Johanna Lizarraga has spent 17 years at Think Together, the educational nonprofit that brings before- and after-school programs directly to students across California. Starting in an entry-level role working with middle school students, she has risen to the position of director of district partnerships, where she builds relationships with school districts and communities to expand access to academic support, enrichment, sports, arts, and workforce readiness programs.
Think Together expanded into the Coachella Valley in 2020 through its partnership with Palm Springs Unified School District. Lizarraga has since overseen the growth of programming that serves more than 2,700 students from transitional kindergarten through high school. Her work ensures students benefit from initiatives like a high school barber program that teaches perseverance and practical skills, a fashion club that partners with local organizations to provide hands-on experiences, and workforce readiness programs in collaboration with Bank of America.
“Here in the Coachella Valley, we prepare students with life skills by partnering with organizations to provide programs like driver’s education and career preparation,” Lizarraga says. She emphasizes that the challenges of limited resources only strengthen Think Together’s mission: connecting students with the support and opportunities they need to thrive academically and in life.
