Our Story
Focus Point Partners was created (originally named PUC National) by Partnerships to Uplift Communities (PUC), a nonprofit organization that has operated public charter schools in Northeast Los Angeles and the Northeast San Fernando Valley since 1999. After more than a decade of refining operational systems for PUC's own network of 14 schools, the organization recognized that the expertise it had built could benefit the broader charter school community.
In 2013, Focus Point Partners was established under the name PUC National as an independent nonprofit to offer those services to schools and organizations beyond the PUC network. Today, Focus Point Partners operates independently, with its own leadership, staff, and governance — and a singular focus on helping partner organizations thrive.
Our Approach
We don't believe in one-size-fits-all solutions. Every partner engagement starts with a conversation about your specific needs, challenges, and goals. From there, we build a service model that fits — whether that's a single support area or a comprehensive back-office partnership.
All services are delivered by Focus Point Partners employees. We do not outsource, subcontract, or use third-party vendors. When you work with Focus Point Partners, you work with Focus Point Partners.
About Us
Focus Point Partners is an independent nonprofit providing expert back-office operations that include HR, IT, data, legal, food service, facilities, health compliance, school counseling, and communications to charter schools and youth-serving nonprofits across California.
Our Story
Focus Point Partners exists so that school and nonprofit leaders don't have to choose between running their organization and leading their mission. We take on the complex, time-consuming work of back-office operations so the people we partner with can stay focused on students, families, and community.
Founded in 2013 as an independent nonprofit, Focus Point Partners (then PUC National)- to remove in Phase 2 grew out of more than two decades of operational experience supporting PUC Schools, a network of 14 public charter schools in Northeast Los Angeles and the Northeast San Fernando Valley. Today, we bring that same depth of expertise to charter schools and youth-serving nonprofits across California.
Our Approach
Every partnership starts with a conversation about your specific needs, not a standard package. From there, we build a service model that fits, whether that's one service area or a fully integrated partnership. Every service is delivered by our own employees.
A Message from Our CEO
“At Focus Point Partners, our purpose is simple, yet powerful: to remove the burden of administrative complexity so schools and nonprofits can focus on what truly matters, fulfilling their mission and serving their students, families, and communities.
Our team provides reliable, high-quality back-office services designed to streamline processes, increase efficiency, and give leaders peace of mind. By taking care of the behind-the-scenes work, we empower our partners to focus their time and energy where it counts most. It is an honor to serve the organizations that serve our communities.”
Malena Otero
President & Chief Executive Officer, Focus Point Partners
Message from the Co-Founder
“At Focus Point Partners, we believe every child is entitled to an excellent public education in which they can achieve their potential so they can make their dreams come true. Our goal is that because of the services we provide to schools, we will increase their capacity to focus on the critical work of teaching and learning and provide them with a greater opportunity to achieve their mission and vision. We believe successful schools build successful communities and we do all we can to support the achievement of that vision.
My journey in public education began in 1986 as a teacher in Pacoima, where I saw firsthand how urgently school reform was needed. In 1999, I founded Community Charter Middle School with 100 families seeking a better option for their children, and as community demand grew, I founded more schools throughout the Northeast San Fernando Valley.
In 2004, I co-founded Partnerships to Uplift Communities (PUC Schools) with Dr. Ref Rodriguez, which grew into a network of 14 public charter schools serving the Northeast San Fernando Valley and Northeast Los Angeles. In 2013, we created PUC National, now Focus Point Partners, an independent nonprofit built to bring that same operational support to charter schools and youth-serving nonprofits beyond our own network.”
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Dr. Jacqueline Elliot
Co-Founder & Executive Advisor, Focus Point Partners
Leadership Team
Focus Point Partners' leadership team brings decades of experience in education, operations, compliance, and nonprofit management.
Malena Otero, President & Chief Executive Officer
Malena leads Focus Point Partners' strategy, operations, and partnerships, drawing on two decades of hands-on HR and organizational leadership experience. She brings deep knowledge of federal, state, California Education Code, and charter authorizer compliance to every partnership Focus Point Partners builds. She holds a B.A. from California State University, Los Angeles, and an M.A. in Organizational Leadership from Woodbury University.
