Massimiliano Gasparri
(He/Him/His)
Board Chair
Massimiliano Gasparri has over 20 years of experience in software product development and operations. He has been working with early stage startups for several years. He is a co-founder of Kr8 Ventures and he is a partner at eCare Manage, Inc. a healthcare technology firm. He was previously the VP of Technology at Warner Bros., a project lead at Disney, and a software engineer developing some of the first digital video and media management applications. His film credits include Tarzan, Dinosaur, Fantasia 2000, The Emperor’s New Groove, and Atlantis. Massimiliano was also an AP Computer Science teacher and holds 18 patents and 9 pending. He graduated with distinction from Boston University with a bachelor degree in Computer Science. Massimiliano has also a passion for sports: from running marathons, to playing soccer at varsity level, to tennis, to skiing and just recently triathlons (6-time Ironman 140.6 and 70.3 finisher). He has also volunteered as an interpreter for the Boston Athletic Association Press Office and coached Arlington Soccer Club Under 12 team.
Eugene Ebron
Board Vice Chair
Eugene Ebron brings over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit and public K–12 sectors. His career focuses on translating organizational strategy into action and leading project management teams to implement impactful programs. He has led strategic planning efforts, process improvements, and charter advocacy initiatives aimed at transforming educational outcomes and closing achievement gaps.
Before his work in education reform, Eugene worked in Washington, D.C., at an advisory and advocacy communications firm, where he conducted qualitative and quantitative research on corporate reputation and stakeholder engagement. Outside of work, Eugene practices yoga as a tool for staying grounded and mindful. He holds a BA in Business from the University of NC at Charlotte and an MEd in Policy Studies from the University of Illinois at Chicago and is an 8 year resident of Los Angeles.
Michelle Levitt
Board Treasurer
Michelle Levitt is an experienced strategy manager at HopSkipDrive, where she monitors business operations to ensure students get to school safely. Michelle has a keen eye for data analysis, data visualization and operational improvement, which she also utilizes to provide independent consulting for small businesses across Southern California. She holds a B.A. in Economics from Occidental College and is an 8 year resident of Los Angeles, with prior teaching assistant experience within LAUSD. Outside of work, Michelle teaches contemporary dance to a variety of ages.
Carrie Fuller
Board Secretary
cfuller@calcreative.org
Carrie Fuller is an accomplished educational leader with extensive experience in managing school networks and curriculum development within the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. As the Managing Director of School Networks, she provides strategic vision and leadership to various innovative educational programs, including STEM and dual language immersion schools. Carrie’s background spans over two decades in education, where she has held multiple roles from principal to instructional coach, demonstrating her commitment to improving student learning outcomes. She holds a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction from Boston College and has contributed to significant educational publications, reflecting her expertise in culturally responsive leadership. Carrie’s passion for community outreach and educational equity drives her efforts to foster sustainable practices in schools. Her international teaching experience in Bolivia adds a unique perspective to her work, emphasizing her global approach to education.
Saskia Pallais
(She/Her)
Board Member
Parent Representative
Saskia Pallais has 20 years of experience in nonprofit management, education reform, and politics – all in pursuit of brighter futures for children and families. She was part of a team that reformed some of LAUSD’s lowest performing schools and led a variety of family engagement and strategic partnerships programs. She saw firsthand the power of families, teachers and community members working together to enrich schools. She worked to expand a DC charter school from one stand alone high school to two high school campuses and two middle schools. She led community outreach and recruitment programs, accreditation planning, hiring processes and fundraising efforts. Most recently, she managed a college completion program, leading its expansion across Los Angeles and nationally. She measured how after school programs helped level the playing field for first generation college-goers. Saskia Pallais was born in Nicaragua and grew up in Miami. She earned her B.A. in Religious Studies from the University of Florida and went on to earn her Master’s of Theological and Gender Studies at Harvard University.
Heather Rios
Board Member
Heather Rios began her career in education in 2001 at L.V. Berkner High School in Richardson, TX. She currently serves as the Academic Dean at Campbell Hall in Studio City whose main role is supporting faculty growth through coaching and observations as well as overseeing the high school academic program. Prior to joining Campbell Hall in 2023, Heather taught high school math and served as the Math Instructional Coach at Opportunities for Learning Charter Schools. After her tenure at OFL, she moved to Larchmont Charter School, where over her nine years of service, she was a math and dance teacher, math instructional coach for grades 5-12 and an Assistant Principal at the high school.
Heather is a TI Teacher Leader Cadre member, Khan Academy Ambassador, IXL Ambassador, and Illustrative Mathematics Specialist, and has been a presenter at several educational conferences. Heather holds a B.A. in Political Science and Psychology from The University of Texas at Austin and an M.A. in Education: Teacher Leadership from American College of Education. Heather has lived in Los Angeles for 16 years and her son attended Cal Creative Elementary.
Maadhevi Comar
Board Member
Parent Representative
Maadhevi Comar is Director of Marketing for a nationally recognized commercial real estate team and CEO of her own consulting firm specializing in strategy and growth. With over a decade of experience leading innovative campaigns for startups and Fortune 500 clients, she excels in marketing leadership and business development. Her multicultural Los Angeles upbringing fuels a passion for mentorship and building inclusive, collaborative environments. Maadhevi is dedicated to uplifting colleagues and inspiring future leaders through strategic vision and creative insight.Drawing on her expertise in business, marketing, and governance, she helps guide organizational leadership by championing best practices and thoughtful decision-making.
Alex Gruenenfelder
Board Member
agruenenfelder@calcreative.org
Alex Gruenenfelder was born and raised in Los Angeles. While a student at Larchmont Charter School, Gruenenfelder became involved in local politics, organizing student protests against gun violence and co-founding Survivor’s Power, a group advocating for survivors of sexual violence. He graduated from UC San Diego in 2021 at the age of nineteen, and made national headlines in June 2022 when he became the youngest person ever to run for Mayor of Los Angeles. Gruenenfelder has served on the Echo Park Neighborhood Council since June 2024, having previously served from June 2021 to April 2023, and currently serves as the EPNC’s Chief Information Officer.