Our Leadership Team

Charlotte Pickett rejoined Nea as Lead Facilitator in 2022. She is excited to bring her administrative talents and her passion for academic excellence, equity, and innovation back to the Nea community. She strives to work in partnership with all stakeholders to ensure that every Nea learner is provided with an exceptional educational experience where academic excellence and social emotional wellness are priorities.

Ms. Charlotte was a Nea kindergarten facilitator from 2012 to 2018. She left to become an Assistant Principal with San Francisco Unified School District. During four years away, she worked at a comprehensive middle school of 700 students and at a PK-8 school, where she created systems and structures that were responsive to the needs of each unique school community.

Ms. Charlotte holds an MFA in Arts Leadership, an MA in Educational Leadership from UC Berkeley, and credentials in Administrative Services and Multiple Subjects. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends, traveling and taking dance classes. She hopes to unite her love of creativity, collaboration and youth in her return to the Nea family.

India Perkins joined Nea as a paraprofessional in 2019. Since then she has served as the Family & Learner Liaison and the Dean of Students for TK-5th grade, and is now the Assistant Lead Facilitator. 

Ms. India holds a BA in Psychology and an MA in Education with a specialization in Athletic Program Leadership and Administration from Goucher College. Before coming to the Nea, India worked as an Applied Behavior Analysis Instructor. 

India was born in Washington, D.C. and raised in Maryland. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, playing basketball, and cooking. 

Jose Irizarry is an experienced educator and school leader with over 25 years of experience working in diverse schools with scholars of all ages. He has a strong belief in equity and closing the opportunity gap for students and has worked at both charter and public schools managing and developing a variety of educational programs. Mr. Irizarry most recently attended the PLI (Principal Leader Institute) program at UC, Berkeley where he earned his administrative credential. He has been an administrator for over 10 years and has also worked with Pearson to review new teacher EdTPA portfolios.  He joined Nea in 2024. 

Gabby Gutierrez joined CLCS in 2023.  She manages 504 plans, truancy, and is Nea's Family Liaison.  Before she joined us, she worked as a Community Outreach Coordinator for 4 years.  During those 4 years she loved working with the families and learners.  A mother of two teenage girls who are her world, she also enjoys taking care of her boxer fur babies.  Gabby grew up in the Central Valley and came to the bay area when she was 19.  She loves to go camping and take road trips with her family.  She also enjoys taking her dogs to the beach and going for walks.

Anne Cronin is the School Counselor for Nea CLC. Anne joined CLCS in 2023. She earned her Masters in School Counseling and Marriage and Family Therapy from St. Mary's College of California. She is excited to support the learners, facilitators, and families at Nea CLC in the areas of social, emotional, and academic growth and development.

Anne was born and raised in Alameda, and she raised her three children here, too. She has years of experience as a special education advocate and grounds her work in equity and social justice. In her free time she enjoys visiting her kids and paddling with her Dragon boat team, and she loves all things Snoopy!

Jasmine Yip joined Nea as School Operations Manager in 2021. A proud Nea alumna (Class of 2016), she earned her Bachelor's degree in Legal Studies at UC Santa Cruz. Jasmine is a talented manager and multi-tasker who brings a calm and friendly vibe to the Nea Office. We are grateful to have her back at Nea.

Heather Mahaffey serves both ACLC and Nea as the Office Manager and has been part of our organization since 2016.  Heather has also served three years on the ACLC Board.  She is the proud mom of an ACLC alumni from the class of 2021.

Heather says, "I love our school, our learners, and staff members.  This community is a strong, special group that I am proud to be part of."

Heather is an East Bay native and resides in San Leandro.  In her spare time she loves to read, swim, bike, travel, go to the beach and concerts, and spend time with friends and family.