Our Team | School on Wheels

Catherine Meek Catherine Meek, Executive Director, has been involved with School on Wheels for over twelve years as a Volunteer Tutor, Regional Coordinator, and Chief Operating Officer. She believes that education is a right of every child and an economic imperative for our society, especially for homeless students if they are to break the cycle of extreme poverty and know that their lives can improve through education. Before joining School on Wheels, Catherine was President of Meek and Associates and practiced in the organization and strategic compensation consulting field for over 30 years. Catherine received her MA degree from the University of Glasgow in Scotland.


Matt Raab Matt Raab, Program Leader, is a former elementary school teacher who has worked for School on Wheels in many different capacities for the past seven years. He has over ten years of experience working with homeless and at- risk children. As Program Leader, he develops and oversees the infrastructure of the program and supports team members in doing outreach to families, partner organizations and donors in the community. Matt holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary education from Penn State University.

Janet Lang Janet Lang, Team Leader, joined School on Wheels in 2005 as a Regional Coordinator. In her current position, Janet manages the activities of all School on Wheels Coordinators. Prior to School on Wheels, Janet worked at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Her background also includes an additional five years experience working with various non-profit organizations and more than seven years experience working with children. Janet graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles with a Bachelor’s Degree in History.

Natasha Bayus Natasha Bayus, Education and Training Coordinator, started with School on Wheels in 2007 as the Regional Coordinator for the Pasadena, Glendale and Hollywood areas. In her current position, Natasha develops and implements training and education programs and workshops for volunteers and students. She utilizes skills from her Master’s and Credential in School Counseling to provide increased access to educational resources, dedicated college and career activities, and supplemental workshops for both tutors and students.

Sinead Chilton Sinead Chilton, Marketing Consultant, has been involved with School on Wheels for over eight years. She is responsible for marketing, media relations, web design, and fundraising events. As a volunteer tutor in Ventura County Sinead has tutored ten children and is passionate about students succeeding in school despite their circumstances. Sinead received her Bachelor of Science degree from Liverpool University.

Yadira Melgoza Yadira Melgoza, Administrative Coordinator and Regional Coordinator, has been with School on Wheels since 2009. Yadira is responsible for all administrative functions at School on Wheels, as well as overseeing the Oxnard region. She worked for CA Mini-Corps, a state funded program that provides tutoring services to migrant children K-12, throughout her college years. Yadira received her Bachelor of Science degree from Cal State Channel Islands in 2009.

Ryan Locante Ryan Locante, Operations Coordinator, joined School on Wheels in 2009 and finds it more rewarding than anything he’s ever done before. As Operations Coordinator, Ryan is responsible for all operations functions, including applications processing, technology, scheduling and general administration. Ryan is from the sport-loving city of Pittsburgh and in his spare time, he is either performing improv in Hollywood or riding one of his bicycles. Ryan holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Penn State University.

Elodia Lopez de Velarde Elodia Lopez de Velarde, Downtown Learning Center Aide, is known as “Miss Ellie” to our students. She has been an integral part of our Skid Row Learning Center since it opened in 2000. She provides the students there with a safe and inviting environment and ensures their nutritional needs are taken care of on a daily basis.

Lynne Hall Lynne Hall, Administrative Coordinator, practiced law before switching careers for her other great passions, children and music. She taught music in Santa Monica Schools and continues to teach as a private piano teacher. She began as a volunteer for School on Wheels, before joining the team at the skid row Learning Center. She is so happy to be associated with great co-workers, amazing volunteers, and the wonderful children who are at the heart of the work.



Blue Mc Donnell Blue Mc Donnell, Regional Coordinator for the Westside of LA, grew up in Ireland and began her career at School on Wheels in 2003 as a volunteer tutor. From her first day as a tutor she realized the importance of School on Wheels’ mission and how valuable the organization was to the children and community it served. She believes that the best way one can learn is to teach someone else. We help to educate homeless children but what these children teach us is truly amazing. Blue has had an interesting and varied background including truck driving, embalming, acting and hypnotherapy.

