Type: Staff
Amber Riehman
Professional Learning Specialist
Amber Riehman, an educational leader from San Diego, is dedicated to promoting democratic education and equitable practices. As a Professional Learning Specialist with Californians Together, she provides crucial support for high-level instruction, implementing the California EL Roadmap Policy to ensure all multilingual learners receive the best possible education. With nine years of experience in secondary education, Amber has significantly contributed to enhancing English learner programs and leading dual language initiatives. In addition, she served as an instructor at SDSU, focusing on Integrated and Designated English Language Development for Single Subject teacher candidates. She is pursuing a doctoral degree with San Diego State and Claremont Graduate University, focusing on researching joy and belonging within educational environments. Amber’s commitment to student-centered learning is evident through her professional development and curriculum design efforts.
Cristal Zeas
Administrative Assistant
Cristal Zeas is the administrative assistant for the English Learner Leadership and Legacy Initiative and is assisting the Support for Immigrant and Refugee Students (SIRS) project for Californians Together. As a Bay Area native and daughter of Peruvian and Nicaraguense immigrants, Cristal understands the need for accessible resources to help English learners excel in their education and personal endeavors. As a student who had the opportunity to become trilingual in English, Spanish and Chinese, she’s inspired by the work Californians Together does to encourage and impact English learners and bilingualism. When she isn’t working for Californians Together, she’s working alongside bankruptcy, immigration, and dependency law attorneys to further advocate equal opportunities and justice for immigrants and their families.
Daryl LaFountain
Finance Manager
Daryl is the finance manager for Californians Together. He has worked in nonprofit environments for almost three decades in settings that provide educational opportunities for children and support services for children and families bi-coastally. Most recently he owned and operated a company that provided outsourced financial services for nonprofits nationwide. Daryl lives in Los Angeles with his partner and children. He loves the California weather since relocating to Los Angeles seven years ago.
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.