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Joni, Executive Director at Los Angeles Coalition for Excellent Public Schools: Advize Career Interview
A career journey beginning with a challenging teaching experience in New York City and Chicago, led to a Master's in Public Policy and a fulfilling 12 years at the California Charter Schools Association, culminating in the Executive Director role at the Los Angeles Coalition for Excellent Public Schools.
This multifaceted position involves setting direction, managing programs supporting charter schools, and overseeing organizational operations including finance and fundraising.
The work requires collaboration, project management, and relationship building, with the most rewarding aspect being helping people achieve impactful goals through advocacy.
Success in this field, the interviewee notes, demands a competitive drive, flexibility, and an interest in building relationships.
Entry-level positions like community organizer, project manager, or policy analyst provide a pathway into advocacy.
A crucial lesson learned is the importance of maintaining a learner mindset and adapting to challenges, a skill honed through experiences such as Teach for America.
The University of Michigan experience, fostering openness to diverse perspectives, significantly contributed to subsequent career success.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Joni Angel
Executive Director
Los Angeles Coalition for Excellent Public Schools
University of Michigan 2003
Harvard Kennedy School, Master in Public Policy, 2010. Pace University, Master in the Science of Teaching, 2005.
Ethnic & Related Studies
Government
Strategic Management and Executive
Honors Student
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Career Path of an Executive Director at Los Angeles Coalition for Excellent Public Schools
Joni's career path deviated from an initial pre-med track to a fulfilling journey in education and advocacy, starting with "a really challenging experience" teaching in New York City and Chicago. This led to a Master's in Public Policy, followed by 12 years at the California Charter Schools Association, where work included local policy, election campaigns ("independent expenditure campaigns"), and internal organizational alignment, culminating in their current role at the Los Angeles Coalition for Excellent Public Schools.
Main Responsibilities Of An Executive Director At Los Angeles Coalition For Excellent Public Schools
Joni, the Executive Director of the Los Angeles Coalition for Excellent Public Schools, describes three key responsibilities: "Direction setting," "programmatic work" including advocacy for charter schools and supporting charter management organizations, and "organizational operations" encompassing finance, fundraising, grant reporting, and board management. This multifaceted role showcases the leadership and operational skills necessary for a successful nonprofit executive.
A Day In The Life Of An Executive Director At Los Angeles Coalition For Excellent Public Schools
Joni's role as Executive Director involves a dynamic mix of "direction setting," "executing priorities," and "organizational operations." A typical day might include facilitating advocacy discussions, navigating charter school renewal politics, managing finances ("logging into QuickBooks and looking at where we're at in our bank accounts"), and fostering relationships with the board, all while shaping the organization's long-term strategic plan.
Most Important Skills for an Executive Director at Los Angeles Coalition for Public Schools
Joni, an Executive Director focused on advocacy, identifies collaboration, project management, and relationship building as crucial skills. The ability to "show up as your true authentic self" and cultivate genuine relationships, rather than transactional ones, proves especially vital for navigating the complexities of their work and achieving goals within a small nonprofit setting.
Favorite Parts Of Being An Executive Director At Los Angeles Coalition For Excellent Public Schools
Joni, Executive Director at the Los Angeles Coalition for Excellent Public Schools, most enjoys "the chance to meet with people who are doing interesting work," particularly school leaders and others working on behalf of children in Los Angeles. This allows for collaboration and the creation of "something new," fueled by the inspiring stories and innovative thinking of colleagues.
Biggest Challenges Faced By An Executive Director At Los Angeles Coalition For Excellent Public Schools
Joni, Executive Director at the Los Angeles Coalition for Excellent Public Schools, finds the biggest challenge of the role to be "Coalition work," specifically navigating the diverse viewpoints of ten charter management organizations and numerous nonprofits to achieve consensus on a shared direction. This requires strong relationship-building skills to bridge sometimes opposing viewpoints and facilitate open communication, a skill Joni finds both rewarding and essential to the success of the coalition's advocacy efforts.
Favorite Parts Of Working In The Advocacy Industry As An Executive Director
Joni, Executive Director at the Los Angeles Coalition for Excellent Public Schools, finds the most rewarding aspect of advocacy is "helping people achieve big goals," navigating political systems to support impactful work. The competitive, "win or lose" nature of the field is also appealing, but the victories are deeply fulfilling because they impact important causes and the people involved.
What Type Of Person Thrives In Advocacy According To An Executive Director At Los Angeles Coalition For Excellent Public Schools
Joni, an Executive Director, highlights the importance of a competitive drive and goal-oriented mindset for success in advocacy, stating that "people who like to think about...benchmarks they're trying to hit" thrive. However, flexibility and an "interest in the external world," engaging with others and building relationships, are equally crucial for navigating the unpredictable nature of the work.
What an Executive Director at Los Angeles Public Education Coalition wishes they had known before entering the Education industry
Joni, an Executive Director, learned that the role involved "many different things" and a wider scope than initially anticipated, including unexpected responsibilities in finance and budgeting. Prior programmatic experience proved valuable, but the position demanded new operational skills, highlighting the evolution of their career trajectory.
Entry-Level Positions for Aspiring Advocates
Joni, an Executive Director, highlights entry-level advocacy roles such as "Community organizers," "project manager," and "policy analysis," describing these positions as offering "a way in" to the field by providing on-the-ground experience or involving analysis of policies at various levels. These roles provide foundational skills for those interested in advocacy work.
Significant Career Lesson From an Executive Director at Los Angeles Coalition for Excellent Public Schools
Joni's most significant career lesson is the importance of maintaining "a learner mindset," adapting to challenges, and learning from both successes and failures. This adaptability, crucial in early teaching where "students are not widgets," has proven essential throughout Joni's career, informing both classroom practices and advocacy campaign strategies.
College Experiences That Helped an Executive Director at Los Angeles Coalition For Excellent Public Schools Succeed
Joni's decision to attend the University of Michigan, "leaving home and going far away," exposed Joni to diverse perspectives and fostered curiosity about others, a crucial element in their career. This openness to new experiences, coupled with strong academic performance ("getting good grades"), significantly contributed to opportunities like Teach for America and Harvard Kennedy School, ultimately shaping their path to becoming an Executive Director.
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