Nohelia Canales

 She is professor and chair of the Life Sciences Department at East Los Angeles College, where she leads a multidisciplinary faculty in fostering a culture of belonging and student success. Since 2023, she has served on the board of directors of Planned Parenthood Pasadena & San Gabriel Valley, bringing experience in fiduciary oversight, executive leadership transitions, and nonprofit governance. Canales earned a Master of Science in tumor biology from Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Medicine and a Bachelor of Science in biological sciences and philosophy from Mount St. Mary's University. She and her husband, Leo Lopez, have two sons at The Waverly School, and she is an admissions parent ambassador and active member of the Latinx Parent Affinity Group.