Family Code Night Advisors include leaders in computer science education, finance, organization building, and social justice.
Leslie Aaronson, National Center for Women & Technology (NCWIT)
Leslie Aaronson is the Strategic Director of K12 Initiatives for NCWIT and the Teacher-in-Residence at LA Promise Fund, where she leads Girls Build LA. She was awarded Teacher of the Year by LAUSD for her work as the Lead Teacher and Coordinator of Foshay Learning Center’s Technology Academy. She writes articles and speaks about how to prepare students for careers of the future and the importance of access and equity of computer science for all. Prior to teaching, Leslie was the Production Manager for Blue’s Clues International at Nickelodeon. Leslie holds two CTE Credentials in Information Communication and Technology and Arts, Media and Entertainment, and English and Administrative Credentials. She has a masters degree from New York University in Education, Communication and Technology.
Leslie Aaronson is the Strategic Director of K12 Initiatives for NCWIT and the Teacher-in-Residence at LA Promise Fund, where she leads Girls Build LA. She was awarded Teacher of the Year by LAUSD for her work as the Lead Teacher and Coordinator of Foshay Learning Center’s Technology Academy. She writes articles and speaks about how to prepare students for careers of the future and the importance of access and equity of computer science for all. Prior to teaching, Leslie was the Production Manager for Blue’s Clues International at Nickelodeon. Leslie holds two CTE Credentials in Information Communication and Technology and Arts, Media and Entertainment, and English and Administrative Credentials. She has a masters degree from New York University in Education, Communication and Technology.
Scott Borba, Principal, Alice Stroud Elementary School, California 2017 Distinguished Principal of the Year
Scott Borba is Principal of Alice Stroud Elementary School in Modesto, California, the California representative to the National Association of Elementary School Principals, and immediate past President of the Elementary Education Council of the Association of California School Administrators. He has just been named 2017 California Distinguished Principal of the Year by the National Elementary Schools Principals Association. Scott is a fierce advocate for his kids, personally leading Robotics and other STEM programs. He is an instrumental partner in bringing Family Code Night to his school and others in California through his leadership in ACSA, sharing our goal of making Family Code Night an institution in California schools.
Scott Borba is Principal of Alice Stroud Elementary School in Modesto, California, the California representative to the National Association of Elementary School Principals, and immediate past President of the Elementary Education Council of the Association of California School Administrators. He has just been named 2017 California Distinguished Principal of the Year by the National Elementary Schools Principals Association. Scott is a fierce advocate for his kids, personally leading Robotics and other STEM programs. He is an instrumental partner in bringing Family Code Night to his school and others in California through his leadership in ACSA, sharing our goal of making Family Code Night an institution in California schools.
Chi Kim, Chief Strategy & Operations Officer at Pure Edge, Inc.
Prior to joining Pure Edge, Chi was the Superintendent of the Ross School District in California. She is a former school principal, teacher and leadership coach. Chi was also a Program Officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and co-founder of the Teaching Garden, which was developed to bring health and nutrition programs to school children across the country. Chi serves as a Trustee in the Great Minds Board and sits on the Advisory Board of Reasoning Mind. She earned a BA, in Psychology and an M.Ed. In Education from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She holds both a California teaching credential and administrative services credential. She is mom to three wonderful girls and resides in Boston.
Prior to joining Pure Edge, Chi was the Superintendent of the Ross School District in California. She is a former school principal, teacher and leadership coach. Chi was also a Program Officer at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and co-founder of the Teaching Garden, which was developed to bring health and nutrition programs to school children across the country. Chi serves as a Trustee in the Great Minds Board and sits on the Advisory Board of Reasoning Mind. She earned a BA, in Psychology and an M.Ed. In Education from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She holds both a California teaching credential and administrative services credential. She is mom to three wonderful girls and resides in Boston.
