Staff Profile

John Graff	Caseworker / Scheduler John Graff began his position as Caseworker/ Scheduler in Board Member Galatzan’s downtown office in February 2010. Previously, John spent several years in Washington, DC working for the Democratic National Committee. Additionally, he has worked in field, operations, and scheduling on a number of political campaigns. Above all, he is most proud of his service in the United States Navy. John is excited to join Tamar’s team. John.Graff@lausd.net (213)241-6386
Tom Waldman	Chief of Staff Tom Waldman has served as Chief of Staff to Board Member Tamar Galatzan since July 2007. He previously worked as media specialist for then-State Board of Equalization Member John Chiang and as press secretary to Congressman Howard Berman. Tom is the community liaison to Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Porter Ranch, West Hills, Northridge and Woodland Hills. thomas.waldman@lausd.net (213)241-6067
Denise Campos	Director of Community Affairs Denise joins Galatzan's team with over five years of experience working for the City of Los Angeles. As Youth Coordinator at the Commission for Children, Youth & Their Families she engaged youth in the civic process. She served in the office of City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo as a Community Resource Specialist in the San Fernando Valley. Most recently she was District Director in the Boyle Heights office for City Councilmember José Huizar. A proud former LAUSD graduate from Eagle Rock High, Campos received dual BA's in Political Science and Chicano Studies from San Diego State University. Denise serves as a liaison to the communities of Sherman Oaks, Studio City, Toluca Lake, Valley Village and Van Nuys. denise.campos@lausd.net (213)241-4588
Pamela Burga	Director of Policy Pamela Burga currently serves as the Director of Policy for LAUSD Board Member Tamar Galatzan. She most recently worked on the staff for Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. Pamela has also taught at public schools in the Bronx while earning her MS in education through Teach for America. Prior to teaching, she worked on a project involving LA County Schools for the Southern California Consortium on Research and Education, and a project involving charter schools for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund. Pamela received a BA in public policy analysis/politics and a minor in music (voice) from Pomona College. She participated in the Riordan Fellows Program through the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Pamela is the liaison to the communities of Encino, Lake Balboa, Reseda, Winnetka and Tarzana. pamela.burga@lausd.net (213)241-4812
Ani Okkasian	District Director Ani Okkasian joined the Board District 3 team in 2008 as a Field Deputy. She received her bachelor's degree in Communications and a minor in Interdisciplinary Studies from Woodbury University where she served as Student Body President and was the Class of 2008 recipient of the President's Award for "Exemplary Leadership, Service, and Involvement in the Woodbury Community." Her college involvement led her to travel and internships in Washington DC, New Mexico, San Francisco, Belgium, Greece and New York. She is excited about her new position and plans to focus on environmental issues and special education, and outreach to the communities of North Hollywood, Valley Glen, North Hills, Granada Hills and Van Nuys. ani.okkasian@lausd.net (213) 241-5692
Tana Ball	Tana Ball retired on December 31, 2009. Tana M. Ball started with the District in March 1995, when she received a grant to create a new award winning traffic safety programs in the schools. Over the past years she has obtained eight more grants to develop and administrate 12 new traffic safety programs. The School Safe Traffic Zone programs were conducted out of Student Auxiliary Services Branch, Office of Environmental Health and Safety and Los Angeles School Police Department. Prior to the District she worked at the Olympic Training Center as a National and International Coach and at the California Center for Childhood Injury Prevention in San Diego. Tana will retire from the District on December 31, 2009 to continue in the field of childhood traffic injury prevention through her non-profit and available at 818-292-0779 or info@yesports.org.