Leiva is a fierce social innovator, a dedicated educator at heart, and serves as the Chief of Staff in our office.  

As a first generation Nicaraguan-American and Miami native with big dreams for Educational Equity in the 305, Leiva has spent the first seven years of her career advocating for students as a teacher and leader in South Florida schools, with a particular focus on equity and social justice. She then went on to serve as the Senior Manager for Leadership Innovation at Radical Partners, a social impact accelerator in our region. As the head of all leadership development and main facilitator at RP, Leiva was responsible for the overall strategic planning and partnerships, program creation and design, and content curation for all of their Leadership programs. 

In our office, Leiva leads the overall strategic planning and implementation of our key priorities across all aspects of our work. As a key advisor to School Board Member Santos, she uses all of her talents to oversee and develop policy, head office-wide operations, staff development, and financial management. She has a Masters in Education from Johns Hopkins University, claims Spanglish to be her first language, keeps us always laughing at the office, and is a natural born storyteller.

Laura is passionate about bridging the gap between people and government, ensuring that civic engagement is accessible and impactful for all.

A proud product of M-DCPS and a graduate of Florida International University with a degree in Political Science, Laura has devoted over five years to public service across federal, state, and local government. She is dedicated to breaking down barriers by making government more transparent and empowering people through civic education, helping them to understand the importance of participation and to engage confidently in their communities.

Currently serving as the School Engagement, Operations, and Communications Manager, Laura leads efforts to enhance transparency and accessibility, driving engagement and fostering a deeper understanding of local policy making. She provides policy support and coordinates school visits with all schools in District 9, supporting a smooth and effective operation across schools.

Sofia considers herself to be a bridge builder and a forever student. Sofia comes from a long line of educators in the Miami-Dade County Public School System and is a product of District 9 herself as an alumni of Coral Reef Senior High School.

Sofia is a proud Posse Scholar where she attended Syracuse University studying Public Relations and Citizenship and Civic Engagement with a minor in Atrocity Studies and the Practices of Social Justice. Living away from Miami, she developed an appreciation for the diverse educational ecosystem of MDCPS, as well as a hunger for empowering students and families back home.

As the Constituent Services Coordinator, Sofia looks to advocate for and build relationships with community members in District 9 and across the county. In her free time, you can find Sofia chasing the nearest body of water to relax or spending time with loved ones cooking. If anyone in our community has a concern or question, Sofia is always a call/email away.

Katie has dedicated over 25 years to the fields of education and government. After attending M-DCPS public schools, she graduated from Duke University with a degree in psychology and a North Carolina elementary school teaching certificate. She then earned a Master’s in Education in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College, Columbia University.

Katie has extensive teaching experience, having worked in both public and private schools across North Carolina, New York, and New Jersey. She then transitioned to Scholastic Inc. in NYC, where she worked as a Producer within the Internet Group. In this role, she supported various business groups with their online presence, with some of her most cherished projects involving the Harry Potter series, Clifford the Big Red Dog, and the teacher resources section of Scholastic.com.

Over the years, Katie has held numerous leadership positions. She is currently serving her second term as a dedicated Councilmember in the Village of Pinecrest, Miami-Dade County. Additionally, she co-coordinates the Pinecrest Youth Advisory Council.

In the D9 office, she concentrates on planning and organizing school visits, issuing Proclamations, and developing overall initiatives to enhance the well-being of the community.

Lely is a current doctoral student and dedicated social justice advocate in education. She is entering her third year of PhD coursework at the University of Florida, getting her degree in Educational Leadership with a focus on Educational Policy.Born and raised in Hialeah, FL to Cuban immigrant parents, Lely embodies the identify of first generation in all its forms, from first generation Cuban American to first in her family to hold a college degree. Lely has found herself cemented in the world of research, focusing her work on three pillars: 1) The over-criminalization of Students 2) Disparities faced by Latinx/e and minority students and 3) Student Activism.In her free time, Lely is a self-proclaimed homebody, as she loves to spend time with her dog, Luna, and family. You’ll find her on her porch most weekends with a coffee in hand as she sits in her wooden rocking chair.