Lisa Pineda

Lisa Pineda is a passionate advocate for multilingual students and families, dedicated to creating innovative, student and family centered opportunities. For over a decade, she has specialized in strengthening family and community partnerships that support English Language Learners and multilingual education.

Lisa co designed transformative programs such as ELLtrepreneurs, ALL STAR ELLs, and Community Changemakers, all of which elevate students’ academic, social, and personal growth. For the past five years, she has led the New York City Delegation of the Angelo Del Toro Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute (PRHYLI), where students earn college credits, achieve the Seal of Biliteracy, sharpen public speaking skills, and advocate for legislative issues impacting Latino communities. She also co-developed Exploring Social Justice through the Arts, a course that blends civic engagement with creative expression.

In her role as Associate Director for the Office of Multilingual Learners, Lisa supports schools in launching and strengthening bilingual education programs, and provides professional learning for educators, parent leaders, and family engagement teams. She has developed accessible guides and resources for multilingual families and champions equitable access to high quality bilingual programs.

Her leadership includes coordinating major citywide and statewide events, such as the NYSABE Parent Institute, the Citywide Multilingual Family Conference at the Intrepid Museum, and the Equip.Learn.Launch Virtual Institute. She also helped establish the NYC Bilingual Education Community Fair as a signature component of the Annual Multilingual Family Conference.

A skilled communicator and visionary collaborator, Lisa brings creativity, strategic insight, and a deep commitment to preserving cultural heritage and expanding opportunities for multilingual learners. She continues to empower students, families, and communities to advocate for bilingual education and succeed in an increasingly diverse world.