Leadership Bios
Ogie Strogatz
LUPS Co-Founder & Organizer
Rose “Ogie” Strogatz is a dedicated civic engagement and community volunteer leader with a long-standing commitment to strengthening democratic participation and grassroots organizing. She serves as DEI Officer for the Danville-Alamo-Walnut Creek (CA) Branch of the American Association of University Women (AAUW, a national nonprofit focused on gender equity for women and girls through research, education, and advocacy), and is a member of AAUW California’s Public Policy Committee and School Board Project Team. She is a member of the steering team for Indivisible ReSisters Contra Costa (a progressive grassroots advocacy group), a county organizer for the Center for Common Ground (which educates and empowers voters of color in voter suppression states), and a member of the leadership team of 350 Contra Costa (a climate action-focused organization). Her work reflects a deep belief in empowering individuals and communities to participate actively in the democratic process and in fostering inclusive civic dialogue.
She is known among her peers for her strategic coordination skills, her ability to mobilize volunteers around shared values, and her patient mentorship of new civic leaders. Through these efforts, Ogie has contributed meaningfully to strengthening civic infrastructure and volunteer networks in the Bay Area, modeling compassionate public service and community-centered leadership.
Laurinda Ochoa
LUPS Co-Founder & Former Deputy District Attorney for Alameda County
Laurinda Ochoa is a dedicated community leader and public-policy advocate with a longstanding commitment to educational equity, women’s rights, and civic engagement. She was one of the original leaders who helped shape Lift Up Public Schools from its earliest days, contributing to the organization’s vision, mission, and community-driven approach to strengthening public education. Her work reflects a deep belief in collective action and the power of local leadership to influence systemic change.
Laurinda is an active member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), serving as Public Policy Chair for the Danville–Alamo–Walnut Creek Branch, on the AAUW California School Board Project Team, which champions outstanding public education through grassroots engagement with local school boards, and on the AAUW California Public Policy Committee, where she collaborates with advocates across the state to advance policies that promote gender equity, economic security, and access to high-quality education for women and girls. Through all of her work, Laurinda helps translate values into action at the state and local levels.
For Laurinda, public policy work is deeply personal. She is driven by the belief that women’s social and political rights, economic security, and educational opportunities cannot be taken for granted—especially for future generations. As a mother and grandmother, she is particularly motivated to protect and expand opportunities for her daughters and granddaughters. Laurinda views public policy advocacy as a powerful way to work collectively to safeguard hard-won rights and ensure that women of all ages can fully contribute to and thrive in society.
Diana Rohini LaVigne
LUPS Communications Co-Chair, Board member, Association for Environmental & Outdoor Educators (AEOE)
Diana Rohini LaVigne is an award-winning communications executive and community leader with more than 25 years of experience in journalism, strategic communications, and nonprofit leadership. A seasoned writer and editor, she has served as Chief Communications Officer for a major health department, led communications for nonprofit organizations, and held senior roles in the corporate sector. Diana Rohini holds a BA in Psychology from Harvard University and attended Hebrew University for an MA in Theology, and her writing has appeared in over 500 published pieces. She has been recognized for her professional contributions with honors including the Distinguished Service Award from the California Legislative Assembly and a Certificate of Recognition from the California State Senate.
Deeply committed to environmental and outdoor education, Diana Rohini serves on the Board of the Association for Environmental & Outdoor Educators (AEOE), where she brings her communications expertise and passion for equity and access in nature-based learning. In this role she helps strengthen environmental literacy and outdoor learning opportunities across California, with particular emphasis on connecting youth and BIPOC families to natural spaces. Diana Rohini is also a certified California Naturalist and environmental educator, and regularly contributes to initiatives that expand community engagement with the outdoors.
In her local community, Diana Rohini is the PTA President of Educational Options PTSA in Pleasanton, CA. Her broad civic engagement reflects a lifelong dedication to strengthening community institutions, championing youth development, and fostering inclusive opportunities for learning — from the classroom to the great outdoors. Outside of her professional and volunteer roles, she is a frequent speaker and emcee at community events and continues to lead outdoor experiences that inspire families to explore and care for the natural world.
Tara Boyce
LUPS Local Hub Co-Chair &
Livermore Valley Joint Unified School District Lead
Tara Boyce is a business and public education advocate whose work bridges financial strategy, civic engagement, and community-centered leadership. A product of public education, she earned a BA in Economics and Political Science with a minor in Gender Studies from Wilkes University, followed by an MBA. Her professional background has shaped a strong interest in fiduciary responsibility, transparent decision-making, and systems that support long-term organizational health—skills she brings to both her professional and civic work.
Deeply rooted in the Livermore community, Tara is the sole mother of two elementary students attending Junction K–8 in the Livermore Unified School District. Her family’s close connection to the Junction community has reinforced her belief in the importance of diversity, belonging, and schools as extended families. In 2024, she was encouraged by an outgoing trustee to run for the Board of Trustees. While the campaign did not result in a win, it strengthened her commitment to supporting and improving public education locally and regionally.
