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Coral works to promote the adoption of public policies and collaborations that ensure quality education for the children most affected by inequity in Puerto Rico. Daughter, granddaughter, niece and sister of teachers, as well as a student of the public system, Coral seeks to guarantee the fundamental right to public education in Puerto Rico.

Before joining Flamboyán, she worked as Director of the Office of Education and Community Relations of the Judiciary. From that role, she led the development of projects aimed at educating the community about their rights, duties, the court system and judicial processes. She strongly believes in the power of education to remove barriers to access justice and promote equity in our society.

Coral is a lawyer admitted to practice law in Puerto Rico. She completed her juris doctor at the University of Puerto Rico School of Law. She also has a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, and a master’s degree in investigative journalism from Florida International University.

Who was your favorite teacher in school? I had excellent teachers in my schools. However, my high school Social Studies teacher was instrumental in my academic and social development. Carlos Pagán Durán not only taught me history. He was also the advisory teacher of the school youth cooperative. Through this additional role, he gave me invaluable entrepreneurship and leadership experience. He looked for opportunities for me on and off the island, encouraged me to take them, accompanied me and showed his pride.

En español

Coral trabaja para promover la adopción de políticas públicas y colaboraciones que aseguren una educación de calidad para los niños y las niñas más afectados por la desigualdad en Puerto Rico. Hija, nieta, sobrina y hermana de maestras, además de estudiante del sistema público, Coral busca que se garantice el derecho fundamental a la educación pública en Puerto Rico.

Antes de integrarse al equipo de trabajo de Flamboyán, trabajó como directora de la Oficina de Educación y Relaciones con la Comunidad del Poder Judicial. Desde ese rol lideró el desarrollo de proyectos dirigidos a educar a la comunidad sobre sus derechos, deberes, el sistema de tribunales y los procesos judiciales. Ella cree firmemente en el poder de la educación para eliminar barreras de acceso a la justicia y promover la equidad en nuestra sociedad.

Coral es abogada admitida a ejercer la profesión legal en Puerto Rico. Completó su juris doctor en la Escuela de Derecho de la Universidad de Puerto Rico. Además, posee un bachillerato en periodismo de la Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Río Piedras, y una maestría en periodismo investigativo de la Universidad Internacional de Florida.

¿Quién fue tu maestro favorito en la escuela? Tuve excelentes maestros y maestras en mis escuelas. Sin embargo, mi maestro de Estudios Sociales de escuela superior fue fundamental en mi desarrollo académico y social. Carlos Pagán Durán no solo me enseñó historia. También era el maestro consejero de la cooperativa juvenil escolar. A través de esa función adicional me brindó una experiencia de empresarismo y liderazgo invaluable. Me buscó oportunidades dentro y fuera de la isla, me animó a tomarlas, me acompañó y demostró su orgullo. 

In her role at Flamboyán, Hazel is responsible for designing and implementing the strategic priorities of the Arts Fund. Her work aligns with Flamboyán’s commitment to revitalizing Puerto Rico by integrating the arts and culture, ensuring their preservation, amplification, and sustainability.

She is dedicated to working in favor of culture because she firmly believes in its power to transform our social fabric and enhance the sustainable development of Puerto Rico.

Hazel has been deeply involved in cultural management in Puerto Rico across public spaces, the nonprofit sector, and the business ecosystem. Over the past years, she taught graduate courses at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, focusing on the strategic development of cultural organizations and creative entrepreneurship. Similarly, she spent more than 4 years developing high-impact programs for the sustainability of the nonprofit sector in Puerto Rico and designing the philanthropic strategy for one of the country’s leading foundations. In the public sector, Hazel served as the Director of Publications & Recordings and Plastic Arts Programs at Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña, ensuring the preservation of the National Collection and the Revolving Fund for editorial management, following the devastation caused by Hurricanes Irma and María.

Hazel is passionate about projects that highlight and enhance the role of women in the development of cultural production.

Connect with Hazel on Linkedin

Who was your favorite teacher in school? Mrs. Constantino, my Spanish-American Literature teacher in high school. Her passion for literature instilled in me a great eagerness to explore the world through literature.

En español

Como Directora General Senior del Fondo para las Artes, Hazel está a cargo de diseñar e implementar las prioridades estratégicas del programa. Su trabajo está alineado al compromiso de Flamboyán con la revitalización de Puerto Rico integrando las artes y la cultura y garantizando su preservación, amplificación y sostenibilidad.

Hazel está comprometida con trabajar a favor de la cultura porque soy fiel creyente de su poder para transformar nuestro tejido social y potenciar el desarrollo sostenible de Puerto Rico.

Ha estado inmersa en la gestión cultural de Puerto Rico desde el espacio público, el sector sin fines de lucro y el ecosistema empresarial. Durante los pasados años ella ha impartido cursos graduados en la Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Río Piedras centrados en el desarrollo estratégico de las organizaciones culturales y el emprendimiento creativo. De igual forma dedicó más de 4 años al desarrollo de programas de alto impacto para la sostenibilidad del sector sin fines de lucro en Puerto Rico y diseñó la estrategia filantrópica para una de las principales fundaciones del país. Desde el sector público se desempeñó como directora de los programas de Publicaciones & Grabaciones y Artes Plásticas del Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña garantizando la conservación de la Colección Nacional y el Fondo Rotativo para la gestión editorial, luego del embate de los Huracanes Irma y María

A Hazel le apasionan los proyectos que visibilizan y potencian el rol de la mujer en el desarrollo de la producción cultural.

¿Quién fue tu maestro/a favorito/a en la escuela?  Sra. Constantino, mi profesora de Literatura Hispanoamericana en la escuela superior. Su pasión por las letras me instauró mucha avidez para explorar el mundo a través de la literatura.

Kristin Ehrgood is Flamboyan Foundation’s CEO and Board Chair. Since launching Flamboyan in 2008, Kristin has led the Foundation’s work to ensure a day where every child, particularly those most impacted by inequity, will have the opportunity to live a fulfilling life. An education advocate, Kristin oversees the Foundation’s efforts to ensure students are prepared to succeed in school and beyond, tailoring programs to meet the unique contexts in which the Foundation operates.

In D.C., Flamboyan is accelerating student learning by helping educators and school systems transform their relationships with families. In Puerto Rico, Flamboyan is ensuring students are reading in Spanish on grade level by third grade while building a thriving philanthropic and nonprofit sector. Flamboyan also created the Flamboyan Arts Fund in partnership with Lin-Manuel Miranda, his family, and the Hamilton musical to preserve, amplify, and sustain the arts in Puerto Rico post-Hurricane María. Flamboyan also works on a range of collaborative initiatives that allow the Foundation to flexibly meet the changing needs of communities as they arise.

Kristin’s commitment to championing educational equity began early in her career, from her time teaching in Baton Rouge and Trenton as a Teach for America (TFA) corps member to her promotion to Executive Director of the New Jersey region and on to other locations around the country as the Director of New Site Development. After earning her Master in Public Administration from the Harvard Kennedy School, she began leveraging the adaptive leadership model to make strategic investments in public education. In 2002, she co-founded Sapientis, an organization that connected and engaged change agents in all sectors of Puerto Rico to improve public education. She went on to start Flamboyan in Puerto Rico in 2008 and opened the Washington, DC office in 2009.

Kristin is the founding board chair at DC School Reform Now and serves as a director at the United States Olympic and Paralympic Foundation. She also sits on the investment committee at Education Forward DC and the neurosurgery advisory board at Johns Hopkins Medicine. She is a Pahara-Aspen Education Fellow and a member of the International Women’s Foundation-DC. She previously sat on the Board of Directors at Venture Philanthropy Partners, Teach for America-DC and Stand for Children.