Jacqueline Elliot, Co-Founder & Executive Advisor
With over three decades of experience as a leader and innovator in public education, Dr. Elliot now serves as Executive Advisor, guiding Focus Point Partners' strategic direction and long-term vision as it continues to grow. She remains closely involved in shaping how the organization serves charter schools and youth-serving nonprofits today. She holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Fielding Graduate University.
David Jackson, Chief Legal and Operations Officer
David provides legal counsel, contract negotiation, and compliance guidance across Focus Point Partners' work with charter schools. Prior to joining, he practiced law at Irell & Manella LLP. He holds a B.A. from UCLA, a J.D. from UC Berkeley School of Law, and an MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management.
Patricia Rios, Chief Human Resources Officer
Patricia has been with PUC Schools since 2006, beginning as an HR Coordinator and helping build the department from its earliest days. She now serves as Chief Human Resources Officer at Focus Point Partners. She holds a B.A. from Loyola Marymount University and an M.A. in Organizational Leadership from Woodbury University.
Edgar Chavez, Director, Information Technology
Edgar Chavez is the Director of Information Technology for Focus Point Partners. He oversees the Information Technology department, coordinating end user support, network services, hardware and software acquisition, and technology policies. Edgar earned a B.A. from California State University, Los Angeles, and an M.A. in Educational Technology from Pepperdine University.
Pete Frias, Director, Media Communications
Pete Frias began his work with PUC in 2011 and now serves as the Director of Media Communications. Pete oversees student enrollment, district and school websites, social media, and media communication. Pete holds a double bachelor's degree from California State University, Los Angeles, in Business Administration and Graphic Communications.
Karren Jackson, R.N., Health Compliance Manager
Karren is a registered nurse and oversees health compliance services. She previously spent 15 years as a pediatric nurse at Children's Hospital Los Angeles and has been with the organization since 2015. She holds a B.S. in Nursing from Mount Saint Mary's University.
Johana Olaya, Director, Data and Student Information Systems
Johana leads Focus Point Partners' Data and SIS teams, overseeing CALPADS state reporting, PowerSchool administration, and data management for partner schools. She holds a B.S. in Business Administration from California Polytechnic State University, Pomona.
Sergio Soto, Director,
Facilities
Sergio Soto currently serves as Director of Facilities for Focus Point Partners. Sergio holds a B.S. Degree in Management Information Systems from the Tecnologico de Culiacan and brings a background in community advocacy and nonprofit leadership to his work overseeing facilities across the network.​
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Nicole Murphy, Director, College Access & Financial Aid
Nicole leads Focus Point Partners' college and financial aid strategy, bringing decades of experience in the LA charter school space. She manages the Naviance platform, leads counselor professional development, and creates college and career events across PUC Schools. She holds a B.A. in Psychology and a Master's in School Counseling from the University of South Carolina.
Board of Trustees
Focus Point Partners is governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees with expertise across education, law, finance, nonprofit management, and community advocacy, providing oversight and keeping us accountable to the organizations we serve.
Malena Otero,
Board President
Malena joined PUC Schools in 2005 to build its HR department from the ground up, later moving into Focus Point Partners' leadership and becoming President & CEO. She holds a B.A. from California State University, Los Angeles, and an M.A. in Organizational Leadership from Woodbury University.
Dr. Jacqueline Elliot,
Board Secretary
Dr. Elliot has dedicated her career to public school reform since 1986. She founded Community Charter Middle School in 1999, co-founded Partnerships to Uplift Communities (PUC Schools) in 2004, and co-founded PUC National (now Focus Point Partners) in 2013. She holds a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Fielding Graduate University.
Ms. Bertha Vidrio,
Board Member
Bertha is a PUC Schools alumna who graduated as Valedictorian from Community Charter Early College High School in 2009. She earned a B.A. in Psychology from CSU Northridge and continues to advocate for her community today.
Ms. Lexi Goodin,
Board Member
Lexi is a PUC Schools alumna who returned to the PUC community as an HR Assistant, and now serves as a Senior Compensation Analyst at Payscale. She holds degrees in Psychology and Sociology from CSU Fullerton and continues to serve on the Focus Point Partners Board of Directors.
Mr. Cesar Aguilar,
Board Treasurer
Cesar is a seasoned executive with experience across education, HR, and business operations, including prior work within PUC Schools. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Cal Poly Pomona and serves as CEO of an HR consulting firm based in Los Angeles County and CEO of an environmental health consulting firm serving higher education institutions.