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SSO Team
Terence Johnson, CEO
Terence comes to Caliber with more than 30 years of experience in all aspects of education. He began his career as a teacher, athletic director, and Principal in Colorado Public Schools, before moving to Houston where he led the turnaround of schools in underserved communities. Terence then moved on to the KIPP Foundation leadership team, where after serving 12 years as Senior Director of Leadership, Terence joined KIPP Memphis as Chief Schools Officer, and eventually returned to Houston as Head of Schools for KIPP Houston. Terence says that he is “very excited about the opportunity to work with the Caliber team, parents and students to continue making Caliber Schools a place that exemplifies excellence and continues to prepare our learners for their next steps.”
Markus Mullarkey, President
Markus Mullarkey comes to Caliber after a long and successful career in the private sector. He spent over 15 years in marketing and leadership roles at successful blue-chip companies such as Proctor & Gamble, the Boston Consulting Group, and CNET Networks. And he founded and grew his own mobile entertainment start-up for 8 years before joining Caliber. Markus has a passion for K-12 education, having consulted to EdTech companies in the sector and having served as a fundraising board member at his daughter’s school. He also has a lifelong connection to the East Bay. He grew up and went to school in Richmond and Albany and now lives with his wife and two daughters only a few miles from Caliber:Beta Academy. Markus graduated from Harvard College and went on to complete an MBA and a post-graduate Finance Fellowship from Harvard Business School.
Rachael Weingarten, Chief Schools Officer
Mrs. Weingarten started her career in education as a 2nd-6th grade teacher in Tucson Arizona, to Detroit Michigan, to Los Angeles California. She served as a Dean at KIPP Empower Academy for 3 years. Mrs. Weingarten then headed to Vallejo and was the founding Principal of Caliber: ChangeMakers Academy for 5 years. She drove instructional excellence by setting aspirational goals, defined and communicated a consistent vision for the school, and created a culture of high expectations and continuous improvement with a relentless focus on SEL, student achievement, operational efficiency, and self-improvement. Over the last 2 years Mrs. Weingarten has served as Calibers Head of Schools. She has worked to create an inclusive leadership model to drive the entire Caliber Network Strategic Planning Process for the 23-24 school year that includes inquiry and deep engagement of current challenges with all stakeholders. Mrs. Weingarten holds a masters degree in Educational Leadership with a focus on Urban Education from the University of Southern California.
Alyssa Wheeler, Managing Director of Special Education and Student Services
Alyssa has worked in public Special Education for the past 12 years, supporting Neurodivergent and Disabled youth and their families, educators, and service providers in advancing the achievement and inclusion of our diverse learners. She received her B.A. from Cornell University in History of Art and fell in love with teaching through her work as an Art Museum Educator. She went on to work as an Ed Specialist for Chicago Public Schools and to receive her Master's in Special Education. After moving to California, Alyssa worked for Aspire Public Schools, supporting 12th graders with IEPs in their transition to post-secondary opportunities and acting as an ELA Common Core Driver, advancing curriculum development and standards alignment for the Network. Settling into the Bay Area, she found herself at home conducting evaluations at Caliber Beta Academy, joining on as a Lead Ed Specialist for our Upper School, and then serving as the Program Specialist for 5 years. Alyssa joined the Caliber SSO Team to continue to promote equitable, quality education for our students, support our Network’s commitment to Social Emotional Learning and student wellbeing, and to carry on the legacy of her late mentor and Caliber's former Director, Gwen Agustin. Alyssa is passionate about affirming marginalized identities and is deeply committed to inclusion and social justice in education. Outside of work, Alyssa is a certified mindfulness and yoga instructor, and she enjoys art, music, traveling, and time with her friends and family.
Devin Gross, Managing Director of Operations
Devin comes to Caliber Public Schools with over 10 years in the education field and 15 years overall leadership experience. A native of Washington DC, Devin spent 6 years as the Youth and Family Services Director at the Alexandria YMCA running after school programs and summer camps for over 200 students. After spending some time in retail management and moving to California, Devin has spent the last 4 1/2 years at Rocketship Public Schools as a Business Operations manager helping to grow its East Bay region and founding a TK-5th grade school (Rocketship Delta Prep) in Antioch,CA. Devin is a people person and is dedicated to serving school communities through innovation and teamwork through operational systems and routines. Devin is super excited to be with Caliber and help continue to impact our students and communities in a positive way.
