2022-2023 Leadership Council
Co-Director of Operations
Yaritza Gonzalez (she/her/hers) was born and raised in Inglewood, CA by Mexican parents, and is a proud role model to her two younger sisters.
In 2016, Yaritza earned a B.A. in Geography with a minor in Public Policy from Dartmouth College in Hanover, NH.
Currently, she is obtaining her M.A. in Public Policy at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).
She plans on becoming a licensed attorney to help eradicate the systemic injustices that hinder underrepresented communities like hers from thriving in society.
Yaritza is a Co-Founder of the ING Fellowship.
Co-Director of Operations
Steve Zatarain (he/him/his) was born and raised in Inglewood, CA by Mexican immigrants, who were also raised in Inglewood.
In 2015, Steven earned a B.A. in Psychology from Middlebury College in Middlebury, VT.
Since graduating from Middlebury, he has worked as a live-in Residential Director and as a Trainer at the Posse Foundation in Los Angeles, CA, focusing on youth development and mentorship.
Currently, he works as an Assistant Director of Admissions at his alma mater and continues his work in community building and inclusion on college campuses.
Steve is also a Co-Founder of the ING Fellowship.
Operations Committee Member
Kevin Glover (he/him/his) was born in Inglewood, CA.
Currently, Kevin works as the Director of Client Service at Chrysalis. In his role, Kevin leads the Client Services team in Santa Monica, providing mentorship and guidance, as well as overseeing strategic initiatives for the area. He also manages key partner relationships and analyzes program data to ensure that the team is serving our clients effectively and efficiently.
Kevin has worked in the nonprofit sector since 2013. In his roles as Director of Outreach at Metropolis Santa Monica and Community Engagement Coordinator at Hope United LA, he provided and managed social service support to the most vulnerable populations. Additionally, he currently serves as Co-Executive Director & Board Vice President of Hand to Hand Hunger Project, an all-volunteer nonprofit organization in Santa Monica.
Kevin strives to be empathetic to the needs of those who he serves in the community and is passionate about ensuring all whom he serves receive dignified support.
Director of Fundraising and Marketing
Alejandra Medina (she/her/hers) was born and raised in Inglewood, CA to a Guatemalan mother and a Mexican father. She is the youngest of three daughters and has a younger brother.
In 2018, Ale earned a B.A. in English from California State University, Sacramento. While in Sacramento, she was involved with the university’s Center for Diversity and Inclusion and local community grassroots organizations.
Since returning to Inglewood, CA, she has worked as a freelance writer with a focus on multicultural stories and an after-school teacher in Inglewood.
Ale is also a Co-Founder of the ING Fellowship.
Fundraising and Marketing Committee Member
Melissa Guzman (she/her/hers) was born and raised in Inglewood, CA by Mexican immigrant parents.
In 2021, Melissa earned a B.A. in Computer Science at Wellesley College in Wellesley, MA. At Wellesley, she not only developed her technical knowledge, but also learned how algorithms and technology can and do perpetuate inequality.
Currently, Melissa is a Software Engineer at The Walt Disney Company. Her goal is to later pursue higher education with a focus on the ethics of technology and policy. She hopes to further research that illuminates how technology harms marginalized communities like that of her own. Also, how to design technology ethically and develop policies to manage this fast developing technology.
Co-Director of Policy and Organizing
Amber Olmos (she/they) was born and raised in Inglewood and Lennox by Mexican immigrants. She is proud sister to five siblings.
In 2019, Amber earned her B.A. in Chicanx Studies from the University of California, Los Ángeles. While at UCLA Amber discovered her purpose of struggling alongside Youth of Color toward educational and social justice through MEChA Xinachtli, a college access program on campus.
Since graduating from UCLA, Amber has worked as a University Teaching Assistant, Special Education Coordinator, Middle School Elective Teacher, College Adviser, and recently Assistant Residential Life Coordinator.
Currently, she is obtaining her M.A. in Education at CSU Dominguez Hills. She hopes to pay her experiences forward by planting seeds and nourishing future generations.
Amber is also a Co-Founder of the ING Fellowship.
Co-Director of Policy and Organizing
Leonel Garcia (he/him/his) was raised in Inglewood, CA to Mexican parents from Oaxaca, Mexico. He has three brothers. Inglewood, CA has been his home for over 25 years.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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In 2015, Leo earned a B.A. in Political Science from Clarkson University in Potsdam, NY. ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
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Since returning to Inglewood, CA he has helped various organizations and elected officials to make Inglewood, CA a better place.
In 2016, Leo was chosen by Councilmember Alex Padilla to serve as the District 2 Parking and Traffic Commissioner.
