Leadership Team
The Leadership Team sets and enacts the collaborative programmatic agenda for the Partnership. The Team is composed of senior leaders from Partner organizations that, by design, represent a diverse matrix of geographic, sector and role perspectives.
The Team's key areas of responsibility include:
- Setting the Programmatic Agenda — Utilizing data and stakeholder input, the LT sets the action agenda for the Partnership
- Adopting Proposals to Shift Policies, Practices & Resources — Review, approve, and champion proposals for Partners to shift policy, practice, and resources for greater equity, and
- Leveraging Institutional Power and Resources — Work with their own institutions and influence adjacent institutions throughout the county to enact the Partnership’s equity agenda.
Current Leadership Team Members
Lana Adlawan
Director of County Library Services, Marin County Free Library
Lana Adlawan serves as the Director of the Marin County Free Library. She comes to the County of Marin with professional experience in various cities throughout the nation and many of those in the Bay Area. Over her career, she has served in progressively more responsible roles within the Brooklyn, Sacramento, Oakland, and Sonoma library systems. Most recently, Lana served as a Division Manager for the Sonoma County Library, overseeing nine library branches. Adlawan has a Bachelor of Arts in Community Services from UC Santa Cruz and Master of Science in Library and Information Services from the Pratt Institute.
Her personal and professional background has driven her clear passion for community, innovation and equity. Adlawan was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and says her push for an equitable approach comes from her growing up in such a diverse place. When asked about what brought her to Marin County, Adlawan highlighted the equity work the County has prioritized and how that has strengthened Marin County Free Library’s leadership role, not only across California but the country.
Chandra Alexandre
CEO, Community Action Marin (Leadership Team Co-Chair)
Leadership Team member, Community Leader – Chandra Alexandre, the CEO of Community Action Marin, has over 20 years of experience supporting organizations to social justice outcomes. Her work has helped strengthen regional affordable housing and early childhood education initiatives, expand education reform strategies nationally, and resource grassroots-led movement building for global women’s rights. Chandra graduated from Columbia, has an MBA, and holds both Ph.D. and D.Min. degrees. She has taught fundraising and philanthropy at the University of San Francisco and is an official mentor for the United Nations Association of San Francisco. Chandra is also a founding board member of Marin Promise Partnership.
Patricia Barahona
Executive Director, Youth Leadership Institute
Patty has been with YLI for twelve years, starting as a Program Coordinator in Marin County before serving as the Director for the San Francisco office and the Chief People Officer and then becoming the Chief Executive Officer in 2019. Today, Patty oversees a staff of over 65 across the state of California and an annual budget of $9.1 million. Patty previously worked for Asian Communities for Reproductive Justice (now Forward Together), New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault, and as a English Language Learner Teacher across K-12 schools in Vermont. They hold an M.A. in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from the School for International Training and a B.A. in Women’s and Gender Studies from Rutgers University. Patty is known for their energizing and excellent facilitation and is a highly sought after trainer, having trained thousands of young people and adults on making equitable change in their communities. Patty serves as Board Co-Chair for LYRIC, a San Francisco LGBTQQ organization and was appointed to the State Bar Board of Trustees by Governor Gavin Newsom in 2023.
"As an experienced community leader with a track record of driving equitable change, I envision the collaboration with the Leadership Team and MPP as an opportunity to leverage my diverse expertise and partnerships to empower local youth and community members. By centering principles of social justice and inclusion, I aim to guide the team in developing impactful initiatives that address the unique needs of the communities I serve."
Kari Beuerman
Social Services Director, Marin County Health & Human Services
Kari Beuerman is the Social Services Director for the County of Marin. She earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Community Studies from U.C. Santa Cruz and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from USC. Kari also holds a Master’s Degree in Jewish Communal Services from Hebrew Union College.
