ABOUT US

BOOST Conference Leadership Team

The BOOST Leadership Team is critically important to the success and impact of the BOOST Conference. This amazing team is guided by the National BOOST Conference Advisory Board and provides big ideas, new connections, practical strategies while adding credibility to the planning and execution process. This comprehensive Leadership Team represents the diversity of after school, expanded learning, and out-of-school time programs and includes representatives serving at all levels of the field. We are a quality conference truly planned by dedicated (and fun) after school, expanded learning, and out-of-school time professionals, adding voice and value to the needs of the field.

Mary Jo Ginty round Mary Jo Ginty, Region 11 Lead
Los Angeles County Office of Education, Downey, CA

Mary Jo Ginty is the Regional Lead/Program Coordinator overseeing the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) After School Technical Assistance Unit. This Unit provides staff training and development, consultation and technical assistance services to the 1300+ school sites providing after school programs funded through the After School Education and Safety Program (ASES) and/or 21st Century Community Learning Center grants. Over 130,000 students participate in these programs which also provide over 10,000 employment opportunities in the county. Ms. Ginty directed and oversaw after school programs at the elementary, middle and high school level; she has experienced the power of change these programs bring to students and their families. Her professional experiences over the past years include: Owner of a successful consulting firm, high school teacher, high school principal, college professor, lobbyist, and community organizer. She holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from UCLA and a Bachelors Degree in Business and Social Welfare Administration from Ursuline College. Her spare time is spent enjoying her family, leading a Junior Girl Scout troop, music, and cooking in all forms and sitting on the Board of Directors of her 10-year-old daughter’s school.

Mary Jo Ginty believes that after school programs have the potential to assist youth to gain the skill sets, tools, and knowledge and have the experiences necessary to make a life for themselves and their families.

Top 5 Strengths: Strategic | Achiever | Futuristic | Arranger | Connectedness

Kristen Gonzalez, Klassic Kids Program Manager 2018 BOOSTer Since badge
Harmonium, San Diego, CA

Kristen has been in the expanded learning field for over 25 years, what started as a summer job has turned into a passion and career. Her career started at the Boys and Girls Club of Escondido and took her to the YMCA of San Diego County, then to varies agencies around San Diego County and now with Harmonium. Kristen has a wide knowledge of licensed programs, ASES program and 21st Century programs but her true passion is the professional development of expanded learning staff. She is a CalSAC trainer and holds a BA in Organizational Leadership from Chapman University.

Suzanne Hill, Project Liaison
Orange County Department of Education, Costa Mesa, CA

Suzanne Hill has been working in out-of-school time programs for almost 19 years. She has worked as a volunteer, a frontline staff, a Site Coordinator, a Program Manager, and most recently a TA provider. After spending a few years providing TA in STEM specific programming, Suzanne now supports all Expanded Learning programs in Orange County. Suzanne received her B.A. in Global Studies with a minor in Sociology, spending time studying in Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Northern Thailand. When Suzanne is not a work; she enjoys traveling, baseball, the beach, and spending lots of time with family and friends.

Darlene Mosher, Program Administrator
Pomona Unified School District, La Verne, CA

I have been working in the educational field for the past 20 years. I received my bachelor’s degree in accounting from Cal State Fullerton in 1982. After working as an accountant for 18 years and raising my two daughters, I returned to school and received my single subject math and multiple subject teaching credentials from the University of La Verne, as well as a Master’s degree in Education. In 2005 I received my Administrative Credential from Cal Poly Pomona. I currently oversee the afterschool program for Pomona Unified School District supporting 23 school sites, approximately 150 staff members and about 2,300 students daily.

Melissa Perez, ASES Supervisor 2017 BOOSTer Since badge
Fullerton School District, Fullerton, CA

Melissa Perez is the ASES Expanded Learning Supervisor in Child Development Services at the Fullerton School District and leads (11) ASES programs. Melissa began as an Instructional Aide in 2003. Melissa quickly learned she loved working as an educator, but in a different capacity and became an ASES Site Lead in 2005. Melissa studied Child and Adolescent Development and Chicano/a Studies at California State University, Fullerton. She became program Supervisor in 2014. Melissa is an advocate for youth development programs and is passionate about professionally developing teams to provide high-quality programs for youth to thrive!

