Leadership

Jerome was appointed CEO of PUENTE Learning Center in 2020, after having served as Interim CEO since 2018. A PUENTE employee for over 25 years, Jerome’s previous roles include Chief Operating Officer and Charter School Principal.

As CEO, Jerome has led the sustainable growth of the organization to have an annual operating budget of over $10 million. Some of his other accomplishments include the Charter School expansion to grades TK-5 as well as the seismic upgrade renovation project to make our facility more welcoming for decades to come. In Jerome’s day-to-day leadership, he ensures that PUENTE functions are effective, equitable, and efficient, with decision-making that is evidence-based and community-centered.

Jerome has been recognized for his nonprofit leadership by the Center for Nonprofit Management and the California Council on Economic Education. He is a graduate of the University of California, Los Angeles.

Prior to joining PUENTE Learning Center in 2019, Dominic was an ECE Educator at Anna Bing Arnold Children’s Center. During his tenure at Anna Bing Arnold Children’s Center, he was responsible for training staff and university students. Dominic was also responsible for securing NAEYC accreditation, maintaining developmentally appropriate practices, and working in partnership with community at California State University of Los Angeles to provide a safe and enriched learning experience.

Dominic is a graduate of California State University of Los Angeles, where he majored in Early Childhood Development and obtained a Masters in Early Childhood Education.

Angelica Castro is responsible for setting financial policy and for overseeing the financial affairs of PUENTE Learning Center. In addition, these key operational and administrative areas report to her: finance, human resources, information technology, facilities, and security. Prior to joining PUENTE in July 2018, Angelica held various positions of increasing responsibility including Auditor for Singer Lewak, Director of Finance for The Autry National Center, Chief Financial Officer for Park Century School, and Director of Finance for The ALS Association Golden West Chapter. She received a B.S. in Business Administration with an accounting concentration from the California State University Northridge and is a member of the American Institute of CPAs.

Matt Wells works closely with and promotes collaboration between the CEO, staff, board, and donors to build relationships and to fund operating and strategic initiatives. Matt heads the group responsible for raising $1.5 - $2 million in operating funds annually through foundation/corporate support, annual giving, government grants, special events, and more. He also oversees efforts to secure additional capital and special project funding.

Matt came to PUENTE from DIAVOLO | Architecture in Motion, a Los Angeles dance company. During his seven years at DIAVOLO, Matt played a lead role in increasing the budget size and growing contributed revenue. He launched the DIAVOLO Institute and grew its education and engagement programs. Matt was also the President and co-founder of Laurus Tutoring, a company that provided academic assistance and specialized test preparation for all grade levels K-12, including children with special needs.

Matt received the Ralph M. Parsons Foundation Fellowship for Nonprofit Leadership; he was selected to attend the American Express Leadership Academy by the Center for Creative Leadership; he participated in Executive Service Corps’ Nonprofit Executive Institute, funded by Wells Fargo; and he attended Annenberg Alchemy’s leadership development program.

Matt is active in the community and has served on several nonprofit boards, including Dance/USA, the national service organization for American dance. Previously, he enjoyed a career as an actor and theater producer. Matt is a Certified Fund Raising Executive as well as an alumnus of Claremont Graduate University (M.A., Arts Management) and Northwestern University (B.S., Theater). He is a proud husband and father.

Michele Wolfe leads the youth and adult programs teams and manages PUENTE’s relationships with external partners to bring the very best classes, instructors, and services to our student community. Her leadership in these areas has contributed to the development of the organization's strength and sustainability.

She has served on PUENTE’s staff since 1992, first as an ESL classroom instructor, then ESL Coordinator, Director of Education, and appointed as Vice President of Programs in 2021. She is committed to PUENTE’s mission because it connects with her own personal and professional vision of serving as a bridge of opportunities that enables students to reach their goals and improve their lives.

Michele moved to Los Angeles in 1988, and it was while volunteering with the Latino community in Boyle Heights that she found PUENTE and made it her home. Michele obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and Education from Regis University in Colorado. She holds a California teaching credential and is a graduate of the CALPRO Leadership Institute.

Michele is a writer as well as educator. Her publishing credits include a novel, a memoir essay and two pieces of short fiction. Further, she has served on various boards for different organizations over the years, Michele is happily married and has two sons.

Tesa Marquez is responsible for the implementation of the organization's policies and procedures that ensure compliance with local, state, and federal employment laws. Additionally, she leads the administration of the organization’s payroll.

Tesa’s involvement with PUENTE dates back over twenty five years, and her knowledge and years of experience significantly contributed to the development of the Human Resources department. After volunteering in PUENTE's youth programs, Tesa was recruited to the staff in August 1994 to manage and administer a new government grant program from the City of Los Angeles. Over the years she has also served in supporting roles for development, finance, operations, and the CEO. In addition, she played a key role in the preparation of PUENTE's initial application to LAUSD for a Charter Kindergarten.

Tesa holds an Associate Degree in Accounting from the National Education Center and received her certification in Human Resources Management from California State University, Dominguez Hills. Born and raised in East Los Angeles, much of Tesa’s personal and professional life is invested in the community served by PUENTE.