Kristin also holds a B.A. in International Relations from Bucknell University.

At Flamboyan, Rebecca provides comprehensive administrative support to the PR Executive Director. She handles diverse tasks with precision and confidentiality to ensure the efficiency and success of the executive’s office and organization. Prior to Flamboyan, Rebecca worked in the private sector. She earned a bachelor’s degree in fine arts with a concentration in painting from Syracuse University. She is currently pursuing a master’s degree in art history and the Visual Culture of the Caribbean.

Outside of Flamboyan, Rebecca is an artist. She spends her free time working on painting commissions, spending time with her friends, and playing pickleball with her family.

What was your favorite course of subject in school? My favorite course of subject in college was Performance Art as I learned how to use art in a non-traditional way. With this class I learned how to celebrate my individuality and self-expression, as well as confronting my fears and being vulnerable in front of an audience.

En español

En la Fundación Flamboyán, Rebecca provee apoyo administrativo al director ejecutivo de Puerto Rico.  Ella maneja diversas tareas con precisión y confidencialidad para asegurar la eficencia y el éxito de la oficina ejecutiva y de la organización. Antes de unirse a Flamboyán, rebecca trabajó en el sector privado. Se graduó de Syracuse University con un bachillerato en artes plásticas con una concentración en pintura. Actualmente está cursando su Maestría en Historia del Arte y Cultura Visual del Caribe.

Fuera de Flamboyán, Rebecca es una artista. Durante su tiempo libre trabaja en comisiones de pinturas, pasa tiempo con sus amigos y juega pickleball con su familia.

¿Cuál era tu curso favorito en la escuela? Mi clase preferida en la universidad fue Performance Art ya que aprendí a utilizar el arte de una manera no tradicional. En esta clase aprendí a celebrar mi individualidad y autoexpresión, además de enfrentar mis miedos y ser vulnerable frente a un público.

Shoko supports school districts across the country to embed family engagement practices that are responsive to the specific needs of their communities. She is committed to education because she deeply believes that education can empower individuals and communities and is an essential part of creating a more just world.

Prior to joining Flamboyan, Shoko began her career as a middle school science teacher at a charter school in Washington, DC. After several years in the classroom, she became the Senior Director of Curriculum and Instruction at a non-profit organization in the Boston area that provided out-of-school-time supports for middle and high school students and teacher training for the next generation of educators. After seven years in Boston, she returned to the DC area and joined DC Public Schools to help schools implement a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) to ensure that all students received high-quality instruction and the supports they deserved.  As someone who has worked with middle school students her entire career and as a parent herself, Shoko sees firsthand how critical family engagement is to student success.

Outside of Flamboyan, Shoko is the proud parent of a toddler who both makes her laugh and teaches her patience every single day. She spends as much time as she can outside and aspires to one day live on a farm with too many dogs.

Who was your favorite teacher in school? Mr. Jones, my AP US History teacher. He not only made history engaging but got to know me outside of the classroom and gave me advice and a space to just talk.

Maricruz directs talent and operations related to human resources, culture, and strategic planning in Flamboyan’s Puerto Rico office to ensure a high-functioning organization with effective systems and programs.

Maricruz is passionate about transforming people’s lives in the workplace. Before joining Flamboyan, she worked as a senior professional for two global consulting firms and oversaw their responsibilities in Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. She also served as a senior talent development consultant and professional coach supporting executives and professionals in their strategic plans and organizational changes in Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Florida. She has managed projects in leadership development, assessments, and coaching, and has assisted hundreds of professionals in world class companies at all levels of their career.

Maricruz is an active member of the Society for Human Resources Management’s National and Puerto Rico Chapters (SHRM). She holds a Master’s and Doctorate degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from the Interamerican University of Puerto Rico. She is also certified as a talent coach by the International Coaching Federation (IFC), and in Hogan Assessments by Hogan International. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking for her family, running, and playing with her three Poodles.

Connect with Maricruz on LinkedIn.

What was your favorite subject or course in school? Sciences because I very much enjoyed knowing and having a sense of the existence of the world.

En español

Maricruz dirige el área de talento y las operaciones relacionadas con los recursos humanos, la cultura y la planificación estratégica en la oficina de Flamboyán en Puerto Rico de modo que se pueda garantizar una organización de alto funcionamiento con sistemas y programas efectivos.

A Maricruz le apasiona transformar la vida de las personas en el lugar de trabajo. Antes de unirse a Flamboyan, trabajó como profesional senior para dos firmas consultoras globales y supervisó sus responsabilidades en Puerto Rico y el Caribe. También se desempeñó como consultora senior de desarrollo de talento y coach profesional apoyando a ejecutivos y profesionales en sus planes estratégicos y cambios organizacionales en Puerto Rico, República Dominicana, Jamaica y Florida. Ha gestionado proyectos de desarrollo de liderazgo, evaluaciones y coaching, y ha ayudado a cientos de profesionales en empresas de clase mundial en todos los niveles de su carrera.

Maricruz es miembro activo de los Capítulos Nacionales y de Puerto Rico de la Sociedad para la Gestión de Recursos Humanos (SHRM). Tiene una Maestría y Doctorado en Psicología Industrial y Organizacional de la Universidad Interamericana de Puerto Rico. También está certificada como coach de talentos por la International Coaching Federation (IFC) y en Hogan Assessments por Hogan International. En su tiempo libre, le gusta cocinar para su familia, correr y jugar con sus tres perros.

¿Cuál era tu materia o curso favorito en la escuela? Ciencias porque disfrutaba mucho el conocer y tener un sentido de la existencia en el mundo.

As Deputy Director, Emily leads Flamboyan’s DC Office, overseeing the organization’s work to expand REAL Family Engagement with partners both locally and nationally. As the product of public education, Emily is deeply committed to education because she believes intrinsically that all students should have access to high-quality education and opportunities, regardless of their background. 

Prior to joining Flamboyan, Emily spent more than a decade working at DC Public Schools – both at the district level overseeing the redesign of the teacher selection model and recruitment process, and as a school-level administrator. She began her career in education with TNTP (formerly The New Teacher Project) supporting Prince George’s County, MD and the state of Delaware with alternative route teaching programs. Emily is a proud graduate of the University of Maryland and Georgetown University.  

Outside of Flamboyan, Emily is an avid reader who is always looking for book recommendations. She and her wonderful husband Fredy live in Maryland with their dog and cat. 

Who was your favorite teacher in school? Mrs. Trebilcock – my 10th grade US History teacher. She created an environment where you felt safe to take risks – both academically and socially. She not only knew your name, but your story and that made each student feel seen.

As Senior Director of K-3 Reading, Jessica is dedicated to integrating educational content into innovative strategies to increase the number of students achieving grade-level reading. She leads the daily collaborative efforts of the Flamboyán Foundation with the Puerto Rico Department of Education and other members of the educational ecosystem, offering technical assistance in the planning and implementation of K-3 Essential Reading Practices. In addition, she focuses her efforts on ensuring that all initiatives integrate an equity perspective, firmly supporting the fundamental belief that all students are capable of learning to read.

