Aspire to Advocate: Three Key Ingredients to Successful Advocacy Campaigns

As Executive Director of the Aspire Public Schools Foundation, Bess ensure Aspire’s 36 schools, 15,000+ scholars, educators, and communities have the resources and partnerships critical to change the odds. Bess began her career in education in 1999 as a 4th grade teacher at Aspire East Palo Alto Charter School. After four years at Aspire EPACS, Bess attended NYU School of Law and practiced law for ten years. Bess returned to Aspire in 2016, and in 2019, launched the Foundation, through which Bess and her team now support philanthropy, communications and marketing, and advocacy on behalf of Aspire Public Schools.

Maribel is the Director of Family Engagement & Community Advocacy at Aspire Public Schools. Through this work, she partners with families, schools, and communities to activate and leverage their collective strength in service of all children! Maribel joined Aspire Public Schools in 2015 and has worked to build systems and practices that engage the diverse experiences of the families and communities served by Aspire across California. Prior to joining Aspire, Maribel supported Family Engagement programming at a large urban school district in the bay area. She brings over 15 years of experience in serving students and families in public education.