Marshall will lead efforts to expand partnerships & programming for L.A. youth—launching into new role at Saturday’s City of STEM festival, So Cal’s largest celebration of science.

Los Angeles, CA (April 10, 2025) – LA STEM Collective, a collaborative network that unites education, civic, business, and industry partners to strengthen STEM education for young people across Los Angeles, announced today the appointment of Jamecca Marshall as its first executive director.

A Los Angeles native, Marshall joins LA STEM Collective as an accomplished leader who has long uplifted communities during a career at the epicenter of education, policy and impact. Most recently, she served as Deputy Executive Director at Bridge Builders Foundation, overseeing impactful initiatives in youth mentorship, STEM education and community engagement. Previously, Marshall held the role of Vice President of Programs at the Los Angeles Urban League, where she spearheaded programs in STEM education, youth entrepreneurship, college readiness and mentoring. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Jamecca as our first-ever executive director—a milestone LA STEM is incredibly proud to reach,” said Ben Dickow, President & Executive Director of Columbia Memorial Space Center and Board Chair of LA STEM Collective. “Her passionate dedication to educational equity, paired with her proven leadership and experience driving collaboration across multiple sectors, positions her perfectly to elevate LA STEM’s mission and impact throughout Greater Los Angeles.”

“Jamecca stood out from an incredibly talented pool of candidates as the clear leader to guide LA STEM into its next chapter,” said Grace Adams, Executive Director at Oceanographic Teaching Stations and member of LA STEM’s executive search committee. “Her extensive experience in strategic program development and community-centered initiatives makes her uniquely suited to propel our shared vision of accessible STEM education to new heights.”

Founded in 2020 with seed funding from The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation to build a more cohesive STEM ecosystem, LA STEM has since grown to 90 organizations, businesses and schools—creating a network of interconnected pathways to high-quality learning experiences, resources and opportunities for L.A. youth.

In her new position, Marshall will expand strategic partnerships, enhance programmatic initiatives and advocate for policies that ensure every young person across Los Angeles has the opportunity to thrive through robust STEM education.

“My career has been guided by the belief that collaboration and strategic partnerships create transformative educational opportunities. LA STEM has made a huge impact in our communities and our schools and most importantly—to our youth, giving them the opportunities to thrive and be tomorrow’s leaders,” said Marshall. “Joining LA STEM at this pivotal moment is an honor and I look forward to deepening our impact, ensuring equity and fostering environments where all students can discover their potential through STEM.”

On Saturday, April 12, Marshall will represent LA STEM at City of STEM, the official science festival of L.A. County. This free event held at Exposition Park is Southern California’s largest celebration of science, featuring more than 230 exhibitors and attracting 20,000 attendees.  

Marshall received her B.A. from Stanford University in American Studies with an honors specialization in Race and Ethnicity. She received a Masters of Public Policy and a Masters of History from The George Washington University. 

About LA STEM Collective

Founded in 2020, LA STEM is a collective that serves as the STEM Ecosystem for Greater Los Angeles, bringing together education organizations (formal, informal, out-of-school, and higher education), civic, business, and industrial sectors in amplifying STEM education for youth, especially those from marginalized or under-resourced communities. For more information and a full list of members, visit lastemcollective.org.