Previously, Jessica served as a professor in the Early Childhood Education bachelor program at the Interamerican University and at the Ana G. Méndez University in Puerto Rico. As an educator, she participated in the development of the Preschool Education curriculum of the CeDIn Laboratory School. In this role, she implemented project-based learning for integration with nature and social-emotional well-being, which she presented at conventions of the National Association for the Education of Early Childhood (NAEYC) in Puerto Rico, Texas, and Florida. Additionally, she has worked as a CDA Career Development Specialist with the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington, DC, and as a Career Advisor at Sacred Heart University. She completed a bachelor’s degree in Preschool Education and a master’s degree in the Teaching of Reading and Writing at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus.

As an educator, Jessica feels a genuine commitment to the country’s education and firmly believes that family participation and socio-emotional well-being are essential for the comprehensive development of students. Her passion lies in promoting play, reading, and fine arts integration, providing opportunities that encourage a love of learning from an early age.

Who was your favorite teacher? Fortunately, I had excellent teachers along my way, but I especially highlight Professor Radamés O. Colón, teacher of Ethics and Theater. He taught me the true meaning and value of service through humanitarian missions in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. These experiences showed me the transformative power we all possess to change other people’s lives. His influence lives on in me as a constant reminder of the importance of serving with a meaningful purpose.

En español

Como Directora Senior de Lectura K-3, Jessica se dedica a integrar contenido educativo en estrategias innovadoras con el objetivo de aumentar el número de estudiantes que alcanzan el nivel de lectura correspondiente al nivel de su grado. Lidera los esfuerzos diarios de colaboración de la Fundación Flamboyán con el Departamento de Educación de Puerto Rico y otros integrantes del ecosistema educativo, ofreciendo asistencia técnica en la planificación e implementación de las Prácticas Esenciales de Lectura K-3. Además, centra sus esfuerzos en que todas las iniciativas integren una perspectiva de equidad, respaldando firmemente la creencia fundamental de que todos los estudiantes son capaces de aprender a leer.

Anteriormente, Jessica se desempeñó como profesora en el programa de bachillerato en Educación Temprana en la Universidad Interamericana y en la Universidad Ana G. Méndez en Puerto Rico. Como educadora, participó en el desarrollo del currículo de Educación Preescolar de la Escuela Laboratorio CeDIn. En este rol, implementó el aprendizaje basado en proyectos de integración con la naturaleza y el bienestar socio-emocional, los que presentó en convenciones anuales de la Asociación Nacional para la Educación de la Niñez Temprana (NAEYC) en Puerto Rico, Texas y Florida. Además, ha trabajado como especialista CDA en Desarrollo Profesional con el Concilio para el Reconocimiento Profesional en Washington, DC, y como Asesora de Carreras Profesionales en la Universidad del Sagrado Corazón. Completó un bachillerato en Educación Preescolar y una maestría en Enseñanza de Lectura y Escritura en la Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Río Piedras.

Como educadora, Jessica siente un compromiso genuino con la educación del país y cree firmemente que la participación de las familias y el bienestar socio-emocional son esenciales para el desarrollo integral de los estudiantes. Su pasión radica en promover el juego, la lectura y la integración de las bellas artes, brindando oportunidades que estimulen el amor por el aprendizaje desde una edad temprana.

¿Quién fue tu maestro favorito? Afortunadamente, tuve maestros excelentes en mi camino, pero destaco especialmente al profesor Radamés O. Colón, maestro de Ética y Teatro. Él me enseñó el verdadero significado y el valor del servicio a través de misiones humanitarias en la República Dominicana y en Puerto Rico. Estas experiencias me mostraron el poder transformador que todos poseemos para cambiar las vidas de otras personas. Su influencia vive en mí como un recordatorio constante de la importancia de servir con un propósito significativo.

Mamie helps school leaders and teachers improve student outcomes by creating immediate and sustainable REAL Family Engagement. After 20 years as a teacher and school leader, she is committed to continuously working in education because all children deserve a secure space to learn and grow.

Prior to joining Flamboyan, Mamie taught middle school for 10 years in North Carolina before starting a Personalized Learning STEM High School in Research Triangle Park. She also worked with the Hope Street Group Teacher Voice Network to amplify constructive teacher-led conversations around education policy that most benefits students.

Outside of Flamboyan, Mamie can be found spending time with her family and their tiny dog, reading both frivolous fiction and provocative prose, or playing one of her collections of over two hundred board games.

Who was your favorite teacher in school? My high school English teacher, Mrs. Mammi. She taught me that books are powerful tools to help us better understand the perspectives of others.

Tenea coaches a portfolio of Flamboyan’s partner schools that includes DC public and public charter schools. She coaches these schools to ensure REAL Family Engagement practices are embedded within the school’s culture and systems. Tenea is committed to working in education because she wants to help cultivate the next well-rounded leaders of tomorrow.

Before joining Flamboyan, Tenea began her career as an after-school camp teacher for a private school in Washington, DC where her love of teaching began. Shortly after, she became the assistant camp coordinator and wanted to have her own classroom. She decided early childhood was her niche, so she became a pre-school teacher at a charter school in Washington DC and soon after, a Mentor teacher for first year lead teachers earning their Master’s in education.

Through this position, she discovered the importance of family engagement and how it was a critical factor in students’ success. After 10 years and earning her Master’s in Education Administration with a concentration in Early Childhood, she knew that her next calling would be coaching other teachers on this knowledge and practice.

Outside of Flamboyan, Tenea is the proud parent of a toddler who has been a true blessing to her and her husband. She is also a dog mom to a yorkie named Dolce who has been the apple of her eye for 12 years. She loves to travel and explore as much of the world as she can with her family, and hopes to one day open her own early learning center for toddlers.

Who was your favorite teacher in school? Mrs. Thompson, because she was the only teacher that prepared me for what it would take to succeed in college and didn’t allow me to stay comfortable in just doing enough to pass. She always challenged me because she saw that I was advanced and was not being challenged academically.

At Flamboyan, Sierra provides comprehensive support to the DC Executive Director and ensures seamless execution of her professional priorities. She helps manage the ED’s projects, works closely with internal stakeholders to strengthen and retain staff culture, and support the ED’s external profile through preparation and coordination with external partners. Sierra is committed to working in education because she wholeheartedly believes that a well-rounded education and supportive relationships within school systems are crucial to students successfully navigating their personal and professional lives.

Prior to joining Flamboyan, Sierra received a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Virginia Tech and went on to work in social and health science research for several years. She started her career working at the ANGST Lab in the Psychology department at the University of Minnesota, where she collaborated on projects related to fear-associated learning, memory, and decision making. Most recently, Sierra served as a Health Science Specialist in the research department at the Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Healthcare system, where she focused on a project investigating mindfulness-based interventions to treat chronic pain in Veterans.

Sierra sees herself as empathetic and enjoys deeply connecting with her work and the people she interacts with. Outside of Flamboyan, Sierra also enjoys nature and spending time outdoors. Connect with Sierra on LinkedIn.

What was your favorite subject or course in school? Creative Writing in college with Aileen Murphy. She made all her students feel so comfortable and created a safe environment for us to get vulnerable and explore multiple avenues of creativity. I also took a higher-level writing course with her in which students would go out into local public schools and bring creative writing activities to classrooms of varying ages. It was a challenging but incredibly rewarding experience.

As Senior Director of Data + Learning, Kimberly leads Flamboyan’s listening, learning, and measurement efforts. Through this work, Kimberly ensures the organization’s commitment to understanding our impact and providing support that is responsive to educators, students, and families. Prior to joining Flamboyan, she worked for both the New York City Department of Education and Alexandria City Public Schools, in Alexandria, Virginia, supporting equity, inclusion, and family engagement programs. 