Dr. Michelle R. Perrenoud, Project Coordinator
Los Angeles County Office of Education, Downey, CA

Michelle R. Perrenoud has worked in the fields of youth development, organizational leadership, and after school for the past twenty years. She currently works with the Los Angeles County Office of Education (LACOE) in the Curriculum and Instructional Services (CIS) Division. She is the Region 11 Project Coordinator for the After School Technical Assistance Unit. Michelle serves as the Regional Facilitator for the 21st CCLC ASSETs Learning Community and provides technical assistance and capacity building for more than 120 21st CCLC ASSETs funded programs throughout Los Angeles County. She is a member of the California Department of Education statewide high school ASSETs Planning Group. Michelle is also the founder and principle of Mindset Solutions: A Leadership Training, Development, and Coaching Firm.

Michelle’s wide-ranging experience and her ability to bring together individuals from different communities to create common solutions together make her a powerful, effective voice. She leads by example, by inspiring a shared vision and demonstrating a commitment to civic engagement and to the goal of making a positive impact in the community. Her experience in developing youth and leading afterschool programs began while working with the YMCA. One of her areas of specialization includes teaching youth leadership and working with older youth to become leaders in their community. Additionally, she is passionate about teaching youth development and building the leadership capacity of afterschool program leaders. Michelle is recognized for her ability as a leader to empower others around her to cultivate their best self and lead from their current position.

Top 5 Strengths: Strategic | Achiever | Learner | Relator | Analytical

Tia Quinn, Founder & CEO

BOOST Collaborative, San Diego, CA

Linkedin Profile

For more than 23 years, Tia Quinn has worked at all levels of programming in the field of after school and expanded learning, supporting out-of-school time programs throughout the nation via training, technical assistance, quality assurance, and program development.

Tia fell in love with after school programs in 1992 while working in Hartford, CT as an art teacher and later the Program Director in the Asylum Hill community. Tia spent the first part of her west coast experience working at an after school program and later as a Program Director, overseeing programming at 65 before and after school programs through Harmonium Children's Services, one of the largest after school providers in California. Tia also served for 5 years as the Co-Lead for Region 9 Technical Assistance Center, After School Programs at the San Diego County Office of Education. In this capacity, she supported over 600 after school program sites in San Diego, Orange and Imperial Counties, serving over 100,000 students annually. While in this role, Tia managed numerous regional and statewide committees and after school initiatives.

In the regional lead capacity, Tia and her team were the 2005 recipients of the California School Board Association's Golden Bell Award for Partnerships and Collaboratives as well as the Cities, Counties, and Schools (CCS) Partnership Award 2005. Additionally, Tia is the recipient of the 2001 Director of the Year, awarded by Mentor San Diego; the California School-Age Consortium's 2006 Award of Excellence, Program Administrator of the Year; the 2013 STEVIE® Bronze Award for Women In Business, Female Executive of the Year – Business Services; the 2014 STEVIE® Bronze Award for Women In Business, Maverick of the Year; the 2014 STEVIE® Bronze Award for Women In Business, Most Innovative Company under 10 Employees; Finalist for Gamechanger at the 2015 Women of Influence Awards; winner of Eternal Flame Award, San Diego County Office of Education’s Women in Prevention; winner in the Small Education Category, San Diego Business Journal’s 2015 Most Admired CEO Award. BOOST Collaborative recently won 2015 Best in Biz’s Company of the Year, International award.

She serves on the Board of Directors for ASAPconnect, Santa Clara, CA and Think Red Project in San Diego, CA. Tia is also a member of Entrepreneur's Organizations' Accelerator program and is eagerly pursuing her mission and creativity to take her ideas and company to the next level.

As an Out-of-School Time Consultant, Tia presents customized workshops and staff development seminars at numerous local, state and national conferences. Tia works closely with school district administrators, CEO's, non-profit agencies, program directors, supervisors, and line staff to increase student retention, promote academic achievement, and overall student success through quality, engaging staff development opportunities.

