FIS Welcomes Johanna Matamoros as the Community Engagement Project Associate
Families In Schools (FIS) is delighted to welcome Johanna Matamoros as our new Community Engagement Project Associate. For over 12 years, Johanna has worked in education, nonprofit, and community-led spaces to uplift family voices, organize advocacy efforts, and support students’ success in school and in life.
In her new role, Johanna will partner with FIS’s Director of Advocacy and Vice President of Programs on our family and community engagement initiatives, including the Read LA! Campaign and other projects designed to ensure families are informed, connected, and equipped to support their children’s success. She will build trust-based relationships with the parents, caregivers, educators, community leaders, schools, and local organizations we work with and ensure family and community feedback remains centered in our programs.
“What struck me most about Johanna was not just her experience but the heart she brings to this work. I loved hearing her personal ‘why’ and how it has shaped her commitment to family engagement, community partnerships, and helping parents and caregivers find their voice, build confidence, and become advocates for all children in their communities. She genuinely believes in the power of families, and that passion shines through. I’m thrilled she’s joining our team and excited for all we’ll accomplish together!”
— Sandy Mendoza, Director of Advocacy at FIS
“We are delighted to welcome Johanna to the FIS team! Her experience, passion, and community-centered approach will be invaluable as we strengthen relationships with families and community partners, elevate their voices, and deepen our collective impact across Los Angeles.”
— Olga Corona De La Cruz, Vice President of Programs at FIS
Please join us in warmly welcoming Johanna Matamoros to the Families In Schools team.
Johanna Matamoros
Johanna Matamoros is a first-generation Latina and bilingual community engagement professional whose passion for working alongside families is rooted in her own story. The daughter of Salvadoran parents, she grew up in low-income government housing in Los Angeles, where educators and community leaders encouraged her to pursue her goals and introduced her to opportunities no one in her family had experienced. Their encouragement helped her become the first in her family to attend college and inspired her commitment to creating opportunities for others.
With more than 12 years of experience, Johanna has worked with charter schools, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders in Los Angeles County and Maryland. Her work spans family engagement, grassroots organizing, and civic engagement, bringing people together to strengthen their communities and support student success.
For Johanna, this is “heart work.” She believes meaningful change begins with listening, building trust, and recognizing the strengths families already bring. She is passionate about amplifying family voices and helping parents gain the tools, information, and confidence to advocate for their children’s education and well-being. She hopes to help families nurture that same confidence in their children, helping them see new possibilities for their futures.
Johanna attended California State University, Chico, and earned a certificate in Legal Interpretation and Translation from UCLA, furthering her commitment to breaking down language barriers and making information more accessible.
Outside of work, Johanna enjoys spending time with her husband and their three children. Being a mother deepens her connection to the families she serves and the hopes they hold for their children.