Nelson Mandela once said, ” Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” and Kimberly believes this with all her heart. She is committed to her work in education understanding that access to quality, no-cost education, regardless of race, creed, nation of origin, home language, ability, or socioeconomic status is the great equalizer. 

Outside of Flamboyan, Kimberly enjoys baking, going through old cookbooks, and trying new recipes. She also enjoys tutoring and mentoring with organizations including the YMCA, Boys and Girls Club, and The Fresh Air Fund. Connect with Kimberly on LinkedIn.

Who was your favorite teacher in school? Dr. Jeffery Chapman, he was my graduate school microeconomics teacher. He was a funny, brilliant, and highly skilled economist who taught me to have a critical eye when developing and implementing public policy.

Isabel “Izzy” Huston oversees Flamboyan’s training program. She designs training sessions on REAL Family Engagement for school partners in addition to managing and developing the parent-teacher trainer cohort that leads each session.

Isabel is committed to working in education because she feels that it is the place where systems are reborn. She believes in an equitable public education system where all students feel loved and affirmed, where the seeds for a greater world are planted.

Prior to joining Flamboyan, Isabel spent a decade in the education space largely focused on developing equity-centered policy and advocacy leaders. Most recently, she served as the Director of Career and Leadership Development at DC Public Schools where she launched the design of a new talent development career ladder.

Outside of Flamboyan, Isabel is an aspiring writer and artist, and published her first poetry collection in 2020. When she’s not at work, writing, or reading, Isabel can be found traveling or playing ice hockey. Connect with Isabel on LinkedIn.

Who was your favorite teacher in school? Mrs. Solomon because she held a high standard for her students and provided us the tools to meet it. In her AP Composition class, I had the chance to write a one act play that was professionally produced, and it was the first experience I had of feeling like I had a voice that truly mattered.

Josh coaches a portfolio of Flamboyan’s partner schools to ensure that the REAL Family Engagement model is embedded within the school’s culture and way of being. He coaches teams of educators on this framework to help his schools sustain these family engagement practices on their own. Josh is committed to working in education because educational equity and access is his form of social justice. He believes our students deserve to grow, to be curious, and to succeed. Serving schools to build strong relationships with families to produce positive student outcomes is one layer of support.

Before joining Flamboyan, Josh was a Fourth-Grade STEM Teacher in DC for three years. Since 2021, he pivoted to working with organizations and non-profits that support schools around academic support (math intervention) by coaching tutors and interventionists in DC Elementary and Middle Schools.

Outside of Flamboyan, Josh is a Video Content Creator and Photographer in his spare time. He also loves working out, curating music playlists, and cooking for others. Connect with Josh on LinkedIn.

Who was your favorite teacher in school? Mr. Harris, my AP English Teacher, was a no-nonsense educator. He pushed us to produce our best work, to ask questions, and to be authentic in the classroom. Mr. Harris modeled how to push student thinking (productive struggle) while giving us the opportunity to take risks and sometimes fail in a safe environment.

At Flamboyan, Epernay leads in-person and virtual facilitation for all of Flamboyan’s REAL Family Engagement training for Pre-K -12 educators, education leaders, and community non-profit family engagement practitioners. She also assists with the development of content, resources, and products. Epernay is committed to working in education because she comes from a family of educators, so it came as no surprise when she became a teacher and saw firsthand the power of education and the impact it can make not only on a child’s life, but how it can impact an entire community.

Prior to joining Flamboyan, Epernay taught pre-kindergarten and kindergarten in DC Charter and DC Public Schools for more than a decade. She served as a family engagement team lead and Flamboyan Teacher Trainer for seven years. Since 2020, Epernay has been a faculty member with Moreland University instructing in the teacher preparation program.

Epernay is originally from Memphis, TN and graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill so she loves all things related to UNC sports and the Memphis Grizzlies. Outside of Flamboyan, she loves to travel and explore new restaurants in DC.

Who was your favorite teacher in school? Every pre-school teacher I had at Idlewild. They were so loving, so caring, so patient, and gave me such a strong foundation for starting elementary school. The impact was so profound, I spent my first seven years teaching Pre-K.

Nicole oversees all finance, operations, and reporting activities for the organization, and ensures that Flamboyan has the systems and procedures in place to support its programs and operations. She believes that all children have a desire to learn and deserve support to remove any barriers to their education.

Prior to joining Flamboyan, Nicole was the Associate Director of Finance at Capitol Technology University (CTU). In this role, she supported the CFO in all issues relating to finance, budgeting and accounting, and performed the day-to-day financial functions for the University. She also served as secretary and controller of the CTU Foundation, managing a relationship between The Foundation and a development company to build and manage new residence halls for students.

Nicole holds an MBA from Capitol Technology University and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the University of Delaware with Minors in International Business and Italian. In her free time, she is leveraging her Italian language background to re-learn Spanish. Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn.

What was your favorite subject or course in school? My favorite subject was Science. I loved learning how the natural world worked, and experiments and demonstrations were always so fascinating to me!

Rachel is Flamboyan’s expert in-house storyteller, responsible for developing and implementing communications strategy. As Senior Director, Rachel leads a broad range of communications activities relative to the strategic direction and positioning of the organization. She believes a meaningful education helps empower future generations and wants to ensure all students are equipped with what they need to succeed.

Prior to joining Flamboyan, Rachel supported cooperatives and state associations with their communications goals. She assisted clients through the creative process to ensure their needs were met from strategic planning to campaign execution. Since starting her career more than 15 years ago, Rachel has worked in editorial, public relations, marketing, and strategic communications, with an emphasis helping service-oriented organizations.

Outside of Flamboyan, Rachel enjoys spending her free time with her family at the local library or traveling the world.

Connect with Rachel on LinkedIn.

What was your favorite subject in school? My favorite subject in school was orchestra. It nurtured my artistic spirit. I loved being a part of a team where each orchestra member had an important role to create a beautiful musical story.

Paola manages the office atmosphere, creating a pleasant and efficient environment where every team member in Puerto Rico has what they need to do their best work. She spends time fielding calls, welcoming guests, completing administrative tasks, and supporting the Operations Manager and Executive Director.

Paola has no doubt that education is the basis for producing lasting change in our generation and for those who follow. She is dedicated to education because she believes it is the solution to problems and that society must provide youth with the tools necessary for personal development.

Paola has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Puerto Rico in Audiovisual Communication. She’s pursuing her Doctorate degree in Curriculum and Teaching, with a subspecialty in learning technologies. Her goals is to create inclusive educational resources using technology as a learning tool and virtual learning environment.

Paola is an educator for life. Not only does she see herself teaching students, but she also instructs educators. Her goals is to help students learn through an art, playful lens. Her role as a teacher trainer gives her a platform to teach over 400 Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) educators.

What was your favorite subject or course in school? Spanish and art. Both were spaces of learning that allowed for self-discovery, reaffirmed my interests, social perspectives, and developed my skills from a semiotic perspective.

En español

Paola asiste en el manejo de la oficina, creando un ambiente agradable y eficiente donde cada miembro del equipo en Puerto Rico tiene lo que necesita para hacer su mejor trabajo. Pasa tiempo atendiendo llamadas, dando la bienvenida a los invitados, completando tareas administrativas y apoyando al Gerente de Operaciones y al Director Ejecutivo.

Paola no tiene ninguna duda de que la educación es la base para producir un cambio duradero en nuestra generación y las siguientes.  Se dedica a la educación porque cree que es la solución a los problemas y que la sociedad debe brindar a los jóvenes las herramientas necesarias para su desarrollo personal.

