Leadership & Staff
Nonprofit Staff
Adam Gottlieb
Senior Director of Public Partnerships & Policy
Bersabel Belay
Senior Accountant
Brian Lam
Director of Institutional & Corporate Giving
Christie Aames
Site Engagement & Volunteer Associate
Christine Harris
Director of Board Engagement & Special Projects
Daniel Reyes
Evaluation Assistant
Evelyn Wang
Director of Evaluation
James Carter
Human Resources Manager
Jasmine Arizmendi-Smith
Executive Assistant
Jessie Rojas
Marketing & Communications Associate
Lauren Schaefer
Corporate Relations Manager
Naomi Broder
Development Operations & Events Manager
Peter Mockary
Controller
Salvador Manriquez
Government Relations Associate
Susana Reyes
Evaluation Associate
Tulasi Lovell
Director of Marketing and Communications
LAUSD Operations Staff
Ana Bonilla
Out-of-School Regional Director
Claribel Yanez
Out-of-School Program Coordinator
Daniel Monterroso
Supervising Staff Development Coordinator
David Mena
Specialist, LA’s BEST, School Support Administrator
Deanna Galarza
Out-of-School Regional Director
Justine M. Lozano
Out-of-School Regional Director
Katherine Lucero
Out-of-School Regional Director
Majanaye Anderson
Out-of-School Regional Director
Manuel De Jesus Gonzalez
Out-of-School Program Coordinator
Maria Cuevas
Out-of-School Senior Director
Michael Santillan
Out-of-School Regional Director
Nineth Montoya
Out-of-School Regional Director
Oscar A. Lopez
Computer Application Specialist
Ronald W. James
Out-of-School Senior Director
Ulisses Curiel
Out-of-School Regional Director
Nonprofit Operations Staff
Erika Dandridge
Director of Staff Development
James Gonzalez
Digital Learning Program Coordinator
Jessie Galvan
Workforce Development Coordinator
Monica De La Cruz
Director of BEST Fit
Sasha Santacruz
Director of Digital Learning
Virginia Medrano
Education Coordinator
Yesenia Benitez
Arts Director
Nonprofit Leadership
Michele Broadnax, MBA
Michele Broadnax is a seasoned nonprofit executive with more than 30 years of experience leading high-impact initiatives that advance educational equity, community well-being, and opportunities for young people across California. As CEO, Michele brings a strategic, collaborative, and values-driven approach to strengthening programs, building organizational capacity, and creating meaningful results
for the communities she serves.
Throughout her career, Michele has held executive leadership, fundraising, and program development roles in a wide range of youth-serving organizations, including Child360, Girl Scouts of Greater Los Angeles, Fontana Unified School District, and several other organizations committed to educational
access and youth development. From 2019 to 2023, she served as President and CEO of the Los Angeles Education Partnership (LAEP), where she guided the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic, supported families through unprecedented transitions, and deepened LAEP’s commitment to addressing racial disparities in education.
Michele also brings experience working with public institutions, having served as a consultant for the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE). She is a member of the inaugural national fellowship of the Institute for Nonprofit Practice’s Black Leadership Institute and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the LA County Fair Association.
Known for her ability to build partnerships, elevate community voice, and drive mission-aligned growth, Michele remains deeply committed to expanding the systems and supports that help young people and families thrive. Her leadership is anchored in equity, accountability, and a profound belief in the potential of every child.
Operations Leadership
Dee Ann Rivera
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.
“My core motivation is social justice. I feel this program has evolved with the times, is making new leaders and advocates in creating opportunities for children regardless of ZIP code.”