Our Team and Board 

schoolboard@soleilacademy.org

Jeffrey Noel has extensive expertise in research and evaluation, and  focuses on equitable instructional improvement through professional learning, policy, data utilization, and instructional practices. As Chief of Research, Accountability, and Evaluation with a 60,000 student school system, Mr. Noel is responsible for developing the agency accountability system focused on supporting continuous improvement in academic and socio-emotional learning for the highly mobile student population. Mr. Noel previously served as the Assistant Superintendent of Data, Accountability, and Research at the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) in Washington, DC.  Mr Noel also served as assistant director of school quality for a state charter support organization.  

Mr. Noel is completing his Ed. D. in Educational Leadership at the University of Pennsylvania and has a Bachelors of Science in Information Technology from Western Governor's University.

Dr. Sonja Johnson is an educational and equity leader with over 16  years of experience in the charter and district schools  sectors within the greater Los Angeles area.

As Pasadena Unified School District’s Health Programs Senior District Coordinator, Dr. Johnson is responsible for elevating and amplifying the district's various health programs and partnerships through the lens of equity and access.

Prior to joining Pasadena Unified School District, Dr. Johnson spent several years as a mentor and principal at Green Dot Public Schools and served a leadership coach with Los Angeles Education Partnership where she coached principals and district leaders across Southern California.

Building a strong foundation for "every transitional kindergarten through fifth grade scholar" is what resonates and ties Dr. Johnson to Soleil's mission. In her role as a board member, her goal is to support Soleil in making this statement a reality for every student.

Dr. Johnson has earned a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from USC,  a Master’s in Organizational Leadership in Education from California State University Dominguez and a Master’s in Human Development from Pacific Oaks College.

Vereaux Reynolds is an entrepreneur and education leader with over 15 years of experience in both the private and public sectors. As GPSN’s Senior Director, Operations & Strategy, Vereaux is responsible for managing operations, finance, human resources, human capital, strategy and impact. Prior to joining GPSN, Vereaux spent several years leading Operations at Green Dot Public Schools California and managing commercial construction projects at Driver SPG and C.W. Driver. Vereaux is passionate about the impact education can have and believes that with exposure, preparation, and access to resources, young people can discover their passions and achieve immense levels of success. 

She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from USC, an MBA from Emory University, and a Master’s in Educational Leadership from The Broad Center.

Vanessa Gonzalez-Diaz is a Senior Consultant at KCC LLC with expertise in diverse areas including legal, strategic planning, internal reporting, and compliance. She provides legal and administrative support as a project manager for her Mass Tort and Class Action clients by overseeing all aspects of case management from intake through settlement. She also helps with new hire training and onboarding by creating strategies, workflows and process improvements. As she is a key contributor to the ongoing advancement and implementation of department wide-training materials and helps develop internal reporting metrics as well as assist with the implementation of several department initiatives.  Vanessa has personal ties to the community having attended Lynwood schools and as a current resident of Lynwood. In her previous positions she has worked in the academic field as an Assistant Teacher, After School Instructor, Child Classroom Aid and Substitute Teacher. 

​Vanessa holds a B.A. in Sociology and minor in Applied Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara as well as an A.A. in Child Development from Long Beach City College.

Ke’Len A. Armstrong is a results-oriented Program Specialist with 8 years of experience in coordinating and managing complex programs, particularly within the realm of alternative education and charter schools. Holding an M.A. in Education in Child and Adolescent Literacy and a California Administrative Credential, Ke’Len is deeply committed to driving operational efficiency and optimizing resources to support innovative educational approaches. Their passion for supporting underserved populations is evident in their work, where they have successfully led initiatives to enhance access to independent study programs, improve student engagement, and achieve organizational goals within charter school settings. Ke’Len's expertise in program management, cross-functional collaboration, and risk assessment has been honed through extensive experience in the education sector, where they have excelled in designing and implementing district-wide systems. With a track record of fostering positive learning environments and strong partnerships, Ke’Len is dedicated to contributing effectively in a mid-level Program Specialist position, furthering their mission to support alternative education and charter schools. 

Lyris Safa is the Sr. Financial Planning & Analyst at Venture Well, responsible for budgeting and financial reporting. With previous experience as a Finance Manager and Auditor, including in charter schools, she brings a wealth of financial expertise. Her commitment to education is evident in her support for Soleil Academy, where she ensures all students receive high-quality education.

Lyris holds a Bachelors in Business, Accounting from California State Polytechnic University-Pomona.