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Lida Jennings

Executive Director

Teach For America Los Angeles

Lida has been with Teach For America LA for over a decade becoming the Executive Director in 2013. She is a passionate advocate of educational equity and an aspiring anti-racist leader.

Our Teams

Teach For America Los Angeles has three teams working towards our long-term goalby 2030, twice as many children in communities where we work will reach key educational milestones, indicating they are on a path to economic mobility and a future filled with possibility. 

  • The Impact in Schools & Community Team supports and develops corps members from their first day of summer training to through to their second year in the classroom to cultivate the leadership we need for systems change in Los Angeles and beyond. The Impact in Schools & Community Team is made up of New Teacher Supports, Core Impact, and Alumni Launch
  • The Network and Partnerships Team works with districts, schools, and alumni both in and outside of education to ensure the collective success of our students and communities. The Network and Partnerships Team is made up of New Teacher Pathway and Partnerships; Alumni Strategy and Engagement; and Strategy, Talent, and Operations
  • The Development Team ensures Teach For America Los Angeles has the institutional support from external constituents to continually strengthen and grow in alignment with our strategic vision.

Meet Our Staff

Senior Managing Director, Impact in Schools and Community

Michelle Hatchford

MANAGING DIRECTOR, NEW TEACHER SUPPORTS

Casey Smith

MANAGING DIRECTOR, CORE IMPACT

Wuendy Zavala

MANAGING DIRECTOR, ALUMNI LAUNCH

Brandon Dawes

Senior Managing Director, Regional Strategy, Talent, & Operations

Ashley Terada

MANAGING DIRECTOR, NEW TEACHER PATHWAY AND PARTNERSHIPS

Abra Sussman

MANAGING DIRECTOR,ALUMNI STRATEGY & ENGAGEMENT

Cristian Ruiz

MANAGING DIRECTOR, Development and Communications

Megan McGuane