OUR TEAM

Emma Hernandez, she/her/hers

M.A., M.S., Chief Executive Director

Emma Hernandez is the Chief Executive Officer of the Southeast Community Development Corporation. Prior to that she was the Chief Operating Officer beginning 2017. During her time as CEO, Emma shifted SCDC’s program curriculum so that it includes advanced STEM programming for students from 2nd to 12th grade and brought greatly needed resources; such as tutoring for school-age children, free Chromebook, and free hotspots. As CEO, Emma is dedicated to ensure that SCDC’s mission drives every program so that the Southeast Los Angeles residents are healthy, educated and productive individuals who are prepared to meet the challenges and opportunities of today and tomorrow.

Michelle Flores, she/her/hers

B.A. In Spring 2026, Administrative Assistant

Michelle is the Administrative Assistant at SCDC. She began her journey as a volunteer and now serves as a dedicated team member, passionate about making a meaningful impact in her community. As a Business Administration major, she brings a strong foundation in organizational management and service delivery. She is committed to helping her community access essential resources and is driven by a vision to build a more equitable and sustainable future.

Marian Gomez, she/her/hers

B.S., Tech Project Lead / FIRST ROBOTICS COACH

Marian is SCDC’s resident tech wizard. A 2023 Computer Science graduate from Cal State LA, she’s been part of the SCDC team since 2021. Marian architects and maintains our Salesforce ecosystem, leads hands-on engineering and coding classes, and spearheads our tech-driven projects. She also coaches our FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Tech Challenge Robotics teams, where she brings her passion for innovation, problem-solving, and all things STEM to the next generation of builders and coders.

Amber Curiel, she/her/hers

B.A., Public Relations Coordinator

Amber serves as SCDC’s Public Relations Coordinator, where she leads efforts to strengthen community outreach and visibility. A proud first-generation college graduate, she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations and a minor in Japanese as part of the Class of 2025. Amber is passionate about using strategic communication to uplift underrepresented voices and build meaningful connections between organizations and the communities they serve. Her cultural awareness and dedication to inclusive storytelling continue to shape her impact in the field of public relations.