Omar Carrera
CEO,Canal Alliance (Leadership Team Co-Chair)
CEO of Canal Alliance since October 2016, Omar Carrera is a social entrepreneur, human rights advocate, and strategic visionary with more than 18 years of experience in business operations management in the corporate and nonprofit sectors. Omar was born and raised in Ecuador where he earned a CPA and Business Management degree and worked for Mitsubishi as a Senior Consultant before coming to the San Francisco Bay Area in 2002. Omar graduated from the Nonprofit Management Program at San Francisco State University and received multiple certifications from the Executive Education Program at the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. Omar currently serves on the Boards of Directors for Marin Promise, the San Rafael Chamber of Commerce. He also serves on the Marin County Public Health COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Community Advisory Board (CAB), the Marin Advisory Board of the Workforce Alliance of the North Bay board, and the EAH Housing California Advisory Council.
"I'm committed to collaborating and supporting the Marin Promise Partnership collective efforts to solve educational inequities in Marin County. Long-standing systemic and racial inequities require a collective response with a strong sense of urgency."
John Carroll
Superintendent, Marin County Office of Education
In June 2022, John Carroll was elected as Marin County Superintendent of Schools to replace one of his mentors, Mary Jane Burke, who served 7 terms in office.
Carroll has served in public education for 36 years. He has worked as a teacher or administrator at every grade level from preschool through grade 12.
John Carroll attended Marin schools from preschool through the second year of college. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (Speech/Rhetoric), three education credentials and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Sonoma State University.
For the past several years, Mr. Carroll’s professional development work has focused on improving educational experiences and outcomes for all students, especially those from historically underserved communities. He has substantial training in racial equity and equity-informed practices such as standards-based reporting (rather than compliance-based grading), data-informed assessment and intervention especially in elementary math and reading and the expansion and strengthening of early childhood education programs.
John Carroll puts students first in his professional life and considers their needs in every decision no matter how far removed from the classroom. He cares about all children but has a special place in his heart for students who struggle in school, who face extra challenges or have trouble fitting in or behaving appropriately.
He has been married to Monique Paltrineri, an elementary school teacher, for 25 years. They have two children attending college.
"The Marin Promise Partnership’s capacity to bring organizations and individuals together to work toward ambitious, researched-based goals for educational equity has been highly effective. MPP has helped me build connections with people I might never have met and who are working on key elements of MCOE’s mission. In the future, I envision an ever-stronger partnership and an increased pool of partners with the resources to engage in efforts to support learning and social-emotional growth for all of Marin’s students."
Dr. Jonathan Eldridge
Superintendent/President, College of Marin (Leadership Team Co-Chair)
Jonathan Eldridge, Ed.D serves as College of Marin’s 11th Superintendent/ President. He came to the College in 2013 and most recently served as the College’s Assistant Superintendent/Vice President for Student Learning & Success. Dr. Eldridge supports a diverse group of faculty, staff, and administrators to create a truly coherent and integrated educational program for students. His commitment to student success is rooted in recognizing historical and systemic disparities in opportunity and outcomes and ensuring resources are directed at eliminating those disparities.
Dr. Eldridge received a bachelor’s degree in History with a minor in political science from Central Washington University, graduating from CWU’s William O. Douglas Honors College. His master’s degree is in student affairs in higher education from Colorado State University and his doctorate is in organizational change and leadership from the University of Southern California.
“Communities benefit when there is a commitment by institutional and other leaders to create collective impact through coordinated effort. Marin Promise Partnership is the vehicle by which this impact can most effectively occur within Marin’s educational sector—and beyond. As the community’s college, College of Marin understands our responsibility to work collectively to drive systems change and eliminate disparate outcomes for all members of our diverse community.”
Balandra Fregoso
Executive Director, Parent Services Project
Balandra is the Executive Director at Parent Services Project (PSP). Prior to joining PSP, Balandra was the Director of Operations at A Home Away from Homelessness, a program of Bay Area Community Resources that provides academic support and enrichment opportunities to homeless and formerly homeless youth. Balandra worked for many years in partnership with San Rafael City Schools, Marin Community Foundation and First 5 Marin to coordinate San Rafael School Linked Services and the Canal School Readiness Initiative. Balandra was born and raised in the Bay Area and spends most of her free time with her family. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and is passionate about social justice issues including educational equity and immigration reform.