Tia is currently the Founder and CEO of the BOOST (Best of Out-of-School Time) Collaborative, a purpose-driven organization supporting global out-of-school time professionals through state-of-the-art professional development opportunities, program and resource development, and community partnership advancement. BOOST advocates for quality out-of-school time programming, offers opportunities to share promising practices, and provides a variety of training and consulting services.

Tia is also the founder of the annual BOOST Conference in Palm Springs, California, the largest global convening for after school, expanded learning, and out-of-school time educators, supporting all levels of key stakeholders to initiate change and inspire quality programming. The BOOST conference includes over 150 workshops, 100 Exhibitors, Film Festival, 5-mile Tour de BOOST charity walk/run, Town Hall meetings, Master Classes, networking opportunities and special events.

Most recently, Tia founded MARS (Music, Arts, Rhythm, Social Change) Experience bringing together socially responsible organizations, artists, musicians, crafters, filmmakers, authors, and poets to inspire and create action locally and globally.

Tia is passionate about creating positive change for today's youth as well as the people, communities, and partners supporting them in the out-of-school time hours. She mentors several young women, loves driving her electric golf cart around San Diego and is always seeking new travel and food adventures with friends.

Amira Resnick, Manager of Cross-Sector Engagement, California
Alliance for a Healthier Generation, Los Angeles, CA

Amira Resnick is Manager of Cross-Sector Engagement with Alliance for a Healthier Generation (HG) where she has worked for four years across multiple programmatic initiatives. As Healthy Out-of-School Time Manager, she achieved measurable organizational improvements of 120+ afterschool program sites across California in by building capacity and providing professional development on health and wellness initiatives with afterschool program leaders. In 2017, she was promoted to project manager with HG’s strategic partnerships team to support its collaboration with national public health partners and the food and beverage industry.

Jeanaah Sampson, Regional Manager

EduCare Foundation, Van Nuys, CA

Jeanaah Sampson is one of EduCare Foundation’s Regional Managers. Before joining the EduCare family, she worked in the after school field with non-profit programs such as STAR, LA’S Best, and Richstone Family Center. During her 15 years of service in the field, Jeanaah was able to cultivate her programming and coordinating skills, giving her the ability to build programs for grades K – 12 from the ground up. It was from this experience she was able to create a pilot Middle School program for EduCare. Jeanaah has also been given the charge to manage, create content, facilitate training and coordinate large events through EduCare.

becky Becky Shultz, Director of Expanded Learning
Whittier School District-Reach For The Stars, Whittier, CA

Becky Shultz has over 20 years of experience in the after school field. She obtained a masters degree in counseling and P.P.S. credential in 2003 from California State University, Long Beach. Job experiences include 20 years as a school counselor and 20 years as the Director of Expanded Learning for Whittier City School District. Committee and board memberships include Helpline Youth Counseling (board member), LACOE Group Advisory Group (GAG) and Region 11 Advisory Committee, WCSD management, and wellness committee and the Whittier Homeless Student Coalition. Becky has also been a member of the BOOST Leadership Team for 9 years.

jim James Stephens, Realtor
Berkshire Hathaway Home Services California Properties, San Diego, CA

James Stephens has worked in the out-of-school time field since 1978. From 1990 to 2015, Jim served as the director of the Child Development Services department in Orange Unified School District. After over 34 years working in the field of education, he has “retired” and is working full-time as a Realtor in San Diego, California. In addition to undergraduate degrees in Child Development and Business, James has a Masters in Education, which allowed him the opportunity to teach human development courses at Cal State Fullerton and several of the local community colleges in Orange County. He has been involved with the BOOST Conference for many years and loves serving on the Leadership Team. James is a proud parent of his daughter Waverly, who was born in 1996, and son Spencer, born in 1999.

Heather Williams, Program Director of Policy and Outreach
California AfterSchool Network, Sacramento, CA

Heather currently serves as the Policy and Outreach Program Director for the California AfterSchool Network (CAN). Previously she served as the Strategic Initiatives & Partnerships Lead for the Expanded Learning Division at CDE. She oversaw strategic plan efforts that reshaped the Division to focus on providing high quality expanded learning opportunities. Prior to that, Heather worked at the California State Treasury in several capacities including as an Environmental Finance Treasury Analyst, a Public Finance Analyst and an Executive Fellow in the Executive Office. Heather received her BA in Political Science from CSU Fullerton.

