Our Team and Board 

schoolboard@soleilacademy.org

Dr. Sonja Johnson is a visionary educational leader, changemaker, and fierce advocate for equity and excellence in education. With over 20 years of experience, she has dedicated her career to empowering students, educators, and communities through leadership development, strategic planning, and systemwide school transformation. As Coordinator III, Young Geniuses at the Los Angeles County Office of Education, Dr. Johnson leads initiatives that elevate instructional excellence and student success across California. A USC alumna with a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, she  brings both brilliance and boldness to every space she enters, holding firm to the belief that our young geniuses deserve nothing less than our highest excellence.

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. 

Vereaux Reynolds is a serial entrepreneur and nonprofit leader who is passionate about personal finance and the impact education can have on enabling people to live choice-filled lives. Throughout her professional career, she has leveraged her curiosity, tenacity, and innate drive to solve problems to evolve into the strategic leader she is today. Vereaux combines her passion for personal development and personal finance with her business acumen and range of professional experiences to help small business and nonprofit leaders build the systems necessary to stabilize and scale their organizations.

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.

Becky Weinstein-Sanders is an accomplished special education leader with extensive experience in compliance, program development, and teacher training. Her career at KIPP SoCal Public Schools began in 2010 as a Teach For America corps member, where she started as an Education Specialist in South Los Angeles before transitioning into regional leadership roles. Since 2019, she has served as the Regional Associate Director of Special Education, focusing on providing coaching and professional development, leading CDE compliance initiatives, and overseeing special education departments across multiple KIPP schools. Additionally, Becky holds part-time faculty and fieldwork instructor positions at Loyola Marymount University and Alder Graduate School of Education, where she teaches special education courses and supervises candidates, with a passion for supporting teachers new to their careers. She holds a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California (USC) and a Master's Degree in Special Education from Loyola Marymount University (LMU), in addition to a Bachelor of Social Work from New York University (NYU). Outside of her professional life, Becky is a proud wife and mother to her three-year-old son, Miles Grant.