OUR TEAM

  • FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

    Kari Croft (she/her) has spent the last 15 years in education, serving as a high school English teacher, school founder, Principal, and policy advocate. In 2015, Kari graduated from Harvard Graduate School of Education with a Master in Educational Leadership and returned to Los Angeles to launch a new high school built around the needs of foster, homeless, and probation youth. As the Founder, Principal, and Executive Director of Da Vinci RISE High School, she crafted an application that was chosen as one of ten national winners of the XQ Super Schools $10 million grant. Over the next six years, she led RISE to launch three sites around the city, each co-located with local nonprofits and community organizations to ensure students had access to comprehensive wraparound services.

    In 2021, Kari transitioned from school leadership to return to graduate school and pursue a Masters of Public Policy at the University of Southern California where she was chosen as a Sol Price School of Public Policy Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Scholar. In addition to being a graduate student, she has served as Policy Advisor Fellow for Los Angeles Unified School District, Managing Director of Community and Policy Impact at Teach For America, and Policy Analyst at Cause Impacts, where she and her team supported the City of Los Angeles in launching their new Youth Development Department. Since graduating, she has worked as a Social Impact Consultant & a Doula, all while conducting research and laying groundwork for Paco. Her goal is to collaborate with her team to elevate the voices & experiences of systems-impacted women to expand access to leadership development, increase equitable representation across positions of power, and transform systems that have caused intergenerational harm into ecosystems of care and opportunity.

  • BOARD PRESIDENT

    De'Amonta Casey (she/her) received her bachelor's degree in Psychology from Spelman College, which is a historically black college for women. She also received a master's degree in Clinical Psychology with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University as well as an Education Specialist degree in school psychology from San Diego State University. Spelman is where she first understood the concept of women coming together as a community to support one another and the impact that support can have both physically and mentally on one’s trajectory. Her participation in the CARES project at San Diego State is where her passion for working with those impacted by the foster care system grew and lead her to work at a charter school to provide wholistic supports for systems impacted youth. De’Amontā is currently serving as a school psychologist within a public school district where she strives to provide culturally affirming, trauma informed care to all those she supports. She has a true passion for helping others, especially empowering those who are oppressed or otherwise marginalized. She is extremely excited for the opportunity to be a part of Paco’s incredible vision and creating a network of supports that can positively impact women much in the ways her own support systems have impacted her.

  • BOARD MEMBER

    Donald Pennington (he/him) is a dynamic fitness professional with over eight years of experience at Barry’s, where he currently serves as Chief Curriculum Lead. Renowned for his energetic, encouraging, and precise teaching style, Donald curates high-intensity, full-body workouts that empower participants to challenge their limits while fostering a sense of accomplishment. His passion for helping others achieve their personal best extends beyond the studio, as he plays a pivotal role in developing Barry’s innovative fitness programs and mentoring fellow instructors.

    Since stepping into his leadership role in 2020, Donald has ensured that every Barry’s class offers maximum impact, combining carefully designed exercises with motivational music selections to inspire participants through even the toughest challenges.

    Donald’s commitment to Paco Leadership Collective stems from a deeply personal understanding of the importance of bridging resource gaps and amplifying women’s voices. Raised by his grandmother and mother, he learned firsthand the power of women’s leadership and the importance of stepping back as a man to support and empower others. Donald’s goal is to help build a more equitable world by ensuring men actively contribute to creating opportunities and dismantling barriers for women.

  • FOUNDING INTERN / SOCIAL MEDIA & COMMUNICATIONS LEAD

    Melia Rigney (she/her) is a dynamic digital marketing and communications lead and one of Paco’s first interns, bringing creativity, resilience, and a people-first mindset to every project. A graduate of Rise High School with a background in performing arts, she majored in Dance and minored in Film and Editing, her diverse background continues to shape her unique approach to storytelling and problem-solving. Known for her strong organizational skills and determination, Melia thrives under pressure and never backs down from a challenge. Most recently, she performed at the 2025 BET Awards, a highlight in a growing dance career that includes collaborations with emerging artists. Her experience as a performer fuels her drive to connect, adapt, and lead with purpose. 

  • BOARD TREASURER

    Carmina Osuna (she/her) is a visionary leader and systems thinker with over 10 years of experience in education, specializing in supporting diverse and multilingual communities. A native of Boyle Heights in Los Angeles, she holds degrees from UC San Diego and Loyola Marymount University and is currently pursuing her doctoral degree at the University of Southern California.

    Carmina’s career began as a founding Spanish teacher with Alliance College-Ready Public Charter Schools, and she later helped launch Camino Nuevo Charter Academy’s second high school, serving as a teacher, Dean, and Assistant Principal. She went on to serve as the founding Director of Thrive Public Schools' secondary school, where she implemented innovative strategies to foster equity and student success.

