Chris Copolillo, Board Chair
Managing Director of Growth, Advocacy, and Community Engagement, KIPP Public Schools Northern California
Chris Copolillo serves as the Managing Director of Growth, Advocacy, and Community Engagement at KIPP Public Schools Northern California where he works to create and sustain joyful, academically excellent schools. Prior to joining KIPP NorCal, Chris spent five years at the California Charter Schools Association, where he managed policy and advocacy campaigns on a range of issues centered on improving educational equity throughout California. He has also served as the founding local program coordinator of a Port au Prince nonprofit, history teacher, political campaign staffer, and teacher recruiter. He holds a Master of Public Policy from the USC Price School of Public Policy, Master of Education from the University of Miami, and B.A. from James Madison University. Chris is an avid reader, an outdoor enthusiast, and a lifelong Chicago Bulls fan.
Nicolas Dovetta, Board Member
Principal, Boston Consulting Group
Nicolas “Nico” Dovetta is a Principal at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). At BCG Nicolas works across industries (Finance, Aerospace, Entertainment, Consumer, Automotive, Energy, Tech.) and types of engagement (e.g., large-scale organizational and digital transformations, strategic definition, due diligences, large project de-risking). Prior to BCG Nico worked in Glass Manufacturing Research and Development at Saint-Gobain, a leading glass and construction product manufacturer in Paris. Early in his career he taught Physics, Fluid Dynamics and Mechanics in high-school, college, and engineering schools. He holds a PhD in Aerospace Engineering (Ecole Polytechnique, Paris 2014 – in Partnership with CalTech) and a MS of Mechanical Engineering (ENS, Paris-Saclay, 2009). Before moving to the USA, Nicolas spent most of his life in France between Paris and the French Alps where he grew-up.
Judith Escobar, Esq., Board Vice Chair
Senior Attorney, Homeboy Industries
Judith Escobar is a Senior Attorney representing formerly incarcerated and formerly-gang involved clients of Homeboy Industries. Before becoming an attorney, Ms. Escobar worked in various roles at both the Los Angeles and Orange County Superior Courts, from AmeriCorps fellow to Administrative Analyst. Ms. Escobar graduated Cum Laude from California State University, Long Beach with her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, and received her Juris Doctor from the University of California, Irvine School of Law. Judith is a member of the State Bar of California and the California Lawyer’s Association.
Nicole Gutierrez, Board Member
Associate Director of High School Placement and Postsecondary Match, KIPP SoCal Public Schools
Nicole Gutierrez is the Associate Director of High School Placement & Postsecondary Match for KIPP SoCal Public Schools. In her role, she leads the region's strategy for high school and postsecondary exposure, programming, and advising for more than 4,000 students and alumni. Ms. Gutierrez was born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley, with family roots in East LA and Boyle Heights. She is a first generation college graduate, who graduated cum laude from Loyola Marymount University with a Bachelors in Sociology and Chicana/o Studies, and earned a Masters in Ethnic Studies from San Francisco State.
Julie Jhun, EdD, Board Secretary
Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator, Division of Graduate Education, School Leadership Program, CSUDH
Julie Kim Jhun is currently an Assistant Professor at California State University Dominguez Hills and is the Program Coordinator for the School Leadership Program which offers both hybrid and online pathways for students obtaining their K-12 administrative services credential and Masters in School Leadership. Her prior experiences are in K–12 education, starting as a Teach for America corps member teaching in the Lynwood Unified School District in California and later as the assistant principal and principal of a charter high school in Los Angeles for over 10 years. Dr. Jhun is a strong advocate for social justice and positive behavioral reinforcement in schools and also co-authored publications and presentations on school leadership. She is a former board member of Endeavor College Preparatory Charter School. Dr. Jhun obtained her doctorate in education from the University of California, Los Angeles, her master’s degree in education from Loyola Marymount University, and her bachelor’s degrees in psychology and piano performance from Oberlin College and the Oberlin Conservatory of Music.
Brooke Rios, EdD, Board Member
Executive Director, New Los Angeles Charter Schools
Dr. Brooke Rios is a dynamic school leader who is committed to public education. She currently serves as Executive Director of New Los Angeles Charter Schools. Prior to this role, Brooke was the Principal of New LA Middle School, where she led the school in being recognized as one of the best public middle schools serving low income students in Los Angeles. Committed to progressive education, Brooke led the Wildwood Outreach Center, where she coached schools on the implementation of small, learner centered educational programs. She is a former board member of Endeavor College Preparatory Charter School. Brooke holds a California Clear Administrative Credential and earned her doctorate of education in leadership at the University of California, Los Angeles. Her research background includes the manifestation of systemic racism in public education, culturally responsive school leadership, and college access.
Linda Sanchez, Board Treasurer
Director of Client Experience, CapShift
Linda is Director of Client Experience for CapShift, an impact investing platform that empowers philanthropic and financial institutions to easily shift both their charitable and traditional capital into hundreds of mission-driven funds and social enterprises focused on scaling solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Prior to CapShift, she was Director of Account Management and ESG Program Management at NationSwell, a social impact consulting company. Prior to NationSwell she worked at Camden Asset Management LP, an alternative credit hedge fund, where she was Vice President of Investment Solutions overseeing their institutional investor relationships. Linda began her career working with Teach For America as an Amgen Fellow to address the urgent need for excellent math and science education in the US, particularly among underserved students. Linda received a BSc in Accounting and Finance from the Villanova University School of Business and is currently enrolled in a Mst program on Social Innovation at the University of Cambridge's Judge Business School. Linda continues to fight for educational equity for all children as a board member of Collegiate Charter High School of Los Angeles and has a passion for developing a strong community of early-career women in the finance industry as co-chair of 100 Women in Finance's Southern California Committee.
Robert Vidaña, Board Member
Executive Director, City Charter Schools
Robert Vidaña is currently the Executive Director of City Charter Schools where he leveraged his past experiences with school closures and mergers to transition the organization into its next phase. His prior experiences are in K–12 education, specifically in youth development and leadership. Starting as a community school manager and later as an associate executive director of a charter management organization in the Bay Area. Robert returned to Los Angeles and was committed to serving in school leadership during the pandemic. Robert brings to the board extensive experience in charter school governance, operations, and leadership. He is a strong advocate for educational equity and social justice in schools. Robert obtained his master’s in urban planning from the University of California, Los Angeles, where he focused on learning how to use education and economics to improve low-income communities. His bachelor’s degree is in political science and business finance from Cal Poly Pomona.