About SEAL

Sobrato Early Academic Language (SEAL) is a powerful research-based, evidence based approach to engaging, rigorous, joyful learning.

We build the capacity of preschools and elementary schools and is inclusive of all students – creating an environment where children engage together in rigorous, joyful, content and language-rich learning. Our mission is to prepare all English Learners and Dual Language Learners in California to learn, thrive and lead. SEAL provides professional development, curriculum support, and technical assistance to school systems. 

Our Story

Our story began with the Sobrato family and their strong belief that all children should have access to opportunities for growth and success in school. In 2008, the Sobrato Philanthropies partnered with Dr. Laurie Olsen to design and pilot a new, comprehensive approach to learning in preschool and early elementary grades. The result was the creation of the Sobrato Early Academic Language (SEAL) model.

After external evaluation results proved SEAL’s outsized impact, the model was expanded and replicated, first in the Bay Area and then throughout the state of California. In 2019, SEAL became an independent organization with the aim of scaling our impact and engaging new partners that connect educators, families, researchers, advocates, and policy leaders to elevate English Learners and Dual Language Learners and promote multilingualism for all students.

Our Journey

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Our Executive Team

Anya Hurwitz, Ed.D.
Executive Director

Benjamin Buis
Head Finance and Operations Officer

Patricia E. Chavez
Head of External Relations

Oscar E. Cruz
Head Program Officer

Martha Martinez

Martha Martinez, Ph.D.
Senior Director of Research and Evaluation

Our Team

Judith Alcalá
Associate Director

Ashley Anderson
Senior Operations Administrative Assistant

Karen Ascencio
Program Manager

Francesca Aspromonte
Grants Manager

Jennifer Clinkscales
Program Coordinator

Adriana Diaz

Program Manager

Grace P

Grace Diaz
Senior Manager of People & Culture

Julia Fajardo
Program Coordinator

Jacqui Frankle
Program Coordinator

Ulises Gonzalez Reyes
Associate Director

Charice G

Charice Guerra
Program Director of Designs for Change

Laura Hernandez

Laura Hernandez
Program Director of Full Model

Can (John) Ali Kilic

Education Data Analyst

Jessica Kurosaka

IT & Data Systems Administrator

Alison Soo Ping Lee
Accounting Manager

Erin Magill Peleti
Senior Program Specialist

Samantha Martin
Communications Manager

Joanna Meadvin

Joanna Meadvin, Ph.D.
Program Manager

Katie Mlakar

Katie Mlakar
Program Manager

Paula Motas
Production Manager

Molly Moyer
Senior Program Specialist

Patricia Montes Pate

Patricia Montes Pate
Senior Program Manager

Sara Rizik-Baer
Program Manager

Michelle Rosecrans

Michelle Rosecrans
Program Manager

Ana Sanchez

Ana Marisol Sánchez
Program Manager

Jaylene Shelby

Jaylene Shelby Tobar

Program Manager

Heather Skibbins

Heather Skibbins
Associate Director

Cindy Tinajero
Program Specialist

Eileen Truong
Business Manager

Cory Wechsler

Cory Wechsler
Associate Director

Camille R. Whitney, Ph.D.
Research and Evaluation Manager

Ashleigh Williams

Ashleigh Williams
Program Coordinator

Our Board of Directors

John Matthew Sobrato

John Matthew Sobrato
Chair

Anya Hurwitz, Ed.D.
President

Kenji Treanor

Kenji Treanor
Governance Chair and Secretary

Sarah Valencia 
Finance Chair and Treasurer

José Manzo

José Manzo
Audit Chair

Feliza I. Ortiz-Licon, Ed.D.
Trustee

Lisa S

Lisa Sobrato Sonsini 
Trustee

Julie Castro Abrams

Trustee

Dr. Ryan J. Smith

Trustee

Financials

SEAL is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization and prepares its financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). We want you to know how your investment is used, so you have confidence that your generous gifts make a meaningful impact on the classrooms, schools, and districts that we help transform through our effective model.

FY 2019-2020

Audited Financials | 2019 Form 990

FY 2020-2021

Audited Financials | 2020 Form 990

FY 2021-2022

Audited Financials | 2021 Form 990

To assure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the not-for-profit organizations and causes they are asked to support, we declare these donors’ bill of rights.

Careers

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization in which we give voice to, and meet the needs of, the communities, teachers, and students we serve. We believe in lifelong learning and continuous improvement, and we are ever-evolving the processes through which we select and support team members and foster a culture of universal belonging and empowerment. SEAL encourages applications from individuals of diverse backgrounds and lived experiences, especially those from immigrant and English Learner communities, people of color and members of other historically marginalized groups.

Join our team!

SEAL is committed to the principles and practices of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment. See our current openings.