Meet the Board of Directors
At Three Feet High Foundation, we’re guided by lived experience, professional insight, and a shared commitment to justice. Our team brings together educators, business owners, creative leaders, and advocates who have spent their lives building more inclusive systems—at home, in schools, in communities, and across the workforce. Each member of our team brings a unique perspective to the Hidden GEMS initiative, united by one core belief: when you center people who’ve been pushed to the margins, you don’t just make room—you make change.
Yvonne Marin
President / Co-Founder
As President of the Three Feet High Foundation, Yvonne Marin is dedicated to shaping the organization's future and creating a meaningful impact in the communities we serve. Under her leadership, Yvonne oversees the development of impactful programs focused on workforce development, arts, education, and community engagement, ensuring that the foundation meets the evolving needs of its partners.
Yvonne Marin is a seasoned education leader with more than 20 years of experience supporting students, families, and school systems in Southern California. She has led initiatives focused on equity in curriculum, access to mental health services, and family engagement—especially for historically underserved communities. Yvonne’s advocacy is personal as well as professional: as a mother of a child with a disability, she has spent years fighting for inclusive spaces that respect every learner. Through Hidden GEMS, she continues that mission—this time on a national scale.
Yvonne collaborates closely with California Education Services to bring equity-centered training and resources into K–12 districts and workforce systems.
Dylan Farris, Ed.D.
Co-Founder
Dylan Farris, Ed.D., is the Co-Founder of the Three Feet High Foundation, where he leads programs that expand educational and employment access for marginalized communities. As a consultant and program manager with the South Bay Workforce Investment Board, Dylan oversees grant-funded initiatives serving opportunity youth and justice-involved individuals, developing workforce solutions that bridge the gap between education, training, and long-term employment.
With over 20 years of experience as a K–12 educator, principal, and executive HR leader, Dylan is known for designing cross-sector partnerships and scalable programs that center equity and impact. He co-leads Hidden GEMS, a pioneering initiative that connects justice-involved professionals with employers through innovative re-entry strategies and narrative-driven resume platforms. Through personal experience on both sides of the HR table, Dr. Farris has a uniquely keen understanding of how the barriers operate to screen out job applicants that employers view as a risk.
He also leads California Education Services, offering consulting and training services to public education and workforce agencies.
Eder Cetina
Eder Cetina is an award-winning designer, artist, and creative director with over 20 years of experience in strategic exhibit design and sustainable innovation. Renowned as the "Green Guru" for his environmental advocacy, Eder blends form, function, and social impact to create visually stunning, eco-conscious exhibits.
His work with leading institutions—including LACMA, Getty Center, MOCA, The Met—and brands like Nike and Adidas showcases his visionary design and commitment to sustainability. As CEO and Executive Creative Director of the Wilson Cetina Group, Eder champions reusable structures and adaptable systems like “Twist” and “T3,” redefining how large-scale exhibits are produced.
Dedicated to arts education and community service, Eder mentors emerging talents and fosters creative collaboration through charitable initiatives and partnerships, including with the California Science Center. Under his leadership, WCG has grown into a fair chance employer, providing meaningful opportunities to individuals who are often overlooked by traditional hiring systems. Eder brings creative vision, technical expertise, and a deep commitment to equity to the Hidden GEMS platform, helping design a workforce model that sees potential where others see risk.
Taiesha Fowler
Taiesha Fowler is a veteran educator, author, and literacy consultant with over 20 years of experience advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in education. A National Board Certified Teacher and long-time UCLA Writing Project leader, she has trained hundreds of educators in culturally responsive teaching and inclusive literacy practices.
As a Teach Plus Policy Fellow and LAUSD CCSS Lead Teacher, Taiesha is known for empowering schools to build equitable learning environments. She holds a BS in Mass Media Arts from Clark Atlanta University and a Master’s in Professional Writing from USC, with credentials across K–12 literacy instruction.
In 2023, she launched The Falling for Learning Podcast, offering tools for parents and educators to support diverse learners. Her 2024 best-selling book, The R.E.W.R.I.T.E. Method, and its companion workbook, equip middle schoolers with practical strategies to fall in love with writing.
Through her consulting work, Taiesha trains educators and homeschool groups in implementing The R.E.W.R.I.T.E. Method, reshaping literacy education with a DEI-driven approach.
Meet the Staff
Gracie Vargas
Administrative Assistant
Gracie Vargas is a dedicated administrative assistant at the Three Feet High Foundation, where she brings lived experience, resilience, and a deep commitment to inclusion to everything she does. Born with hydrocephalus, Gracie underwent her first brain surgery at just three days old, followed by additional procedures at age eight and again at nineteen, along with two corrective eye surgeries. Her journey has instilled in her a profound sense of empathy and determination—qualities that now shape her professional work and advocacy.
A proud graduate of California State University, Dominguez Hills, Gracie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Her academic background, combined with her personal experiences, fuels her passion for creating spaces where everyone—regardless of ability—has the opportunity to thrive.
In addition to her work at the Foundation, Gracie is the founder of a thriving ethical dog breeding business specializing in health-tested, AKC-registered Yorkshire Terriers. She is known for her integrity, attention to detail, and strong care ethic—values that carry across all her professional endeavors.
Gracie is especially passionate about her involvement in the Hidden GEMS project. As someone who understands what it means to overcome barriers and exceed expectations, she believes deeply in the project’s mission: to uplift the unseen talent within marginalized communities, including individuals with disabilities. Through her role at the Foundation and her work with Hidden GEMS, Gracie is committed to helping others uncover their brilliance and build meaningful futures.