FIS Welcomes Paola Schenkelberg as the Director of Training and Capacity Building

Families In Schools (FIS) is delighted to welcome Paola Schenkelberg as our new Director of Training and Capacity Building. Paola brings 15 years of experience in the nonprofit world, with a strong background in social work, history of working in the community, and knowledge of the Los Angeles public education system.

In her new role, Paola will lead Families In Schools’ statewide professional learning and capacity-building strategy. She will oversee the design, delivery, and continuous improvement of high-quality professional learning, coaching, consultation services, and parent power-building opportunities while expanding the organization’s fee-for-service portfolio.

“I’m incredibly excited to welcome Paola to Families In Schools. Her deep commitment to educational equity, extensive experience working alongside families and communities, and understanding of the public education landscape make her an exceptional addition to our team. What I especially look forward to is the leadership and perspective she will bring as we strengthen our programs, expand our reach, and build the capacity of educational systems to engage families as true partners in education.”

— Olga Corona De La Cruz, Vice President of Programs at FIS

“Family engagement is an incredibly powerful tool for improving attendance, fostering a positive school environment, and driving student learning. I’m thrilled that Paola will be leading our work to build the capacity of schools across the state and country to effectively engage diverse families as partners in their children’s education.”

— Azucena Hernandez, Executive Vice President of FIS

Please join us in warmly welcoming Paola Schenkelberg to the Families In Schools team.

Paola Schenkelberg

Born in Toluca, Mexico, Paola Schenkelberg is a bilingual and bicultural nonprofit leader with extensive experience in program development, strategic partnerships, community engagement, and organizational leadership. Throughout her career, she has been dedicated to advancing educational equity, strengthening parent and community partnerships, and creating opportunities for youth and families to thrive.

Paola brings expertise in developing and leading programs, facilitating professional learning, building organizational capacity, and empowering communities through meaningful engagement and advocacy. She is passionate about creating inclusive, sustainable systems that elevate community voices and drive lasting impact.

Paola holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from California State University, Long Beach.