Catherine Atkin, President   

(510) 271-0075 ext. 307
catkin@preschoolcalifornia.org

Catherine leads Preschool California’s day-to-day work and collaborates closely with senior staff on strategy. She is an attorney with legal and policy expertise in the area of early care and education.  Prior to joining Preschool California, she was the principal of a consulting firm specializing in strategic research, a directing attorney at Public Counsel Law Center in Los Angeles and minority subcommittee counsel for the Banking and Financial Services Committee of the United States House of Representatives. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Stanford, a law degree from UC Berkeley’s Boalt Hall and a master's degree in urban planning from UCLA. She is the mother of two and regularly wows her colleagues with her ability to multi-task.

Deborah Kong, Director of Communications   

(510) 271-0075 ext. 314
dkong@preschoolcalifornia.org

As Preschool California’s communications director, Deborah works with staff and partners to develop communications strategies and messages about the power of preschool. Prior to joining Preschool California, she was a reporter for 11 years at media outlets including the Associated Press, San Jose Mercury News, and Philadelphia Inquirer. Deborah has also acted as a policy analysis and fund raising consultant to foundations and nonprofits. She holds a master’s degree in public policy from UC Berkeley’s Goldman School of Public Policy and a bachelor of arts degree in English with a specialization in Asian American studies from UCLA. She swims and runs, mostly to offset the effects of her other two hobbies: food and eating.

Kevin McCarty, Advocate   

(916) 442-2001 ext. 304
kmccarty@preschoolcalifornia.org

Kevin serves as Preschool California’s advocate, working closely with senior staff to expand access to effective preschool programs by working with policy makers at the State Capitol. Prior to joining Preschool California, he served as policy director for Lieutenant Governor Cruz M. Bustamante, and worked in the state Legislature as a budget consultant for the Assembly Budget Committee for then-Assemblymember Denise Moreno Ducheny. Kevin also serves as a local elected official, elected to the Sacramento City Council in 2004. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science from CSU Long Beach, and is completing his graduate work in Public Policy and Administration at CSU Sacramento. He lives in Sacramento with his wife Leticia and their chocolate Labrador Biko. If he could, he would snowboard every day.  

Scott Moore, Senior Policy Advisor

(510) 271-0075 ext. 302
smoore@preschoolcalifornia.org

Scott Moore has fifteen years working as a social entrepreneur in education policy and management. He is the Senior Policy Advisor for Preschool California and co-owner of a private Montessori school in Oakland. He is former director of early education for the non-profit Kidango, where he supported fifty-one child development and Head Start centers. Prior to this, Scott was a researcher and senior analyst at the UCLA Anderson School of Management and the School of Public Affairs, supporting numerous organizational change efforts for large public and non-profit organizations. Scott received his B.A. in political science from UCLA and his MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern.  He has a four year old son, Duncan. One of Scott’s passions is singing opera, despite frequent and often equally passionate protests from Duncan.

Ernesto Saldaña, Statewide Field Director   

(323) 254-1411 ext. 24
esaldana@preschoolcalifornia.org

As field director for Preschool California, Ernesto develops and executes preschool advocacy strategies across the state.  Previously he served as executive director for Public Allies Los Angeles; deputy director of constituency services and director of communications at the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials (NALEO) Educational Fund; and he currently serves on the Liberty Hill Foundation’s Fund for a New Los Angeles Community Funding Board.  He earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from California State University, Fullerton and his law degree from Whittier Law School.  Born and raised in Santa Ana, California, Ernesto is a second-generation Latino born of Bracero farmworker parents.  His hobbies include researching and discovering good film and TV with his life-partner Corina.

Araceli Sandoval, Deputy Field Director
(323) 254-1411 ext 23
 asandoval@preschoolcalifornia.org

As the deputy field director for Preschool California, Araceli supports our efforts to develop and implement preschool advocacy strategies across the state. Prior to joining us, she served as the parent program specialist for California Association for Bilingual Education (CABE); public relations director for the former Los Angeles Unified School District Board President, José Huizar; and as a community organizer for East LA Community Corporation (ELACC). She was honored with the “Mujeres Destacadas Award” (Exceptional Women Award) by La Opinion Newspaper in 2007. She earned her bachelor's degree in International Development and Chicano Studies and political science minor from the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). Born in Zacatecas, Mexico and proudly raised in the Boyle Heights Community, Araceli is committed to increasing educational opportunities for all students. Her hobbies include wine tasting, hosting barbecues, and walking her dachshunds, Camila and Maddy.    

Vickie Ramos, Deputy Field Director

(323) 254-1411 ext.22
vramos@preschoolcalifornia.org

As the deputy field director for Preschool California, Vickie supports Preschool California's efforts to develop and implement preschool advocacy strategies across the state.  Prior to joining Preschool California, she served as the Chief of Staff to LAUSD Board Vice President Yolie Flores Aguilar.  Additionally, she has spent several years supporting children and families in California, Boston and New York City; and most recently, Vickie has focused her work on community-based school reform efforts with Claremont Graduate University, Families In Schools and the Boyle Heights Learning Collaborative. She has earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Pomona College, as well as her educational master’s degree from Harvard University Graduate School of Education.  She is a co-founder of the Latino Alumni of Pomona College, and currently sits on the Pomona College Alumni Board.  Vickie has a long list of hobbies that include snowboarding, surfing, food adventures, and salsa dancing.  She has, on occasion, been accused of having the energy level of the "Energizer Bunny," especially on the dance floor.

