Dan Davis, Chief Student Advocate
Dan Davis is the Chief Student Advocate for the Office of the Student Advocate (OSA). He joined the office in October of 2016 as the Student Advocate with a focus on safe passage, special education, language access, bullying, and parent leadership. Prior to joining the office, Dan spent 9 years supporting District disadvantaged youth and families at Sasha Bruce Youthwork, Inc. His work with runaway homeless youth, justice involved youth, recent immigrant adults, and disconnected families has cemented a community-first outlook that contributes to the office's ability to help all students succeed. Dan is a proud DCPS alum and currently lives in Ward 7.
Valeria Popolizio Torres, Student Advocate
Valeria Popolizio Torres is a Student Advocate for the Office of the Student Advocate (OSA). She first joined the team as a Student Advocate Fellow in 2021. Inspired by her own experiences as a Peruvian immigrant and first-generation college student, Valeria is passionate about transforming education to be a space of joy, community healing, and empowerment. She is a former coordinator of Mentoring Education and Transforming to Achieve Success (METAS), has co-authored children's rights curriculum, and has served as a college and career readiness counselor. Valeria obtained her Bachelor of Arts at the University of Connecticut, and her Master of Arts in Educational Transformation with a concentration in Advocacy and Policy from Georgetown University.
Natalie Powell, Student Advocate
Natalie Powell is a Student Advocate for the Office of the Student Advocate (OSA). Before joining the team in October 2022, she spent 9 years as kindergarten-5 educator in Southeast Washington, DC. During this time, she served many grade levels and roles including, special education teacher, department chair, and vice principal. She developed a passion for social emotional learning and ensuring students requiring special education services had their needs met. The wide range of roles allowed her to see the school system and its many challenges from different angles, giving her a unique perspective on what students, families, and school staff need to be successful.
Aaron Alexander, Student Advocate
Aaron Alexander, NBC-HWC, is a native Washingtonian and passionate advocate for equity in education with a strong foundation in student engagement, strategic planning, and community leadership. He holds a Master’s degree in Community and Organizational Leadership and is certified in Health and Wellness Coaching, bringing a holistic lens to student support. Aaron’s work spans across higher education and nonprofit sectors, where he has led initiatives to enhance degree completion, support marginalized students, and build community coalitions. He has consistently empowered students through mentorship, advocacy, and inclusive programming. Committed to amplifying student voices, Aaron is dedicated to ensuring every learner has the resources and representation they deserve.
Ana Rodriguez, Program Associate
Ana Rodriguez is a dedicated community leader and advocate for youth and education with over 28 years of residency in Washington, DC. She is a Citywide and Ward 5 PLE Board member with PAVE (Parents Amplifying Voice in Education), PTO President at McKinley Technology High School, on the Ward 5 Leadership Council on Education committee, and an active participant in various civic and educational initiatives. Ana is a bilingual professional (Spanish and English), who has previously worked with the Department of Human Services and nonprofits with family-based programs, where she lead youth-focused programs such as “Taking Village History to Our Youth.” Ana is passionate about empowering families and youth, fostering leadership, and improving educational outcomes across the city.
Brianna Aiello, Student Advocate Fellow
Brianna Aiello is a Student Advocate Fellow with the Office of the Student Advocate (OSA). She joined the team in 2025, bringing a background in classroom teaching and a commitment to education equity. Before joining OSA, Brianna taught second grade in Indianapolis for three years and most recently worked as a reading interventionist at KIPP DC, supporting early literacy development. She also served as a fellow in the Indianapolis Mayor’s Office of Education Innovation, where she supported charter school oversight with an emphasis on equity in school discipline. Brianna holds a B.A. in Social Relations and Policy from Michigan State University and an M.A. in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Public Policy at American University, concentrating in education policy.
Isabella Zachariah, Student Advocate Fellow
Isabella Zachariah is a Student Advocate Fellow with the Office of the Student Advocate (OSA). She joined the team in 2025 bringing a strong commitment to educational equity and a passion for empowering students and families to drive their educational experiences. Isabella has a background in education policy and research with experience working at the U.S. Department of Education and American Institutes for Research. She holds a B.A. in Political Science from University of Chicago and is currently pursuing a Master’s in Educational Transformation with a concentration in Advocacy and Policy at Georgetown University.