Leadership Team

Homeless Innovation Program Coordinator, San Luis Obispo County Office of Education

John has worked in the out-of-school time setting for over ten years with the YMCA. His experience started in his hometown Stockton, CA where he was Program Leader mentoring and tutoring at-risk youth. John eventually moved up and became a Program Director providing leadership and mentorships to his team, and students that were in his program. During his time with the YMCA, he joined the YMCA’s Employee Resource Group: Asian Pacific Islander Leadership Network, where he assisted staff of Asian Pacific Islander heritage in their career development within the organization.  In 2018, he joined the California Afterschool Network Leadership Team and is still currently serving on the team. 

John is currently working at the San Luis Obispo County Office of Education as the Homeless Innovation Program Coordinator, educating and training educators, and community leaders about how to serve youth and families who are facing homelessness through the county’s system of care. 

Director of Expanded Learning, Calexico Unified School District

Esmeralda Garcia joined Calexico Unified (CUSD) initially in 2014 as a school counselor. Shortly after joining CUSD, she began working in the after school program at her school site as a Site Coordinator. During her tenure with CUSD and working after school, she began working on her administrator credential. Upon completing her administrative service credential, she became a vice principal with a neighboring district, where she also served as the district coordinator for five after school programs. She then returned to CUSD as the Migrant Coordinator. Only two months after returning to CUSD an opening became available in the Expanded Learning Department. She currently serves as the Director of the Expanded Learning Department. She is building a comprehensive CUSD program that serves Tk-12th Grade students using multiple funding sources. She works with all levels of staffing, families, and administration to provide programming that meets the needs and wants of families in her community. 

Director of Student, Family, and Community Engagement​, 
Lassen County Office of Education

James Hall serves as Program Manager of Prevention and Expanded Learning for the Lassen County Office of Education.  In his role at the Lassen County Office of Education, he serves as an ASES Program Director; plans and implements expanded learning opportunities for students in TK to 12^th grade; and serves as the county lead for Visual and Performing Arts, Tobacco Use Prevention Education, and Federal Program Monitoring.  James is passionate about out-of-school time because he was involved in after school activities as a student and saw the benefits and the awesome opportunities that were available to help expand his horizons.  He loves to see the same happen for students and adults today.  James was motivated to join the CAN Leadership Team because he desires to help address the need for high-quality programs, share knowledge, and lend support to make this a reality, no matter the size or location of the program. 

Expanded Learning Program Manager, Oakland Unified School District (OUSD)

Laila Jenkins-Perez is one of three Expanded Learning Program Managers for the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD). Included in their role at OUSD, is to ensure that all 76 expanded learning programs are designed to complement learning and enhance the achievement opportunities for all students; assist K-12 schools in implementing operational/programmatic systems to fulfill the goal as full-service schools by aligning after-school programs with the school day; implementation of grant-funded quality after-school programs to ensure that program goals are achieved, necessary parties are mobilized, and efforts of all personnel involved in the programs are operating at a high standard. Laila is passionate about out-of-school time because it represents actualized social justice at its core with youth at its center.  Laila was motivated to join the CAN Leadership Team because she is excited to serve her community at the state level, enhance her strategic systems design experience, and amplify the expanded learning voice, visibility, and value.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO), ProYouth

Dr. Marie M. Pinto is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for ProYouth, a nonprofit, Expanded Learning organization based in the Central Valley of California. In her role at ProYouth, Marie oversees the operation that serves 15,000 students, on 50 school sites, in six school districts and two counties. Marie is passionate about out-of-school time because it provides opportunities to those children who may not access to academic support, enrichment, a healthy meal, and a caring adult. Marie was motivated to join the CAN Leadership Team because it allowed her to participate in the process that can effect positive change for the field of expanded learning, and to work and interact with the change agents of the state.

Executive Director, California School-Age Consortium

Lupine is a Central Valley native who has been working in the out-of-school time (OST) field for nearly twenty years. She started as a summer camp counselor and later served in various roles at a range of youth development organizations, including LA’s BEST after-school program and the American Camp Association. Most recently, Lupine was Vice President of Client Services for Arrowhead Management Company, a fundraising consulting firm responsible for raising millions of dollars for non-profit organizations each year. She currently is the Executive Director at the California School-Age Consortium (CalSAC), for which she has served as a staff member for 6 years, and as a volunteer since 2009. Lupine has a Bachelor of Arts in English and Music from UCLA and a Master of Public Administration from USC. In her free time, you’ll find her outdoors – running, hiking, camping, and kayaking or indoors – swing dancing.