Archives: Staff & Board

David Gonzalez

Communications Associate

Born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley, David is a proud product of California’s public schools. He seeks to ensure that every student in the state has access to a high-quality education and the supports they need to thrive in the classroom and beyond. David comes to Californians Together from the Data Quality Campaign, a national education and workforce policy nonprofit, where he worked to support the organization’s communications and federal policy efforts. Previously, he worked directly with students in Azusa and Baldwin Park as an afterschool and extended learning instructor—it was this experience that prompted David to consider the impact of public policy on students and families. He is particularly interested in the intersections of economic, racial, and environmental justice in education. David earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from UCLA as well as a master’s in American government from Georgetown University. Outside of work, David enjoys live music, visiting museums, and supporting his UCLA Bruins.

Jeanette Gomez

Associate Director of Policy

Jeanette Gomez is a dedicated education policy professional with extensive experience driving equity-focused initiatives. She specializes in policy analysis, strategic planning, and stakeholder engagement to improve postsecondary access and success for historically underserved students. She was a previous ELLLI fellow at Californian’s Together, having built a strong understanding and relationships with other English learner advocates. As a previous Multilingual Learner student herself, Jeanette is passionate about removing systemic barriers to educational equity for historically underserved students.  

Jeanette holds a Master’s in Urban Education Policy from Brown University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science with a Minor in Education from UCLA. In her spare time, Jeanette is usually spending time at Disneyland with her fiancé or spending time at home with her two fur babies. 

Leah Lampa

Professional Learning Specialist

A native Californian and daughter of Filipino immigrants, Leah is committed to advocating for California’s English learners and improving their educational experience. Leah has 15 years of experience in public education, including roles as a DC Public Schools elementary teacher, Dual Language Teacher Leader, ELL Department Chair, and District Multilingual Learner Specialist. Her experience has equipped her with expertise in creating language-rich environments and leveraging cultural diversity as assets within communities. Leah holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from UC Santa Cruz and a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, Early Childhood Education from George Mason University.

Manuel Buenrostro

Policy Director

Manuel comes to this work as a native Californian, son of Mexican immigrants, former English learner, and first generation college graduate. He stands on the shoulders of his family and wonderful mentors and teachers at school, who worked hard to ensure he had access to opportunities. Manuel now has over fifteen years of experience working in public education, starting as an English learner teacher in Los Angeles. He has since worked at DC Public Schools and as an Obama administration appointee at US Department of Education. Prior to joining the Californians Together team, he was a policy analyst for the California School Boards Association, always focusing on closing opportunity gaps and equity. During his free time, you can find Manuel in Sacramento running, hanging out with his dog, Chewie, or at home watching the newest Marvel or Star Wars movies and shows.

Mario Snow

Senior Policy Associate, Early Childhood Education

Mario Snow, the son of Italian and Mexican immigrants, grew up in Inglewood, CA, where his mother opened the neighborhood’s first home-based child care program. This early experience sparked his lifelong commitment to strengthening early childhood education systems.

Since 2002, Mario has worked across California’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) field, beginning as a subcontractor with First 5 California to support data collection and evaluation of statewide initiatives. Over more than 20 years, he has partnered with First 5 California, county commissions, consortia, and statewide organizations—including the California Department of Social Services, California Department of Education, county offices of education, and resource and referral agencies—building bridges across agencies to improve outcomes for children and families.

Mario holds a B.A. in Psychology from Pacific University and dual master’s degrees in Social Work and Business Administration from Boston College. Outside of work, he enjoys SCUBA diving anywhere he can and quilting personalized gifts for family and friends. He is also the proud parent of two children: one in community college and one in middle school in Palos Verdes, CA.

Martha Hernandez

Executive Director

Martha Hernandez, the oldest of nine children, is a first-generation college graduate and a role model for her siblings who also earned university degrees and are now serving as physicians, teachers, a computer programmer, an organic chemist and a doctor of pharmacy. She attributes her family’s success to her mother who was an unwavering advocate for her children with a strong belief in the power of public education. Her lifelong support of the United Farm Workers and bilingual education has fueled her commitment to causes of equity and excellence in education especially on behalf of English learners. Her 42 years of public school experience at the classroom, school, district and county levels as well as her involvement in numerous state committees serve her well to advance the vision of Californians Together. Martha and her husband Aurelio Jaúregui are the former owners of Evita’s Mexican Café in Ventura named after their daughter. She is especially proud of her son, Juan Carlos who is an attorney and a computer software engineer.