Meet The Board

At Auto Pros Academy, our Board of Directors brings together a diverse group of leaders, educators, and industry professionals, all united by a passion for automotive education and youth empowerment. Get to know the people guiding our mission and shaping the future of automotive training for youth.

Sandra Iskandar

Board Chair

Sandra Iskandar holds a Doctorate in Business and an MBA, with over a decade of experience providing strategic leadership across economic development, public-private initiatives, and community advancement aligned with city-level priorities. She is committed to building sustainable growth and developing future leaders through mentorship and applied, real-world experience beyond traditional education models. As the new Chair of the Auto Pros Academy board, Sandra also serves as Director of Sales & Marketing at Bellamar Lancaster and is the CEO and founder of Sandra’s Bridal Collection and Sandra Iskandar’s Collection. She contributes to the board for BOGA and the committee for Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans and the annual Military Ball, reflecting her dedication to community, service members, and long-term regional impact.

Marissa Estrella

Co-Chair

Marissa Estrella is the founder of Little Groove Play Studio, a creative space dedicated to early childhood enrichment through music, movement, and play. With years of experience fostering engaging learning environments, she is known for her innovative programs that inspire curiosity, confidence, and connection among children and their families.

A fierce community activist, Marissa’s leadership is grounded in dedication, passion, and inclusivity. She brings this strong commitment to her role as Co-Chair of the Auto Pros Academy Board, where she leverages her vision and collaborative spirit to advance the Academy’s mission of empowering the next generation of skilled professionals in the automotive industry. Marissa’s personal mission centers on amplifying community voices and driving meaningful change through education and leadership.

Derriah Hawkins

Secretary

Derriah Hawkins serves as Secretary for Auto Pros Academy, bringing leadership experience and a deep passion for community service to the board. A Biology major at Antelope Valley College pursuing orthodontics, she graduated from Pete Knight High School in 2024. Derriah founded the Pre-Dental Club at AVC, participates in Toastmasters for public speaking, and volunteers with Rotary bike repair events.
Her drive stems from a supportive upbringing, motivating her to be a positive role model for youth. Derriah is committed to empowering the next generation through education and opportunity.
As she says, “I like helping the community because it allows me to be a positive role model for those who don’t have one.”

Kelly Adams

Kelly Adams serves as Treasurer for Auto Pros Academy, managing financial oversight for its STEM and automotive youth programs, and she is a perfect fit for her role. She works as an accountant at Shook & Co Inc.

Professional Background

Kelly brings accounting expertise from Shook & Co Inc to her volunteer Treasurer role at Auto Pros Academy, ensuring sound financial management for educational workshops and community events. Her skills make her ideally suited to handle budgeting and fiscal responsibilities with precision.

Key Contributions

In her Treasurer position, Kelly handles budgeting, fundraising tracking, and compliance for Auto Pros Academy's sponsorships and grants. This aligns seamlessly with the organization's focus on STEM outreach and event planning, showcasing her as the perfect fit for driving financial success.

Rudy Gutierrez

Board Automotive Education Expert & Head Instructor

Beyond his educational leadership, Rudy Gutierrez brings a wealth of real-world expertise to his role. As the owner of Auto Pros Lancaster—a fixture in the Lancaster community for over 41 years—he’s deeply committed to the automotive field and to inspiring the next generation of professionals.

Rudy’s career is distinguished by his time at Ford in the Research and Development Department, where he honed his sharp intellect and innovative problem-solving skills. This experience, combined with his certification as an ASE Master Technician and a degree in engineering, makes him an exceptional asset to Auto Pros Academy as both Board Automotive Education Expert and Head Instructor.

At the Academy, Rudy channels his passion and knowledge into developing cutting-edge curricula that equip students with practical skills and comprehensive knowledge. His hands-on approach ensures students are fully prepared for advanced studies and successful careers in automotive technology. Rudy’s dedication to mentoring and accessible, high-quality education embodies the Academy’s core values, shaping the future of automotive expertise.

Denise Burns

Committee Chair

Denise Burns is an accomplished educator and leader, serving as Committee Chair at Auto Pros Academy. She holds a master’s degree in industrial organizational psychology, which equips her with a deep understanding of effective team dynamics, leadership, and organizational development. Denise’s expertise enhances the Academy’s mission to deliver high-quality automotive STEM education to middle and high school students. Her passion for empowering youth, combined with her background in psychology and education, helps ensure that Auto Pros Academy continues to inspire and prepare the next generation of automotive professionals for success.

Richard Castaneda

Automotive Advisory Board

Disabled Veteran, US Army (1996-2007) | Director, Veterans Resource Center (Retired)

Richard Castaneda is a disabled Veteran who served in the US Army from 1996-2007, including as Motor Pool Sergeant during deployments where he repaired vehicles under challenging conditions. A former Deputy Sheriff, he also pursued a career path with the DEA before a life-changing 2007 motorcycle accident.

Using VA benefits, Richard earned multiple AAs from Los Angeles Mission College, a BA in Sociology from CSUN (in one year), and an MA in Rehabilitation Counseling from CSUSB. He directed the Veterans Resource Center at Mission College for eight years, and now assists homeless veterans find permanent housing.

With a lifelong passion for the automotive industry—"bringing vehicles back to life"—Richard shares Auto Pros Academy's vision of equipping youth with skills for life-changing careers.

Richard joins our Automotive Advisory Board to mentor the next generation.