Paola tiene una licenciatura de la Universidad de Puerto Rico en Comunicación Audiovisual. Está cursando su Doctorado en Currículo y Enseñanza, con una subespecialidad en tecnologías de aprendizaje. Su objetivo es crear recursos educativos inclusivos utilizando la tecnología como herramienta de aprendizaje y entorno de aprendizaje virtual.

Paola es educadora para toda la vida. No solo se ve a sí misma enseñando a los estudiantes, sino que también instruye a los educadores. Su objetivo es ayudar a los estudiantes a aprender a través de un lente lúdico y artístico. Su papel como formadora de profesores le brinda una plataforma para enseñar a más de 400 educadores de ciencia, tecnología, ingeniería y matemáticas (STEM).

¿Cuál fue tu asignatura o curso favorito en la escuela? Español y arte. Ambos fueron espacios de aprendizaje que permitieron el autodescubrimiento, reafirmaron mis intereses, perspectivas sociales y desarrollaron mis habilidades desde una perspectiva semiótica.

Cynthia oversees our organizational operations, ensuring our team has the systems, processes, and resources needed to support our work. Cynthia’s passion for education is rooted in her desire for students to have the supports they need to overcome barriers. Her hope is for committed educators to work together to move the needle to ensure there is greater equity and opportunity for all students.

Before Cynthia joined Flamboyan, she served as Vice President of Operations for The Heart of America Foundation, where she oversaw organizational processes, strategic planning, Human Resources, and IT. Cynthia also worked as the Director of the National Book Program for Reading Is Fundamental. During the earlier years of her career she supported Education Sector programs as a bilingual liaison for the Peace Corps Inter-America Region.

Cynthia’s love for operations is tied to her love for puzzles, crosswords, Sudoku, and anything that teases the brain.

Who was your favorite teacher in school? Ms. Ponko was my high school biology teacher and she managed her classroom with enthusiasm and ease. She made biology approachable, meaningful, and fun.

At Flamboyan, Karima supports the Program team around operations and logistics, such as communicating with partners and assisting with programmatic events. She helps ensure that the team can focus on increasing access to and sustaining REAL Family Engagement in DC and across the country.

Karima believes that everyone has potential to contribute knowledge, solutions, and kindness to the world. A quality education facilitates an environment for students to maximize their potential, and she believes that we would all benefit with access to that opportunity.

Karima graduated with degrees in Elementary Education and Cognitive Studies/Psychology from Vanderbilt University. While in school, she worked at the Building Knowledge Lab, where she studied psychology around learning, knowledge, and misinformation in 5-10 year old children.  Karima then went on to work as an elementary school teacher at DCPS for two years. The students she taught in DC and Nashville, TN continue to motivate her work in education.

Outside of Flamboyan, Karima loves reading books and watching TV, because she loves stories and understanding people’s thinking and motivations. She also loves sports and board games for the friendly competition.

Connect with Karima on Linkedin.

Who was your favorite teacher in school? Ms. Wendy Herring, my second-grade teacher, who sent us letters in the mail and invited my immigrant mom to speak to my class.

The Director, Digital and Storytelling Communications is responsible for ensuring that Flamboyan’s messages, communications, resources, and digital experience are supported by excellent written and visual assets, including but not limited to photography, videography, animations, tutorials, and web content. Rosiris works with staff in our Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C. office to ensure Flamboyan’s audiences are informed about the positive impact our programs have on students most impacted by inequity.

Rosiris deeply believes that there is only one path to real success – nurturing every person’s life with the acquisition of knowledge because education is the key to overcome inequity. Rosiris has worked to improve and shed light on inequities throughout her career. Before joining Flamboyan, Rosiris served as Programming Coordinator at the only public and education centered TV station in Puerto Rico – Sistema TV, Canal 40. She also worked at Prensa Comunitaria, an organization centered on the social journalism. There, she assigned and covered news on some of the most disadvantaged communities on the island. She holds a BA and Master’s degree in Journalism from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus.

Rosiris spends a lot of time admiring the beauty of nature on the island, where any short trip leads to mountains, caves, rivers, and amazing beaches.

What was your favorite subject or course in school? History. It is fundamental for every generation to have the opportunity to know the struggles, suffering, and conquers of the people who lived before us.

En español

La Directora de Comunicaciones Digitales y Storytelling es responsable de garantizar que los mensajes, las comunicaciones, los recursos y la experiencia digital de Flamboyán estén respaldados por excelentes recursos escritos y visuales, que incluyen, entre otros, fotografía, videografía, animaciones, tutoriales y contenido web. Rosiris trabaja con el personal de nuestras oficinas de Puerto Rico y Washington, D.C. para garantizar que nuestras audiencias estén informadas sobre el impacto positivo que nuestros programas tienen en los estudiantes más afectados por la inequidad.

Rosiris cree profundamente que solo hay un camino hacia el éxito real: nutrir la vida de cada persona con la adquisición de conocimientos porque la educación es la clave para superar la inequidad. Rosiris ha trabajado para mejorar y arrojar luz sobre las desigualdades a lo largo de su carrera. Antes de unirse a Flamboyán, se desempeñó como Coordinadora de Programación en la única estación de televisión pública y educativa de Puerto Rico – Sistema TV, Canal 40. También trabajó en Prensa Comunitaria, una organización centrada en el periodismo social. Allí, asignó y cubrió noticias sobre algunas de las comunidades más desfavorecidas de la isla. Tiene un bachillerato y una maestría en periodismo de la Universidad de Puerto Rico, recinto de Río Piedras.

Rosiris pasa mucho tiempo admirando la belleza de la naturaleza en la isla, donde cualquier viaje corto conduce a montañas, cuevas, ríos y playas increíbles.

¿Cuál fue tu asignatura o curso favorito en la escuela? Historia. Es fundamental que cada generación tenga la oportunidad de conocer las luchas, sufrimientos y conquistas de las personas que vivieron antes que nosotros.

As Operations Associate, Anelia provides essential administrative, logistic, and operations support to departments across the Puerto Rico office.

Prior to Flamboyán, Anelia dedicated 19 years to the Air Cargo industry as a Flight Follower. In this role, she was the heart of the operation, coordinating and monitoring aircraft movements to ensure safe and efficient travel.

Who was your favorite teacher in school? My Kindergarten teacher (Also my Mom). Being the daughter of teacher parents, I learned firsthand the importance of education and to appreciate the opportunity to go to school, learn and develop the skills to succeed and achieve my goals.

En español

Como Asociada de Operaciones, Anelia provee un apoyo esencial en términos administrativos, logísticos y operativos a los departamentos de la oficina de Puerto Rico.

Antes de Flamboyán, Anelia dedicó 19 años a la industria de Carga Aérea como seguidora de vuelo. En este rol, fue una persona clave en la operación, coordinación y monitoreo de los movimientos de los aviones para asegurar viajes seguros y eficientes.

¿Quién fue tu maestro/a favorito/a en la escuela? Mi maestra de Jardín de Infantes (también mi mamá). Siendo hija de padres docentes, aprendí de primera mano la importancia de la educación y a apreciar la oportunidad de poder ir a la escuela, aprender y desarrollar las habilidades necesarias para tener éxito y alcanzar mis metas.

Franchesca is responsible for helping members of the educational ecosystem understand and apply the K-3 Essential Literacy Practices, to ensure that students in Puerto Rico can read in Spanish at grade level. In her role as Director of Education Programs, she seeks opportunities to bring the voices of teachers and families and collaborates to expand the access that schools in the Puerto Rican archipelago have to resources, learning, and the effective use of the best literacy practices. 