Currently, he works as a Senior Recreation Leader for the City of Inglewood Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Department.
Leo is also an ING 2020 Fellow Alumni.
Organizing and Policy Committee Member
Lily Trejo (they/she) was born and raised in Inglewood, CA by a Salvadoran mother and Mexican father. Growing up in Inglewood shaped her aspirations of attending college to return and uplift her community.
In 2016, Lily earned a B.A.in Sociology and Philosophy from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). While at UCSB, she further developed her passion for community involvement through her various volunteer efforts.
Currently, she is a Resource Development Associate for a nonprofit working on transit equity projects in South LA.
Lily hopes to dedicate herself to a career in urban planning to advocate for improvement of public transportation and infrastructure.
Lily is also a Co-Founder of the ING Fellowship.
Organizing and Policy Committee Member
Paola Gonzalez (she/her/hers) was born in Oxnard, CA and raised in Inglewood, CA to Mexican parents. She attended Worthington Elementary School and Animo Inglewood Charter High School.
In 2020, she earned her B.A. in Women and Gender Studies and Latino/a/x studies at Wellesley College in Wellesley, MA. During her time at Wellesley, Paola was involved in various community oriented organizations and served on executive boards throughout her four years.
Currently, Paola is working with a non-profit organization known as City Year where she serves as a near-peer tutor and mentor for the youth of South Central LA. She hopes to pursue a Masters and teaching credential in Bilingual Education to ensure that all ESL students at the primary school level can thrive, as she once was.
Paola is also a Co-Founder of the ING Fellowship.
Organizing and Policy Committee Member
Sarah Rodriguez (she/her/hers) was born and raised by a hard-working, single mother in Inglewood CA.
In 2019, she earned my B.A in Child & Adolescent Development at San Jose State University. Sarah is deeply passionate about making a difference in the lives of youth, particularly in being an advocate for their mental health. After graduating from SJSU, she has worked in the nonprofit sector and has always dreamed of one day creating her own nonprofit to help youth in Inglewood, CA.
In 2022, I made this dream a reality by creating “Growth Ready Org” (GRO). GRO is a program that works in collaboration with the Inglewood Public Library. They meet every Tuesday and we bring forth college and career readiness, leadership development, and a safe and inclusive space for all Inglewood youth.
In the future, Sarah hopes to pursue my masters in Social Work and expand GRO as a nonprofit so that more youth and families in Inglewood, CA can benefit from the services.
Organizing and Policy Committee Member
Karla Vasquez (she/her/ella) was born in El Salvador, Central America. She grew up both in El Salvador and in Hawthorne, CA.
She immigrated to the United States five years ago. Since then her goal is to empower young kids of color in the South Bay and El Salvador. Karla is a first-year student at UCLA. She is majoring in Labor Studies and minoring in Community Engagement and Social Change. She is passionate about volunteering and advocating for underserved communities.
Karla hopes to serve her community and dedicate efforts to social justice.
Organizing and Policy Committee Member
Adrian Lizardo (he/him/his) was born in Los Angeles, CA and raised in Inglewood by parents who immigrated from Mexico to the US when they were children. He is the product of Inglewood Unified, attending Worthing Elementary, Monroe Magnet Middle School, and Morningside High School. In 2017, Adrian graduated from UCLA with a B.S. in Ecology, Behavior, and Evolution and continued to earn his Master’s in Education while obtaining a teacher credential in Science.
Since earning his degree, Adiran has been a science teacher for different high schools in various districts: LA, Paramount. and Long Beach. He became a science teacher to help show students that science can be a lens used to explain how the world works. During his teaching experience, he also co-founded a Gay-Straight Alliance at two different school sites and has been continuing his knowledge by participating in the Knowles Teacher Initiative, a five year teacher fellowship focusing on supporting math and science teachers.
Aside from teaching, Adrian enjoys the outdoors by going for walks, hikes, or observing nature. He likes to play softball and has been cycling on his road bike since he was 14. Adrian has also been learning how to play disc golf and started to practice yoga in the last few years.
Adrian is an ING Fellowship Alumni of the 2022 Cohort.
Mateo Acosta (they/them/theirs) earned their BA in History from UCLA. At UCLA, Mateo discovered their love and passion for working with students and advocating for equitable access to quality education for all students. After working in various roles across schools in California, and in the midst of the pandemic, they began pursuing their MA in Politics and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.
While in New York, Mateo taught history in schools in Harlem, organized state campaigns to reinstate Tuition Assistance Programs for incarcerated students, and assisted on research into the effects of the pandemic on the teacher workforce.
After earning their Master’s, Mateo returned home to continue serving the students and communities at 826LA as the Senior Manager of Volunteer Programs.