About me
Dr. Susie López-Guerra is a seasoned educator and visionary leader in public school education, with over 25 years of dedicated service. Born, raised, and currently residing in Santa Ana, California, Dr. López-Guerra is a first-generation, bilingual, and bicultural educator who has dedicated her life to transforming public education through grace, humanity, inclusivity, and service.Currently serving as the California State Director for the National Center on Education and the Economy (NCEE), Dr. López-Guerra excels in forging critical partnerships across district, county, and state levels to disseminate NCEE’s groundbreaking research to educational practitioners statewide. Her leadership significantly influences public education, advocating for equitable policies and practices that drive student success. In her role, Dr. López-Guerra works daily to design and support partnerships with district teams—from teachers through to the superintendent—who are committed to ensuring equity, excellence, and efficiency across every level of the system, all while driving substantial change in districts. She also supports school-level leaders as they work to build cultures of professional learning, rooted in a common theory of learning and practitioner inquiry. A key area of focus for Dr. López-Guerra is building networks that break down silos between schools, districts, and the community, creating a comprehensive educational ecosystem that supports all learners.Her career spans numerous pivotal roles, including Director of Community Relations and Governmental Affairs, where she pioneered family and community engagement practices across one of California’s largest unified school districts. She also crafted Pre-K-12 curricula and led the launch of 57 wellness centers in a single academic year, showcasing her ability to design, implement, and scale impactful educational initiatives.Her work is centered on fostering an inclusive learning environment, driving educational reforms, and ensuring that all students—particularly those from underserved communities—have access to the highest quality education. Through her role as a member of Orange County's Instituto de Mexicanos en el Exterior, she has led educational and binational efforts alongside the Mexican Consulate and the City of Santa Ana.Dr. López-Guerra’s professional ethos revolves around strategic planning, innovative teaching methodologies, and a commitment to continuous improvement. She has played an integral role in leading collaborative efforts with educators, parents, and community partners to create programs addressing the evolving needs of students.An advocate for reflective, research-based systems alignment, Dr. López-Guerra is a certified professional developer, assessment specialist, and bilingual education master teacher. Her research and practice are grounded in pedagogical excellence, and she has collaborated extensively across the U.S. and Mexico to advance professional learning for schools and educational leaders.As a founding member of the UCI-OC Alliance and co-chair of the Student Success Committee, Dr. López-Guerra’s impact extends beyond the classroom. She is a respected keynote speaker, addressing critical topics such as underrepresented students, technology innovation, and family engagement in student success. Her commitment to community service has earned her numerous accolades.In addition to her work with NCEE, Dr. López-Guerra holds leadership roles on several boards. Dr. López-Guerra is also the former President of the National Hispanic Business Women Association and serves as a Santa Ana Arts and Culture Commissioner.Dr. López-Guerra holds a Doctor of Education from the University of Southern California, a Master of Science in Education with an Administrative Credential, and a Multiple Subject Credential from California State University. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English Literature with a Minor in Spanish from the University of California, Riverside.Dr. López-Guerra enjoys reading, traveling, spending time with family, shopping, and hiking.
