Academy Team
Ireri Valenzuela
Ireri Valenzuela is the Director of Leadership Development at The RP Group and leads the Leading from the Middle (LFM) Academy, a statewide leadership development initiative serving California Community Colleges. She designs and facilitates leadership learning experiences that help cross-functional college teams strengthen their leadership practice while advancing equity-centered, evidence-informed change.
Since joining The RP Group in 2014, Ireri has played a key role in shaping the evolution of LFM. After serving as the Academy's first Coaching Coordinator, she now directs the program, leading its vision, curriculum, coach development, and overall learning experience. Today, she is helping build leadership pathways that extend learning beyond the Academy through an integrated ecosystem that includes the Academy, an Alumni Network, and the Leadership Impact Series. Through this work, she partners closely with facilitators, coaches, and practitioners to co-create learning experiences, strengthen the coaching framework, and cultivate a statewide community of leaders committed to advancing student success.
Ireri’s commitment to educational equity began while teaching English to Latino and Southeast Asian immigrants in California's Central Valley. Inspired by her students’ resilience and determination, she earned a master’s degree in adult education from San Francisco State University and has dedicated her career to designing learning experiences that empower others to lead with purpose, collaboration, and courage. She believes that meaningful leadership development happens through reflection, authentic relationships, and tackling real challenges together.
Ireri is passionate about creating learning environments where leaders feel connected, challenged, and supported to lead meaningful change. She lives in San Francisco and enjoys traveling, gardening, and exploring the outdoors.