[Invited]
San Rafael City Schools (SRCS)
Laura Hay
Program Manager, Youth Leadership Institute
Laura was born and raised in the Central Valley, the kid of two school teachers who taught them the love of learning and to seek justice in everyday life. They are a graduate of UC Berkeley with a Bachelor’s Degree in Theater Performance Studies with a Minor in Public Policy. Laura has a passion for creativity and change making. Their work in youth development has taken them all over the country, from summer camps to national youth conferences, giving workshops and facilitating conversations about peace and social justice. Laura is thrilled to be back in the bay area after spending the last few years back in the central valley.
In their free time Laura enjoys yoga, reading, and curating playlists!
LaResha Huffman
Superintendent, Sausalito Marin City School District
Coming Soon!
Adam Jennings
Superintendent, Shoreline Unified School District
Coming Soon!
[Invited]
Office of Equity, County of Marin
Traci Lanier
Vice President & Deputy Director, 10,000 Degrees
As Vice President at 10,000 Degrees, Traci is responsible for overseeing scholarships, data and evaluation, policy, and advocacy, as well as cultivating partnerships locally and nationwide that support the college success field and provide opportunities for students from low-income communities. Traci is passionate about transforming education policy and structures to better support access and opportunity for all students.
Traci serves on the board of the National Scholarship Providers Association, she is a founding steering committee member of the Northern California College Promise Coalition, and is active in many national, statewide, and local equity-focused partnerships. She previously served on the Advisory Council for COMPASS, (College of Marin Dual Enrollment Partnership), as co-chair of the Marin Promise College Enrollment Action Team, and as special advisor on projects for The College Board. Traci holds a master’s degree in international studies from the University of Denver, and a bachelor’s degree in international relations from San Francisco State University.
[Invited]
Marin Community Foundation
Eric Lucan
Marin County Supervisor, District 5, Marin County Board of Supervisors
Eric Lucan is a member of the Marin County Board of Supervisors, representing District 5. Eric grew up, married and is now raising a family in Novato. Prior to being elected to the Marin County Board of Supervisors, Eric served on the Novato City Council for 11 years with a few rotations as Mayor and served as the Chief Marketing Officer for Mikes Bikes.
Kim Mazzuca
CEO, 10,000 Degrees
Kim Mazzuca has served as president and CEO of 10,000 Degrees since 1999. A Bay Area native and first-generation college graduate, Kim brings more than two decades of experience in executive leadership in nonprofit management, philanthropy, and social justice. Kim’s transformative leadership has made an indelible impact in educational equity and justice not just in Marin County, but across the Bay Area and nationally. As a chief executive officer, board volunteer and leader, social justice advocate and mom, she is guided by very personal and deeply held values of compassion, equality, justice, and human kindness. She firmly believes that we all share a responsibility to give to others and to help create a more loving, just, and equitable world. Kim has dedicated 40 years to supporting individuals who are traditionally underrepresented and marginalized by systemic racism and persecution. She has served on numerous boards, including the Prison University Project, Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership, and the National College Access Network Board of Directors, where she completed a three-year term as board president.
Kim has received numerous awards for her leadership, including the induction into the Marin Women’s Hall of Fame, San Francisco State University’s Alumna Medal of Honor for Distinguished Service, the Executive Leadership Award of Excellence by the National College Access Network, the Nonprofit Leader of Year award by the North Bay Business Journal, the Social Impact Business Competition Award by the Growth Philanthropy Network in New York, and was the Legislative Woman of the Year for California’s 10th Assembly District. Kim holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from San Francisco State University and is a graduate of the Stanford Graduate School of Business Program for Nonprofit Leaders (where she was named a fellow in 2001). Additionally, she completed doctoral studies at the University of San Francisco in Organization and Leadership.
