Our story
Why we do this work
Ornelas Consulting Group was founded by Rodolfo Ornelas to give leaders the tools, strategies, and support they need to drive real change.
Our roots are in K–12 education: leadership coaching, school improvement, student services, and the plans that hold it all together. Today we bring that same experience to nonprofits and growing organizations that care about their people and their mission.
We believe strong leadership and real collaboration are what turn good intentions into lasting results.
What we believe
The ideas behind our work
Everyone deserves to thrive
Every student, employee, and community member deserves an environment built for their success.
Leadership is the lever
When leaders grow, their teams and organizations grow with them.
Change has to last
We build systems and skills that keep working long after the engagement ends.
Our consultant network
The right expertise for each project
Every engagement is led by an experienced consultant from our network, with specialists brought in when a project calls for their expertise.
Founder & Managing Partner
Rodolfo Ornelas
Educational leader and consultant focused on leadership coaching, strategic planning, and equitable school improvement.
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Rodolfo Ornelas is an accomplished educational leader and consultant dedicated to fostering equity and instructional excellence in K–12 education. He has been instrumental in reshaping learning environments to ensure all students receive high-quality educational opportunities.
He specializes in coaching school leaders, fostering collaborative teams that prioritize culturally responsive teaching, and improving teacher collaboration and student outcomes through professional learning communities. His work spans Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS), discipline policies, and equity-based instructional practices. He has led professional development for educators, advised district leaders on policy alignment, and supported schools through WASC accreditation and LCAP development.
Born to Mexican immigrant parents, Rodolfo is the first in his family to graduate from college. His experiences fuel his commitment to equitable education for all students.
Education: B.A. in Sociology, University of California, Davis; M.S. in Education, Johns Hopkins University.
Finance, Operations & Partnerships
Olabayo Allen-Taylor
Former COO who helped pioneer Oakland Unified's Community Schools model and Restorative Justice program.
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Olabayo Allen-Taylor is an accomplished COO known for leading strategies to secure equitable capital investments in communities of color, especially in the environmental and education sectors. She played a pivotal role in pioneering the Community Schools model and the Restorative Justice program for the Oakland Unified School District, initiatives that now benefit more than 30,000 students and families. Her contributions to the CORE-PACE Research Partnership have influenced nearly a million students.
A former business owner, Olabayo uses her analytical skills and business acumen to promote systemic change that closes opportunity gaps in underserved communities. She serves as board treasurer for Families in Action for Quality Education and consults on business development and strategic planning.
Education: B.A. in English, UC Berkeley; MBA, Cornell University (Johnson) and Queen's University (Smith).
Special Education & Student Services
Erin Wesseldine
Special education leader who co-led the launch of a behavioral health program at Aspire Public Schools.
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Erin Wesseldine specializes in special education and special programs. As a Program Specialist at Aspire Public Schools, she co-led the design and launch of a behavioral health program and helped strengthen post-secondary transition programming for students with disabilities. Before that, Erin spent seven years as an Education Specialist serving students in kindergarten through 9th grade.
She is passionate about designing equitable learning experiences for all students and believes that families and caregivers are critical partners in serving the whole child.
Education: B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Sociology, Columbia University.
Human Resources & Talent
Joua Thao
HR and talent leader from the tech sector with 10+ years building and scaling high-performing teams.
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Joua brings more than 10 years of HR experience from the tech sector, where they built and scaled high-performing HR and talent teams at three organizations, aligning people strategies with business objectives. They have led initiatives in strategic planning, workforce planning, total compensation and rewards, and employee engagement. Skilled in navigating complex employment law, Joua ensures compliance while fostering a positive workplace culture.
Known for a collaborative leadership style, Joua drives measurable improvements in retention, productivity, and employee satisfaction, and thrives on building HR functions from the ground up.
Education: B.A. in Political Science, UC Davis.