Andrea O'Hara
Executive Director

Andrea O’Hara joins the City of San Diego following more than 12 years of supporting child and youth programs in both the nonprofit sector and the public school system. As the first-ever Executive Director for the Office of Child and Youth Success, O’Hara is tasked with launching new programs and initiatives to focus City resources on supporting child care, youth in career development and training, accessing mental health resources, and other necessary focused supports to ensure The City of San Diego is a place where children, youth and families can thrive. In 2023, her office will embark on creating the first-ever Child and Youth Master Plan.

After leaving the private sector in 2009, O’Hara began her public career as a Senior Budget Analyst for The Neighborhood House Association, supervising the administration of federal funds supporting Head Start services. In 2011, she joined the San Diego Unified School District as the Early Childhood Education Business Manager before shifting her focus in 2013 to district operations, leading the Strategic Sourcing and Contracts division for the second-largest school district in California.

Andrea earned a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Leadership and Supply Chain from The University of Arizona, Global Campus. From 2021-2022, Andrea completed a School Business Officer program from The University of Southern California’s Rossier School of Education. O’Hara has been a volunteer with the Girl Scouts of America since 2010 and is a mother to three daughters who have attended San Diego County schools.

Tara Ryan
Program Coordinator

Tara Ryan brings extensive experience in early education and public administration, including teaching, coaching, program administration and leadership, to the City of San Diego’s Office of Child and Youth Success. She has broad experience designing, planning, and implementing early learning and care programs and large public initiatives.

Prior to coming to the City of San Diego, Tara served as the deputy director for the Center for District Innovation and Leadership in Early Education (DIAL EE), focusing on supporting California school districts to better align and integrate early learning and K-12 systems through strong leadership and strategy. Previous roles include senior director of the i3 Institute, director of early education at the San Diego County Office of Education, San Diego Child Care and Development Planning Council coordinator, and director of operations at the San Francisco Unified School District's early education department. Prior to her various roles in administration and leadership, Tara served as an elementary school teacher and early education teacher on special assignment focused on curriculum development, assessment, and professional learning.

Tara earned a bachelor’s degree in international relations from San Diego State University and a master’s degree in education with a focus on social justice and equity issues from San Francisco State University. She also holds a multiple-subject teaching credential and administrative services credential. Tara has two school-age children who are active San Diego community members.

Jaime Jacinto
Senior Management Analyst

Jaime Jacinto brings extensive experience in fiscal and budget administration, procurement and project management to the Office of Child and Youth Success.

Prior to joining the Office of Child and Youth Success, Jaime worked for more than 22 years in the City’s Public Utilities Department (formerly Water Department) and Department of Finance (formerly Financial Management Department).

Jaime assisted the Public Utilities Department in managing laboratory business operations and conducting optimization and improvement projects and studies. Jaime assisted the Public Utilities with a variety of special projects that included resolving high water bills, workforce planning, business case evaluations, recycled water rate studies, and performance benchmarking studies. Jaime also had the pleasure of assisting the Water Department in developing and implementing its first strategic business plan. Jaime will now be helping the Office of Child and Youth Success’ efforts to develop and implement the City of San Diego’s Child and Youth Master plan.

Jaime received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Administration with an emphasis in City Planning from San Diego State University and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix.