Education is not just the key to breaking free from poverty, it's a pathway towards a brighter tomorrow.
That’s why I’ve devoted my career to developing educational equity for underserved communities and advocating for quality education worldwide.
nice to meet you
I’m Nicole.
A writer, activist, speaker, and forever public servant dedicated to public service and leadership specifically in the realm of Pre-K and K-12 public education policy and management.
I believe that every child deserves access to a quality education and that strong industry and community collaboration is fundamental to the success of all public school systems.
These are my core values, the principles that guide me at every turning point. Objectivity in situations that may possess multiple and equally important viewpoints, acceptance of those facing circumstances unlike my own, and service to help those enduring hardships.
My grandmother was a dedicated teacher who believes that education is the key to breaking the chains of poverty. Growing up under her guidance and witnessing firsthand her steadfast commitment to fostering knowledge and shaping young minds, I grew determined to be a catalyst for positive change.
In a world where many girls are held back from pursuing education, my grandmother stood as a beacon of wisdom and empowerment, tirelessly emphasizing the profound importance of knowledge. She shattered stereotypes and defied societal norms, recognizing that education was not just a pathway to personal growth but a catalyst for societal change. My grandmother's unwavering commitment to education continues to inspire me to champion equality and strive for a world where every girl's potential is unleashed through the power of education. As I continuously encountered diverse individuals within various communities and studied prevalent issues of poverty and education, I became acutely aware of the systemic challenges that hindered the realization of quality education for all and gained a desire to help those whom I felt were unduly neglected. After studying Policy and Political Science at the University of Southern California and obtaining my Master’s degree in Education Policy and Management from Harvard University, I set out to do just this.
At the start of my journey, I had the privilege of working on the ground-level turning around a government primary school in a small village in Northern India. This experience was truly eye-opening for me and inspired me to continue working towards forging a path for children everywhere to receive the quality of education that they deserve.
Subsequently, I worked with two of the largest school districts in the U.S. including Chicago Public Schools focusing on school turnaround initiatives and Los Angeles Unified School District working on the district’s unified enrollment initiative.
Outside the field of education, I have continued to pursue projects that help shed light on important issues within society. I joined the Board of Directors of the Pad Project, a non-profit organization focused on cultivating awareness, providing resources for, and empowering women worldwide regarding reproductive health and menstrual care. I also coauthored Our Mom, Our Superhero - A Mental Health Journey, a children’s book focused on mental health to improve stigmas and help provide young children with early education and tools to understand, identify, and manage mental health struggles from a young age.
Recently, I expanded my interest in education advocacy internationally by joining the Board of the Lotus Petal Foundation, USC Rishi, as well as Apne Aap Worldwide, which provides education/healthcare services and lifelong skills to underprivileged children in India.
Organizations That I Proudly Serve
Where am I now?
I am currently working as a Management Fellow leading the Early Care and Education Strategy for the Department of Economic Opportunity within Los Angeles County.
On a personal note, I married my childhood sweetheart and my free time is spent on meditating, playing tennis, cooking, learning classical Indian dancing, practicing water aerobics, running, going to the theatre, watching documentary films, listening to Bollywood songs, reading non-fiction literature, and working on social impact projects.
That being said, thank you for taking the time to visit. Feel free to reach out if you would like to connect and collaborate on a project. I’m always looking to be part of a higher mission.
Sincerely,
