Executive Team

Margie de Ruyter is a Career Pathways Coordinator at the San Diego County Office of Education College & Career Readiness Department. She believes in youth and their capacity to succeed.

Native of Boston, Massachusetts, Ethel moved to San Diego in 1977. She has worked for more than 40 years in Education and Program Development. She is passionate about the future well-being of children.

A native of Miami, Don has lived in San Diego since 1987, working as an attorney in the field of employment law. He is a husband, and a father of three. Through extensive community involvement and service, Don is dedicated to improving the quality of life for youth and families.

Sylvia is a changemaker who has over twenty years advocating for education and social equity. She carries a passion for empowering underserved communities and was inspired by her personal experience of economic inequality. As a result, she recognized the urgent need to address education and empowerment within marginalized communities. Sylvia’s academic journey began with a bachelor’s degree in communication studies, where she developed a deep interest in the intersection of social media and social justice. Eager to further her expertise, she pursued a master’s degree in New Media Studies, specializing in the ways technology and digital platforms can be harnessed to amplify marginalized voices and foster inclusive communities. Sylvia embarked on a career in higher education and for the past two decades, she has designed and implemented programs specifically tailored to meet the needs of underserved communities. Through her advocacy, outreach, and community partnerships, she has helped raise awareness about the importance of financial education in these areas, challenging societal norms and systemic barriers that perpetuate economic disparities.

Dr. Romo is a spiritual counselor at Kaiser Permanente and a trauma incident reduction (TIR) facilitator who helps people see and solve individual and systemic problems and become transformational leaders and followers.

Xiomalys (Xio) Crespo is a Promise Zone and Special Projects Manager with the City of San Diego's Economic Development Department. She is committed to equitable access to opportunity and is passionate about inclusive economic development and uplifting diverse communities.