Board of Directors
Eric Heggen is licensed architect and has, as a project manager, administered over $150 million worth of renovation and new construction projects at UCLA. He uses both the design process and the built environment as tools to improve the quality of community life. Eric has served on the PND Board since 1995.
Atyani Howard has been a teacher and administrator at Camino Nuevo Charter Academy (CNCA) in downtown Los Angeles since 2002. During her tenure as principal, CNCA has won the Title 1 Academic Achievement Award, the California Association of Bilingual Education Seal of Excellence, and the California Distinguished Schools award. In her role as principal, Mrs. Howard combines her passions for urban education and teacher professional development to ensure that all students are prepared to engage a college preparatory curriculum upon culmination. Atyani Howard began her teaching career in the Chicago Public School District in 1997. She has taught fourth through eighth grades and college courses as an adjunct faculty member at Roosevelt University and Harold Washington College in Chicago. Mrs. Howard earned a B.A. with honors in Multicultural studies and English and an M.A. with honors from Northwestern University.
Philip Lance is the Founder and Executive Director of Pueblo Nuevo Development as well as the Board President of Camino Nuevo Charter Academy. Lance began his career as a minister in the Episcopal Church. He has a B.A. from Wheaton College in Illinois and a Master of Divinity degree from the General Theological Seminary. He has extensive experience and training in community organizing, fund raising and nonprofit management. Philip has served on the PND Board since 1993.
David Partida is a visual art teacher for P.S. Arts, enriching public schools in disadvantaged communities. He taught fourth grade at Camino Nuevo Charter Academy for 3 years. He received his B.A. in La Raza Studies from San Francisco State University and is near completion of the Multiple Subject Credential program at Cal State Los Angeles. He has worked with nonprofit community organizations such as M.A.L.D.E.F., United Farm Workers, and El Centro del Pueblo. Furthermore, he is a diligent participant of various indigenous conservation groups throughout California, hosting annual Pow Wow’s and traditional ceremonies. He was raised in the Echo Park neighborhood and lives near MacArthur Park. David joined the PND Board in 2004.
Ricardo Torres (Vice Chair) is a Vice President at Capital International Research, Inc., a subsidiary of The Capital Group Companies. He is a research analyst with responsibilities investing in Latin American equity markets. A graduate of Harvard College, he's a native of southern California. Ric has served on the PND Board since 2001.
John Wagner is the founder and the principal portfolio manager for Camden Asset Management L.P. He has several science degrees from UCLA where he completed his academic career as a doctoral candidate in High Energy Nuclear Physics. Before founding Camden Assets, a hedge fund company, he was responsible for investing $0.5 Billion as a portfolio manager for Westridge Capital. He is also a Trustee of The Ahmanson Foundation and a Board Member for the Weingart Center in downtown Los Angeles.