Maria Niggle
Executive Director, First 5 Marin
Maria is the Executive Director at First 5 Marin. She has a wealth of experience across Marin County and with countless community partners—along with an absolute dedication to equity of opportunity for every single child in Marin. She served as the chair of our commission from 2020 through early 2023, but also worked for First 5 Marin as a school readiness coordinator in West Marin many years ago. Most recently, Maria was the Director of Early Childhood and Community Collaboratives at Marin Promise Partnership, advocating for equitable, systemic change in Marin County Schools to support all children from cradle to career— including enthusiastic support for the “Community Schools” movement. She previously served as a social worker for the County of Marin, a “promatora” (health promoter), and as the Director of Strategic Research for WestEd. Maria was the co-founder of “Abriendo Caminos,” an immigrant leadership program and served as the chair of the West Marin Collaborative. She has a robust background with early childhood education research, data analysis, collective impact and results-based program evaluation. Maria earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science Interdisciplinary Studies from San Francisco State University and Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Child Welfare from Columbia University. Maria writes that her goal is to “ensure every child in Marin has a healthy start, a head start, a fair start, a safe start in life with the help of caring families and communities.”
Cheryl Paddack
Chief Executive Officer, North Marin Community Services
Cheryl Paddack is a nonprofit executive with over 30 years of experience advancing community wellbeing. As a compassionate equity leader, she has increased access to critical human services, independence for the visually impaired, and expanded environmental action. Cheryl has lived and worked in Marin County since 2001 after emigrating from British Columbia. Among her accomplishments, she led the successful merger of Novato Youth Center and Novato Human Needs Center in 2018, forming North Marin Community Services (NMCS). Today, NMCS serves over 10,000 individuals annually, providing trauma-informed, culturally appropriate support that strengthens families and fosters community resilience. Cheryl’s commitment to social, economic, and environmental equity has earned her recognition, including the 2023 YWCA Marin Women’s Hall of Fame and the 2021 Jefferson Silver Award.
"Progress is made when we unite, leveraging each partner’s strengths to create lasting change. Through collaboration with the Marin Promise Leadership Team and our partners, our goal is to inspire innovative solutions for educational equity and foster a shared sense of purpose that strengthens our communities."
Lisa Raffel
Executive Director, Bridge the Gap
Lisa has more than 30 years of experience in a wide variety of educational settings. Most recently, she was Head of Lower School at Black Pine Circle in Berkeley, where she led a student body of 130 kindergarten through fifth graders and a faculty of 25 teachers, specialists, and other staff. Previously she was a Division Director for education at Catholic Charities of the East Bay focusing on college entry and success for first-generation students and building multi-service collaboratives in Contra Costa County.
Lisa has also been involved with WestEd, a San Francisco-based nonprofit working to promote educational excellence as a trainer in the areas of early numeracy and family-school partnerships. Lisa was chosen as a Koshland Fellow with the San Francisco Foundation. She has a B.A. in Peace and Conflict Studies, a California teaching credential, and an M.A. in Education from UC Berkeley, and Administrative Credential from St. Mary’s College.
"Through radical collaboration, all of us that are a part of Marin Promise Partnership must study the data and find high leverage, creative solutions so that every child and family in Marin County has the resources and opportunity to thrive."
Cristina Salcedo
TES/SUSD Family Advocate, Shoreline Unified School District
Maria Cristina Salcedo Mora was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico, and most people call her Cristina, and those who know her well call her Cristy. She came to this country during Regan’s 1986 Amnesty Program; her father had been working in this country on and off since he was a teenager and he then sent for his children. His dreams and hopes for his young family never included raising them here, but in elementary school, she had just completed the 4th grade when her mother got the call that it was time to go. Cristina didn’t know then that she wouldn’t see her home, family, and friends for years to come. Arriving here was a culture shock! To not know the language, everyone looked different, they dressed differently. She felt different and othered. Assimilating wasn’t easy. The teachers seemed nice, but the aids were unkind, instilling fear and insecurity. She was only allowed to speak Spanish at home. There, her father loved telling stories of his hometown, his Mexico, and her Mexico too. This led Cristina to find a connection with MECHA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán) in high school, and later leading that organization & chapter at her school.