Vivian D. Brown Johnson, Managing Director of Social Emotional Learning and Mental Health/Student Wellness
Vivian Johnson, LMFT, is the Managing Director of Mental Health, SEL, and Student Services at Caliber Public Schools and a founding clinician of Caliber: ChangeMakers Academy. With over a decade of experience in mental health and education, she brings both clinical expertise and compassionate leadership to her work. Raised in the Bay Area, Vivian’s commitment to serving underserved communities is deeply personal. She is guided by the belief that every person deserves to feel seen, supported, and empowered to reach their full potential. Vivian holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Human Services and a Master’s Degree in Child, Marriage, and Family Therapy. She is also a Certified SEL Evaluation Authorized Lead in the state of California and is Mental Health First Aid certified. Her professional journey began in direct clinical practice, where she witnessed the transformative impact of empathy, trust, and meaningful human connection. These experiences continue to shape her leadership, as she designs and leads systems that balance care with accountability, ensuring student well-being remains central to organizational success. Known for her people-first approach, Vivian specializes in building and scaling mental health, social-emotional learning, and restorative justice frameworks across school communities. She is passionate about creating environments where students, families, and staff feel valued, supported, and empowered to grow. At her core, Vivian believes that when young people are given hope, guidance, and the right tools, they can overcome barriers and create limitless possibilities for their future.
Katherine Hendrickson, Chief Strategy Officer
Katherine joined Caliber in 2020, having spent her career working and learning in excellent public high schools. She serves as Chief of Staff for the SSO and oversees the external affairs, expanded learning, communications, and advocacy functions. Katherine began her career at the Denver School of Science and Technology, one of Colorado’s top public high schools for traditionally underserved students. Katherine served the network content lead for Social Studies and her students earned the highest AP scores in the city. While serving as the Academic Dean at Leadership Public Schools in Richmond, California, the academic program was recognized by US News and World Report to be among the nation’s top 1% of public high schools. 77% of 11th graders met or exceeded standards on SBAC- ELA, more than doubling the proficiency of neighboring high schools. Katherine has also worked for the XQ SuperSchool Project, a $131 million philanthropic effort to redesign the American high school, and has led redesign efforts for non-profit organizations, including the Presidential Leadership Class at the University of Colorado - Boulder. She holds an MA in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Colorado – Denver and an MA in Organizational Leadership from Stanford University.
Forest Thomas, Controller
Forest comes to Caliber with many years of experience in accounting and finance. After beginning his career working for large corporations and government institutions in New York City he transitioned to the non-profit world after relocating to the bay area. He has more than 10 years’ experience at the controller and director level at multiple non-profits. As the son of two
educators Forest is happy to have the opportunity to continue the family commitment to education. As a resident of Richmond, he hopes to help Caliber as it continues to support families and the overall community. Forest earned a BSBA in accounting from The Ohio State University, an MBA in finance from Fordham University and holds a current California CPA
license.
Amr Alnasafi, Head of Technology
Amr comes to Caliber Public Schools with seven years of experience in technology focusing on systems and networks. He founded an information technology services group providing technology consulting and systems implementation back in Yemen and India and worked internationally in Malaysia for two years. He worked at the City of San Francisco as a Consultant providing support to their network of senior complexes, and as a Technology Instructor at Stride Center, teaching technical courses to aspiring technology talent in the local community to prepare them for careers in technology. Amr holds a Bachelor's in Computer Science with an emphasis in computer applications and networks from Osmania University in India. Amr is a tech enthusiast and is always on the lookout to learn new technologies and keep up with the latest trends in technology development. He loves the outdoors and enjoys going on long walks.
Brian Jimenez, Managing Director of People
Brian Jimenez is a leader committed to advancing educational equity. Originally from Inglewood, California, Brian moved to the Bay Area to attend the University of California, Berkeley. A second generation immigrant, and the first and only member of his family to graduate from college, Brian has personally experienced the power and life altering impact education can provide. Grounding in this, Brian has made it his life’s goal to ensure that students and families, especially those historically underserved, have a high quality, socially just education. Throughout his career, Brian has served in various roles. As a teacher, he taught students 1st-8th grade. As a school leader, Brian has served as an instructional coach, dean, assistant principal, and principal. Currently, as the Managing Director of People at Caliber, Brian focuses on building effective, responsive, and predictable systems that keep schools and the people that serve in them at heart.
