Our Team

Kerry Franco is the President and Chief Deputy of Strategic Partnerships and Innovation at the Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation.

Previously, Kerry was the Senior Director for Development for the Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, where she managed fundraising efforts across the medical enterprise with an emphasis on medical education and community engagement initiatives. She also served as a Senior Director of Development for Academic Support at the USC School of Cinematic Arts, Executive Director of the Rio Hondo College Foundation, Program Officer for Scholarships at the California Community Foundation, and Assistant Director of the Norman Topping Student Aid Fund, a scholarship program at USC.

Kerry is an accomplished leader with an extensive background in nonprofit management, student development, and philanthropy. She is passionate about supporting the student experience and has dedicated her life to facilitating relationships and building community to encourage student success.

Kerry earned a BS in Public Policy, Management, and Planning and holds a master’s in education with an emphasis in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs from the University of Southern California.

kfranco@greaterlaedfund.org | (323) 455-7071

Sam Gelinas is the Vice President of Programs, Strategy, and Development at the Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation.

Previously, Sam was the Senior Vice President of Strategy and Partnerships at Educational Facilities Group, a Los Angeles based firm that led the development of permanent campuses for public schools in California. Prior to that Sam was the Chief Program Officer at the LA Promise Fund, where he oversaw a diverse portfolio of work that addressed issue areas including arts education, girls empowerment, career readiness, college access and success and family engagement. Sam started his career as a Special Education teacher in the Washington, D.C. Public Schools.

Sam received his BA in Sociology and Psychology from Pitzer College. He holds a master’s in education from George Washington University and a MPP from the University of Southern California. 

sgelinas@greaterlaedfund.org 

Alexandra Marmion Roosa is the Chief Financial Officer and Vice President of Operations at the Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation.

Previously, Alexandra served as Senior Director of Operations for Development at the J. Paul Getty Trust, a global cultural and philanthropic organization dedicated to the visual arts. Prior to her affiliation with the Getty, Alexandra was the Assistant Provost and Director of Research and Sponsored Programs for Pepperdine University. Concurrently, as an adjunct law professor at the Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, Alexandra developed the curriculum for and taught Law and the Visual Arts.  While in D.C., Alexandra managed a national policy initiative on museum-community engagement for the Board of Directors of the American Association of Museums or AAM [now American Alliance of Museums]. Alexandra also co-authored a legal manual, The AAM Guide to Writing an Employee Handbook, to assist museums and other non-profits with human resource management.

Alexandra earned her B.A. in Humanistic Studies from The Johns Hopkins University. She holds a J.D. from Emory University School of Law and a M.A in Art History and Museum Studies from the University of Southern California.

aroosa@greaterlaedfund.org

Alex Halpern is the Programs and Development Manager at the Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation.

Previously, Alex was the Program Manager and College Coordinator at Neighborhood Youth Association, a community-based organization. There, Alex led the leadership development and college access program for low-income high school students in south and west Los Angeles, where she directed all steps in the college application process and ran programming related to leadership and professional development, as well as led alumni engagement and volunteer management. She worked closely with students and families, and collaborated with community members, educators, and partners to create successful pathways to and through higher education for first-generation students. Prior to that, Alex taught English as a Second Language and built curriculum for English language learners.

Alex earned her Bachelor’s in Middle Eastern Studies from Brandeis University, and her Master’s in Social Science and Comparative Education from UCLA, where she focused on equity and equality in the education system.

ahalpern@greaterlaedfund.org 

Kristina Romero is the Chief of Staff at the Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation. 

Previously, Kristina served as Manager of Education and Workforce Development at the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce and its strategic affiliate UNITE-LA. There, Kristina led L.A. Cash for College, the region’s largest financial aid literacy and college information campaign. In addition, Kristina engaged the local business community, K-12 partners, government agencies, and other civic groups to advance financial aid policy reform at the state and federal levels. With a firm grasp of both practice and policy, Kristina advised the L.A. College Promise partners on ways to better address students’ unmet financial needs.  

Kristina earned her bachelor’s in education and psychology at Brown University and her Master’s in Social Work with an emphasis on community organization, planning, and administration from the University of Southern California.

kromero@greaterlaedfund.org 

Jessica Catalan is the Director of Programs and External Relations at the Greater Los Angeles Education Foundation.

Previously, Jessica served as School Partnership Director at the Harmony Project working alongside several schools, school districts, community spaces and partners to bring music instruction and social support to thousands of students throughout Los Angeles.  Her ability to maintain existing and establish new partnerships, enabled Jessica to increase Harmony Project’s reach within Los Angeles and provide sequential,  year-round, full scholarship programming for students grades K-12.

Jessica is also an active and experienced Teaching Artist and Performer. She earned her Bachelor’s in Music in French Horn Performance from Azusa Pacific University, and her Master’s in French Horn Performance from the University of Southern California.

jcatalan@greaterlaedfund.org