Education Funders Group Meeting: The L.A. Compact and its Role in Transforming LA’s Cradle-to-Career Education Systems
SCG’s Education Funders Group invites you to join us for a conversation about the history, accomplishments, and current initiatives of the L.A. Compact. For over a decade, the L.A. Compact has acted as a bridge builder - convening and mobilizing leaders from education, workforce, government, and community organizations to close the education and workforce gaps caused by systemic inequities and racism. The event will feature a panel of leaders from UNITE-LA (which serves as the convener of the L.A. Compact) and L.A. Compact member organizations. The panel will share highlights from collaborative efforts across the cradle-to-career continuum, including initiatives to: improve teacher training pathways; expand the Community Schools model; and increase college access and persistence. We will also get a first look at the new L.A. Compact Charting Progress Data Dashboard that provides a holistic view of student success in the L.A. region. Finally, the California Community Foundation will share updates from the Higher Ed Funder’s Collaborative and current initiatives that align with the L.A. Compact’s goals.
Speakers
Dr. Lisa Catanzarite Vice President of Research and Evaluation at UNITE-LA
Dr. Lisa Catanzarite is Vice President of Research and Evaluation at UNITE-LA, where she oversees all research and evaluation design, data collection, analysis, and reporting; leads strategic learning, and co-leads strategic planning and anti-racism/equity efforts. Dr. Catanzarite leads or co-leads several workgroups of the L.A. Compact—a cradle-to-career collective impact initiative—and serves on national, statewide, and local research, evaluation, and equity advisory groups and workgroups. Recent engagements include the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; UnidosUS; and the California Department of Education.
Prior to entering the nonprofit field, Catanzarite made contributions to academia as a Senior Research Sociologist and Professor of Sociology and of Urban Studies and Planning at U.C. San Diego, UCLA, and Washington State University (tenured). Her research record centers on social inequalities, specifically gender and race/ethnicity in labor markets; immigration; poverty; and education. In addition to her academic background, Dr. Catanzarite held private-sector research and administrative positions in the San Francisco Bay Area and San Diego. She completed a B.A. in history, dual M.A.s in education and sociology, and a Ph.D. in sociology (Stanford University), as well as a post-doctoral fellowship in sociology (UCLA). Dr. Catanzarite is a thought leader with a theoretical and practical understanding of social inequalities and a long-standing commitment to equity, anti-racism, social justice, and economic mobility.
Dr. Cathy R. Creasia Director of Accreditation and Credentialing at UCS’s Rossier School of Education
Dr. Cathy R. Creasia is the Director of Accreditation and Credentialing at UCS’s Rossier School of Education. She is also an Adjunct Professor (Education Specialists track) as well as a current member of the CCTC Commission on Accreditation. As a current Education Specialist credentialed teacher, she taught most recently in LAUSD prior to becoming higher education staff/adjunct faculty. She also spent time during her career specializing in math intervention strategies. Cathy has also served on the Board of Directors for Environmental Charter Schools in Lawndale, CA and has served on many CTC committees and task forces regarding Education Specialist standards and initiatives
Cathy holds her Doctorate in Education from USC, Masters in Marketing and Entrepreneurship from USC’s School of Business, and a Bachelor’s of Science in Marketing with a Minor in African American Studies from CSULB. Cathy’s mission is to promote a pedagogy of diversity and enable teachers to increase educational outcomes for all students through distinctive instructional leadership and research that will promote change in policies and/or organizational systems in order to maximize each individual student’s educational outcomes, success and quality of life.
Carrie Lemmon Senior Director for Systems Change Strategy at UNITE-LA
As Senior Director for Systems Change Strategy at UNITE-LA, Carrie Lemmon leads the strategic advancement of the L.A. Compact partnership and facilitates the development of collaborative solutions to complex social challenges in the public sector. She is driven by a passion for not only public service but also the power to transform systems and change the odds for youth who are deprived of equal opportunities to succeed in school, career, and life. In her role with the L.A. Compact, Carrie is particularly focused on facilitating cross-sector engagement around issues related to community schools, transition-age foster youth, college enrollment, and youth workforce development. A native of L.A. County, Carrie holds a bachelor’s degree from Pomona College and a Master of Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
David Rattray President & CEO of UNITE-LA
David Rattray is the President & CEO of UNITE-LA. Since 1998, he has led UNITE-LA in ensuring the continuous improvement of effective and aligned cradle-to-career public education and workforce development systems in Los Angeles, resulting in all children and youth having access to a high-quality education. Previously Rattray spent more than 20 years in the foodservice distribution industry. Rattray serves on the L.A. City Workforce Development Board and Youth Council and was vice chair of the State Workforce Investment Board's Lifelong Learning Committee. He is also the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Linked Learning Alliance. Rattray earned his M.B.A. from the University of Southern California.
About Education Funders Group
Meeting for over a decade, the Education Funders Group brings philanthropic funders together to learn about issues, trends and needs in the field of education to inform individual and collective grantmaking. Ideas for topics are proposed by funders, who work with the co-chairs to organize a learning session. This year, EFG will continue to explore Community School Models, Education Policy and Advocacy, and Workforce Development and Career Technical Education.
Presented by
Fee
No cost to participate
Who May Attend
Current SCG, NCG, Catalyst and EFG members only
Registration
SCG members: Register online (you must log in to your SCG account to register).
NCG & Catalyst members: Please contact programsrsvp@socalgrantmakers.org to register.
If you have additional questions regarding these sessions, please contact us at programsrsvp@socalgrantmakers.org
Accommodations for People with Disabilities
If you have a disability and require accommodation in order to fully participate in this activity, please contact our programs team at programsrsvp@socalgrantmakers.org or (213) 680-8866. You will be contacted by someone from our staff to discuss your specific needs.