2022 is Already Looking Sunny, Thanks to You!

EXP Insider Newsletter: January-February 2022

With a blink, it’s already February 2022!  I am happy to leave 2021 behind, to tell you the truth.  But I must say that I am incredibly proud of the hard work EXP staff and our dedicated volunteers and supporters have done in the past year.

Thanks to supporters like you, we are starting 2022 in a strong position.  We exceeded our year-end fundraising goal, raising over $60,000 to support student programs and scholarships.  Last fall, the Omicron surge may have kept us on screens instead of in the classroom.  Yet we could still host 500 students at our annual GPS Your Future® virtual career discovery event in November.

I am already looking forward to Summer, and we are excited to be planning for in-person career days, service projects, and summer internships.  Our 130 internship candidates have been diligently attending monthly Zoom workshops since August.  We are keeping our fingers crossed that the April 12 Mock Interviews will be held in person.

2022 is looking up because we know we can always count on your support.

With gratitude,

Amy Grat, CEO

Your Support in Action: EXP Alumni Survey

In December, we surveyed nearly 90 EXP alumni to find out where they are in their college and career journey and how their EXP experience impacted their career pursuits.

“Thank you for preparing me for the real world!” Margo Bolado, a San Pedro high school alumna, credited the EXP internship program for getting her ready for the world of work. She currently takes classes at LA Harbor Occupational Center while working as a hospitality coordinator at a private terminal at LAX.

Of the 73 survey participants who completed an EXP internship, 29% are pursuing careers in the same industry sector as their internship.  

Willie Alvarez Morelos is one of these alumni whose college and career dreams are becoming a reality because of your generosity.  As a part of our internship program at Phineas Banning High School, Willie was placed with the engineering department at the Port of Los Angeles.  “If it weren’t for me having the opportunity to get an internship, I don’t think I would be pursuing my dreams.”

Willie is now studying Civil Engineering at CSU Long Beach, with an expected graduation date in 2024.  “You all made it so that I can pursue my passion, and I am forever grateful.” 

We are working on a more comprehensive report of our impact.  Stay tuned!

“How do EXP Programs help you in your career pursuit?”

Women in STEM Virtual Career Day: February 24

We are excited to once again host hundreds of high school young women from across Southern California for Women in STEM Virtual Career Day on Thursday, February 24, on the EXP Plus App!

The 6th annual event will kick off with a keynote address by Chloe Gharios, a civil engineer and STEM and #StompingOutStereotypes advocate.  Then students will continue their STEM EXPerience with a live demonstration from companies like Snap Inc. and LINXS and wrap up their 2-hour action-packed session with a career journey panel in aerospace, healthcare, energy, and sustainability.

The 22nd Annual Oceans of Opportunity: May 12

Sponsorship and reservations are now available for EXP’s 22nd Annual Oceans of Opportunity!  Reserve your seats today to join our industry and community friends, honorees, and scholarship students to celebrate our commitment to community on Thursday, May 12, at the Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach.

Enjoy an evening of art and community as you move through the museum exhibits to participate in fun activities and cocktail reception in the Viva event center, then dine under the stars in the sculpture garden.

Please join us as we applaud our Keeper of the Flame Award honoree City National Bank and the Bill Stein Memorial Leadership Award honoree Ron Roberts, Jr. for their dedication. We will also award an EXP senior with the Carol Rowen 180 Degree Award and celebrate the achievements of EXP scholarship recipients. 

EXP Partner Spotlight: ProvenReady

This past year, EXP partnered with ProvenReady to produce a series of articles, Zoom presentations, and virtual job shadows to provide

first-hand insights and experiences for our high school students. This content library of emerging industry sectors is available on both ProvenReady and EXP websites for students and educators to increase knowledge and awareness and help build a future talent pipeline!

ProvenReady is a regional career education initiative funded by the California Community College Chancellor’s Office and delivered by a team of Regional Directors who are sector experts in Business, Entrepreneurship, Global Trade, Advanced Transportation, and Logistics. ProvenReady connects high school students to college and career pathways while offering opportunities for students to earn industry-certified digital verification across all those sectors.

We are thankful for this partnership!

EXP Personnel Update

We are pleased to announce our new Director of Program Development and Strategic Initiatives and the recent promotions of four outstanding members of EXP’s team.

Lisa Lampon, Director of Program Development and Strategic Initiatives

We are excited to welcome Lisa Lampon to the EXP team on March 2!  Lisa brings to this role a distinctive range of experience in community and human development, combined with a solid commitment to the constituencies of EXP.  Since 2010, she has served in progressively senior positions at Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies in Los Angeles and Orange Counties, most recently as Senior Director of Programs in Los Angeles.

Lisa earned a bachelor’s degree in Child & Adolescent Development from CSU Fullerton and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Brandman University, Chapman University System.

Having studied abroad in Spain, Lisa loves traveling! She also likes music, photography, and dancing.

Alejandra Garcia, Director of Program Operations

An EXP alumna, Alejandra began her career as a program assistant in 2016.  Since then, she has come up the ranks with the most recent post as the interim program director.  Nobody knows EXP programs like Alejandra, and we are excited to have her leading up the operations of the Program Team!

Alejandra earned a BA in Behavioral Sciences from CSU Dominguez Hills and has just completed her master’s degree in Public Administration, Public Sector Management and Leadership from CSU Northridge this January.

Oakley Boren, Senior Marketing Manager

Oakley just celebrated her official third year with EXP last week, having worked as a consultant for the brand launch in August 2018 before joining the staff as a marketing manager in 2019.  She is responsible for developing and executing marketing and communications strategies in her new role.

Oakley is a twice-over USC graduate with BA in Communications and MA in Communications Management.

Daisy Boeckmann, Program Manager

Daisy joined EXP in early July as a program coordinator.  Another product of the EXP program, this Carson Senior High School and EXP alumna has grown into her new role as a program manager for San Pedro and Nathaniel Narbonne High School, and we are proud of her success.

Daisy is a UC Berkeley graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Arts in Media Studies.