EXP Insider: Summer Internship is Here…and We Need Your Support
Change a Life. Make an Impact. Invest Locally.
Your support will make a significant difference in the lives of our largest class of EXP Internship Program participants ever!
From LA and Orange Counties to the City of Barstow, your generosity will provide direct economic support to 131 internship candidates, allowing them to concentrate fully on their internship experience this summer.
Each internship costs $2,000 per student. Every dollar helps more students access these life-changing experiences. Please consider fueling student access to future careers today.
Alumni Spotlight: Celenia Caballero '14
Celenia always knew she wanted to work with people. Her EXP internship at LA City Council District 15 with former Los Angeles Councilmember Joe Buscaino helped this Phineas Banning High School alum realize she could turn her passion into a career.
The internship set Celenia on the path to pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She is now a talent acquisition specialist at P2S Inc., one of EXP’s industry partners. There, she facilitates college career fairs around the country and runs the P2S college internship program.
Celenia continues to advocate for EXP at work, which resulted in P2S taking our summer intern for the first time next month!
“I would like students for years to come to have the same experience I had,” said Celenia. “I know firsthand EXP is a world of opportunity for future leaders, and I would like to pass that on to every student I can.”
Hey, alums! Connect with us through our Facebook Group and sign up for an exclusive alumni email list, or email us at alumni@expfuture.org to stay in touch!
A Future Ignited
Oh what a night! Thanks to YOU, the 24th annual Oceans of Opportunity Awards & Scholarship Celebration was a resounding success, reaching our fundraising goal! The event celebrated the achievements of remarkable students and alumni like our Carol Rowen 180 Degree Award honoree Tommy Daniels from San Pedro High School. We also recognized dedicated supporters like DCLI, Former Barstow Mayor Lawrence D. Dale, and California State University, Dominguez Hills, President Dr. Thomas A. Parham.
Highlights included EXP alumni co-hosts Fernando Navarette '07 and Frances Suavillo '20, inspiring speeches, scholarship awards, a lively “Paddle Battle,” and a strong community spirit. This year’s success ensures continued support for our programs, empowering the next generation of leaders. Thanks to all who contributed to making this celebration memorable!
Your Support in Action
Thank you for volunteering!
We are thankful for all the volunteers who came out to participate in our very busy May schedule!
Orange County Mock Interviews: 20 volunteers helped more than 20 students at Vista Meridian High School and Tustin USD students hone their interview skills.
Carson High School Senior Defense. Nearly 50 EXP volunteers provided students in two pathways with feedback for their final projects.
We called for engineers to help mentor students and judge their final engineering projects at Sato Academy of Math and Sciences in Long Beach, and more than 25 volunteers answered!
ICAN, you can, everyone can …learn about non-traditional apprenticeship!
We had the honor to once again co-host an energizing and educational apprenticeship conference with our partners ICAN – Industry Centered Apprenticeship Network, DIAG USA, and the Orange County Regional Consortium Workforce Development Alliance. At ICAN Expand: Creating a Talent Pipeline for Your Business, more than 50 attendees learned about the benefits of a non-traditional apprenticeship program and how to start a program of your own to build your workforce of tomorrow today.
EXP Staff Update
Welcome Vicky Kosuda, Director of Signature Programs!
Vicky is a passionate advocate for youth program development with over 20 years of experience across LA and Orange County, working with amazing organizations like the Boys and Girls Club, OC Department of Education, and Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance.
In 2008, she founded Inspyr Arts, an arts education company that touched the lives of over 9000 kids each year and led her to join the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program in 2019. Vicky sold the company in 2020 and has been helping small businesses grow as a consultant ever since.
As our Director of Signature Programs, Vicky will guide and expand our signature programs, such as GPS Your Future® and internship program, and strategic initiatives to new levels of impact and outcomes.
“I’m excited to bring my entrepreneurial spirit and creative acumen to EXP!” said Vicky. “I hope to provide innovation and resources to further EXP’s growth and impact and create impactful and fun programs for our students.”
Vicky has two bachelor’s degrees, Art/Art Studies from CSU Fullerton and Human Resources Management from Columbia Southern University. She can be reached at vicky@expfuture.org.
Promotions
Carolyne Gonzalez joined EXP last summer as Operations Coordinator. She has grown exponentially in such a short time and played a crucial role in our office move from Carson to Long Beach. We are delighted to work with her in her new role as Executive Assistant to our CEO Mary Tran!
Graduation
A big congratulations to EXP Program Manager Christian Douglas and his wife and EXP volunteer Brandi Sexton, who are graduating next week! Christian is receiving his associates degree in Business Administration-Marketing from Long Beach City College and is transferring to CSU Long Beach this fall. Brandi is receiving a BS in Human Resources Management from Bellevue University. We’re so proud of you both!