Marisol Alvarado
San Diego,CA
Summary
I’m a mission-driven nonprofit executive and educator with over 17 years of experience designing, scaling, and sustaining programs that center equity, healing, and opportunity for system-impacted youth and families.
My work is grounded in relationship, rooted in justice, and always focused on outcomes that matter. I bring deep experience in strategic planning, program design, cross-sector collaboration, team development, and values-driven change leadership.
I am a dynamic leader with hands-on experience in designing programming that is trauma informed and healing centered, with a talent for navigating challenges. Brings strong problem-solving skills and proactive approach to new tasks. Known for adaptability, creativity, and results-oriented mindset. Committed to making meaningful contributions and advancing organizational goals.
With a robust background in educational leadership and extensive experience driving program excellence across multiple districts and social services agencies, I am well prepared to contribute to advancing student and youth success, particularly in California.
As a creator by nature, I thrive on developing ambitious visions and guiding teams trough change. My commitment to fostering high performing teams has been instrumental in achieving measurable results while navigating the complexities of educational environments. I take pride in coaching senior directors to embrace adaptive mindsets that align with evolving organizational goals.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Interim Chief Executive Officer (Vice President, Programs)
Monarch School
San Diego, CA
01.2020 - 08.2020
- Appointed during a critical leadership transition and global pandemic to provide executive stability and guide the organization through an unprecedented operational pivot.
- Led strategic crisis response, organizational continuity, and community-centered care while maintaining mission alignment.
- Managed the executive leadership team and oversaw day-to-day operations during the CEO search and COVID-19 school closure.
- Pivoted all programs and staff to virtual delivery within weeks, ensuring continuity of education and care for system-impacted youth.
- Designed and executed a multi-department outreach plan to provide students and families with technology, food, shelter, and emotional support.
- Secured emergency funding to retain 100% of staff and launched bi-weekly in-person resource distributions.
- Led with transparency and empathy, preserving community trust, team cohesion, and the integrity of Monarch’s mission under pressure.
Senior Director of Programs
Monarch School
San Diego, CA
09.2016 - 08.2020
- Promoted through progressive leadership roles to oversee multiple student- and family-facing departments including Family Engagement, Behavioral Health, Alumni Services, and Social-Emotional Learning.
- Known for community-rooted innovation, staff development, and cross-functional program design.
- Established Monarch’s Family Engagement Department, launching a trauma-informed, culturally responsive model for supporting system-impacted families.
- Designed and scaled restorative practices programming, including student-led peer mediation (Royal Restoratives) and schoolwide training.
- Developed Monarch’s first Alumni Services framework, supporting students through postsecondary transitions.
- Piloted school-based behavioral health services, integrating SEL and clinical care in partnership with external providers.
- Redesigned onboarding and internal training systems to improve consistency, reduce burnout, and strengthen team alignment.
- Created Monarch’s first internal consultant roles to provide coaching, onboarding, and professional development support across departments.
- Mentored and promoted multiple frontline managers into director-level readiness, seeding the succession pipeline later formalized at the executive level.
- Presented to regional and university audiences on trauma-informed systems, MTSS, and family engagement best practices.
Chief Programs Officer
Monarch School Project
San Diego
08.2020 - 06.2025
- Led a comprehensive program portfolio for system-impacted K-12 youth and families, overseeing 9 core programs and a 56-person team during a period of critical organizational transformation and scale.
- Championed a trauma-informed, strength-based approach to foster healing, build skill, and drive equitable outcomes.
- Drove a crucial leadership restructure by establishing a new Senior Director layer, effectively freeing up 70% of executive time to focus on systems development and high-level strategic planning.
- Developed Monarch’s first program logic models and outcomes frameworks, formalizing quality standards and ensuring data-driven alignment across all teams and partner sites.
- Expanded services through critical partnerships with the San Diego Housing Commission and San Diego County Office of Education, scaling new delivery models in behavioral health, housing support, and education.
- Established a robust succession pipeline by coaching and promoting 5+ internal leaders into Director-level roles, while deepening strategic presence through a 6-month executive coaching engagement.
- Launched and scaled Alumni Engagement and Family Resource Center initiatives to improve long-term student retention.
- Represented Monarch in 10+ public forums (including EdSurge, CSU San Marcos, and San Diego State University’s College of Education) speaking on trauma-informed systems, MTSS, and advocating for trauma-informed systems and equity in education.
Director of Student Support & Parent Engagement
Monarch School
San Diego, CA
01.2013 - 09.2016
- Led a campus-wide system of academic and behavioral supports to improve outcomes for students experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity.
- Built early models for family advocacy, emotional wellness, and staff collaboration that would become the foundation for Monarch’s integrated support approach.
- Designed and implemented a coordinated system of tiered academic and behavioral interventions across grade levels.
- Supervised a team of parent and student advocates providing direct support to staff, families, and agency partners.
- Built strong interdepartmental partnerships to proactively address emotional and behavioral challenges impacting academic performance.
- Developed early trauma-informed protocols that laid the groundwork for schoolwide restorative practice integration.
- Served as a bridge between families and educators, increasing caregiver participation and strengthening trust with hard-to-reach communities.
Parent Liaison
San Diego County Office of Education
San Diego, CA
08.2007 - 12.2012
- Instructed parents in school processes, academic programs, and available resources.
- Facilitated positive and production communication between educators and families.
- Helped develop special programs, events, and workshops to inform and better involve parents.
- Documented parental involvement and submitted reports with details.
Program Coordinator, Family Literacy Program
Family Support Center, Lutheran Medical Center
Brooklyn, NY
12.2001 - 05.2007
- Designed program implementation and grant
- Optimized family experience and school involvement by delivering superior services and effectively partnering with local organizations, school and district staff.
- Developed effective improvement plans in alignment with grant goals and specifications.
Education
Master of Arts - Education, Multicultural Counseling
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA05-2000
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology, Chicano Studies
University of California, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA06-1998
Skills
- Program management
- Data analysis
- Trauma-informed practices
- Strategic planning
- Partnership development
- Community engagement
Accomplishments
- Co-author of tool developed to measure construct on Student Restorative Mindset
- Architect of the Monarch Model, now offered as a one unit course at University of San Diego
Websites
Timeline
Chief Programs Officer
Monarch School Project
08.2020 - 06.2025
Interim Chief Executive Officer (Vice President, Programs)
Monarch School
01.2020 - 08.2020
Senior Director of Programs
Monarch School
09.2016 - 08.2020
Director of Student Support & Parent Engagement
Monarch School
01.2013 - 09.2016
Parent Liaison
San Diego County Office of Education
08.2007 - 12.2012
Program Coordinator, Family Literacy Program
Family Support Center, Lutheran Medical Center
12.2001 - 05.2007
Master of Arts - Education, Multicultural Counseling
San Diego State University
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology, Chicano Studies
University of California, Santa Barbara