Janet Lopez, Senior Policy Analyst

(510) 271-0075 ext. 306
jlopez@preschoolcalifornia.org

As the Senior Policy Analyst for Preschool California, Janet works with staff and stakeholders to develop policy recommendations that will expand access to high-quality early learning programs statewide.  Prior to joining Preschool California, Janet served as a Policy Analyst with Governor Schwarzenegger’s Secretary of Education’s Office.  She has also served as a Policy Analyst for the California Primary Care Association, a statewide non-profit health care association, and as a Program Officer for Governor Davis’s Secretary of Education’s Office.  As a child, Janet participated in both a Head Start and state-subsidized Preschool program – both of which helped foster her interest in learning.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History from UC Berkeley.  Born and raised in Galt, California, Janet spends her free time at farmers markets in search of tasty fresh veggies to cook with.

Rebecca Chamow, Local Communications Consultant

(510) 271-0075 ext. 303
rchamow@preschoolcalifornia.org

As the local communications consultant, Rebecca works with communities throughout the state to help them develop and implement their communications plans, cultivate local champions for early learning, and get the word out about the importance of early childhood education.  Prior to joining Preschool California, Rebecca was the manager of governmental affairs for the California Charter Schools Association, advocating for public charter schools at the state level and ensuring school leaders had the tools they needed to advocate for their students.  Rebecca holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology and American studies from the University of California, Davis. She is passionate about improving California’s public education system, being a member of the Preschool California team, and eating apples, her favorite fruit.

 Jenny Paul-Rappaport, Federal Policy Analyst

(510) 271-0075 ext. 316
jpaulrappaport@preschoolcalifornia.org 

As the Federal Policy Analyst for Preschool California, Jenny works to ensure that California’s unique voice is heard at the federal level to expand access to high-quality early learning programs. Prior to joining Preschool California, Jenny served as Policy Analyst for the Advancement Project working on state early learning policy, and at the National Organization for Women on economic policy issues. She holds a Masters degree in Public Policy from UC Berkeley and a Bachelors degree in Physics from Brown University. 

Ashlee Tran, Communications & Internet Advocacy Associate   

(510) 271-0075 ext. 317
 atran@preschoolcalifornia.org 

Ashlee works with the director of communications to generate and implement Preschool California’s communications and internet advocacy strategies. She brings experience from EMILY's List prior to joining us here, where she can finally join her passion for politics, policy, and advocacy in early education issues. Ashlee graduated with a degree in Political Science from Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia. Originally a New England native, she spends most of her time trying to convince Californians of the perks of the East Coast.

Iris Kong, Project Associate

(510) 271-0075 ext. 301
 ikong@preschoolcalifornia.org 

Blessed with infinite patience, Iris is our resident gatekeeper and morale booster. Prior to joining Preschool California, Iris worked with a financial services firm managing the information flow as well as the copier. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a bachelor’s degree in Political Science. When not at work, Iris divides her time between Asain/Pacific Islander issues, cooking, and the slaying of digital dragons. She is committed to the improvement of local communities through education.

Kendall Parker, Project Associate  

(510) 271-0075 ext. 308
 kparker@preschoolcalifornia.org 

An educator herself, Kendall is thrilled to be working at Preschool California. Kendall has been teaching in preschools for the past five years and is excited to take on a new role in the world of early childhood education. Prior to joining Preschool California, Kendall earned a degree in Sociology from Scripps College in Claremont, Ca. During college, she ran a fair trade, nonprofit coffeehouse which focused its resources toward promoting sustainable and socially just business practices. When she is not cooking with friends or listening to spoken word, Kendall continues her quest for the perfect soy latte. 

 Ana Rasquiza, Project Associate 

(510) 271-0075 ext. 373
 arasquiza@preschoolcalifornia.org

Excited to be at Preschool California, Ana is dedicated to advancing social justice.  Before joining Preschool California, Ana attended the University of California, Santa Cruz, where she earned a degree in legal studies.  As an undergraduate, Ana completed an oral history field study with the ACLU of Santa Cruz County and co-authored a chapter on Public Policy in The SAGE Handbook of Prejudice, Stereotyping and Discrimination (May 2010).  Her favorite authors are June Jordan and Samuel R. Delany.  Because her landlord will not allow her to have a puppy, Ana spends her free time playing with other people’s puppies.

 Hedy Andersson, Project Associate

(510) 271-0075 ext. 304
 handersson@preschoolcalifornia.org

Hedy is thrilled to be a member of this extraordinary team working to improve outcomes for California’s children.  She holds a self-designed Bachelor’s degree from Fairhaven College at Western Washington University entitled Political, Economic and Social Analysis for Just Policy.  As a capstone to her degree she served as an intern with the Washington State Legislature, which provided a great opportunity to contribute to the legislative process and further delve into solutions to education issues.  Hedy’s experience with kids includes working on literacy activities with young children in underserved communities in San Francisco and a year volunteering with kids in the child welfare system in Washington State.  Hedy has an intense love of learning, nature, music and all things delicious.