BOOST Conference Implementation Team

Jared round

Jared Baar, Administrative Director
Rainbow Rising, Irvine, CA

Jared Baar has worked in the field of after school programs for over 13 years. Throughout his tenure, he has worked at every level of the program. Jared began as a direct-service staff member and spent five years as an Assistant Director/Program Director prior to moving to Administration. He believes after school programs are successful when the children are provided with a variety of options and enriching, relaxing, fun-oriented activities.

Cristina Mares, Expanded Learning Site Coordinator
Lennox Enrichment After-School Program, Lennox, CA

Cristina has been working in the LEAP program over 6 years. In these years, her main focus has been on establishing a strong rapport with students, educators, parents, and community. Cristina loves her job because she has the opportunity to be an advocate for the well-being of students and be a valuable resource for the students’ educational, career, and social development. Mahatma Gandhi once said, "You must be the change you wish to see in the world," Cristina aspires to create change in the lives of today's youth by encouraging, motivating, and helping them realize their potential.

Meredith White, Supervisor, Expanded Learning Programs
Brea Olinda Unified School District-Child Development Services, Brea, CA

Meredith is a dedicated expanded learning professional who seeks unique and creative opportunities for students in out of school time programs. Working within the Before and Afterschool network for 8 years, Meredith supports staff and students in the Brea Olinda Unified School District Department of Child Development Services through Professional Development for staff and S.T.E.A.M. Curriculum Implementation for students. Believing in the power of expanded learning, Meredith continues to support the building of bridges between in school and out of school time.

BOOST Conference On-Site Support Team

Nicole Baitx-Kennedy, Director of Child Development Programs
Ocean View School District, Huntington Beach, CA

Celebrating over 30 years working with children! She sees an amazing opportunity to support the development of the total child in out of school time programming. BOOST has energized her in her work, BOOST Leadership has given her a wonderful opportunity to support an organization that she believes in wholeheartedly and connect with other wonderful people in this field. Nicole's personal goal in life is to never stop learning and to continually grow. It is a gift to spend time with family and being outdoors centers her. She believes strongly in the work we all do!

Caitlyn Monaco, CARES Program Lead Teacher
Orange Unified School District, Orange, CA

Caitlyn Monaco has worked for Orange Unified School District for the past 14 years. Her bubbly personality and commitment to family and children quickly moved her up the ranks and allowed her to attend BOOST Conference where she fell in love with the positive atmosphere and networking which BOOST provides. Presently, she is working towards her Associates Degree both in Childhood Education & Biological Sciences. She loves exploring the world, getting messy, great movies and taking naps. Born in New York and raised in California, Caitlyn has a unique perspective to life: Enjoy it and don’t sweat the small stuff, just “Fugetaboutit Dude.”

Ezekiel "Zeke" Oliwa, High School Teacher
St. Augustine High School, San Diego, CA

Zeke, a San Diego native, started in out of school education at a local Rec Center during his summer breaks home from college, learning quickly that he had a passion for working with kids. He built on this at Boston College, where he graduated in 2014 with a B.A. in History and a minor in Education. Moving back to San Diego, he began substitute teaching at various schools across the county. He recently finished the teaching credential program at San Diego State and was just hired at St. Augustine High School for his first year teaching.

ElizaBeth Parker Phillips, Vice President of Education
Continuing Development Inc., Sacramento, CA

ElizaBeth Parker Phillips has been working in childcare and recreation programs for over 25 years. In her current role, she oversees the program quality and implementation of infant/toddler, preschool, school-age child care centers, teen services, day camps, and court waiting room programs throughout the state of California. In her free time, she is either working out, pretending to read music while playing in a handbell choir, volunteering as a Girl Scout leader for her daughter's Senior scout troop, exploring new foods with her son, or turning her house into a zoo.

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ABOUT US

BOOST Conference Leadership Team

BOOST Conference Implementation Team

BOOST Conference On-Site Support Team