Albert was born, raised, and presently lives in Rancho Cucamonga. Albert graduated from Damien High School, Pitzer College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Studies, Harvard Divinity School with a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies, and Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law with a Juris Doctor degree. He is passionate about diversity in higher education and he sits on the National Board of the Harvard Latino Alumni Alliance. In his free time, he enjoys dancing salsa and bachata.
Danny De La Mora grew up in Ontario, California and graduated from Damien High School and the University of La Verne. He is currently a Commercial Banker at B of A and lives in Rancho Cucamonga with his family. Danny enjoys golf and adventures at Disneyland with his wife and two young daughters.
Kristine Scott is Public Affairs Manager for the Southern California Gas Company, San Bernardino County region. Involved in several regional education and workforce efforts, Kristine serves as the Ontario-Montclair Schools Foundation Secretary. She graduated from CSU Fullerton and currently resides in Rancho Cucamonga.
Tony was born and raised in Pasadena and currently lives in nearby Eastvale. Tony attended BYU for his undergraduate degree and then University of Redlands for his Masters and is currently a Senior Manager of Environmental, Health & Safety at the Walmart Distribution Center Chino. As a first-generation college graduate, Tony feels it is important to get out into the community and show kids that he was at one point in his life just like them and was able to dream big and become a leader in the community through furthering his education. He is a Coach in his free time and enjoys playing golf, especially at the annual Promise Scholars Tournament.
Atif Elkadi is Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario Airport and has more than 17 years of extensive senior-level experience in all aspects of airport operations, strategic marketing, social media, brand management, public relations, marketing, advertising, and strategic communications.
Atif has a master’s Degree in Communication Management from the University of Southern California, an M.B.A. from the University of Phoenix, and a bachelor’s Degree in Journalism from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
Angel Baltazar is the President of the IEHP Foundation and has more than 20 years of experience in the public health and human services sectors.She most recently served as the Executive Lead for Health Equity and the Executive Director of the Lewis-San Antonio Healthy Communities Institute. She holds a bachelor‘s in social work from Cal Poly Pomona and master’s in policy planning and administration from Loma Linda University.
Rudy Lopez was born in Los Angeles and has been serving his community since 1998. He started his career in law enforcement with the Los Angeles County Sherriff’s Department. In 2002, Rudy transitioned to the Ontario Police Department and currently works as a Captain assigned to the Special Operations Bureau.
In 2008, Rudy earned a bachelor’s degree from CSU Long Beach. In August of 2020, Rudy earned a Master of Science degree in Leadership and Management from the University of La Verne. In his free time, Rudy enjoys camping and boating with his family.
Barbara Murphy, MSN, RN is Chief Nurse Executive at Kaiser Permanente Ontario Medical Center.
Jennifer McLain Hiramoto is the Economic Development Director for the City of Ontario. Prior to her role, she served the City of Glendale, where she has served as the Acting Assistant Director of Community Development. Jennifer earned a Masters of Public Administration from the University of Southern California in 2011, and obtained her Bachelor’s Degree from San Jose State University.
Scott Ochoa is the City Manager for the City of Ontario. Closing the Achievement Gap is essential for cultivating a positive community of caring and compassionate citizens. Scott shares “as the first member of my family to attend college, I know what a distant dream that goal can seem like – until it no longer does because the community rallies around its youth to illuminate an otherwise darkened path.” Scott was born and raised in Azusa, CA and now resides in the City of Ontario with his family. Scott relaxes with music, movies, sports, and by building things by hand. He enjoys time with friends, family, and dogs: Trixie, Roxie, Dottie, Tilly, and Ziggy.
Gary Ovitt is a native of Ontario. He attended San Antonio and Hawthorne Elementary schools, as well as, Vina F. Danks Junior High. Gary graduated from Chaffey High School and the University of Redlands and returned to Chaffey High School to teach for 35 years. He retired from serving 22 years as an elected official as a Councilman and Mayor in Ontario and as a San Bernardino County Supervisor. He now also serves as a Governing Board Member for Chaffey Community College, nonprofit board member for the Ontario Chaffey Community Showband, Children’s’ Fund, the West End YMCA Board and as a Commissioner on the Ontario Parks and Recreation Commission. During his leisure time you can find him reading, traveling and playing golf.
Dr. Felix Melendez is the Executive Director of the Ontario-Montclair Schools Foundation. He was born and raised in Lawton, Oklahoma. He acquired his B.A. in English from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, his M.A. in Educational Administration from and his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, Teaching and Learning from Azusa Pacific University.
Tammy Lipschultz is the Assistant Superintendent of Learning and Teaching for the Ontario-Montclair School District. She was born and raised in Kalamazoo Michigan. A former teacher and principal, she has worked for OMSD for 33 years. A graduate of University of Michigan, Tammy lives in nearby Rancho Cucamonga.
Dr. Kern Oduro is the Assistant Superintendent of Student Services for the Chaffey Joint Union High School District. He received his Doctorate of Philosophy in Education from Claremont Graduate University in 2012. Prior to becoming Assistant Superintendent, he served as principal at Colony High School and Rancho Cucamonga High School.
Ráelyne is the High School Supervisor, Chaffey High School is her alma mater. She was born and raised in the Inland Empire and has called Ontario home for the last 12 years. She is also an Ontario-Montclair School District alumna. Ráelyne graduated from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, with a B.A. in Women’s and Gender Studies. In her free time, she likes to spend time with her family and fill her sketchbook with portraits and doodles.
Catherine was born and raised in the Inland Empire and graduated from CSU San Bernardino. While there, she came to understand that many students shared similar experiences because they were also first generation students. Catherine chose to serve with Promise Scholars as an AmeriCorps VIP Fellow because the program provided universal college-access to communities like hers. She developed a passion for helping students realize that college is a place for them. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her two dogs, discovering new places to eat, and going on trips.
Crystal was raised in Ontario, CA. She attended UC San Diego and graduated with her Bachelor’s of Arts in Ethnic Studies. Crystal is the first in her family to graduate college and is passionate about helping all students achieve their dreams. In her free time, she loves hiking local trails with her dogs, Mischka and Boba, aquascaping her shrimp tank, and practicing her Spanish.
Jiselle is the Promise Scholars Advisor for Chaffey High School. A proud Montclair High School alum, she graduated from Mt. SAC then transferred to Cal Poly Pomona with a degree in Sociology. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, cooking pasta, and playing Animal Crossing.
Jennifer is the Promise Scholars Advisor for Montclair High School. She graduated from UC Irvine with a degree in Biology. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, tending to her succulents, and watching movies.
Saad is the Promise Scholars Advisor for Ontario High School. He graduated from Chaffey College and UC Riverside with his B.A. in Political Science. In his spare time, he likes spending time with his cat, Casper, and trying new birreria restaurants around Ontario.
Britney is the Promise Scholars Advisor for Early Program and Outreach. A proud Ontario High School alum, she graduated with her degree in Political Science from Chaffey College. In her spare time, she enjoys 35mm photography, tending to her Nintendo DS collection, and advocating for food sustainability.
