Dr. Duardo is the Los Angeles County Superintendent of Schools. Previously executive director of Student Health and Human Services for the Los Angeles Unified School District, she has more than 30 years of professional experience working with at-promise students and their families. Her unique life experience as a high school dropout able to overcome obstacles drives her passion to ensure that all students receive an education in a safe, caring environment and that every student is college-prepared and career ready.

President of the County Board of Education, Dr. Monte E. Perez is president of Los Angeles Mission College. He was assistant director of Admissions at Stanford University and later director of the Educational Opportunity Program and Student Support Services at California State University, Los Angeles. He serves on the Governing Board for the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.

David Sanford is the Founder and General Partner of Tempest Capital Management, an investment fund that primarily focuses on investing in emerging and disruptive technology. Mr. Sanford previously led the West Coast presence for Hitchwood Capital as a Partner and Portfolio Manager, and prior to that, he led technology investments for Scout Capital. Throughout his career, Mr. Sanford has demonstrated a commitment to social impact. While living in New York, he volunteered through the Harlem Children’s Aid Society, tutoring low-income students. After moving to San Francisco he launched the NextGen Leadership Council for the Boys and Girls Club of San Francisco.

Chris Steinhauser served as superintendent of the Long Beach Unified School District between 2002 and 2020. Mr. Steinhauser has more than 40 years of experience in Long Beach’s diverse school system and has earned a national reputation for improving student achievement and closing achievement gaps. His school district won the national Broad Prize for Urban Education and has qualified as a finalist for the award five times.

Elizabeth Graswich is Executive Director of Communications for the Los Angeles County Office of Education. She’s a veteran communications executive in public education leadership, with expertise in public policy, media relations, crisis management, project management, community outreach, social media, marketing, and event planning. Ms. Graswich has 15 years of experience in strategic communications for large, high profile public agencies where she directed crisis management and rapid response, CEO and senior leadership messaging, media relations, parent engagement, initiative leadership, community relations and outreach, brand management, and digital media.