Jonathan J. López, Ed.D.

Empowering Futures: Transforming Communities through Youth Development & Strategic Leadership | Solutions-Oriented Executive with 20+ Years of Impact

Los Angeles, California, United States

About

⛰️ As the Vice President of Operations at the Pahara Institute at Lone Rock, I lead the design and implementation of operational systems and processes that support our programs and organizational effectiveness. 🚀 With dynamic leadership experience spanning across non-profits, small businesses, and government sectors, I specialize in crafting innovative solutions to complex challenges. From fiscal oversight and strategic planning to team leadership and professional development, my expertise lies in driving organizational success through a holistic and results-driven approach. 🔍 As the Founder of 21Trio Partners, I led bespoke consulting services that have transformed entities ranging from national nonprofits to California state agencies, leveraging market analysis, strategic planning, and executive coaching to achieve impactful outcomes. 📈 In previous roles, including Senior Service Director at City Year Los Angeles and Managing Director at Para Los Niños, I've orchestrated initiatives that have significantly improved youth development outcomes, secured substantial funding, and fostered high levels of employee retention, setting a precedent for excellence and innovation in the education sector. Let's connect to explore how we can collaborate to drive meaningful change and propel organizations toward their highest potential.

Experience

  • Pahara Institute (Full-time · 2 yrs 1 mo)
    • Vice President Operations
      Jul 2025 - Present · 1 yr

    • Executive in Residence
      Jun 2024 - Jul 2025 · 1 yr 2 mos

  • Founder at 21Trio Partners
    Aug 2019 - Jul 2025 · 6 yrs

    As Founder of 21Trio Partners, I specialize in crafting tailored consulting solutions for small businesses, nonprofits, K-12 leaders, and government agencies. Leveraging strategic market analysis, I drive transformative recommendations for organizations, such as an $18 million revenue nonprofit, ensuring they reach their optimal potential. Through bespoke leadership development and executive coaching initiatives, I empower senior leaders overseeing significant budgets and staff, fostering impactful outcomes in their respective domains.

  • Para Los Niños (Full-time · 3 yrs)
    • Managing Director, Charter Schools
      May 2022 - Aug 2023 · 1 yr 4 mos

      As the Managing Director of Charter Schools, I led a team overseeing three schools catering to over 800 students from transitional Kindergarten through 8th grade. Managed a $20M annual budget, implementing crucial resources such as mental health services and housing support for both staff and students. Pioneered the Avance Teacher Residency program, facilitating pathways for educators from marginalized backgrounds, while also revamping the charter school compensation system, resulting in a remarkable 95% retention rate among effective teachers.

    • Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment
      Sep 2020 - Jun 2022 · 1 yr 10 mos

      Drove student achievement through collaboration and strategic planning with the CEO, principals, and afterschool programs to boost student performance, with over 50% consistently achieving at or above grade level on state exams. By facilitating strategic planning sessions for charter schools, I ensured alignment with academic and social-emotional wellness goals, fostering an environment conducive to student success.

  • Executive Director of Growth, ASU Local at Arizona State University
    Jan 2020 - Sep 2020 · 9 mos

    As the Executive Director of Growth for Arizona State University's ASU Local program, I spearheaded initiatives to expand access to affordable, top-tier education in Downtown Los Angeles, collaborating with executive team members to develop operational management systems remotely. My leadership in external engagement with community-based organizations, government officials, and school districts facilitated a successful pivot to a direct-to-student recruitment strategy, resulting in a remarkable 100% increase in applications. Additionally, I initiated the design of performance evaluation, management, and coaching frameworks for employees, contributing to a notable 95% student retention rate among predominantly first-generation students.

  • City Year (6 yrs 10 mos)
    • Managing Director, Impact
      May 2016 - Jul 2019 · 3 yrs 3 mos

      As the Managing Director of Impact at City Year Los Angeles, I led a dedicated team of 45 staff members overseeing program design, partnership management, and staff professional development. Managed federal, state, and district-level partnerships with over 30 Title 1 schools, impacting nearly 10,000 students in the Los Angeles Unified School District. Secured up to $6,000,000 in annual funding, fostering a positive staff culture resulting in 100% retention of first-year employees and the largest growth in AmeriCorps Member satisfaction as measured by Net Promotor Score.

    • Senior Service Director
      Oct 2012 - Apr 2016 · 3 yrs 7 mos

      As Senior Service Director with City Year Los Angeles, I spearheaded the development and execution of comprehensive service strategies, driving excellence through the oversight of service activities, program evaluation enhancements, and establishment of new service partnerships. By standardizing data analysis practices and introducing a progress monitoring dashboard, we achieved a remarkable 44% improvement in student performance in either ELA or Math. With a focus on youth development, I orchestrated the implementation of a service model that resulted in a significant 78% increase in Social Emotional Learning assessments, while also pioneering an Observation and Coaching framework endorsed by 88% of AmeriCorps Members. Leading a Service Team of seven, I curated responsive professional development initiatives, notably organizing an annual summit which garnered a 90% approval rating from AmeriCorps Members for its impact on their service endeavors.