    Carmina has extensive experience leading professional development and building strong teams. A certified Council facilitator, she uses this practice—a gathering designed to foster deep connection and community—at the core of her leadership. Her work includes designing systems that support equity and champion vulnerable students, particularly those new to the U.S.

    Currently, Carmina serves as a Partner at Transcend Education, where she leads and guides teams on comprehensive projects. She collaborates with stakeholders to create innovative school models, facilitates workshops for families and students, and leads initiatives that promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice across education communities.

  • BOARD MEMBER

    Carla M. McCullough, Ed.D. (she/her) is an educational leader, writer, and filmmaker dedicated to advancing equity and excellence in both education and entertainment. A Chicago native, she brings nearly 25 years of experience in K-12 schools, higher education, and nonprofit leadership. Her expertise lies in supporting individuals, schools, and small businesses through leadership development, principal and teacher coaching, and operational strategy.

    Carla began her career as a middle school English, History, and Drama teacher in the Los Angeles Unified School District through Teach for America. She later served as a Dean of Discipline before transitioning into school leadership as an Assistant Principal and then Principal at a local high school. Beyond K-12 education, she has mentored aspiring educators at the graduate level and continues to serve on multiple educational and nonprofit boards across Southern California.

    A proud graduate of Spelman College, Carla’s time at the institution was the culmination of eight years of all-female education that began at Mother McAuley High School, one of the largest all-girls schools in the nation. Her experiences in these spaces reinforced her commitment to empowering women, a mission that extends into her creative and professional endeavors. Her upcoming directorial debut, College Reunion, is a film with a targeted goal of uplifting all women—and specifically Black women—while simultaneously spotlighting HBCUs and increasing the number of future college reunions for K-12 students. Her companion prequel, Little Shirley Goes to School, is available wherever children's books are sold.

    Carla’s work is rooted in a deep commitment to creating spaces where students, educators, and leaders—especially women—thrive. Whether leading professional development, designing innovative educational initiatives, or crafting narratives that celebrate Black excellence, she remains dedicated to shaping transformative experiences that inspire lifelong learning, connection, and impact. Her decision to join the Paco Board aligns with her unwavering belief in the power of women as leaders. She shares Paco’s vision of a world where all women are equipped and empowered to lead—not only in their own lives but also in the social, political, and economic systems that shape their communities.

  • FOUNDING INTERN / MENTORING & PARTNERSHIPS LEAD

    Kiara Johnson (she/her) is a November Sagittarius born and raised in Los Angeles, a city that has shaped her life in unimaginable ways. She was raised by her grandparents who instilled love, bravery, kindness, unity, and Christianity into their family. These are the same values she works hard to pour into her 1-year old daughter as she raises her as a single mom. She had a challenging upbringing that never broke her but rather has pushed her to be a light for those left in the dark. She’s currently enrolled at El Camino Community College where she’s pursuing her Associate’s in Early Childhood Education before transferring to a 4-year to complete her Bachelor’s Degree. Kiara empowers the women at Paco by serving as a mentor and advocate, fighting to ensure they feel loved and supported throughout their toughest challenges. Many people describe her as passionate and super funny, with a heart too big for her body and a smile that can light up the room. She’s excited to bring her authenticity to Paco and to contribute to the success of the org whil gaining new skills to strengthen her leadership as she prepares for her future career.

  • BOARD MEMBER

    Timothy Ojetunde (he/him) is a School Climate Program Associate at WestEd who supports local, county, and state education agencies in centering equity and improving educational outcomes for all. He specifically works with the Resilient and Healthy Schools and Communities (RHSC) and supports the California Center for School Climate (CCSC) which focuses on school improvement efforts through school climate data and best practices. Timothy’s expertise is grounded in school culture and climate, data, restorative practices, social-emotional learning (SEL), and trauma-informed practices, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion.

    Timothy holds over a decade of knowledge and experience across multiple spaces and communities, through his previous roles as a teacher, advisory and school culture specialist, school administrator, and DEI consultant. In his work, he has coached school administrators, presented to leaders, and facilitated sessions for thousands of educators and learners across multiple conferences. He is extremely passionate about creating equitable outcomes and is dedicated to supporting students and adults as they grow, develop, and find success.

    Timothy was born and raised in Los Angeles, a graduate of UCLA, and holds master’s degrees from Arizona State University and California State University, Dominguez Hills.

    Timothy is extremely excited about his role as a Paco Board Member and the work and progress that Paco seeks to create. There is a need to highlight the structures that are failing women who are systems impacted and create actionable change.