Operations Office

John Paul — “JP” — started working for LA’s BEST in September 2002. He started as a Program Worker at Glenwood Elementary, then moved on to become a Regional Support Worker Assistant. JP later became a Traveling Staff member for the BEST Fit department, and was the BEST Fit Coordinator. JP graduated from California State University, Northridge, and received a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

Haley began working at LA’s BEST in 2021. She is passionate about using evaluation to support organizations, staff, and youth to reach their greatest potential. In her role, Haley captures the voice of youth, staff, parents, and the greater community through the collection of quantitative and qualitative data. Through ongoing collaboration, she uses this information to promote learning at all levels of LA’s BEST, facilitate the continuous quality improvement (CQI) process, and highlight the impact of the work.  Previously, she worked on several evaluation projects with after school programs, youth sports programs, higher education programs, and nonprofits. Haley earned her B.S. in Biology and Psychology from the University of Denver and her M.A. in Evaluation and Applied Research Methods from Claremont Graduate University.

Zach began working at LA’s BEST in May 2015. He works collaboratively, across the organization, to ensure relevant and responsive staff development resources such as training and site-based coaching are available to all field staff. Zach has 20 years of experience as a professional in the field of Expanded Learning. This includes over 10 years working directly with young people in afterschool and summer day camp settings for children ages 5-14. For seven years he also served in a leadership capacity in multiple roles with School’s Out Washington, a well-established, statewide, intermediary non-profit organization. Zach earned his B.A. in Business Administration with a concentration in marketing through the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington.