Dr. Narineh Makijan is a transformational leader, author, and educator with over 20 years of experience advancing counseling, workforce development, and Career and Technical Education. She serves as Assistant Vice President and Chair of the Los Angeles Regional Consortium (LARC), hosted by Pasadena City College, where she leads regional ecosystem development across 19 community colleges in Los Angeles County, coordinating cross-sector partnerships to deliver data-informed, technology-enabled pathways that close equity gaps and expand upward mobility. Dr. Makijan is the author of Beyond the Algorithm: Human-Centered AI, a practical guide for student services professionals and counselors across K–16 education, and Sophia’s Garden of Virtues, a children’s book focused on character development and values. A faculty member at USC Rossier School of Education, she teaches in the M.Ed. School Counseling/PPS program and champions early college, dual enrollment, and end-to-end CTE pathways that connect education systems with employers and emerging industries. Dr. Makijan serves on state and local boards focused on workforce innovation and education transformation. Her vision is bold and human-centered: to build coordinated systems that empower learners to discover purpose, gain real-world experience, and thrive in a rapidly evolving, tech-driven future.