Amarantha silva
Community Organizer, Parent Voices
Amarantha Silva is the Community Organizer of Parent Voices Marin, a chapter of Parent Voices California. Amarantha has been a strong advocate for mothers of color like herself who were left out of the decision-making process. She works every day to change unfair laws based on deeply rooted sexism and racism. Amarantha joined Parent Voices as a member in 2015 while looking for child care for her son. She participated in many of Parent Voices’ statewide campaigns, including 12-month eligibility, unfreezing the SMI, and most recently Family Fee elimination/reduction. She was hired as an Organizing Fellow in 2022 and promoted to a full-time Organizer in 2023. As part of her work, she also leads Parent Voices’ immigration work as part of the Safety Net 4 All Coalition and the All In for Registry Campaign. She has organized parents from across the state to participate in actions, testify at hearings, and attend coalition events in defense of immigrant’s rights.
Dr. Tracy Smith
Superintendent, Novato Unified School District
Dr. Tracy Smith became the Superintendent of the Novato Unified School District (NUSD) in 2023. As an esteemed educator with over three decades of experience in public education, Dr. Smith is recognized for her ability to collaborate with all groups, willingness to work hard on behalf of all students, ability to work with a variety of parent groups, and support for all staff.
Among her many accomplishments, Dr. Smith implemented culturally responsive systems, positive behavior interventions and supports (PBIS), facilitated a master facilities plan, and implemented a Local Control and Accountability Plan to support student groups. She also managed emergency support for families in the Rincon Valley School District through the Kincaid and Glass fires in 2019 and 2020 while she was superintendent.
Dr. Smith has held pivotal roles including a dual immersion teacher, with a single subject Spanish credential, grant coordinator, principal, director of categorical programs, and assistant superintendent.
"Communities thrive when institutions and leaders commit to collective impact through coordinated efforts. Marin Promise Partnership is instrumental in fostering collaboration to eliminate disparate outcomes and support all students. By leveraging research-based goals, strategic partnerships, and a shared commitment to social justice and inclusion, local youth can be empowered, ensuring every student in Marin has the opportunity to succeed academically and emotionally. Strengthening this work and deepening collective efforts will help address the diverse needs of the community.”
Tara Taupier
Superintendent, Tamalpais Union High School District
Dr. Taupier has served as the Superintendent of the Tamalpais Union High School District since 2018. Prior to 2018, she served as Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services, and the Senior Director of Instructional Technology and Staff Development. She was hired by the District in 2002 and was a social studies teacher and an assistant principal. She began her career as a teacher and teacher leader in schools in Massachusetts.
Nancy Vernon
Advisor, 9 to 25
Coming soon!
10,000 Degrees, Kim Mazzuca, President
Bridge the Gap College Prep, Lisa Raffel, Executive Director (Community Based Org Representative)
Canal Alliance, Omar Carrera, Executive Director
College of Marin, David Wain-Coon, President
Community Action Marin, Chandra Alexandre, CEO
County of Marin Supervisors, Dennis Rodoni, Supervisor
County of Marin Equity Office, Jamillah Jordan (Invited), Director
County of Marin Department of Health and Human Services, Kari Beuerman, Social Services Director & Benita McLarin, Director of Health and Human Sevices
Marin Community Foundation, Johnathan Logan (Invited), VP of Community Engagement
Marin County Office of Education, John Carroll, Superintendent
Marin County Free Library, Lana Adlawan, Director of County Library Services
Marin Independent Journal, Rob Devincenzi, Publisher (Business Representative)
Novato Unified School District, Jan LaTorre Derby (Invited), Superintendent
Parent Services Project, Balandra Fregoso, Executive Director (Parent Organization Representative)
San Rafael City Schools, Jim Hogeboom, Superintendent
Sausalito Marin City School District, Itoco Garcia, Superintendent
Shoreline Unified School District, Adam Jennings, Superintendent
Tamalpais Union High School, District Tara Taupier, Superintendent
Youth Leadership Institute, Patty Barahona, CEO (Youth Representative)
Youth & Family Community Member, Christina Salcedo, Individual (Youth & Family Individual Representative)
Youth & Family Community Member, Magali Limeta, Trustee Novato Unified School District (Youth & Family Individual Representative)
OPEN REPRESENTATIONAL POSITIONS
Business or Chamber of Commerce, 1 additional representational seat TBD
Teacher or Teacher Union, 1 representational seat TBD
School Board, 1 representational seat TBD
Foundation or Donor, 1 representational seat TBD
Youth & Family Community Member, 2 representational seats TBD
