources Department, she supports the staffing needs within the organization. Justine started her career in LA’s BEST working with children and has held various positions. She has more than 17 years working with LA’s BEST and has earned her Master’s degree in Public Administration from California State University, Northridge.

Ulisses has earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Learning and Education, and has 19 years of experience working in the nonprofit sector. His experience includes being a Training & Development Manager, a certified trainer by the California School Age Consortium, and a certified Professional Coach (Goldvarg Consulting Group). In 2017, Ulisses started as a Regional Director at LA’s BEST. He is responsible for providing support and development to the West Region. Ulisses’ role includes monitoring program sites to ensure that program values are implemented and sites are in compliance with terms and conditions of grants. His is also responsible for creating and supporting continuous learning opportunities, and assisting staff in successfully integrating ideas and strategies towards quality student engagement.

Lynette began working at LA’s BEST in May 2003. As a member of the Leadership Team, she works to bring talented and enthusiastic community members to the LA’s BEST program to share their expertise with students, and assist staff with enrichment activities at all LA’s BEST sites. Lynette also initiates, maintains and develops relationships with major corporations to increase their awareness and involvement with the program. Prior to joining LA’s BEST, Lynette worked for corporations including Hewlett Packard and California Public Utilities Commission. She attended California State University, Los Angeles, majoring in Business Administration with a minor in Finance.

Katherine Lucero is a committed community builder with over 10 years of
experience in the field of Expanded Learning. Her community building
began as a summer camp counselor for West Los Angeles’ Regis House
Community Center, where she now serves as a Board Member. After
attaining her B.A. at the University of California, Santa Cruz, she began
working with LAUSD – Beyond the Bell – Youth Development Program in
August 2013 and held various leadership roles during her time with the
program.
Katherine joined the LA’s BEST family as Staff Development Program
Coordinator in August 2021 where she led a collaborative and innovative
team through the development, promotion, and facilitation of professional
development opportunities for various LA’s BEST district-wide staffing
roles.
Katherine now leads as a Regional Director for the South Region where her
role is to coach, lead, develop, and support key organizational stakeholders
and systems to ensure the enhancement, access, and sustainability of
quality programming.

Nineth has worked for the Los Angeles Unified District since 1996. She worked directly with Title 1 School Coordinators providing California English Language Development Tests (CELDT) to students, and following their English language acquisition. Nineth’s career with LA’s BEST began in June 2002. She has held various field positions within the organization. Currently, Nineth is responsible for providing support and development to seven teams of Traveling Staff supporting one cluster of schools. Nineth’s role includes monitoring of program sites to ensure that program values are implemented, and that sites are in compliance with terms and conditions of grants. Nineth is passionate about building workforce capacity through intentional staff development.

Ariana has displayed an unwavering commitment to youth development for over 10 years. She has championed roles in camp-enrichment programming for a wide range of LAUSD schools, after-school teaching in Los Angeles and beyond, and co-founding a dance and street art non-profit in Portland, OR. Ariana is a first-generation graduate, and earned her B.S. in Community Development with a minor in Civic Engagement from the Toulan School of Urban Studies & Planning at Portland State University. While maintaining her own aspirations as a creative by staying on top of trends in the field and exploring as many hobbies as possible, Ariana hopes to provide endless opportunities for children and families through the power of arts education, community, and partnerships at LA’s BEST.

Manuel Gonzalez – Manny – started working for LA’s BEST in March 2003.
He started as a Program Worker/Sports Coach at Hillside Elementary.
Manny has moved up the ranks in the organization as a Program
Supervisor, Site Coordinator, Traveling Staff for various communities
throughout LA’s BEST. During that time, he was also a Regional Support
Worker Assistant. Manny later became a Traveling Staff member for the
City-Wide Events Department, and is now the City-Wide Events
Coordinator.

Claribel is an LA’s BEST alumni who started her career with youth development as a Program Worker in 2012. She has continued to grow with the organization and supported both the Staff Development and Education departments before transitioning into her role with the Leadership Development department. She attended Cal State University Northridge, majoring in Communication Studies.

Sasha Santacruz began working at LA’s BEST in October of 2005. Sasha
has held a variety of positions at LA’s BEST and currently serves as the
Director of Digital Learning. Sasha’s work revolves around working with an
eclectic team to provide opportunities for students to learn or develop their
skills in robotics, coding, cyber security, and digital media. Sasha has 20
years of experience as a professional in working with youth in different
capacities. This includes working for the Regional Center to transition
young adults with developmental disabilities into self-sufficient community
contributors, Arcadia High School Special Education Teacher’s Assistant,
Afterschool All-Stars Los Angeles, and summer day and residential camps.

Majanaye Anderson thrives in building opportunities and access for marginalized groups. In her 17 years of service, she has held every position from frontline staff member to Regional Director for the second largest school district in the nation. Majanaye is a leader who brings lived experiences, education, and professional skills, which generates her passion and commitment to the children and communities she serves. Majanaye studied Sociology at Cerritos Community College, received two intensive-transfer scholarships from The Center for Community College Partnerships (CCCP) at the University of California Los Angeles and successfully completed both workshops in upper-division readiness skills. Majanaye studied Social Policy and Public Service at the University of California Irvine with a specialization in governance, completed three-quarters of academic research, one-quarter of internship under the supervision and support of the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies. Majanaye has consistently taken the initiative to advance her leadership capacity by engaging in professional developments with several organizations, California School-Age Consortium Leadership Development Institute for Emerging Leaders of Color and earned a Certificate in After-school Education (CASE) from University of California, Irvine School of Education.

Yesenia started working with kids fresh out of high school. Started as a playground worker and moved through different Beyond the Bell. She became an APS with BTB Civic Center and assisted with staff development and staff training. Now working with LA’s BEST as the Education Coordinator having the opportunity to bring new innovative educational programs to the students of our community.

With a career in the education field since 2008, Laura has had diverse experiences ranging from being a Teaching Assistant to working with Beyond the Bell for before and after school programs. Transitioning from a background in logistics and special events, she found her passion in working with students and supporting Staff Development. Originally aspiring to become a teacher, she discovered her love for the after-school environment and is thrilled to continue serving the community in this new capacity.

With a decade of work in the after school sector, James has navigated through the various roles at the site level in LA’s BEST to now being the Program Coordinator for the Digital Learning Department. As a member of the Digital Learning team, James works to introduce new technology-based programming across all LA’s BEST sites throughout Los Angeles. His work consists of providing site staff with various resources, conducting hands-on trainings and curating meaningful experiences to both celebrate and showcase student learning. James began his work with LA’s BEST in 2014, graduating from California State University, Northridge with a degree in Sociology.

Isaac holds a degree in Social Work from California State University, Los Angeles, and consistently applies his academic background and hands-on experience to deliver the highest quality of care and assistance. His commitment to community service and his ability to adapt to different roles and challenges make him a valuable asset in any setting.