Advisory Board

Chief Executive Officer, ALI

Non-profit 

With more than 27 years of experience in education, Dr. Lauren Lemons is a published author, researcher, and international speaker committed to advancing equity and access for all students. She currently serves as a lecturer and university coach for California State University, Fresno. She works with the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and the Educational Leadership Division at the Kremen School of Education and Human Development. 

Before Dr. Lemon retired from public education, she served as Associate Superintendent of Curriculum, Instruction, and Professional Development for Modesto City Schools, where she led PreK–12 programs and guided districtwide instructional improvement, professional learning, and distance learning initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her leadership extends to systems development in Emerging Bilinguals education, Special Education integration, and social-emotional learning, ensuring that all students receive the support and opportunities they deserve.

As a leadership coach, Dr. Lemons has provided professional development and individualized coaching for thousands of district administrators, site principals, and educators throughout California and internationally. Her work continues to focus on building organizational capacity, cultivating inclusive leadership practices, and sustaining equity-driven change.

Dr. Lemons earned her Doctorate and Master’s degrees from California State University, Fresno, and a Master’s in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary. She also holds a Bachelor’s in History and Political Science from Vanguard University, as well as teaching and administrative credentials in the State of California.

Outside of her professional work, Lauren values family and adventure, cherishing time with her daughter and their three bulldogs, Kodiac, Panda, and Bowie. Together, they travel the world to support their non-profit work, creating viable, sustainable funding sources for orphans and widows.

M.A., School Psychologist & Consultant

With over 10 years of experience working in both preschool and K–12 settings, Luis

Ascencio brings deep expertise in supporting students on the autism spectrum and their

families. As a bilingual school psychologist, he has dedicated his career to helping children

reach their fullest potential through individualized assessment, evidence-based

intervention, and family-centered collaboration.

Luis has served in multiple leadership capacities, including School Psychologist on Special

Assignment for Mendota Unified School District, where he helped organize, develop, and

design district-wide psychological services. His professional experience includes

comprehensive psychoeducational assessments, counseling, behavioral support planning,

and staff training in positive behavior strategies.

Passionate about inclusive education and equitable access to services, Luis partners closely

with educators and parents to develop tailored interventions that meet each student’s

unique social, emotional, and learning needs. His calm, collaborative approach ensures that

families feel supported and empowered throughout the process.

Whether working directly with students, consulting with school teams, or guiding families

through the special education system, Luis brings compassion, professionalism, and a deep

commitment to helping every child thrive.

Principal- Merced Union High School District 

With over three decades in education and a Master’s degree in Special Education, Mr. Hobbs has devoted his career to supporting students with special needs and the teams who serve them. Steve’s journey began in the classroom, teaching Special Education in both SDC and RSP programs, where he discovered the transformative power of connection, patience, and belonging. For the past 18 years as an administrator, he has led special education and Adult Transition programs grounded in collaboration and equity. As a parent of a child with a disability, Steve brings both a professional and deeply personal understanding of what it means to advocate for meaningful collaboration. He believes lasting change happens when families, educators, and leaders come together to reimagine what’s possible for every learner. 

Dr. Jennifer Elemen is an award-winning education leader, writer and speaker who designs and facilitates professional learning. She is a BeGLAD certified agency trainer and consultant.  

Chief Executive Officer, Williams Education Strategies

Faculty, CalState TEACH

With more than 30 years of experience in education, Dr. Amy Williams is a published

author, systems leader, and speaker dedicated to improving learning outcomes and

equitable access for all students. She currently serves as a faculty member at CalState

TEACH at California State University, where she mentors aspiring educators and

supports their development in inclusive instructional practices and system design.

Before founding Williams Education Strategies, Dr. Williams served as Coordinator of

Inclusive Services and Supports, K–8 Principal, Special Education Program Manager,

School Psychologist, and Teacher. Across these roles, she has led systemic change

grounded in collaboration, data-driven decision-making, and collective responsibility.

During her tenure in Sanger Unified School District, Dr. Williams designed and

implemented the district’s Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS), creating a coherent

framework to align academic, behavioral, and social-emotional supports. Her leadership

helped establish sustainable systems that improved student outcomes, strengthened

educator collaboration, and unified district efforts around equity and access.

As a leadership coach and consultant, Dr. Williams partners with districts across

California to build capacity for continuous improvement through Professional Learning

Communities (PLCs), Response to Intervention (RTI), Positive Behavioral Interventions

and Supports (PBIS), Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and Social-Emotional

Learning (SEL). She facilitates district-to-district collaboration networks and coaches

leaders to align systems that serve all learners.

Dr. Williams’ schools have been recognized as California Distinguished Schools,

National Schools to Watch, PBIS Gold Schools, and recipients of the Bonner Virtues

of Character Award.

She earned her Doctorate in Educational Leadership from California State University,

Fresno, where her research focused on teacher perspectives in implementing Universal

Design for Learning. She also holds a Master’s in Education, a Bachelor’s in Psychology,

a Pupil Personnel Services Credential in School Psychology, and both Multiple Subject

and Administrative Credentials.

Outside of her professional work, Amy values family, creativity, and time outdoors along

California’s Central Coast. She continues to advocate for women in educational

leadership and equitable opportunities for all learners.