Karl Catarata is the Director of the Human Rights Campaign of Nevada and the Chair of the Nevada Commission on Mentoring. Karl has been working in Advocacy and Human Rights in Las Vegas and across the state for 10 years, and has expertise in both, as well as in local and state lobbying and politics. Karl is uniquely qualified because of his extensive work in advocacy for the families of Las Vegas.
Cody Clarke is a veteran teacher with Clark County School District. Cody has a wealth of experience working with diverse and traditionally underserved populations, providing instruction, support, and wraparound services to students and families. Cody is uniquely qualified to provide insight regarding the academic and instructional program the school will offer.
Eric Duran-Valle is the Media Communications Specialist at Vegas PBS. Eric has been in communications for 3 years, and has expertise in Social Media and Public Communications. Eric is an alumnus of Valley High School’s International Baccalaureate (IB) Program, and the LIFE (Lifelong Instruction and Focus on Exploration) Program. Eric is uniquely qualified to serve on this board because he grew up in the community we are serving, which he has chosen to serve as well through his work with Vegas PBS.
Hardeep (Dee) Sull is the Principal Attorney at Sull and Associates, and serves as the elected Executive Director of the American Immigrant Lawyers Association. Dee has been an attorney for 12 years, and has expertise in Immigration and Family Law. Dee is uniquely qualified to serve on this board because of her extensive experience working with the undocumented and immigrant populations in Las Vegas, many of whom live in our targeted zip codes.
Victor Tavares is the parent of two prospective Vegas Vista students, Amelie and Michael. Victor currently works for Republic Services of Nevada. Victor is uniquely qualified to serve on the board because he lives in our target area and has two children who will attend Vegas Vista Academy, and he will represent the interests and needs of Vegas Vista families.
Elena Fabunan is a retired principal, who reflects on a diverse educational journey marked by personal experiences as an immigrant, fueling a steadfast commitment to equity and inclusivity. Elena acknowledges the challenges faced by immigrant students in assimilating into the majority culture while preserving their ethnic identities, highlighting the triple workload of mastering core subjects, acquiring academic English, and maintaining resilience. Elena’s career encompassed various roles, providing unique insights into education beyond school boundaries. In 2023, Elena became an unpaid community legislative advocate, dedicating efforts to champion equitable access to resources, social-emotional learning, and positive change through effective communication and collaboration.
Dr. Benjamin Feinstein, Vegas Vista Academy proposed Head of School, is currently an administrator with Clark County School District. Benjamin has been the founding IB Coordinator at South High School (Ohio), the founding Middle School Head at the Adelson Educational Campus (Las Vegas), the Interim Head of School at Island Pacific Academy (Hawai‘i), and the founder and director of three nonprofits. In addition to his current role as an Assistant Principal at Spring Valley High School, Dr. Feinstein has spent the last 16 years organizing and running community service projects with and for families in the greater Las Vegas area.
Dr. Feinstein has expertise in several areas including school design, curriculum, instruction, and administration. He has implemented several programs, including the LIFE (Lifelong Instruction and Focus on Exploration) Program, utilizing student and family feedback to design effective and lasting positive change in the community. Dr. Feinstein has worked with several boards, including the boards of the Adelson Educational Campus, Island Pacific Academy, and the Nevada Association of IB World Schools to implement best practices in governance. A graduate of Harvard Graduate School of Education’s prestigious Certificate in School Management and Leadership, he has expertise in data-driven school design. This is his 34th year in education.
VVA Board Consultants:
Dawn King is currently the Special Education Instructional Facilitator at Gibson Elementary School. Dawn has been in education for 16 years, and has expertise in teaching, special education, and administration in grades K-8. She has a Masters in Urban Leadership from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. Dawn is uniquely qualified to offer expertise in Special Education and facilitation.
Joseph Muna is currently the Managing Director of Lassas LLC and conducts business assessments by analyzing accounting information systems, conducting feasibility studies, and assessing operational strategic goals. Joe is uniquely qualified because of his diverse accounting and finance career in the casino, hospitality, and startup industry in Las Vegas.