Her Story
About Carla
Carla BarreraOrtiz serves as Director of Partnerships and Grants for the Los Angeles Unified School District. She has worked in the district off and on for 25 years, including time with a charter organization before returning. In 2012 she founded and opened STEAM Legacy High School as principal, serving in that role for seven years and establishing the first school-wide engineering and design program in the district. She also founded a second high school on the same campus. In 2019 she transitioned to her current position, where she leads high-level partnership engagement and investments, including major collaborations with organizations such as Amazon during the pandemic to provide devices and essential resources. BarreraOrtiz is now advancing the iDream Mobile Trailer program, a district-wide initiative delivering STEAM education and after-school enrichment in computer science, coding, engineering, digital fabrication, and drones. A graduate of USC who also attended San Diego State for two years, she is a fluent bilingual English and Spanish speaker and former bilingual teacher. She belongs to the Association of California School Administrators and works closely with the YMCA, an organization close to her heart from her own childhood in South Los Angeles. BarreraOrtiz attributes her success to a strong moral compass, a commitment to contribution and transformation, collaboration with forward thinkers, and a willingness to take risks and enter uncomfortable spaces. She advises keeping the main thing the main thing and remaining fearless in service to students and families.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Carla
01What do you attribute your success to?
My success comes from my moral compass and a deep sense of contribution and transformation. When facing challenges like declining resources, I focus on being responsive, creative, and innovative. I surround myself with good people and forward thinkers, and I'm not afraid to walk into uncomfortable spaces or admit what I don't know. Networking and collaboration are key, as I never think I'm the smartest person in the room.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice is keeping the main thing the main thing - don't lose sight of why you're doing what you're doing. Be fearless despite distractions like political situations or lack of resources. We can't say no to kids or families; we have to find a way to serve them.
03What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenge is declining resources due to declining enrollment in Los Angeles. We must reinvent ourselves, change the narrative, and face fiscal shortfalls head-on while building on strengths. Opportunities include leveraging technology and AI meaningfully, closing the digital divide for both students and elderly communities, and ensuring equitable access to devices and digital literacy.
04What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Integrity is number one. If I can't go to sleep knowing I did the right thing for the right purposes, then I don't belong there. Having a moral compass is the driving force. Three things that get you in trouble: don't mess with kids, don't mess with staff, and do not mess with the district's money because it belongs to the children and taxpayers.
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