Policy and Advocacy, Statewide Events & Convenings, Communications

Contact Malia

Malia Villarreal is a Senior Specialist in Policy and Outreach for the California AfterSchool Network (CAN) and before joining the CAN team in February 2023, Malia worked at the California Teaching Fellows Foundation for (almost) nine years as the Public and Strategic Development Manager. Malia has led numerous advocacy, strategic partnerships, marketing/communications, human resources, and workforce development projects and initiatives. Some of her most notable work is finding points of alignment for the out-of-school time workforce with teacher preparation from high school to a credentialed teacher. She has participated in local, statewide, and national out-of-school time, whole child, and teacher diversity advocacy coalitions.

Malia also participated in the California Department of Education Expanded Learning Division Workforce Implementation Committee. Malia graduated cum laude from California State University, Fresno, with a B.S. degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Marketing. She is an alum of the White-Riley-Peterson Policy Fellowship and was recognized as a National AfterSchool Association (NAA) Next Generation of Afterschool Leader.

Malia loves being a mom and the only parent to her son Krymson and spending time with her family and golden retriever Kito. She grew up in a small town, Sanger, CA, and is committed to uplifting the incredible work of and creating opportunities for small and rural communities.