Brenda Meza supports teachers in delivering meaningful instruction through a rigorous and Common Core-aligned curriculum. She provides professional development for teachers and promotes best practices through coaching. Brenda has served in her current role since July 2020.

Brenda previously worked as an education consultant for Growing Educators. Prior to consulting, she taught in primary and upper grades at a dual immersion school in South Los Angeles. She holds a Masters of Education (M.Ed.) from Loyola Marymount University and a Bachelors in Psychology and Spanish from the University of California, Riverside.

Brenda is a native Spanish speaker and was raised in East LA. She enjoys giving back to her community.

Maria has served as the Volunteer Services Manager at PUENTE Learning Center since 2022. As Volunteer Services Manager, Maria ensures the volunteer programs is well run, efficient for staff, external partners and volunteers. She ensures PUENTE's mission is highlighted through community efforts. Maria is essential in growing PUENTE's volunteer efforts in the community and engaging local and national volunteers to participate in a wide range of programming.

Maria is a graduate of California State University, Northridge. She holds a Bachelors of Art in Chicano Studies and Sociology. Maria has a deep commitment to serving underserved and underrepresented communities with 10 years of experience working with non-profits in Los Angeles.

In her role, Maria aims to build community and enhance services through the power of volunteerism while uplifting and empowering the PUENTE community.

Hector Espinoza first attended PUENTE in 1995 as a student in the Job Training program. Working with computers became his passion, and PUENTE hired Hector as an assistant for the Computer Applications classes.

After teaching Computer Applications classes for several years, Hector also started a Computer Repair class. He received his CompTIA A+ and Network+ certifications in 2007 and also worked as a Network Administrator assistant for several years.

Andrea serves as the Senior Grants Officer at PUENTE, where she oversees grant management and fundraising efforts to support PUENTE's educational programs. With over 10 years of experience in grant writing, Andrea specializes in securing funding for educational initiatives across local, state, and federal levels, as well as private and corporate grants. She has a strong background in educational policy, from PreK-12 to postsecondary, and a deep commitment to educational access and equity.

Before joining PUENTE in 2018, Andrea  worked with AmeriCorps VISTA at Learning Works in Pasadena, supporting credit-deficient youth to graduate high school. She also held a Development Associate position at Haynes Family of Programs, focusing on grants, events, and communication. Andrea holds a Bachelors of Art from University of California, Santa Cruz and a M.A from Stanford University in Anthropology and Archaeology.

A proud Boyle Heights native, Andrea has volunteered for over 15 years with Las Angelitas del Pueblo, leading tours of El Pueblo de Los Angeles.

Diana Juarez has dedicated over 30 years to the PUENTE community, serving as a teacher, Dean of Engagement, and now as Vice Principal. She is honored to have contributed to the school's development, including co-authoring its original charter petition. Throughout her career, Diana has been recognized for her dedication to education, receiving awards such as the County of Los Angeles LAUP Educator of the Year and certificates of recognition from the City of Los Angeles and District 14.

In her role as Vice Principal, Diana oversees standardized assessments as the primary CAASPP and ELPAC coordinator. She visits classrooms during designated ELD lessons and works closely with teachers, providing ELD support through professional development and guidance. Additionally, she leads the ELAC parent committee and manages attendance and behavior programs. Recently, Diana earned CA MTSS Administrative certification, further strengthening her ability to support the PUENTE community effectively. Her academic background includes degrees and studies at UCLA, CSULA, and UOP, reflecting her commitment to lifelong learning.

Born and raised in Boyle Heights, Diana feels privileged to give back to the community that shaped her. She remains deeply committed to promoting equity in education and takes pride in contributing to PUENTE's mission and legacy.

Brock McKenzie is the Director of Facilities at PUENTE. Brock has been with PUENTE since 1991, when it was known as “the old trailers school” and functioned within doublewide trailers on a lot purchased by former Los Angeles Mayor Richard J. Riordan. Brock was present for the opening of the new building in 1995 on that same lot.

Brock enjoys working with his hands and takes a liking to landscape and architecture. He also enjoys working with youth and young adults. Brock and his wife developed the young adults program at their church, Highland Avenue Community Church.

Jasmine Medrano is responsible for implementing a pathways program that provides higher education awareness, preparation, access, and success for high school and college youth. She enjoys working in a setting that fosters a sense of community for its clients in order to promote a college-going culture

Most recently, Jasmine served at Bresee Foundation, managing a pilot college to career pathways program that provides selected high school youth the opportunity to develop their workforce readiness skills and gain real-world work experience through job/internship placement. Jasmine was also responsible for the GO East LA initiative, a cradle to career program that promotes higher education in the East Los Angeles area. She has a qualitative research background that has allowed her to gain authorship in a book chapter and manuscript. Jasmine has a passion for examining the role that Latina/o parents play in the educational persistence and success of their children. Her current research and writing focus on how social and cultural forces impact the educational and career success of high school students.

Jasmine is completing her M.A. in Education (option in Social & Cultural Analysis of Education) at California State University, Long Beach and she received her B.S. at California State University, Los Angeles. She was born and raised in Koreatown, Los Angeles. She feels honored and grateful to work at PUENTE and serve the vision of empowering lives through education.