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About Synergy » Leadership Team

Leadership Team

Central Office Leaders

Rhonda Deomampo

Chief Executive Officer/Superintendent

Rhonda has worked in South LA public schools for 20 years. After beginning her teaching career in LAUSD, she joined Synergy in 2006 as a 2nd grade teacher. In 2009, Rhonda left her own classroom to coach and support new teachers at Synergy's elementary, middle, and high schools. Prior to assuming the role of CEO, Rhonda served as the Director of Special Projects, coordinating data management and overseeing development and communication efforts. 

Jennifer Epps

Chief Academic Officer

Jenn left a career as a Marketing Manager in 2001 to make a difference in the lives of inner-city children. She began her teaching career as a 3rd grade teacher with LAUSD in Watts before joining Synergy Charter Academy as a founding teacher in 2004. She taught second and third grade at Synergy for four years and then joined the leadership team as Co-Director of the elementary school. Jenn served as the Director/Principal of Synergy Charter Academy for four years before joining Synergy's central office team.

Christina Vogel

Chief Operating Officer

Christina began her charter school career in 2003 as a founding Co-Director of Stella Middle Charter Academy, managing all of the business operations for the school and eventually the high school that opened in 2006. She transitioned to the Director of Operations for Bright Star Schools, the central office serving the two schools. Most recently, she worked at Renaissance Arts Academy, a performing arts charter school in Los Angeles. Prior to entering the charter school world, Christina worked in the City Manager's Office for the City of Downey.

Sommer Jones

Director of Special Education and Student Services

Sommer began her teaching career in 1997 at a small urban school in Watts. After 4 years of teaching in LAUSD, she joined an urban charter school because she saw the charter movement as an ideal reform model for our public education system. She earned National Board Certification early in her career as an educator. Throughout her career, Sommer has served as a teacher and administrator in multiple capacities.

School Principals

Jenny Mulligan

Principal of Synergy Charter Academy (elementary school)

 

Jenny began her teaching career in schools in and around New York City in 2000.  She moved to California in 2007 to continue teaching in private and public charter schools in Topanga and Inglewood and then joined the Synergy team in 2015 as a 4th-grade teacher. While at Synergy, Jenny also served as a PLC Leader and a TOSA. After 21 years in the classroom, Jenny began her administration career, serving as Assistant Principal at Synergy Charter Academy in 2021-2022 and Principal starting in 2022-2023.

Maria Raffanti

Principal of Synergy Kinetic Academy (middle school)

A Teach for America alumna, Maria moved across the country to join the Synergy Kinetic Academy team in 2013 as a Special Education Teacher and later as a Math Intervention Teacher. She developed a passion for working with and advocating for middle school students with learning differences at various proficiency levels. Maria earned her Masters' degree in Special Education at Loyola Marymount University and her Doctorate degree in Instructional Leadership from USC. Maria served as the Assistant Principal during the 2020-2023 school years, and is excited to begin her first year as Principal of Synergy Kinetic Academy. She considers it an honor to continue to work alongside Synergy staff and families to provide equitable, high quality education for all learners. 

Johanna Knight-Briseno

Principal of Synergy Quantum Academy (high school)

Johanna is a founding staff member of Synergy Quantum Academy, and served as one of Synergy's first high school academic counselors when the high school first opened in 2011. Over the years, she has also served as the Assistant Director of School Counseling and Assistant Principal. Prior to joining Synergy, Johanna worked as a school counselor in LAUSD. As a proud LAUSD graduate, Johanna earned her BA in Psychology and Education Studies from UCLA, and her Masters’ degree in School Psychology from USC,

and her Doctorate in Instructional Leadership from USC. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Johanna is passionate about serving the youth of South Central Los Angeles and working to advocate for educational equity for all students.