Leadership Team

 

Jill Jacobson, EduCare’s Chief Executive Officer, has been with EduCare for 16 years, first as the Finance Director (2008-2015), next as Vice President of Finance and Human Resources (2015-2018), and then as Chief Operating Officer (2018-2024). 

In her 16 years with EduCare, Jill has skillfully overseen EduCare’s finances and daily business management, Human Resources systems and policies, organizational and grant compliance, risk management, as well as Afterschool Programs and Specialized Student Services operations. 

Jill has more than 30 years’ experience in finance, operations and human resources management, legal contract negotiation and management, project management, strategic planning and development, and regulatory compliance. Prior to joining EduCare, Jill’s career in Finance began with a decade as a Vice President of the Institutional Trust Department of Bank of America; followed by five years as a Network Manager with The Capital Group Companies researching international markets and strategic local market access. Immediately before joining EduCare, she served as Vice President and Manager of security operations at IndyMac Bank. 

Jill has a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, both from California State University Long Beach.

Jill
Jacobson

Chief Executive
Officer

Armando Diaz has over 20 years of experience in non-profit management and youth development. He has worked to improve and expand the lives of families, at-risk and incarcerated youth, the underserved and victims of violence.

Prior to his role at EduCare, Armando was the Associate Executive Director at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Venice. He was responsible for operations, grants management and the lead facilitator of community partnerships. Under his leadership, the Club received National Awards for its sailing program, arts program and family strengthening initiatives.

Armando is the past president and an active member of the Playa Venice Rotary Club. He served on the Advisory Council for Communities in Schools Los Angeles. In 2014 he was elected on the board of the North Hills West Neighborhood Council. He was named Gondolier of the Year in 2014 by the Venice High School Alumni Association and in 2011 was selected Person of the Year in Venice by the Venice Patch. Armando completed the USC Marshall School of Business’ Management Development Program in 2014.

Armando Diaz

Chief Growth &
Innovation Officer
Robert Underhill has more than 25 years of experience in accounting and finance, primarily working with financial statements, budgets, and forecasting. Prior to joining EduCare Robert spent 24 years working for the Walt Disney Company’s Cable TV di…

Robert Underhill has more than 25 years of experience in accounting and finance, primarily working with financial statements, budgets, and forecasting. Prior to joining EduCare Robert spent 24 years working for the Walt Disney Company’s Cable TV division as an accounting manager.

Robert has a passion for working with at-risk youth and has been volunteering at Sylmar Juvenile Hall for the past 20 years running a group mentoring program and spent 15 years coaching youth basketball at Ritchie Valens Park in Pacoima.

He earned a bachelors degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in finance from California State University at Fullerton.

Robert Underhill

Vice President
of Finance
 
 
 

Sergio Sicairos

Afterschool Programs
Director

Lynn
Farwell

Administration
Director

Mike has more than 25 years of experience in Institutional Advancement and Fundraising. 

His passion for coaching and working with youth led him from the corporate world into secondary education, where he became a Hall of Fame coach, educator, and administrator. He has spent 40 years coaching basketball for middle school, high school, and college athletes.

Before Mike began working in secondary education, he served as CEO of a manufacturing firm. Prior to joining EduCare, he was the Director of Advancement for Notre Dame Academy and Palisades Charter High School.

He holds a Bachelors of Science Degree in Economics with a minor in Accounting from Santa Clara University.

Michael Rawson
Development
Director
 

Administrative Staff

Robert
Gonzalez

 Afterschool Programs
Regional Manager

Claudia
Palacios

 Case Manager
STEM Academy of Hollywood
at Bernstein High School

Daniel
Cortes

 Afterschool Programs
Regional Manager

Manuel
Chan Pool

 Senior Program Manager
Afterschool Programs

Edgar
Cortez

 Afterschool Programs
Regional Manager

Sarahi
Morales

 Case Manager
107th Street Elementary School

Jeanaah
Sampson

 Afterschool Programs
Regional Manager

Geneva (Gigi)
Barba

 Senior Program Manager
Special Projects

To Be
Announced

 Human Resources
Senior Manager

Vanessa
Senteno

 Senior Program Manager
ACE Initiative

Gerardo
Olea

 Afterschool Programs
Regional Manager

Coila
Romero

 Senior
Finance Manager

Joseph
Montesdeoca

 Human Resources
Coordinator

Adriana
Razo

 Case Manager
San Fernando High School

Edward
Klein

 Staff
Accountant

Rocio
Rodriguez

 Program Manager
ACE Programs

Zeltzin
Baez-Luevano

 Special Projects
Administrative Associate

Louis
Vargas

 Logistics and Supplies
Coordinator

Brianna
Zavala

 Program Manager
Special Projects

José
Sanchez

 Finance and Administrative
Coordinator

Arturo
Garay

 Compliance
Manager

Andres
Sandoval

 Logistics and Supplies
Assistant

Esmeralda
Serna

 Compliance
Assistant

Jennifer
Rivas

 Finance
Assistant

Angel
Reyes

 Special Projects Coordinator
Take Action Campaign

Howard
Doria

 Staff
Accountant

Vanessa
Hernandez

 Special Projects Coordinator
Take Action Campaign

Delanie
Solorio

 Special Projects Coordinator
Language in Action Program

Darlene
Ku

 Special Projects Coordinator
CyberPatriot Program

Arturo
Cabral

 Human Resources
Associate

Andre
Yacapin

 Compliance
Assistant

Program Locations