>>22359761
>Ben combines his passion for helping kids and families with nearly 20 years of business management and entrepreneurial experience. Prior to ASAS, Ben was a founding partner of a Los Angeles real-estate investment group,worked at International Consultants on Targeted Security (ICTS), an anti-terrorism flight-security firm, and served four years in the Israeli army, retiring as a company commander.
>>22359778
>and served four years in the Israeli army
weird, what a coincidence. He's into real estate and Pacific Palisades just burned to the ground and his house mate? spouse? Lindsay Sturman wants to re design LA into a 15 minute city.
And this real estate investment firm apparently doesn't have a name
Founders
In addition to the tireless efforts of our Founding Parents, Valley Charter is founded by a distinguished Board of Directors that offers expertise in education, business management, entrepreneurship, and the non-profit sector; by a Founding Educator and Lead Educators who guide, develop and execute Valley Charter's educational vision; and by a Board of Advisors who support and provide counsel to the school on an as-needed basis. These individuals are:
Board of Directors
Michelle Bennett: Ms. Bennett is a leadership and change management professional who currently instructs Educational Leadership and Policy Study at Cal State Northridge and National Universities. Prior to teaching, Ms. Bennett served as Director of Operations for the Los Angeles Unified School District overseeing ten divisions. Other LAUSD positions held include Intervention Administrator and Instructional Coordinator. Ms. Bennett is a pioneer in the charter movement holding the position of Principal at Westwood Charter School one of the original ten Los Angeles charters for two decades. Before joining Westwood, she worked throughout the LAUSD as a teacher, advisor and assistant Principal. Ms. Bennett is an author, presenter, consultant and mentor principal serving the educational community.
Daniel Chang: Recently appointed to Chief Operating Officer for MLA Partner Schools, a nonprofit organization working to improve schools and empower neighborhoods in Los Angeles' most disenfranchised communities. Dan previously served as Vice President of New School Development for Green Dot Public Schools, a nonprofit charter management organization that operates 19 high schools in Los Angeles. Prior to joining Green Dot, Dan held business development and product marketing positions at enterprise software companies Model N and Desktop.com. Before Model N and Desktop.com, he served as a Financial Analyst at Broadview International, a division of the investment bank Jefferies & Company focused on the IT, communications, healthcare technology and digital media industries.
Ari Engelberg: First CEO of Bright Star Schools, the well-regarded and high-performing charter school in Los Angeles. Former Teacher of American History and Basketball coach at Harvard-Westlake School. Co-founder of Stamps.com, the Internet postage leader. Co-founder of Archive, Inc., a data storage software company. Founding partner of Los Angeles Social Venture Partners and Board Member of Thos Water, ETeamz and Core Objects Software. Non-Profit experience includes service on the Boards of Directors of the Jewish Venture Philanthropy Fund of Los Angeles, The Literacy Network of Greater Los Angeles, and Jewish Big Brothers-Big Sisters. Ari received his BA in Political Science and Psychology from UC Berkeley, and his JD and MBA from UCLA.
Patricia Hannum: Currently the Executive Director of MOCHA (children's museum) in Oakland. Patricia received her BFA in Illustration and Fashion Design from Syracuse University, and an MS in Museum Leadership from the Bank Street College of Education. Following 15 years of experience as a fashion stylist, illustrator and business owner, Patricia transitioned into museum leadership where she develops and directs education and public programs, marketing and developing, and event planning among other roles. She has served as Executive Director for Westchester Children's Museum, and as an advisor on several non-profit boards in NYC.
Natalie Kiwi: Owner and President of Sapient Consultants, a human resources consulting firm specializing in entertainment and new media industries. Natalie possesses over a decade of recruitment and human resources experience in the biotech, pharmaceutical and entertainment industries. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Washington University.
Ben Paul (Chair): Former Chair of LCS Board of Directors, and current President/CEO for After-School All-Stars, a non-profit organization that provides after-school programs to 60,000 children in 15 cities nationwide.Ben formerly worked as a partner in a Los Angeles-based real estate investment group. He received his M.B.A. from the University of Southern California.