With over 25 years of distinguished service in education, Carla Barrera-Ortiz is a recognized STEAM leader and trailblazer in innovative school design. In 2012, she founded and served as Principal of LAUSD’s first Dual Language STEAM High School, pioneering a bold vision for bilingual, future-ready learning. By 2016, she launched a comprehensive, school-wide engineering and design pathway grounded in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, positioning students as global problem-solvers.
Under her visionary leadership, students gained international acclaim by winning a world competition in Europe for Automotive Engineering Design, showcasing their hydrogen fuel cell innovations. Currently serving as LAUSD’s Director of Partnerships and Grants, Carla builds high-impact collaborations that drive innovation, secure funding, and expand access to transformative learning. She plays a key leadership role in advancing the iDREAM Mobile Labs initiative under the Chief Information Office, bringing cutting-edge technology experiences and STEAM career pathways directly to schools and communities.
