Board of Directors
Board chair

Araceli Sandoval-Gonzalez is a mission-driven consultant with expertise in public and media relations, policy analysis, government affairs, philanthropic fund management, and grant writing. She has two decades of experience championing education and social issues at the local, state, and national levels and has a proven track record of success. Her tenacity and keen-ability to cultivate relationships have resulted in several local and state budgetary and policy wins for English Language Learners, early childhood education, TK-12, workforce development, parent engagement, maternal mental health, and others.
She began her public and governmental affairs career working for ELACC, LAUSD Board of Education, California Association for Bilingual Education, and Early Edge California.
In addition to her position as ELACC’s Board Chair, Araceli serves on the LAUSD Facilities Bond Oversight Committee and is a board member for Latinas Lead California. She earned dual bachelor’s degrees at the University of California, Los Angeles, and a Master’s in Public Administration from California State University, Northridge.
President & vice chair

Manuel’s nearly 30-year career in community development began as a Management Analyst for the City of Los Angeles Housing Department underwriting loans with HOME and CDBG funds. He later served as an Underwriter of equity investments at the National Equity Fund and was a co-founder and served as ELACC’s first Executive Director.
Manuel joined the Cesar Chavez Foundation (CCF) in 1999 and held the position of Executive Vice President for Housing and Economic Development until 2011, later serving on their Board of Directors from 2011 to 2017. Manuel later re-joined CCF as its first Chief Operating Officer in March 2017. From 2011 to 2017, Manuel was the Director of Multi-family Housing for the City of Los Angeles. Manuel holds an Advanced Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Occidental College.