Christina Jarvis, Head of Expanded Learning
Christina Jarvis is a proud Bay Area native, born and raised in Richmond, Ca. Christina has served in many different professional capacities and comes to Caliber with 13 years of experience working in Afterschool and Expanded Learning Programs throughout the East Bay. Christina’s educational studies are in Psychology at Holy Names University and her work history is spread across experiences that include but aren’t limited to West Contra Costa Unified School District, YMCA, and most recently Bay Area Community Resources. Christina has proudly served as the Afterschool Program Coordinator at Caliber Changemakers Academy and is committed to relentlessly making a difference for young people in underserved communities. Christina’s passion for this work derives from the experience she had as a young person who had the privilege of being a part of the Making Waves Education Program and the rich life-changing experiences that she had because of it. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, eating good food, listening to music, and finding every reason to laugh and spread light. Christina is excited to join Caliber as the Head of Expanded Learning.
Cormac Harkins, Head of Data, Research & Analytics
Cormac is returning to Bay Area after spending a year back at his home in Boston where he earned a M.Ed in Educational Research, Measurement, and Evaluation from Boston College’s Lynch School of Education. Prior to graduate school, he worked in San Francisco at Breakthrough Collaborative as Manager of Research and Evaluation where he supported the internal evaluation process for Breakthrough’s students and teaching fellows across the country. Before moving to Bay Area, Cormac worked (and lived) at the Match Charter High School in Boston where he tutored students, coordinated the after-school program, and helped coach the basketball team. He graduated from Notre Dame with a degree in Anthropology.
Estefania Garcia, Head of Attendance Improvement and Data Operations
Estefania Garcia, a proud UC Berkeley alumna, first joined Caliber Public Schools in 2018 as an Administrative Assistant. With more than eight years of experience in education on the administrative side, she brings a deep understanding of how strong systems and thoughtful operations directly impact students, families, and school communities. From the very beginning, she demonstrated a deep commitment to our mission, a sharp mind for systems, and a genuine care for people. Over the years, Estefania grew into key leadership roles within our Human Resources team, serving as HR Lead, Head of HR, and Managing Director of Human Resources. In each role, she helped strengthen organizational systems, build equitable practices, and cultivate a people-centered culture grounded in care and accountability. Her leadership has played an important role in developing the infrastructure and talent systems that support our schools and staff. Today, as our Head of Attendance Improvement and Data Operations, Estefania brings that same systems-thinking and equity-driven lens to her work supporting students and school communities. She leads efforts to strengthen student attendance practices and ensure that data is used meaningfully to support students, families, and school teams. Estefania also leads Caliber’s reporting of student state data systems and serves as the LEA administrator for CALPADS, California’s longitudinal pupil achievement data system used for state and federal reporting of enrollment, attendance, demographics, and other student indicators. With a deep understanding of Caliber’s operations and community, she is focused on building clear, effective systems that remove barriers and promote student engagement and success.
Joanne Garcia, Director of English Language Development and Multilingualism
Celebrating five years with the organization and bringing nearly three decades of experience in education, Dr. Garcia leads with a deeply held belief that language, identity, and opportunity are powerful forces when intentionally cultivated. Her career began as an ESL teacher and has evolved across roles as a primary and middle school educator, college professor, and instructional leader—each reinforcing her unwavering commitment to empowering multilingual learners. She holds a BA in Liberal Studies with a minor in Latin American Studies, a BA in Child Development, an MA in Education with a focus on TESOL, a Translation Degree, and a PhD in Educational Curriculum and Design. She is currently studying immigration law to better support families navigating today’s complex educational and social landscape. Dr. Garcia’s leadership is grounded in a steadfast commitment to educational equity and shaped by early exposure to education and public service that underscored schooling as a catalyst for opportunity, confidence, and agency. Advocacy is central to her work. She believes bilingualism is a superpower and leads with intention to create learning environments where students’ languages, cultures, and identities are affirmed as strengths. Through collaborative and purpose-driven leadership, Dr. Garcia ensures multilingual learners are seen, valued, and empowered to lead.
