About Us
History
The Museum Educators of Southern California was formally founded in 1977 and obtained 501 (c)(3) status.
MESC is one of the oldest and largest museum education professional organizations in the country. For almost 50 years, it has provided Southern California museum educators with professional development, theoretical discourse, practical training, and networking.
Mission
We are an inclusive alliance of critically aware museum educators who cultivate and build strategic relationships rooted in sharing resources and encouraging experimentation that empowers the field.
Vision & Values
MESC envisions a community of empowered museum educators who will advance the field.
TRANSPARENCY
Through transparent processes and open communication, we share organizational authority among empowered museum educators.
COMMUNITY
Our community is cultivated through collective empathy, vulnerability, and integrity.
INCLUSIVITY
We invite, celebrate, and respect diverse voices and strive for honest, reflective, and productive dialogue.
SOLIDARITY
Our solidarity is what gives us the credibility and power to advocate for ourselves and others.
Our 2025-2026 Board of Directors
Rachel Kilroy
President
Rachel (she/her) is an accomplished arts education leader with over 10 years of experience in strategic planning, team supervision, and community engagement. She has expertise in data-driven analysis, marketing, and budget management, with a proven ability to drive program growth, streamline operations, and cultivate partnerships.
Esperanza Sanchez
President Elect
Esperanza Sanchez is a curator, historian, and educator. She is an Associate Curator at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes. She held archival, curatorial, and educational positions at the Autry Museum of the American West and the Museum of Latin American Art. Esperanza holds a Master of Arts and Bachelor of Arts in History from California State University, Northridge. Her exhibition work has received mentions in the LA Times, NY Times, Washington Post, and many others. She has also presented at numerous history and museum conferences and co-authored the exhibition catalog Arte Para la Gente: Margaret Garcia.
Rachel Regalado
Secretary
Rachel (she/her) is the Assistant Educator at the Hammer Museum passionate about creating accessible arts education programming. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she is inspired by hidden and untold stories within her community. For this reason, she consistently works towards uplifting and centering their voices within the institution.
Dominique Herrera
Treasurer
Dominique holds the position of Museum Education Specialist at the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum, where she designs and delivers K–12 educational programs rooted in object-based learning. She brings expertise in curriculum development, exhibit design, and program management. With over a decade of experience in museum education and community programming, Dominique has held positions at institutions such as the San Diego History Center and the Valene L. Smith Museum of Anthropology. Her commitment to inclusive, engaging, and culturally relevant education is evident in her work with diverse communities, having also served as a Quality Assurance Coach for afterschool programs across the Palm Springs Unified School District.
Miriam Valle-Mancilla
Membership Engagement
Miriam (she/her) serves as the Curator of Education for the city of Ontario at the Ontario Museum of History & Art. In this public service role, she leads efforts to engage the diverse community through creative interpretation of local history and artistic practices.
Mariam Tabatabaee
Advancement
Mariam (she/they) Associate Educator at the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, develops programs that engage adults with visual storytelling. An advocate for accessibility, Mariam has developed tours for visitors who are blind or have partial vision at museums such as the Guggenheim, Craft Contemporary, and NHM Utah.
Leslie Ysamar Jimenez
Community Engagement
My achievements include the receipt of the 2025 California Superintendents Award for Outstanding Museum Programming. Under my leadership and curated content, MOLAA received recognition for our Evening for Educators PD series. I also delivered a distinguished session at the 2025 CAM Conference: Interwoven; "Somos Bilingual", where I discussed the significance of translanguaging and peer-to-peer learning as a tool for Museum Education and Docent Tours.
I am also a registered speaker at the 2025 AAM Conference. "Creando Confianza", is a session where I will share techniques and assets that are important for building trust between MOLAA and the local community.
Sarah Harty
Web
Sarah (she/they) is a Museum Professional with a passion for fostering curiosity and learning. Currently, as the Manager of Visitor Experience at the Southern California Railway Museum, she has streamlined the membership program, enhanced development, and organizes various events attracting over 100,000 visitors annually.
Armando Rodriguez
Outreach & Innovation
Armando Rodriguez is the Engagement & Outreach Manager at LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes in Downtown Los Angeles, where he oversees community initiatives that create a bridge between communities across Southern California and LA Plaza’s untold histories via impactful exhibitions, education, and programming. An experienced bilingual educator and program manager, he specializes in museum education, K-12 curriculum development, and intergenerational programming.
Armando’s leadership is exemplified by his work with LA Plaza's award-winning Edible Teaching and Culinary Arts program, which integrated nutrition, urban gardening, and history to create engaging educational experiences for K-12 students. Holding an M.Ed. from the University of La Verne and a B.A. in Art and Film & Visual Culture from UC Riverside, Armando is dedicated to creating meaningful and engaging learning experiences in both classrooms and museum spaces.
Anaís Orozco
Digital
Anaís Orozco (she/her) is a growing museum professional with experience spanning local to national institutions across the country. Having explored a variety of museum pathways from project management to youth education, Anaís' work is driven by the belief that museums are trusted spaces of knowledge with the potential to serve as transformative sites for cultural exchange and community gathering. Anaís is dedicated to creating inclusive and accessible experiences where everyone, regardless of background or identity, feels welcome and inspired.
Anne Elise Babel
At-Large
I recently began working as an Educator at the Norton Simon Museum, where I lead tours and facilitate art programs. I also serve as a Public Programs Assistant at The Huntington, supporting their Explorers’ Club summer camp and other public programs. Additionally, I’m an Educator at the Orange County Museum of Art, creating and leading inquiry-based tours and public programs for all ages, and a Grant Writer at the Heritage Museum of Orange County, focusing on expanding access for Title I schools.