Charles Evans Charles Evans is the Regional Coordinator for South Los Angeles and oversees our Skid Row and South Los Angeles Learning Centers. Growing up in South Los Angeles he understands the many obstacles that students face. He spent five years working for FAME Renaissance as a Transportation Specialist and Environmental Outreach Specialist, under Rev. Cecil “Chip” Murray. Charles is a member at Bryant AME in Los Angeles where he works with young males under the ministry, “Sons of Success.” Charles holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Whittier College.

Devin Whitlock Devin Whitlock is the Regional Coordinator for South Los Angeles. Born and raised in Leimert Park, he is no stranger to challenges that students encounter. Before joining School on Wheels in November 2011, Devin worked at an after school program as site director for the Study Institute. He strongly believes in the mission of School on Wheels and understands how education plays a major role in the success of our students.

Lilian Pahn Lilian Pahn, Orange County Regional Coordinator, joined School on Wheels in October of 2011. Before joining School on Wheels, she was the Placement Coordinator at Cal State Fullerton, where she coordinated community engagement opportunities for students and faculty. Empowering students to enact real and positive change in their community was one of the most rewarding aspects of her job. She also spent a number of years in Washington DC working for the Brazilian Embassy in DC and Habitat for Humanity International. Lilian received her BA degree from the University of California, Irvine.

Linda Huddle Linda Huddle, Regional Coordinator for Ventura County, joined School on Wheels in 2008. For ten years prior she worked at the Ventura County Office of Education in the Homeless Education Project and Foster Youth Services program as a Special Projects Analyst. During that time No Child Left Behind became law and the unit established a Liaison Council to support the school districts as they began to serve homeless and foster students in alignment with the new federal legislation.

Lisette Gaeta Lisette Gaeta, Regional Coordinator for the San Fernando Valley, joined School on Wheels in 2012. Lisette has been involved in the non-profit world managing volunteers and working with special needs children since 2007 and finds it very rewarding. She recently graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Social Work.

Louis Mena Louis Mena is the Regional Coordinator for the Long Beach/South Bay area . Louis has been a tutor, volunteer coordinator and team member for over three years. He is a qualified teacher and worked for many years in the corporate world before switching to follow his passion — working with students at School on Wheels. Louis holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Arizona State University and received his Teaching Certificate from National University, Costa Mesa, CA.

Paula Buxbaum Paula Buxbaum, Regional Coordinator for the Downtown, Skid Row and East Los Angeles areas, has been a member of the School on Wheels team since 2006. Her prior experience includes working in the nonprofit field for over twenty years in volunteer management. Her role as Regional Coordinator combines three areas she is most passionate about: children and education, homelessness and volunteerism. Paula holds a BA Degree from Harvard University.

Steve Hibbert Steve Hibbert, Regional Coordinator for Glendale, Hollywood, Mid-City and Pasadena, became involved with School on Wheels initially as a volunteer tutor in the San Fernando Valley, later joining the team as a Tutor Coordinator, then eventually to his current position as Regional Coordinator. He loves so many aspects of being a part of School on Wheels, but is especially grateful to the volunteer tutors for helping the wonderful children and youth that we’re all so privileged to serve. Steve attended both Orange Coast College and UCLA, and has spent a good deal of his professional life in the entertainment industry as a writer and actor.

Yanira Rivas Yanira Rivas, Regional Coordinator for Santa Barbara, has been a part of the School on Wheels family since 2009. She oversaw the San Fernando Valley until September 2011 when she moved to Santa Barbara. Before joining School on Wheels, she was a Community Organizer in Los Angeles working to empower families to be part of the decision making process and improve their communities. Yanira holds a Master’s degree in Political Science from California State, Northridge, a Masters of Arts in Public Management of International Cooperation and NGO’s from the Universidad de Granada (August 2005) and is currently pursuing her doctorate at UC Santa Barbara.

How to contact School on Wheels staff via e-mail:
First Initial and Lastname @schoolonwheels.org
For example, Joe Smith would be jsmith@schoolonwheels.org.