Before coming to the Flamboyán Foundation, Frachesca worked as a preschool, kindergarten, and primary grades teacher in public and private spaces. She has worked with 2-generation educational models, integrating families and communities in educational processes. She also specializes in the teaching of reading, offering individual interventions to students with dyslexia or reading problems. Franchesca sees childhood as the most important project that a country has and education as a mechanism to achieve social justice. As an educator, her greatest satisfaction has been developing lifelong learners; avid and successful readers; providing safe, fun learning spaces, and creating meaningful connections with students and their families. 

Franchesca loves children’s literature and has a vast collection. To her, books have the power to open doors to new worlds, and serve as mirrors where we can see ourselves reflected. 

She attended the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, where she obtained a bachelor’s degree in Communications, studied foreign languages ​​, and completed a Master’s Degree in Early Education. She is certified as a Reading Teaching Specialist by Orton-Gillingham. 

Who was your favorite teacher? My favorite teacher was Miss Lili, my English teacher in elementary school. She integrated music, games, and art into learning, making it fun and interesting. It got us fully involved and provided a space where we felt safe to explore another language. She was a loving teacher and was undoubtedly an inspiration for my work as an educator. 

En español

Franchesca es responsable de ayudar a los integrantes del ecosistema educativo a comprender y aplicar las Prácticas Esenciales para la Enseñanza de la Lectoescritura, cuya meta es garantizar que los estudiantes en Puerto Rico puedan leer en español al nivel de su grado. Desde su rol como Directora de Programas en Educación, busca oportunidades para traer las voces de los maestros y las familias y colabora para ampliar el acceso que tienen las escuelas del archipiélago puertorriqueño a los recursos, al aprendizaje y al uso efectivo de las mejores prácticas de alfabetización.

Antes de llegar a la Fundación Flamboyán, Frachesca trabajó como maestra de Preescolar, Kínder y grados primarios en espacios públicos y privados.  Ha trabajado con modelos educativos de 2 generaciones, integrando a las familias y comunidades en los procesos educativos.  Se desempeña, además, como especialista en la enseñanza de la lectura, ofreciendo intervenciones individuales a estudiantes con dislexia o problemas de lectura.  Ve la niñez como el proyecto más importante que debemos tener como país y a la educación como mecanismo para alcanzar justicia social.  Como educadora su mayor satisfacción ha sido desarrollar aprendices de por vida; lectores ávidos y exitosos; proveer espacios de aprendizaje seguros, divertidos y crear conexiones significativas con los estudiantes y sus familias.

Franchesca ama la literatura infantil y posee una vasta colección.  Considera que los libros tienen el poder de abrirnos puertas hacia nuevos mundos, a la vez que nos sirven de espejos donde nos podemos ver reflejados.

Asistió a la Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Río Piedras, donde obtuvo un bachillerato en Comunicaciones, estudió lenguas extranjeras y culminó una Maestría en Educación Temprana.  Está certificada como Especialista en la Enseñanza de la Lectura por Orton-Gillingham.

¿Cuál fue tu maestro favorito? Mi maestra favorita fue Misis Lili, mi maestra de inglés en la escuela elemental.  Ella integraba música, juegos y arte en el aprendizaje, haciéndolo divertido e interesante. Lograba que nos involucráramos completamente y nos proveía un espacio donde nos sentíamos seguros para explorar otro idioma.  Fue una maestra amorosa y sin duda fue inspiración para mi labor como educadora. 

As Executive Director, Carlos shapes, implements, and oversees all aspects of the Foundation’s mission-driven work and programmatic strategy in Puerto Rico.

Carlos believes education is one of the most important tools we have to achieve a more just society and disrupt barriers of inequity.

Before joining Flamboyan, Carlos was an engineer and business strategist focused on solving complex operations and logistics challenges faced by Fortune 500 companies. Prior to that, he supported sales, finance, operations, and federal regulatory compliance for Univision Communications, Inc. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial Engineering and a Master’s degree in Industrial Engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He has a Master’s in Business Administration (M.B.A.) from The Wharton School at University of Pennsylvania, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Puerto Rico School of Law. Carlos is a licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in the jurisdiction of Puerto Rico, a member of the Puerto Rico College of Engineers and Surveyors (CIAPR), and a member of the Puerto Rico, Florida and Washington, D.C. BAR.

Carlos likes traveling. Getting to know other countries and its peoples broadens his perspective and develops his empathy.

What was your favorite course of subject in school? Literature. It reignited the love I felt for reading when I was a kid.

En español

Como Director Ejecutivo, Carlos da forma, implementa y supervisa todos los aspectos del trabajo impulsado por la misión y la estrategia programática de la Fundación en Puerto Rico.

Carlos cree que la educación es una de las herramientas más importantes que tenemos para lograr una sociedad más justa y romper las barreras de la desigualdad.

Antes de unirse a Flamboyán, Carlos era ingeniero y estratega de negocios enfocado en resolver operaciones complejas y desafíos logísticos que enfrentan las compañías Fortune 500. Antes de eso, apoyó las ventas, las finanzas, las operaciones y el cumplimiento normativo federal para Univision Communications, Inc. Obtuvo una licenciatura y una maestría en ingeniería industrial del Instituto de Tecnología de Georgia. Tiene una Maestría en Administración de Empresas (MBA) de The Wharton School en la Universidad de Pennsylvania y un Juris Doctor de la Facultad de Derecho de la Universidad de Puerto Rico. Carlos es un Ingeniero Profesional con licencia (PE) en la jurisdicción de Puerto Rico, miembro del Colegio de Ingenieros y Agrimensores de Puerto Rico (CIAPR) y miembro del BAR de Puerto Rico, Florida y Washington, D.C.

A Carlos le gusta viajar. Conocer otros países y sus gentes amplía su perspectiva y desarrolla su empatía.

¿Cuál fue tu asignatura favorita en la escuela? Literatura. Reavivó el amor que sentía por la lectura cuando era niño.

In her role at Flamboyán, Perla develops advocacy strategies to promote the right to education through access to early reading. Additionally, she strengthens collaborations and partnerships for the implementation of essential practices for literacy instruction.

Perla is committed to advocating for education because she believes access to literacy between kindergarten and third grade is an essential element for a democratic community and is part of the fight against poverty.

Before joining Flamboyán, Perla managed legal, editorial, educational, and communication projects in Puerto Rico, Chile, and Argentina, in both the public and private sectors. As a journalist, she specialized in issues related to access to justice, higher education, and community development.

Perla obtained a Juris Doctor from the School of Law at the University of Puerto Rico (UPR), completed a master’s degree in Public Relations at the Universidad del Sagrado Corazón, and hold a bachelor’s degree in Information and Journalism from UPR, Río Piedras campus.

Connect with Perla on Linkedin.

Who was your favorite teacher in school? My favorite teachers were Miss Lozada, who taught us to enjoy editing in fourth grade, and Olga Rosa and Ivonne Pomales, who connected us with the community, the environment, and civic duties through activities outside the classroom.

En español

En mi rol en Flamboyán, desarrollo estrategias de abogací­a para promover el derecho a la educación a través del acceso a la lectura en los primeros años escolares. Además, forjo colaboraciones y alianzas para la implementación de las prácticas esenciales para la enseñanza de la lectoescritura.

Estoy comprometida con trabajar a favor de la educación porque el acceso a la lectoescritura entre kínder y tercer grado es un elemento esencial para una comunidad democrática y forma parte de la lucha contra la pobreza.

