Archives: Staff & Board

Ruth Barnett Barajas

Project Director, ELLLI & Support for Immigrant and Refugee Students

Growing up in San Diego County, Ruth had opportunities to become bilingual, applying the Spanish she learned in school by participating in a high school summer program sponsored by Rotary International, in Leon, Gto. (Mexico) and spending a year in Mexico City in college living with a host family and attending La Universidad Iberoamericana. She has been a strong advocate for multilingual programs for English learners and native English speakers alike ever since. With over 30 years in the field of EL education, Ruth has provided instruction and leadership at school and district levels as a Bilingual Teacher, EL Programs Specialist, and School Principal. As Project Director for the English Learner Leadership and Legacy Initiative and the Support for Immigrant and Refugee Students project, Ruth works with senior EL Leaders and advocates from throughout California to continue to build and sustain the movement for educational equity for English Learners.

Sam Finn

Director, Newcomer Policy and Practice

Sam Finn has worked as an elementary teacher, academic researcher, and strategic consultant to state agencies. He is dedicated to supporting the field of newcomer (immigrant student) education through research, resource creation, professional development, and national organizing. Sam is a native of Oakland, California, where he lives, and remains closely connected with Oakland Unified School District. He is descended from immigrants from Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Ukraine.

Shelly Spiegel-Coleman

Strategic Advisor

Since the day she became a teacher in 1970, Shelly only taught and worked in bilingual, English Learner programs. Whether she was a teacher, principal, district specialist or county consultant, her passion has been working with and for English Learners and their families. Her life has been enriched by her experiences in different settings and communities. She grew up in a home in which social justice was valued and celebrated. As an educator, advocating for English Learners became a part of who she is. It was easy to retire from the Los Angeles County Office of Education to come work for Californians Together, and leading the organization was her perfect job. She now works as the Strategic Advisor and is challenged and heartened by our influence across the state. We have struggled, shed tears and rejoiced in our growing ability to influence and create new policies to build multilingual programs and honor the talents and gifts of our students and their families. By working in this movement, her life-long colleagues and friends have become her extended family.

Suzy Jacobson

Executive Administrative Assistant

Suzy is the new Executive Administrative Assistant for Californians Together.  She has worked in nonprofit environments for almost a decade in settings that support leadership training for immigrants and young folks of color in the greater Puget Sound area, work to create cities that embrace good planning and good government, and that strive to create a fair, equitable, and peaceful world for everyone. Suzy supports the work of our leadership team, coordinates the Californians Together Coalition, and is the Executive Board Liaison.

Szabi Kiss

Brand Manager

Szabi is a designer with a knack for creating pragmatic and innovative visuals with a focus on community and creativity. He has crafted branding and graphics for organizations in a range of fields, including entertainment, music, nonprofits, and advocacy organizations. He graduated from MIT with a degree in Urban Planning and Architectural Design, focusing his studies on community development, and community-engaged art.

Born and raised in Budapest, Szabi learned English at the age of 9 from his mother and at the small public elementary school he attended. His multicultural and bilingual background is integral to his work in design and his other passions, like visual art, music, and fantasy world-building.

Tamara Orozco

Director of Communications

The daughter of a Mexican immigrant and a Chicana, Tamara grew up hearing stories in both English and Spanish at home and at family gatherings on both sides of the border. Her upbringing along with an early bilingual education helped Tamara build strong cultural values and develop bilingual language skills which have shaped her life and career.

As an award-winning marketing and communications professional, Tamara has helped local and national nonprofit organizations tell stories and grow their brands and audiences for more than a decade. Tamara holds a Master of Arts in Ethnic Studies from the University of California, Berkeley and a Bachelor of Arts in Raza Studies from San Francisco State University. Outside of work, Tamara enjoys travel, time with family, the arts, exploring nature, and wellness.