Board of Directors
Jacqueline Taylor, President
Jacqueline Taylor is a graduate of George Washington University in Washington, D.C. After a brief stint as a journalist in Washington and in Vienna, Virginia, Jackie began her 30+ year career in non-profit management and consulting in a variety of organizations, including the Midtown Educational Foundation and the Corporation for Social and Educational Development in Chicago, and Yuma Study Center, Inc. in Washington, D.C.
Most recently she is the CEO of Bella Terra Conference Center, Inc., which has been tasked with building a Shrine dedicated to Mary, Mother of Fairest Love in southern California.
Before moving to Los Angeles in 2017, Jackie served as the CFO of Rosemoor Foundation, a national grant-making corporation based in New York City, where she continues on the Board of Directors. Jackie also serves on the Board of American Initiatives for Social Development, a New York based foundation which provides consulting services and funding opportunities for local, non-profit initiatives in developing countries. She is also the current President of the Association for Educational Development in Los Angeles, CA.
Caroline Torio, Treasurer
Caroline Torio studied Business with a major in Accounting at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Philippines. As a CPA, she worked for several years as a bank commercial and consumer loan officer. Having moved to Los Angeles, she completed her MBA from California State University, Northridge, and then worked at UCLA for 15 years in various departments as a grants and contracts manager and department administrator. Passionate about promoting the leadership role of women in bringing about positive change in society, in 2010 she the Association for Educational Development, a partner of Beverly Cultural Center, as the Treasurer. She has since been responsible for various cultural and educational programs in and from Beverly Cultural Center, helping many to discover their sense of identity and purpose in life.
maria isabel romea, secretary
Maria Isabel Romea currently serves as the EVP & COO of St. Joseph Medical Managers, a healthcare management and consulting company that she founded together with her husband, Jerome Romea, in 1992. Maria graduated from St. Theresa’s College in Cebu, Philippines and subsequently obtained her CPA Certification in 1984. After migrating to the United States in 1986, Maria briefly worked in the healthcare industry before starting her own company and family. Though these keep her busy, Maria’s greatest joys are spending time with her four children, designing interiors, and traveling to new places.
susan sperlazzo
Susan has been a member of the AED Board since 2015. A native of New York, she lived in New Jersey for twenty nine years before moving to California four years ago. She is a graduate of St. John's University, New York and received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting. She has worked in both public and private accounting specializing primarily in healthcare and non-profit organizations, but also has experience in financial reporting for a major oil company. In addition, Susan is a certified Montessori Teacher and worked in this capacity for five years. She also has taught in The Narnia Program, an after school catechetical program in the Archdioceses of New York. Prior to moving to California, Susan served as a board member of Wiggins House, a non-profit organization that offers programs to women of all ages and backgrounds. The aim of these programs is to help women understand the dignity of the human person and the relationship between work and the common good, so as to enrich and shape society and family life. Susan is married and has two adult children.
jennifer “jenny” Marquez
Jenny has 20 years of public and private accounting experience both in the United States and the Philippines. She is currently the Sr. Director, Assistant Corporate Controller at Herbalife Nutrition. She also worked in various industries and companies such as Walt Disney Company, Indymac Bank, Arthur Andersen and SGV & Co. Jenny received her B.S. in Business Administration and Accountancy (Cum Laude) from the University of the Philippines. She was a Top 20 placer at the Philippine CPA Licensure Exam. She is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in the State of California. Jenny is happily married and likes to travel, hike, and spend time with family and friends.
adriana farfan
Adriana is a real estate professional for Pacific Sotheby’s International Realty, Newport Beach, who specializes in Luxury Properties. She has been working in this capacity since 2007. Adriana graduated from Brooks College in Long Beach with a degree in Interior Design. Her clients were in both corporate and private sectors. Adriana was also a small business owner and operated an import / export business.
In addition, she is currently a board member of the St. John Vianney Chapel Guild and supports and assist in various programs at Our Lady Queen of Angels, Newport Beach and St. Michael’s Abby, Silverado, California. She has been married to Luis for 36 years, has 3 adult children and resides in Newport Beach.
percy sison
Percy received a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from the University of the Philippines. She began her career as a Customer Relations Supervisor in the Phil telephone company for 9 years before joining the Phil Educational Foundation Inc. She immigrated to the United States in 1984. Percy currently oversees the women’s educational programs of the Excel Educational Foundation at Chestnut Center in Berkeley, CA that focus on marriage, parenting, professional and human development. She also serves on the Board of Directors of Excel, an AED partner.
KATHRYN CAREY
Kathryn Carey is an attorney specializing in employment law and litigation. She has represented public and private sector clients in all aspects of employment relations. Ms. Carey received her B.A. cum laude from Claremont McKenna College, and her J.D. from U.C. Davis School of Law, where she was a member of the U.C. Davis Law Review. Ms. Carey also serves as Secretary for the Board of Directors of St. Monica Academy in Montrose, California.
Ms. Carey has served as a team leader for Family Enrichment of Los Angeles and girls’ club leader for middle school girls. She is passionate about classical education and the formation of girls and young women, assisting in leadership and formational activities offered through Aster Study Center. Ms. Carey also enjoys the outdoors, particularly hiking, fishing, mountain biking and skiing with her husband and six children.