WELCOME TO THE SEED COMMUNITY

From Our Seed La Board Chair

In 2004, I was working for a TV & Film production company in Hollywood. As a producer, I was trained to recognize ‘a good story’ when I saw one. There was a story on Nightline about SEED that moved me. I was so inspired by what I saw that I convinced my friend, Jo DiSante, to play hooky with me and fly to DC to meet with Raj and Eric to learn more. After the visit, I was convinced that SEED’s innovative model, one that was delivering extraordinary outcomes for students was an option that had to be available to young people in Los Angeles. I did not know it then but the decision to pursue bringing a SEED School to Los Angeles would change my career trajectory. I now run my own non-profit, Make Good, Inc. and get to spend my days doing work that is meaningful to me.

Both of my parents believed deeply in the power of education to open doors and create opportunity. They both came from humble beginnings and worked very hard to create their own success and clear a path for their children to succeed as well. My mother was part of the women’s movement and made it clear that one should never feel trapped, that women had options and that education (college) could be the catalyst for empowerment. My mother was one of the first female board members on our local board of education. Growing up, my sisters and I were lucky to have the benefit of solid local public schools.

Because I know, one size does not fit all. If we want our society to prosper, we need to invest in our young people and provide them with all the tools to succeed. We need to meet people where they are. For some young people to reach their full potential, a boarding school environment is exactly what is needed.

I never gave up on the idea of SEED coming to Los Angeles. It was always about timing and will and both finally lined up. I will continue to support SEED because SEED believes in the power of potential and provides all the tools to help these deserving young people achieve. I believe in the long-term ripple effect that this will have on our society, and I am grateful to be part of it. Establishing SEED in Los Angeles was a herculean task. There are so many people that persevered and had the courage and passion to make it a reality.