Geoff Albert (he/him) holds an MFA in Studio Art and an MA in Organizational Leadership & Management, reflecting his commitment to both artistic pursuits and effective leadership. Geoff has an extensive track record of community service spanning several decades, beginning with his active engagement in various environmental and public health initiatives during the 1980s. Over the past two decades, he has focused on promoting education, community empowerment, and social justice.
While leading a tech team in the entertainment industry for twenty years, Geoff dedicated his free time to volunteering in the Pasadena community, specifically advocating for educational equity. His active involvement in city and school district task forces and his leadership roles as the VP of Legislation and Advocacy within the San Gabriel Valley's 300+ parent-teacher associations have garnered recognition from local and state officials and organizations.
In 2019, recognizing an opportunity to align his passion with his career, Geoff joined Pacific Oaks College Center for Community & Social Impact (CCSI) as a Community Engagement Specialist, leading the Collaborate PASadena initiative. His exceptional contributions eventually led him to assume the role of Director of CCSI while continuing to lead Collaborate PASadena. Geoff takes immense pride in the remarkable growth and achievements of Collaborate PASadena, which have surpassed the capacity of what Pacific Oaks could offer, and has since brought the organization to a new level of independence as a fiscally sponsored project under Community Initiatives.
Michael Ocon (he/him) is a recognized leader in educational equity, a trained political organizer, and a passionate advocate for institutional access. A first-generation college graduate, Michael attended Stanford University, earning a B.A. in English Literature.
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Michael's passion for political organizing was honed through internships with Antonio Villaraigosa for Governor, the Office of Senator Kamala D. Harris, Kamala Harris for President, George Gascón for District Attorney, and SEIU-USWW. In these roles, he collaborated with senior staff on communications and rapid response, field organizing strategy, and policy advocacy focused on educational reform and youth voter engagement.
A proud native of Pasadena, CA, Michael has been politically active in local races and advocacy campaigns and serves on the boards of College Access Plan, Pasadena, and Pasadena Media.
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Michael holds a Master of Public Administration from USC, where he served on the governing boards of the Norman Topping Scholarship Fund and the Graduate Policy and Administration Committee, and was a City/County Management Fellow.
Dr. Elizabeth J. Blanco was appointed Interim Superintendent on July 1, 2023. She has served PUSD for a total of nine years, most recently as Deputy Superintendent.
An accomplished executive and servant leader with more than 30 years of experience in public education, Dr. Blanco is passionate about creating dynamic learning environments that are engaging and inclusive of all learners.
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Dr. Blanco has served as Deputy Superintendent, the District’s second-highest role, since 2022; as Chief Academic Officer from 2018-2021; and Chief of Specialized Instructional Services from 2017-2018. She was previously the District’s Executive Director of SELPA, Special Education and Early Childhood from 2009-2012. Dr. Blanco was Chief of Special Education Services and the Division of Instruction, Innovation, and Social Justice in the San Francisco Unified School District from 2012- 2017. She began her career in education as a classroom teacher in the Rowland Unified School District.
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Dr. Blanco holds a Doctor of Education in Urban Educational Leadership from the University of Southern California, two Master of Arts degrees in Educational Administration and Special Education, and a Bachelor of Arts in Child Development from California State University, Los Angeles.
Ashley Carrasco is a Pasadena native who is passionate about her community, spending time in nature, and spending quality time with her family and dog. She currently works in the community with Day One where she creates safe spaces for young people to learn life skills such as communicating effectively and managing difficult emotions. She also educates the community about substance abuse and creates substance-free activities and spaces.
Ashley also established a nonprofit called Hood Liberation whose focus is to celebrate the people and cultures of Pasadena and Altadena. Hood Liberation in collaboration with Pasadena CLSC hosts an annual celebration called Dena Day that promotes local Black and brown businesses, community resources, and local creatives.
In her personal time, Ashley enjoys spending time in nature, being an aunty, and going on long walks with her dog Mookie.
Dr. Kitty Cahalan brings to CTLO experience connecting local K-12 students with STEM educational resources and volunteers. A parent of two public school students, Kitty has served in a number of leadership roles for local public school advocacy and governance groups, including the Longfellow Elementary PTA, Blair PTSA, the Pasadena Unified School District PTA Council, California First District PTA, Longfellow School Site Council and the Pasadena Unified School District Advisory Council. She has also served as a volunteer to bring hands-on STEM activities and learning to Longfellow classrooms and served as the chair for the Longfellow Science Night for six years.
Kitty earned her bachelor's degree in chemistry at Bryn Mawr College and her Ph.D. in bioinorganic chemistry at Caltech.