Community Partnerships Director

Idera first joined C5LA in September 2019 as a College Counselor in the CAPS program. She then served as the College Success Director in 2023. In her recent 2026 return, Idera will be serving as our Community Partnerships Director.

Idera's passion for higher education access and success started at a young age. Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, as a Nigerian-American from a low-income family, Idera grew up hearing various perspectives on how succeeding in college would help her overcome the societal inequalities that came with her identities. She participated in various education nonprofits through high school that helped her gain admission to her dream school: Barnard College of Columbia University ('15). As a Barnard Opportunity Program student, she received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Africana Studies. After returning home to volunteer with the very organizations she benefitted from and realizing the power of policy, Idera went on to complete a Master of Public Administration from the Daniel J. Evans School of Public Policy and Governance at the University of Washington (’19). While there, she focused her research on Social Policy, Education Policy, and Nonprofit Management.

Idera is excited to bring her expertise and lived experience to C5LA in a new capacity, strengthening current and curating new partners that support our Leaders, alumni, and various community stakeholders. Outside of C5LA, Idera spends her free time traveling, trying out new restaurants, perusing Netflix, and spending time with her family, friends, and french bulldog!