October 7, 2021
826LA Welcomes New Executive Director, Jaime Balboa
Los Angeles, CA – Jaime Balboa has been named the new Executive Director of 826LA, a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting students ages 6 to 18 with their creative and expository writing skills and helping teachers inspire their students to write. All of 826LA's programs are free of charge, and are held at centers in Mar Vista and Echo Park and at Writers’ Rooms at Manual Arts High School in South Los Angeles and Roosevelt High School in Boyle Heights. 826LA also offers a wide range of online programming.
Mr. Balboa has spent his career and educational pursuits as a passionate advocate for the writing process and a champion for marginalized populations. He believes this job would be the culmination of his personal passions and professional expertise. "It’s an honor to be chosen to serve in this role. I love writing and the writing process. I'm thrilled to help 826LA unlock and develop the creative power of writing in the students we serve. That's a fantastic mission that I get to help advance--and what an outstanding team of volunteers and staff that I have the pleasure of joining,” said Jaime Balboa. “The pandemic has irrefutably highlighted social inequities especially in the field of education. Now more than ever, the world needs 826LA, and I can think of no more important a cause to dedicate my efforts to. I’ve seen firsthand how access to quality educational enrichment programs like 826LA is vitally important in the lives of students. I am absolutely thrilled to be chosen to build upon and expand 826LA's legacy of improving educational outcomes for our students.”
Added 826LA Board President, Susan Ko, “On behalf of the 826LA board, I am so proud to welcome Jaime Balboa as the new Executive Director of 826LA. Not only does Jaime
have the nonprofit experience, passion for social justice, and heart for 826LA’s mission of supporting students with their writing skills, he is a leader with high character who demonstrates compassion and humility in his work and life. Especially given the challenges of a global pandemic, racial reckoning, and growing achievement gaps for communities across the country, we believe that this moment necessitates true leadership and we can think of no one better than Jaime to meet the mission of 826LA through our next chapter of growth.”
The appointment of Balboa follows a thorough recruitment process overseen by 826LA in partnership with Envision Consulting—a minority-owned firm with offices in New York and Los Angeles, specializing in executive search, organizational strategy, merger exploration and executive leadership transitions.
###
Envision Consulting is a minority-owned firm specializing in executive search, organizational strategy, merger exploration and executive leadership transitions. With offices in New York and Los Angeles, our partners and consultants are former nonprofit executive leaders who now use their collective experience and inspiration to uplift nonprofits and the communities they serve. Our broad spectrum of services helps increase revenues, expand awareness and strengthen service delivery to the clients who need us the most. Our commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is integrated into our practices, including inclusive surveys and stakeholder interviews, focus groups, structured hiring processes, a focus on anti-biased decision making and much more.
Envision Consulting
594 E. Colorado Blvd., #230
Pasadena, CA 91101