Matt White, Head of Data and Assessment
Matt started his teaching career as a founding 6th Grade ELA teacher with KIPP Memphis Public Schools. Since then, Matt has worked in nearly every school role from Dean, Assistant Principal, Director of Operations, and now as Head of Data and Assessment. As Head of Data and Assessment, Matt focuses his work on creating structures and systems that maximize technology to provide the best possible outcomes for students and to make teachers' lives easier day in and day out. Matt holds a Bachelor's Degree in English from Colby College in Waterville, Maine and a Master's in Education Studies from Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland. Outside of work, Matt enjoys spending time with his partner, Jocelyn, their two dogs, and rooting for Boston sports teams.
Alex Granados, Payroll and Benefits Lead
Alex Granados is an HR professional with a diverse skill set honed over the past decade, Alex has been deeply immersed in the world of Human Resources, specializing in leave of absences, pay integration, and a myriad of other vital HR functions. A Bay Area Native, Alex's journey in HR began with a firm foundation in various HR functions. As his career progressed, Alex delved into the intricate realm of leave of absences management, navigating the complex landscape of employee benefits with finesse and compassion. Their expertise in this area has not only ensured compliance with legal requirements but has also cultivated a supportive and caring workplace environment for employees facing challenging circumstances. Throughout their professional journey, Alex has remained committed to continuous learning and growth, staying abreast of industry trends and best practices to deliver optimal results for their organization. Their dedication to cultivating strong employee relations and fostering a positive company culture underscores their unwavering commitment to driving success in the ever-evolving landscape of HR.
Edith Saavedra, Student Services Lead
My name is Edith Saavedra, and as a founding staff member and parent, my journey with Caliber began with a deep commitment to achieving educational equity for historically underserved students. I remain dedicated to this work because I’ve seen firsthand the genuine care and devotion our staff has for our students. The unwavering dedication of our teachers and staff is truly remarkable. I am proud to be part of Caliber, where our collective efforts create a nurturing environment that empowers our students to reach their full potential.
Eva Padilla Romero, Accounting Lead
Eva Padilla Romero was born and raised in South Central, Los Angeles where she attended school until she graduated high school in 1997. Eva moved to the Bay Area in 1997 to attend UC Berkeley and graduated with a BA in Spanish Literature. She fell in love with the bay and now lives in Richmond with her husband and three daughters. Since 2004, Eva has dedicated her life to working with youth in various capacities professionally and personally.
LaShontae Norman, Talent Lead
Native to the Bay Area, I was born in San Francisco, spent a few years in Oakland and then settled in Richmond. I enjoyed and gained a lot from my high school experience at Middle College High School. After high school, I went to the east coast to pursue my undergraduate and graduate degrees. My undergraduate experience provided the full HBCU experience at Howard University in Washington, DC. I later developed my interest and passion for Public Health while attending George Washington University. I have worked in various professional settings that have contributed to knowledge in community health program implementation and management. Prior to joining the Caliber family in 2021, I was a Program Manager for a county program that helped Maryland residents enroll in health coverage through the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange. (Affordable Care Act). I am absolutely grateful for my experience at Caliber. Having served as a teacher, math interventionist and build sub at Beta, I have had the opportunity to develop my classroom management skills through providing a continuity of academic curriculum while primary educators were absent from the classroom. I have built relationships with students and families by providing a positive familiar presence on campus. I have also contributed to Caliber's culture through assisting and collaborating with TK-4th grade educators, SEL department, SpEd department, ELD department and lower school leadership. I am looking forward to utilizing the many perspectives and knowledge I gained to continue to preserve Caliber's culture. Personally, I love spending time with my family (hubbie & two daughters). I like any activity that involves being social. I also appreciate my quiet space and time with a cup of herbal tea. If you absolutely need to locate me, you can find me in the aisles of Costco on any given weekend!
Vicente Salinas, Network Facilities Lead
My name is Vince. I grew up in Sonoma County — Petaluma, to be exact! I began my career in aviation maintenance in my early adulthood, earning my Airframe & Powerplant certification, followed by my Inspector Authorization license, and eventually becoming an instructor at AIM, a school for aviation maintenance. I later owned and operated my own aviation shop, where I serviced airplanes alongside my son. I have two amazing adult children. After years of commuting to the South Bay, I moved back home over six years ago and began working locally. Around that same time, I started supporting Caliber Beta Academy with operations and facility maintenance — from ensuring we were up to code for fire marshal inspections to installing window privacy film and repairing ceiling tiles oh yeah and putting furniture together. That support eventually led to joining Caliber’s SSO full time. I’ve now been with Caliber for over four years and currently serve as the Network Facilities Lead, continuing to support our campuses and help create safe, functional learning environments for students and staff. Feel free to say hi anytime you see me on campus!
