Dr. susanne foulk
Dr. Susanne Foulk is the President of the Board of Directors. She holds a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) and a Master of Science in Educational Psychology and Technology from the University of Southern California. Dr. Foulk’s expertise centers on applying educational psychology principles to promote equity, opportunity, and access for underrepresented children and families. Organizational Change and Leadership experience include coaching leaders in identifying and implementing knowledge, motivational, and organizational solutions to address increased equity and in backgrounds.
Rich Ellis
board member
Rich Ellis serves as Controller at Castle & Cooke Building Materials, Rich brings over 26 years of financial expertise from Transtar Industries, where he held various leadership roles, including Director of Financial Planning and Analysis and Director of Finance. His extensive experience encompasses financial management, strategic planning, and accounting, with a strong focus on operational efficiency and financial analysis. Rich is dedicated to enhancing financial performance and supporting organizational growth through effective financial strategies. Rich holds an MBA in Information Management from California State University-San Bernardino and a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Cal State Fullerton.
dr. kate esposito
Board member
Dr. Kate Esposito is the chair and professor of the special education program at California State University, Dominguez Hills. Dr. Esposito conducts and publishes research in the areas of teacher preparation and inclusive practices. an accomplished professor specializing in bilingual education, special education, and education reform. With a PhD from the University of Southern California and a BA/M.A. from Loyola Marymount, she has over a decade of experience in K-12 education. Her areas of expertise include bullying, children’s issues, disability issues, and teacher education. Dr. Esposito conducts and publishes research on teacher preparation and inclusive practices, and she has led workshops on bullying, inclusion, and compliance with special education law.
Cindy Burtt
board member
With over 19 years of experience as Vice President of Marketing at SFM Constructors, Cindy Burtt has been instrumental in driving business growth through managing client relationships and generating new leads. Her expertise in overseeing daily operations, compliance, and proposal writing has contributed to the company’s success in the Federal and Military construction sectors. Prior to this, she held key marketing roles at MuniFinancial, CommQuest/IBM, The Upper Deck Company, and Saatchi & Saatchi, developing a robust background in advertising, event coordination, and corporate communications.
In addition to her corporate career, Cindy is dedicated to supporting community causes through her involvement with FFGOIL, which provides learning opportunities and resources for the healthy development of children and families. Her skills in strategic communication and relationship management are invaluable assets in advancing the organization’s mission.
Cindy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from San Diego State University.