Antes de unirme a Flamboyán, gestioné proyectos legales, editoriales, educativos y de comunicación en Puerto Rico, Chile y Argentina, tanto en el sector público como privado. Como periodista, me especialicé en temas de acceso a la justicia, educación superior y desarrollo comunitario.

Soy jerezana, fanática de los Gigantes de Carolina y abogada. Obtuve el Juris Doctor en la Escuela de Derecho de la Universidad de Puerto Rico (UPR), completé una maestría en Relaciones Públicas en la Universidad del Sagrado Corazón (USC) y poseo un bachillerato en Información y Periodismo de la UPR, Recinto de Río Piedras.

¿Quién fue tu maestro/a favorito/a en la escuela? Mis maestras favoritas fueron miss Lozada, que nos enseñó a disfrutar la edición en cuarto grado, y Olga Rosa e Ivonne Pomales, que nos conectaron con la comunidad, el ambiente y el civismo mediante actividades fuera del salón.

In his role at Flamboyan, Garvin is the visual design specialist responsible for growing Flamboyan’s profile and brand by bringing stories of impact to life through graphic design. The Creative Director oversees the artistic and design aspects of all products and helps maintain and update Flamboyan’s digital and print assets. By producing visuals for social media, and infographics, and conceptualizing publications and reports, Garvin’s artistic work complements the messages the External Affairs team communicates to Flamboyan’s audiences and conveys its work impact.

Garvin is a renowned graphic artist in Puerto Rico, capable of translating concepts and ideas into powerful images. He has spent many years designing exhibitions for galleries and museums. Through his artistic work, he is able to show his commitment to creating a better Puerto Rico so that new generations have a future where learning and education are a priority.

Before joining Flamboyan, Garvin worked as a graphic artist at a cultural and artistic institution, and he also creates as a visual artist. Garvin has a Bachelor’s Degree in Arts from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus. In his free time, he donates his artistic work to contribute to the island’s agenda of social change specifically to promote the importance of a barrier-free public education.

Who was your favorite teacher in school? My favorite teacher was my Technical Drawing teacher, Juan Carlos Velázquez. He gave me the push I needed to formally study art at the university.

En español

En su puesto en Flamboyan, Garvin es el especialista en diseño visual y el responsable de hacer crecer el perfil y la marca de Flamboyan y dar vida a historias de impacto a través del diseño gráfico. El Director Creativo supervisa los aspectos artísticos y de diseño de todos los productos y ayuda a mantener y actualizar la imagen digital e impresa de Flamboyan. Al producir imágenes para redes sociales, infografías y conceptualizar publicaciones e informes, el trabajo artístico de Garvin complementa y resalta los mensajes que el equipo de Asuntos Externos comunica a las audiencias de Flamboyán.

Garvin es un reconocido artista gráfico en Puerto Rico, capaz de plasmar en un visual conceptos, ideas o luchas. También se ha dedicado por años al diseño de exhibiciones. Por medio de su disciplina, muestra su compromiso – de aportar a construir un mejor país para que las futuras generaciones tengan un porvenir donde la enseñanza y la educación sean una prioridad.

Antes de comenzar a trabajar en Flamboyán, Garvin se desempeñó como artista gráfico de una institución cultural y artística. En lo personal, también se ha dedicado a ejercer su obra como artista plástico. Garvin cuenta con un bachillerato en Artes Plásticas de la Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Río Piedras. En su tiempo libre, usa su disciplina para ayudar a construir un mejor país donde la educación sea libre y no tenga fronteras ni barreras.

¿Quién fue tu maestro favorito en la escuela? Mi maestro favorito en la escuela fue Juan Carlos Velázquez, maestro de dibujo técnico. Fue la última gota de agua del empuje que necesité para adentrarme a las artes como estudio universitario.

In his role at Flamboyan, Sanjay supports school districts nationally in crafting a strategic plan to improve their family engagement and scaling out from plans to practice. Additionally, he supports Graduated District Schools that have become self-sustained after finishing their initial fellowships with Flamboyan. 

Sanjay is committed to working in education because he comes from a family of educators. His wife is a principal, and they are both dedicated to improving the education landscape for their sons and their people. 

Sanjay began his educational journey 20 years ago as a Teach For America Corps Member in Washington, DC. He met his wife Danielle at his placement school and they have worked in DC for the last two decades to improve the educational landscape for students in grades Pre-K(3) through 12th Grade. Prior to joining Flamboyan, he served in various roles, ranging from Instructional Coach and IB Coordinator to Assistant Principal and Principal. 

Sanjay is equally passionate about food and loves to cook. He creates intimate in-home dining experiences in his free time. 

Connect with Sanjay on LinkedIn. 

My favorite teacher in school was… Mrs. Helen Del Vecchio. She helped me transition from a smart student to a dynamic and critical thinker. 

At Flamboyan, Jasper oversees operations of day-to-day administrative and reception duties in service for both Flamboyan and CCM in the Washington, DC office. They provide operational support through various forms of administrative work, internal organization, and coordinating with the team to ensure all the operations needs are met – all with a welcoming and positive attitude!

Jasper is committed to working in education because they believe that every child should have access to quality education, especially those in marginalized communities where resources may be limited. They are proud to be part of an organization that puts so much time, commitment, and passion into the community, and they couldn’t be happier aiding all staff around the office. Jasper is passionate about interpreting social issues and how aspects of ourselves such as race, gender, sexuality, and age make an impact in our day-to-day lives, no matter how subtle it may be, which makes them excited about Flamboyan’s mission.

Prior to joining Flamboyan, Jasper graduated from the University of Maryland in the Spring of 2021 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. During their time in school, they took various courses that helped train them to use resources for quantitative research and programs such as Stata and Excel. They were also trained to maintain accuracy and consistency in task completion, independent and team goal achievement, and acute attention to detail.

Outside of Flamboyan, Jasper is an artist and loves that the Flamboyan Arts Fund is dedicated to revitalizing arts and culture and making it accessible for people. They believe that art is enriching and that being exposed to it can lead to a fulfilling life.

Who was your favorite teacher in school? My high school Japanese teacher who I managed to take for all four years. She was a firm, yet kind and understanding woman who took the time to listen to her students about their concerns and offered support to those who needed it. During that time in my life, I was going through major difficulties, and she still inspires me to this day.

In her role at Flamboyán, Silvia is responsible for shaping and executing comprehensive communication strategies that elevate the organization’s brand and message across all programmatic areas. This role involves crafting innovative and impactful communication plans, overseeing their implementation, and ensuring alignment with the organization’s overall goals and objectives.

Silvia has dedicated the majority of her career to advocating for better access to quality education for everyone. Prior to joining Flamboyán, she spent a decade working with Washington, DC-based non-profit organizations focused on workforce development, postsecondary education, and community engagement. She helped these organizations expand their strategic communications efforts, better advocate for their issues in US Congress, and helped mobilize coalitions across the United States.

Silvia holds Bachelor’s Degree in Communications Studies from Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in Santurce, Puerto Rico and a Master’s Degree in Public Relations and Corporate Communications from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

Connect with Silvia on Linkedin.

What was your favorite course of subject in school? I was fortunate to be a student of the artist Deborah Hunt in elementary school. I always her teaching us to make our own masks and costumes for every performance we had in our school.

En español

En su rol en Flamboyán, Silvia es responsable de conceptualizar y ejecutar estrategias de comunicación integrales para elevar la marca y el mensaje de la organización en todas las áreas programáticas. Este papel implica crear planes de comunicación innovadores y asegurar que estén alineados con los objetivos generales de la organización.

