President
Luis Chavez is a dedicated systemic equity leader with over three decades of experience, primarily in California community colleges. Formerly a Senior Director at Career Ladders Project, he has partnered with colleges to enhance equitable pathways for disproportionately impacted students. Currently, Luis serves as the Counseling Department Co-Chair at Berkeley City College and Early Childhood Department, where he focuses on intentional and equitable counseling practices in General counseling and early Child Development.
A proud first-generation college graduate, Luis holds a B.A. in Social Sciences from UC Irvine and an M.A. in Education Counseling from CSU Dominguez Hills. In 2019, he received an Honorary Doctorate for his contributions to the community. And most recently, he launched and leads the nonprofit, FirstGen America, helping implement the Circle of Champions approach at Community Colleges HSI. His work is deeply influenced by his upbringing, where he learned the value of hard work and community support from his mother, who migrated from Mexicali, Mexico.

Vice President
Dr. Bryan Reece is the Co-Founder of JourneyGPS, an organization committed to closing academic equity gaps in higher education. JourneyGPS's first initiative, the Circle of Champions framework, empowers first-generation college students by transforming their social capital into academic success. Before founding JourneyGPS, Dr. Reece served as Chancellor of the Contra Costa Community College District, where he led efforts to support historically underserved communities.
With over 30 years in higher education, Dr. Reece has a deep expertise in the intersection of education technology and social justice. He holds a BA, MA, and PhD in Political Science from the University of Southern California and is a recognized author and speaker.

Attorney at Law
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Chief Technology Officer 
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Dr. Norma Ambriz-Galaviz is a dedicated leader in California Community Colleges with decades of experience focused on advancing student success, educational access, and equity. She has held key roles, including President of Merritt College and Vice Chancellor of the Peralta Community College District, as well as leadership positions at Mission College and San Jose City College.
Her passion for education stems from her early experiences as a farm worker, driving her commitment to transforming educational environments. Dr. Ambriz-Galaviz holds a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of La Verne, with degrees from San Diego State University and Hartnell College. Active in statewide educational organizations, she continues to advocate for student achievement and inclusion. She resides in Hayward, California, with her husband, Felix Galaviz, and their two children.

Research Affiliate-Executive Coach-Board Member
Ophelia Basgal is an affiliate at the Terner Center for Housing Innovation at the University of California, Berkeley, and a senior executive consultant with InclusionINC, a diversity and inclusion consulting firm. With a distinguished career spanning over three decades, Ophelia has held key leadership roles, including Region IX Regional Administrator for the Department of Housing and Urban Development and Vice President for Community Relations at PG&E. She also served as the Executive Director of the Alameda County and Dublin Housing Authorities.
Currently, she chairs the board of the Alameda County California Employees’ Retirement Association and serves on several boards, including the Public Policy Institute of California and UC Berkeley's Goldman School of Public Policy. Ophelia holds a BA with Distinction from Arizona State University and an MSW in administration from UC Berkeley.

Puente Project Co-Founder and Former Executive Co-Director 
Felix Galaviz is the Co-founder and former Executive Director of the State Puente Project, a program improving student success in California schools. He co-designed the first Puente Project at Chabot College, focusing on culturally based learning.
A respected leader in education, Felix has contributed to national reform efforts, served as president of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and received multiple honors, including recognition from Vice President Al Gore.
He holds degrees from UC Berkeley and CSU Hayward, is a Vietnam veteran, and lives in Hayward, California with his wife and two children.

Professor and Author 
Dr. Gina Ann Garcia is a professor at UC Berkeley's School of Education, specializing in equity and justice in higher education, with a focus on Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs). Her research examines how HSIs serve minoritized populations and explores the experiences of faculty, staff, and students within these institutions.
She is the author of Becoming Hispanic-Serving Institutions, which won the 2020 AAHHE Book of the Year Award, and the editor of Hispanic-Serving Institutions in Practice. Her latest book, Transforming Hispanic Serving Institutions for Equity and Justice, was released in 2023. Dr. Garcia has delivered over 150 public lectures, consults with HSIs, and hosts the podcast ¿Qué pasa, HSIs?. She holds degrees from California State University, Northridge, the University of Maryland, and UCLA.

Former Puente Project Counselor Gavilan College (waiting on Photo)
Celia Marquez, a native of San Francisco with roots in Mexico and Peru, has dedicated over 48 years to education. After attending Gavilan College and earning her BA in Social Science and MA in Counseling from San Jose State University, Celia became a passionate educator and leader. Her roles have ranged from high school teacher and counselor to administrator and Puente Project State Coordinator.
At Gavilan Community College, Celia served as EOPS/CalWORKs Coordinator, Puente Counselor, and Chair of the Counseling Department, while also holding leadership roles in the Academic Senate and multiple committees. Beyond education, she has been active in community organizations such as the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Latina Coalition.
Though retired, Celia continues to mentor students as a Puente mentor and is proud to have pioneered the first Puente High School Programs. Her legacy is one of resilience, equity, and dedication to uplifting her community.

Senior Experience Researcher at Adobe (Waiting on Photo)
Lena Jaurequi is an Anthropologist and UX Researcher at Meta Reality Labs, where she leads research for Oculus Media experiences in Virtual Reality. She applies her anthropological expertise to guide product teams and deliver impactful insights. Previously, she worked at Microsoft optimizing the e-commerce experience for Surface Laptops and at The Trevor Project, supporting LGBTQ+ youth through UX research.
A proud graduate of Fullerton College, UCLA, and Cal State Northridge, Lena also teaches anthropology at Fullerton College. She has led international research in Greece, Guatemala, and Los Angeles, and is passionate about increasing Latina/o/x representation in tech and promoting careers beyond academia.

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Joe Dominguez has over 12 years of experience in education technology, specializing in Student Information Systems, Learning Management Systems, Campus Safety, and Early Literacy Solutions. He brings his expertise to help school districts, administrators, and educators find the best solutions for their educational needs.
As a former ESL and gifted program student, Joe is passionate about identifying impactful technologies that benefit both educators and students. His consultative approach ensures tailored solutions that address priorities at both the district and classroom levels.

Executive DIrector Puente Project
Julia, a visionary leader and advocate for equity and social justice, has been at the heart of The Puente Project since 1995. She champions educational reform, focusing on increasing college access for BIPOC and underrepresented students. Under her leadership as Executive Director, Puente’s budget has grown from $3.1 million to $15 million, expanding resources and multicultural programs across California campuses. Julia has trained over 800 educators in California and Texas, always prioritizing mentorship and support for instructors, counselors, and students.
As a first-generation Salvadoran-American, Julia's commitment to her community runs deep. Before Puente, she worked as a gang intervention specialist and pioneered the country’s first tattoo removal program. Julia enjoys spending time with her family, including her Puente familia, and traveling with her husband, daughter, stepson, and mother.