Board of Directors

  • charles friedrichs edd

    Charles Friedrichs, ED.D.

    Board President
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    Dr. Charles Friedrichs is the now retired Associate Professor and Director of the School of Music and Dance at San Diego State University (SDSU). During his tenure at SDSU, he taught a wide variety of classes including music theory, brass methods, conducting, music education practicum, music for classroom teachers, brass and band literature, ear training, general education music courses, as well as serving as a Music Supervisor for cadet teachers in SDSU’s School of Education. Dr. Friedrichs has had vast experience teaching school instrumental music at all levels and continues to remain extremely active in the public schools.

    Dr. Friedrichs has written numerous arrangements spanning grade levels from elementary to university level. Many of his arrangements are for concert bands and marching bands. His compositions have been published by Alfred Music Publishers, Matrix Marching Band Publishers, Hal Leonard Music Corporation and MESA Music Publishers. Dr. Friedrichs is also an accomplished bass trombonist, having participated in numerous musical productions through the Vista Moonlight Amphitheater.

    Dr. Friedrichs has served as a consultant for the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, evaluating teacher credentialing programs offered by universities.




  • crystal maduale

    John Ing

    Board Treasurer
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    John Ing is a finance and operations executive who has previously served on the Board of Directors for Scholarship Prep. Mr. Ing also served as Senior Director of Finance for a California-based charter school network.

    John currently serves as Chief Financial Officer and Senior VP of Corporate Strategy at Beacon Capital Management, a $3 billion asset management firm. He is also the Chief Financial Officer for Illumination Foundation, the largest non-profit of its kind in the nation dedicated to disrupting the cycle of homelessness.

    Mr. Ing received his Bachelors Degree in English with a Minor in History from the University of California, Irvine. He later earned his MBA in Corporate Finance and Marketing at the Gordon F. Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California.



  • crystal maduale

    Crystal Madaule

    Board Member
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    Crystal Madaule has over 15 years of experience in higher education administration. She is currently the Director of Financial Aid at Vanguard University, a private, non-profit, Hispanic Serving Institution in Costa Mesa. Prior to Vanguard University, she worked in the Financial Aid Office at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. She believes in making data driven decisions to ensure that every student is supported from matriculation to graduation, and that a comprehensive financial literacy program should be a required component of every student’s curriculum.

    She brings extensive knowledge of federal and state financial aid policy and enrollment management strategy to the Board, as well as a background in public speaking, student advocacy and community outreach.

    She is a member of the National Association of Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) and the California Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (CASFAA), where she served on the CASFAA Graduate and Professional Issues Committee, and she is a Cash for College Program Volunteer.



  • Maribel Toan

    Secretary
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    Maribel Toan is an artist, Founder of Bohemian Rose (a company specializing in creating a lasting impression through our unique floral and event design), and mother of four children. When not dreaming of flowers and poetry, she lives out a passion for community as Executive Director of the MIX Academy Local & Global Initiatives Pastor at Newsong Church of Santa Ana.  She has 13 years experience in community and leadership development.


  • Peter Watson

    Board Member
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    Pete Watson, a former Vietnam United States Marine Corp combat Veteran, has served as a principal, curriculum and instruction leader, chief business official, district superintendent, and educational consultant. As a school principal, all three of the schools Mr. Watson led became California Distinguished Schools and one a National Blue Ribbon School.  During his tenure as Superintendent of Upland Unified School District (USD), Mr. Watson was instrumental in the development of a district wide strategic achievement plan encompassing 14 schools in his district.  Mr. Watson received a B.A. in Behavioral Sciences from CSU, Pomona and a M.S. Degree in Educational Administration Studies from CSU, Fullerton. He also holds a lifetime California Standard Teaching Credential and Administrative Services Credential.
  • Leandro Otero

    Board Member
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    Born in Argentina, Leandro and his family immigrated to the US when he was four years old. He grew up and attended schools in both Santa Ana & Irvine. As the first member of his family to attend college, he’s proud to have graduated from both Cal State University of Fullerton (BA) and the University of Pennsylvania (M.S.Ed). Upon graduating, he joined Teach For America and taught high school English and journalism in Philadelphia. He now works as the Managing Director of Talent Partnerships and Onboarding at Teach For America Los Angeles, overseeing the organization's human capital strategy and partnering with over 100 schools in Southern CA. Leandro and his beautiful family reside in his hometown of Santa Ana, CA. He’s a proud husband and father of two beautiful sons, Isiah and Leo.