Silvia ha dedicado la mayor parte de su carrera a abogar por un mejor acceso a una educación de calidad. Antes de unirse a Flamboyán, pasó una década trabajando con organizaciones sin fines de lucro basadas en Washington, DC, centradas en el desarrollo de la fuerza laboral, la educación superior, y el apoyo comunitario. Ayudó a estas organizaciones a expandir sus esfuerzos de comunicación estratégica, abogar mejor por la educación en el Congreso de los Estados Unidos, y ayudó a movilizar coaliciones en diversas regiones de los Estados Unidos.

Silvia obtuvo un Bachillerado en Comunicaciones de la Universidad del Sagrado Corazón y una Maestría en Relaciones Públicas y Comunicaciones Corporativas de Georgetown University en Washington, D.C.

¿Quién fue tu maestro/a favorito/a en la escuela? De niña tuve la dicha de ser estudiante de la artista Deborah Hunt. Recuerdo como nos enseñó a hacer nuestras propias caretas y vestuarios para toda presentación que teníamos en nuestra escuela.

Neeltje plays a critical role to increase the profile of Flamboyan’s work to revitalize Puerto Rico.

Neeltje believes in the transformative power of education. She’s also passionate about promoting reading and literature and spent the earlier years of her career as a Manager of the Children’s Literature Room of Puerto Rico’s National Library and as General Coordinator of the Festival de la Palabra, a yearly literary event that brings together 50 international and local writers and more than 20,000 visitors.

Prior to joining Flamboyan, she worked as Executive Director of the University of Puerto Rico Press. She oversaw the publishing, sales, and marketing initiatives of this prestigious academic publisher. She also worked at Santillana, an international Spanish publishing house that specializes in K-12 educational materials where she held three roles as Children’s Literature Editor, General Interest Books Division Director, and Communications Director. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Modern Languages and Literature from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus, and speaks four languages.

Neeltje has also been a volunteer at Proyecto Enlace’s Literacy Program for adults.

Connect with her on LinkedIn.

What was your favorite subject or course in school? My favorite courses were always History and Literature. I was very lucky to have wonderful and committed teachers in these two disciplines. In addition, the division lines between reality and fiction and how these translate into the written word fascinate me. 

En español

Neeltje desempeña un rol fundamental en darle visibilidad al trabajo que hace Flamboyán en Puerto Rico en las áreas de educación y arte y cultura.

Neeltje cree en el poder transformador de la educación. También es una apasionada de la promoción de la lectura y de la literatura. Ha fungido como gerente de la Sala de Literatura Infantil de la Biblioteca Nacional de Puerto Rico y como coordinadora general del Festival de la Palabra, evento literario que reunía anualmente a 50 escritores internacionales y locales y más de 20.000 visitantes.

Antes de unirse a Flamboyán, se desempeñó como directora ejecutiva de la Editorial de la Universidad de Puerto Rico, donde supervisó las iniciativas de publicación, ventas y marketing de esta prestigiosa editorial académica. También trabajó en Santillana, una editorial española internacional que se especializa en materiales educativos para los grados K-12. Allí ocupó tres puestos, fue editora de literatura infantil, directora de la división de libros de interés general y directora de Comunicaciones. Neeltje tiene un bachillerato en Lenguas y Literatura Modernas de la Universidad de Puerto Rico, Recinto de Río Piedras y habla cuatro idiomas.

¿Cuál fue tu asignatura o curso favorito en la escuela? Mis clases favoritas siempre fueron Historia y Español (Literatura). Tuve la suerte de tener maestras maravillosas en esas dos disciplinas. Además, las líneas divisorias entre realidad y ficción y cómo se traducen en la palabra escrita me llaman mucho la atención.

Thedra leads the training and product development initiatives at Flamboyan, ensuring that educators have the training, resources, and products they need to grow and sustain their family engagement practice. She is committed to education because she feels that education opens the door to see the world in a new way, helps you figure out how you fit in the world, and gives you the power to fight to make the world a better place.

Thedra has more than 15 years of experience in developing, implementing, and leading global training programs. Prior to joining Flamboyan, she developed continuing education programs, both online and in-person, for healthcare professionals. She has also held positions in marketing and finance, and as a high school teacher. Thedra received a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Business Administration from the State University of New York at Binghamton.

In her spare time, Thedra is an avid tennis player. She also loves traveling the world and enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Who was your favorite teacher in school? Mr. Hamlin, my high school math teacher. He helped me work through the negative self-talk I had about my ability to conquer math by working with me after school to review math problems, step by step, and show me I could do it. With his help, I moved on to calculus and enjoyed it.

Lindsay is the right-hand to Flamboyan Foundation’s Senior Leadership Team and functions as their liaison to the DC and Puerto Rico teams, spending time working from both the Foundation’s regional offices. As Managing Director of Strategy Management, Lindsay lives out her commitment to advancing educational equity through her work developing, guiding, and monitoring Flamboyan’s strategic priorities. As the in-house leader for all things related to planning and strategy, she builds and implements systems and processes to remove barriers to collaboration, maximize efficiency, and steward a high-functioning, equity-driven internal culture.

Lindsay believes that all children should have access to a high-quality education no matter their background or life circumstances. Prior to her tenure at Flamboyan, Lindsay began her career in the non-profit sector at NewBridges Immigrant Resource Center in Harrisonburg, VA. There, she managed client casework and developed bilingual communication resources. She also interned at the Children’s Defense Fund (CDF) and developed content related to CDF’s policy priorities.

Lindsay speaks Spanish fluently and looks for opportunities to use her language skills whenever possible. Connect with her on LinkedIn.

What was your favorite subject or course in school? English. I love the way language and stories open us up to new realities and help us make sense of the world.

Youval oversees and tracks the operation of Flamboyan’s training program, including supporting the organization’s parent and teacher trainers. She is committed to education because she believes that every young person has immense potential, and it is through education and holistic support that they can be enabled to thrive.

Prior to joining Flamboyan, Youval worked in the youth leadership development space, supporting LearnServe International’s social entrepreneurship fellowship program. Her background is in conflict transformation, understanding the ways young people are both impacted by conflict and working to address conflict in their community.

Outside of Flamboyan, Youval’s favorite place to relax is out on her back porch, reading a book while her cat rolls around in the dirt.

Who was your favorite teacher in school? Ms. Malkin (Global Cultures and AP Gov), she made history and politics come alive in powerful ways and made every student feel their contributions were valid.

Marci oversees Flamboyan’s overall strategy, program, and operations. Her work ensures that the foundation is maximizing its cohesion, effectiveness, and sustainability across its offices in Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico.

A nonprofit management veteran with more than twenty years’ experience, she started her careers as a kindergarten teacher in Maryland and has always believed education is the foundation for young people to live their best lives and achieve their dreams. Marci is a “fierce fighter” on behalf of students, especially those who are most marginalized and has spent her career fighting at the local, state, and national levels to improve the lives of children and youth of low-income families. Marci’s track record includes having been a Partner at Venture Philanthropy Partners, Vice President of Impact at United Way Worldwide, and having held leadership roles at Pew Center of States and the Center for the Child Care Workforce. She has served on numerous local and national boards and holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Stanford University and a master’s degree in early childhood education with a specialization in policy and administration from the University of Pennsylvania.

Marci is inspired by the connections and community we share because our shared humanity is a powerful and positive force.

Who was your favorite teacher in school? Mrs. Cleveland believed in my success even when I doubted myself. She always pushed me to do my best and overcome challenges (in the classroom and beyond).