Vickie Ramos Harris

Vickie Ramos Harris serves as Vice President of Policy and Programs for Catalyst California. She helps drive the organization’s development and execution of its policy agenda particularly in the areas of educational equity, statewide alliances and legislative advocacy. Vickie previously served as the Director of Educational Equity leading policy advocacy across the Birth to 12th grade system to advance racial equity and economic justice, focusing on areas including: early childhood (ECE) and K-12; dual language learner/English Learner and bilingual education; whole child equity approaches; systems alignment across the ECE and K-12 systems; and equitable funding in public education. Vickie brings a “community-based policy making” lens to her social justice work and has served the communities of Boston, New York City, Los Angeles, and engaged in statewide efforts in California.

Prior to joining Catalyst California, Vickie served as Chief of Staff to the Board Vice-President at LAUSD, and State Policy Director at Early Edge California engaging in local, state, and federal advocacy and supported major policy advancements including creating a new grade level in California (transitional kindergarten) and expanding bilingual education access at LAUSD. Vickie’s prior work also includes research, curriculum and program design, professional development, family and community engagement, and after school and summer programs with the Boyle Heights Learning Collaborative, Families In Schools, Upward Bound, Children’s Aid Society, and the Carrera Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program. Vickie holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Pomona College, and a master’s degree from Harvard University Graduate School of Education. She serves on the Californians Together board, was a fellow with the English Learner Leadership & Legacy Initiative, co-founded of the Latino Alumni of Pomona College, and formerly served on the Pomona College Alumni Board. She enjoys new adventures as parent of a toddler with her husband, John Kenyo Harris, as well as culinary escapades, salsa dancing, and snowboarding.