Join us for our biggest event of the year!
Join LEAF at our inaugural luncheon and help plant the seed for a brighter future in education for Latinos.
Celebrate With Us!
Purchase your tickets on Eventbrite and join us on our journey to make an impact.
Can’t Make It?
If you cannot attend but would still like to make an impact, please consider donating.
What To Expect
Be inspired by the stories of our LEAF Scholars and their families
Commemorate the legacy of Jorge Escobar as we present the first-ever Jorge Escobar Achievement in Education Award.
Envision a future that prioritizes educational equity, and learn how LEAF is making it a reality.
Savor traditional Oaxacan cooking catered by Mezcal.
Keynote Speaker
Maria Medrano
VP of Global Head Community, Diversity, and Belonging at Equinix
Within Equinix, Maria Medrano is dedicated to fostering innovation for the present and future, ensuring sustainable success through aligning business goals with community needs. At Inspirame, Maria is at the forefront of utilizing technology to make higher education more accessible to all. By concentrating on supporting low-income and first-generation learners, their inventive strategies encourage individuals to complete college degrees and gain industry certifications.
Introducing the Achievement in Education Award: Honoring Jorge Escobar's Legacy
Jorge Escobar was an esteemed educational administrator renowned for his compassion, benevolence, and unwavering dedication to his students. He was skilled at bringing people together and building coalitions to enhance the quality of life in San Jose and Silicon Valley.
Escobar had an illustrious career spanning over a decade, holding key positions as the Manager of Administration at Princeton University, Chief Financial Officer at The National Hispanic University, Vice President of San Jose City College, and Acting President in 2018. He ultimately served as Vice Chancellor of the San Jose Evergreen Community College District before his untimely passing in 2023.
The Jorge Escobar Achievement in Education Award was established to honor and commemorate his significant contributions to the field of education. Jorge Escobar will always be remembered for his dedication and compassion towards his students and colleagues alike.
Presenting Joe Coto
First Jorge Escobar Achievement in Education Recipient
Joe Coto began his career as a teacher in the Oakland Unified School District. There, he experienced firsthand the influence of public policy on education. While he was in Oakland, Mr. Coto was elected as the first Latino Oakland City Councilmember representing the Fruitvale district and served in that capacity for four years.
He returned to education and ultimately became the Superintendent of the Oakland schools. In 1988 he accepted the position of Superintendent of the East Side Union High School District in San José and served the East San José community for 14 years. Mr. Coto has a lifetime commitment to the advancement of all students and their families.
Next, Joe served 3 terms in Sacramento, as an Assembly Member representing the 23rd District of San Jose. There he passed many critical bills and served as Chair of the Assembly's Insurance committee, and held positions on the Elections and Redistricting committee, Governmental Organization committee, and the Revenue and Taxation committee. He also served on the Special committee on Urban Education and was Chair and Vice-Chair of the 26 member Latino Legislative Caucus. Joe Coto was the first ever former Superintendent of schools to be elected into the California State Assembly.
Over the years, he has represented the community by serving on numerous boards and commissions, including serving as Chair of the Mexican Plaza Cultural Arts Center in San José, as President of the Latino Democratic Forum and as a member of the boards of Joint Venture Silicon Valley and the Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital. Currently, he is a member of numerous boards advocating for increased civic participation and affordable housing and homeownership opportunities. Joe believes that a healthy community is one that builds on the strengths of all its residents. Joe Coto has demonstrated through a life of service and commitment, that he will empower and defend the people to maintain the building blocks of a strong and healthy community: jobs, quality education and affordable housing.