At a time when public education faces increasing challenges, she is especially committed to efforts that elevate strong school governance, support and retain high-quality educators and staff, and help communities understand the critical role school boards play in student success. Her approach to leadership is grounded in thoughtful analysis, collaboration, and advocacy on behalf of students and families—bringing clarity, accountability, and impact to every space she serves.
Annie Koruga
LUPS Co-Chair Operations & Alameda County Democratic Central Committee
Annie Koruga is a dynamic award-winning civic leader and policy advocate currently serving on the Alameda County Democratic Central Committee, where they bring strategic vision and a passion for inclusive governance to the Bay Area’s Democratic infrastructure. As the Recording Secretary of the Alameda County Democratic Party, Annie plays a key role in shaping policy discussions, advancing democratic participation, and ensuring diverse voices are represented in local decision-making processes. Their leadership within the party reflects a steadfast commitment to equity, community empowerment, and the values of the Democratic platform.
A political science senior at the University of California, Berkeley, Annie has combined academic rigor with hands-on public service and advocacy work. They have held leadership roles including Vice Chair of the Young Democrats of America Disability Caucus and Policy Director of the East Bay Young Democrats, demonstrating a talent for coalition-building and organizing around progressive priorities. Their research and fellowship experiences—including work as a Schaeffer Fellow at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and as a Cal-in-Sacramento Fellow—underscore a deep interest in constitutional and labor law, the rule of law, and the mechanics of policy implementation.
Beyond party leadership and academic pursuits, Annie is actively engaged in civic and accessibility initiatives across the Bay Area. They serve as Vice Chair of the Bay Area Rapid Transit Accessibility Commission and are involved with the Alameda County Coalition for Fair Redistricting, helping to shape community planning and equitable representation efforts. Annie’s dedication to public service—grounded in inclusivity, research-driven policy analysis, and community engagement—positions them as a rising voice in California’s civic landscape and a passionate advocate for participatory democracy.
Dan Frank
LUPS Local Hub Co-Chair &
Mt. Diablo Unified School District Lead
Dan Frank is a lifelong advocate for public education whose commitment is rooted in both professional experience and a multigenerational family of educators. He brings a deep understanding of public-sector operations, including collective bargaining in the education space, where he developed insight into how approximately 86 percent of public education expenditures are determined by labor agreements. His public-sector leadership also includes serving as an HR Director, where he reduced annual retiree healthcare premiums by more than $500,000 through improved Medicare enrollment compliance, and leading the modernization of a public agency’s human resources information system—transitioning it from an outdated DOS platform to a modern, web-based system that improved accessibility and efficiency for employees.
Dan’s dedication to public schools is reflected in more than a decade of hands-on leadership, governance, and community engagement. He served as President of the Bollinger Canyon Elementary PTA from 2013–2015, Vice President of the Bollinger Canyon Elementary School Education Fund for four years—helping raise approximately $90,000 annually to support librarians, para-educators, and classroom technology—and as a member of the school’s Site Council from 2012–2015. Earlier, he was an active member of the San Ramon Valley Council of PTAs from 2008–2012, where he worked on committees that successfully supported two school bond initiatives benefiting the San Ramon Valley Unified School District. His sustained involvement reflects a practical, solutions-oriented approach to strengthening public education through collaboration and local leadership.
Since 2022, Dan has served as Co-Western Regional Director of Stop Moms for Liberty, a volunteer-run nonprofit organization that has successfully defeated 73 percent of extremist school board candidates during the 2024–2025 election cycle, helping shift education governance back toward student-centered priorities. He is also a member of San Ramon Valley PFLAG and serves as the Contra Costa County Local Hub Co-Chair for Lift Up Public Schools, where he works to expand inclusive community engagement in support of public education. Dan and his wife—an SRVUSD educator of 26 years—have dedicated their family’s life to public schools, with all three of their children educated K–12 in the district. This lived experience, combined with professional expertise, drives Dan’s belief that strong, inclusive public schools are essential to the long-term health and success of communities.
Jordan A. W. Steinberg
LUPS Communications Co-Chair
Jordan A. W. Steinberg is a strategic communications and content leader with over a decade of international experience across North America, the Caribbean, East Asia, and the Middle East. He specializes in business communications, content strategy, and brand storytelling that helps organizations clarify complex value propositions and connect with diverse, global audiences.
He has held roles that blend creative strategy with execution, including serving as a Marketing Content Program Manager at First Citizens Bank and leading content initiatives for early-stage technology and services organizations. His work spans global marketing campaigns, partnership-driven content, and cross-regional messaging, with strengths in project management, competitive intelligence, and multi-channel communications.
Jordan combines analytical rigor with compelling storytelling to deliver high-impact assets such as eBooks, case studies, and strategic content programs. Collaborative and globally minded, he helps brands communicate with clarity, credibility, and relevance in an increasingly interconnected digital landscape.