Julie Flapan, Executive Director of the Alliance for California Computing Education for Students and Schools (ACCESS)
Access advocates for high-quality K-12 computer science education in California, ensuring its accessibility to all students, especially underrepresented students including girls and students of color. She also serves as Director, Computer Science Project at UCLA's Center X where she works in partnership with Los Angeles Unified School District to expand participation in Exploring Computer Science for high school students. For the previous eleven years, Julie served as Researcher and Director of Public Engagement for UCLA's Institute for Democracy, Education and Access (IDEA), and was previously Project Director for the Anti-Defamation League's A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE Institute where she provided anti-bias/diversity workshops to teachers, students, and parents in preschools, K-12 school communities, on college campuses, and in corporate and non-profit workplaces. Julie received her B.A. from Pitzer College, her M.S. in Education and Social Policy from Northwestern University and her doctorate in Educational Leadership from UCLA. Her greatest challenge is teaching her three digital native children to not just be users (or abusers) of technology, but inspiring them to become creators of it.
Access advocates for high-quality K-12 computer science education in California, ensuring its accessibility to all students, especially underrepresented students including girls and students of color. She also serves as Director, Computer Science Project at UCLA's Center X where she works in partnership with Los Angeles Unified School District to expand participation in Exploring Computer Science for high school students. For the previous eleven years, Julie served as Researcher and Director of Public Engagement for UCLA's Institute for Democracy, Education and Access (IDEA), and was previously Project Director for the Anti-Defamation League's A WORLD OF DIFFERENCE Institute where she provided anti-bias/diversity workshops to teachers, students, and parents in preschools, K-12 school communities, on college campuses, and in corporate and non-profit workplaces. Julie received her B.A. from Pitzer College, her M.S. in Education and Social Policy from Northwestern University and her doctorate in Educational Leadership from UCLA. Her greatest challenge is teaching her three digital native children to not just be users (or abusers) of technology, but inspiring them to become creators of it.
Charlie Tillett, Consultant, Advisor
An MBA of the MIT Sloan School of Management, Charlie is a seasoned financial executive who has 20+ years working with VC-backed, early-stage, technology companies. Charlie raised over $125 million in more than a dozen equity/debt funding transactions, including a NASDAQ IPO, and participated in multiple M&A engagements. As a consultant and advisor, Charlie is an active member of senior management teams, who interacts closely with board members but maintains a roll-up-the-sleeves attitude and work ethic. Charlie has deep hands-on experience with all aspects of finance/accounting/budgeting, contracts negotiation, HR, IT, and facilities. Charlie is also an Angel Flight pilot, an active champion and substantial fund-raiser for Big Brother/Big Sister, and a marathon and ultra-marathon runner.
An MBA of the MIT Sloan School of Management, Charlie is a seasoned financial executive who has 20+ years working with VC-backed, early-stage, technology companies. Charlie raised over $125 million in more than a dozen equity/debt funding transactions, including a NASDAQ IPO, and participated in multiple M&A engagements. As a consultant and advisor, Charlie is an active member of senior management teams, who interacts closely with board members but maintains a roll-up-the-sleeves attitude and work ethic. Charlie has deep hands-on experience with all aspects of finance/accounting/budgeting, contracts negotiation, HR, IT, and facilities. Charlie is also an Angel Flight pilot, an active champion and substantial fund-raiser for Big Brother/Big Sister, and a marathon and ultra-marathon runner.
Lance Ignon, head of communications and strategy, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Science
Lance has more than 25 years of experience as a public relations executive and business/finance journalist. Prior to his position with USC, Lance led Citizen Public Relations, a social change agency committed to advancing values-based movements on behalf of the firm’s clients. Prior to establishing Citizen Public Relations, Lance was founder and director of the San Francisco office of Sitrick And Co., one of the country’s most storied crisis management firms. Before that, he was Vice President of VaxGen, the first company to advance an HIV vaccine to phase III clinical trials, and before that was Director, Corporate Communications, for Tenet Healthcare, then the nation’s second-largest operator of acute-care hospitals.
Lance has more than 25 years of experience as a public relations executive and business/finance journalist. Prior to his position with USC, Lance led Citizen Public Relations, a social change agency committed to advancing values-based movements on behalf of the firm’s clients. Prior to establishing Citizen Public Relations, Lance was founder and director of the San Francisco office of Sitrick And Co., one of the country’s most storied crisis management firms. Before that, he was Vice President of VaxGen, the first company to advance an HIV vaccine to phase III clinical trials, and before that was Director, Corporate Communications, for Tenet Healthcare, then the nation’s second-largest operator of acute-care hospitals.
