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.

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.

Danielle Stephen is an accomplished leader with over a decade of experience in community engagement, economic empowerment, and digital inclusion. She currently serves as the Community Engagement Manager at National University's Harmony Academy, where she leads initiatives to expand access to resources and learning opportunities across National University’s campuses and surrounding communities. Danielle is also the Co-Chair of the San Diego Promise Zone, where she drives cross-sector collaboration to promote economic development, workforce training, and systemic equity in historically underserved neighborhoods. A passionate educator, Danielle believes deeply in the power of family engagement to strengthen communities and support lifelong learning. Her previous roles include Director of Community Resilience at mohuman and Business Advisor at the San Diego Small Business Development Center, where she focused on bridging the digital divide and supporting underserved entrepreneurs. Danielle’s work with organizations like the County of San Diego Black Chamber of Commerce, Futures Academy, and Coleman University reflects her deep commitment to inclusive innovation and sustainable growth.