Roa joins the Pahara Fellowship community of values-driven leaders who are transforming education
In February 2025, Making Waves Education Foundation Chief Operating Officer Erick Roa (he/him) joined the Pahara Institute’s Pahara Fellowship, a highly selective program for exceptional, values-driven leaders.
Over the next year, Roa will join a 24-person cohort of empathetic and entrepreneurial leaders to reflect on leadership, identity, and equity with the support of expert moderators to help transform the education system, especially for students from low-income backgrounds.
Bringing together leaders who have strong experience partnering with students and communities, the fellowship supports them in understanding how their identity shapes their leadership and bridging gaps across perspectives.
“I’m honored to be selected as a Pahara Fellow and to have the opportunity to learn alongside this incredible group of leaders,” shared Roa. “The work of advancing educational equity is never done, and I’m excited to grow, reflect, and push my thinking in new ways through this experience.”
Since 2021, Roa has been the COO of Making Waves, where he has been instrumental in fostering a culture where employees feel empowered, engaged, and aligned with the organization’s mission to advance educational equity.
Erick started his career as a high school English teacher in his hometown of Brooklyn, NY. “As a teacher, I discovered my passion for creating spaces of belonging, connection, and achievement – principles that remain central to my work today,” Roa said.
Before joining the Making Waves Education Foundation team, Roa founded a strategic consulting firm where he partnered with nonprofit and social impact organizations nationwide to design and implement strategies that elevate organizational culture and support people at every stage of their careers.
“As a first-generation high school and college graduate, my connection to education equity is deeply personal,” Roa shared. “My journey inspires my commitment to ensuring that all individuals, regardless of background, have access to opportunities that enable them to thrive.”
The Pahara Fellowship community includes leaders from public school districts and public charter networks, state departments of education, education nonprofits and advocacy organizations, think tanks, and philanthropy organizations. Making Waves Education Foundation CEO Patrick O’Donnell participated in the Pahara Fellowship in 2024-25 and Making Waves Academy CEO Alton Nelson, Jr. also participated in the Pahara Fellowship in 2015-16.
“I am sending a huge shout-out to Patrick O’Donnell, who has invested countless hours in my development and success,” shared Roa. “To the Making Waves team – I’m lucky to work with you all every day. The impact we strive for happens because of the people doing the work, and I’m grateful to be on this journey with you.”
“I am looking forward to what’s ahead and grateful for the opportunity!” shared Roa.
