FIS Welcomes Sierra Abukins as Vice President of Development and Communications

Families In Schools (FIS) is pleased to announce that Sierra Abukins will be joining our team as the Vice President of Development and Communications. Sierra brings over 15 years of experience in mobilizing funds, shifting narratives, and building partnerships to build the power of parents and advance educational equity in California’s public schools.

She will lead our development and communications strategy, helping us strengthen FIS’s visibility and build our longtime sustainability, including leading plans for the organization’s upcoming 25th anniversary event this spring.

“What an exciting time for Families In Schools to welcome Sierra to the team! Sierra’s creativity, strategic insight, and genuine care for community storytelling will help us better capture the heart of our mission and celebrate the families leading educational change across California.”

— Azucena Hernandez, Executive Vice President of FIS

“Sierra’s deep commitment to educational equity, coupled with her expertise in development and communications, will be instrumental as we continue to strengthen school-family partnerships, elevate the voices of families, and forge new partnerships across California and the nation. Her leadership will help us expand our reach, grow our impact, and ensure that families have what they need to support their children’s success in school and in life.”

— Yolie Flores, President and CEO of FIS

Please join us in warmly welcoming Sierra Abukins to the Families In Schools team, starting January 19, 2026.

Sierra Abukins

Sierra Abukins brings diverse experience from her work in the education, government, nonprofit, and advocacy sectors. She was a member of the founding team of Innovate Public Schools. By securing funds to grow the work and elevating the brand through successful communications strategies, her impact in the education nonprofit space has resulted in helping to build the power of low-income parents of color pushing for high-quality and equitable public schools.

Drawing on her days as a reporter, producer, and anchor, Sierra loves telling good stories and helping others to find their voice. She is fluent in Spanish and has studied in Cuba, lived and worked in Mexico, and traveled widely. Sierra holds a BA in history, with a minor in Latin American studies, from Lewis and Clark College. She lives in Monterey, CA with her husband and two boys.