Chantal Winston, Expanded Learning Associate
Chantal is a proud Bay Area native who brings with her a wealth of experience and a passion for education. An alumna of UC Berkeley, Chantal earned her Bachelor's degree in History with a concentration in African American Studies. Seven years ago, Chantal discovered her love for working with students while serving as an Instructor at a local summer camp. This initial experience ignited a spark within her, propelling her towards a career dedicated to empowering young minds. Since then, Chantal has held various roles within the education sector, including Learning Specialist, Behavioral Learning Specialist, and Program Coordinator. Through each role, she has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to supporting students' academic and social-emotional growth. Chantal is looking forward to positively impacting Calibers' students and their families through the Expanded Learning program.
Vivian Hinojosa, Human Resources and Executive Assistant
Vivian is an Oakland native and alumni of Sacramento State University with a degree in Criminal Justice. Vivian is dedicated to giving back and empowering the youth. She gained valuable experience in supporting and guiding young individuals through support groups and empowerment initiatives in her previous employment. She joined Caliber ChangeMakers Academy Operations Team in 2021 and has played a vital role in providing support to students and families, especially within the Latinx community where language barriers often exist. Now, stepping into the role of HR and Executive Assistant, Vivian is excited to utilize her skills and continue her mission of making a positive impact.
Yaquelin Valencia, Parent Organizer
Yaquelin Valencia lives in Richmond, California, but her story begins in Michoacán, Mexico. She came to the U.S. at just two years old with her mother, Hermila, and has called this country home for over 30 years. For more than 15 years, Yaquelin has organized for justice and liberation in her community. In 2023, she launched the first-ever National Youth Cohort to train and uplift young leaders in our network. She’s been on the front lines of immigration reform and anti-violence campaigns, always centering love, relationships, and community power. When she’s not organizing, you’ll find her on the soccer field at Contra Costa College, coaching and inspiring the next generation of women athletes.
Cecilia Garibay, Development & Special Projects Lead
Cecilia brings over 20 years of experience in education, nonprofit service, and organizational leadership. She is a second-generation Bilingual Mexican American and Bay Area native. Cecilia has held roles spanning human resources, school operations, and community engagement, supporting equitable access and student success. She also spent time providing direct services in a migrant camp, supporting immigrant families with critical resources. Since 2016, Cecilia has been a key leader at Caliber Schools, advancing school operations and, more recently 2025, philanthropy and strategic initiatives to strengthen mission-aligned investments. In 2026, she was appointed a Vallejo Chamber of Commerce Ambassador, fostering collaboration between the business community and local leadership. Outside of work, Cecilia enjoys building memories with family and friends, savoring a great cup of café, gardening, and exploring Remedios Caseros! She loves a great book at the beach while listening to the beats of the waves = brings tranquilidad! Passionate about community, family, and meaningful connections, Cecilia is committed to driving impact through collaboration, equity, and sustainable growth.
Sarah Strom
Sarah has spent her career working K–12 education, serving in both school-based and network leadership roles. She began as a Fourth- and Fifth-Grade Teacher with the District of Columbia Public Schools through Teach for America. After teaching, she worked for Teach for America supporting new ELA and Social Studies teachers throughout Washington, D.C. She began working with charter schools as the Director of the Capital Teaching Residency at KIPP DC, where for more than five years she worked with schools to train over 400 new teachers. At KIPP DC, Sarah also led 1st and 2nd grade teachers as an Elementary School Assistant Principal. At Caliber Sarah has served as the Managing Director of Talent and Head of People. She currently supports the people team with teacher credentialing, talent management and development and other strategic projects. Sarah got her undergraduate degree from Northwestern University, her teaching credential from American University in Washington, D.C., and her MBA from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. She lives in Santa Cruz with her husband and two daughters. In her free time, she enjoys almost every kind of workout, hiking, spending time with friends and family, and cooking or being inspired to cook by watching cooking shows.