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, California Department of Education – Expanded Learning Division

Michael Funk, Director of the Expanded Learning Division for the California Department of Education, led the development of “A Vision for Expanded Learning in California, Strategic Plan 1.0: 2014–2016” which resulted in numerous successes in embedding quality, systems, and technical assistance to support programs and elevate expanded learning as a key partner in the K–12 education system. The plan created a California statewide system of support. Michael led the second iteration, “A Vision for Expanded Learning in California, Strategic Plan 2.0: 2019–2023”, to sustain California’s momentum and innovative path to support quality expanded learning programs across the State. Through the Compassionate Systems Framework, the System of Support for Expanded Learning works with the Center for Systems Awareness to support staff and students. One of the many passionate reasons Michael joined the CAN Leadership Team is to see that California’s Expanded Learning Programs be an integral part of young people’s education, engaging them in year-round learning opportunities that prepare them for college, career, and life.

Chief Program Officer, Los Angeles Conservation Corps​

Pablo Garcia-Hernandez is the Chief Program Officer for the Los Angeles Conservation Corps. Pablo has worked in the youth development field for 25 years. His first experience was as an arts educator for Los Angeles Conservation Corp’s Clean and Green Program at Carver Middle School in South Los Angeles. He has worked in a wide variety of capacities and job titles in the field since then. He is currently responsible for overseeing grant operations for over 600 ASES, ASSETs, and 21CCLC-funded schools within LAUSD. He is also currently on the Founding Advisory Board for a new Los Angeles-Based organization, Rainbow Labs, that will pair Queer and Gender Non-Conforming Youth with mentors and leadership programming. His strong commitments to authentic youth-led programming and empowering young people to shape their own communities have made True North throughout his career, and in his choices for groups that he works and volunteers for.

Director, Consulting, Sperling Center for Research & Innovation

George (he/him) serves as the Director of Consulting Services at the Sperling Center for Research & Innovation (SCRI), managing individual projects and internal consultants in supporting and collaborating with partners to achieve their goals. George has more than 17 years of experience at various levels of educational and expanded learning program management and leadership; including serving a full term as a member of the CDE Expanded Learning Division Policy committee. George holds a B.S. degree from Whittier College with a focus on International Business & Finance and a Master’s degree in Applied Research & Evaluation from Claremont Graduate University.

Program Coordinator, Napa County Office of Education

Chris serves as Program Coordinator of the Napa Expanded Learning programs for the Napa County Office of Education. In his role at the Napa County Office of Education, he manages and supports the implementation of expanded learning programs for students in TK to 8th grades. Chris is passionate about serving the students, staff, and families in his hometown of Napa and seeks to provide memorable experiences and quality through out-of-school programming. Chris was motivated to join the CAN Leadership Team because he desires to help build a sustainable after-school pipeline in the workforce, share his past experiences as a Site Coordinator with all statewide stakeholders, and advocate for the Site Coordinators and line staff on the ground, who inspire him each day.