Our Story
Roghi Leadership Academy was inspired by a little Italian lady who was a “war bride” in WorldWar II.
Giussipina “Pina” Roghi was born in the seaside village of Marina di Grosseto, a small town in Tuscany. Pina fell in love with a handsome American soldier, Henry, and took a leap of faith in marriage following Henry to the United States along with the rest of Pina’s siblings.
Pina and Henry had seven children and put them all through private school. Tragedy struck the family when Henry was murdered in 1974. At that time, Pina still had five of her seven children living in her home, she spoke limited English and was forced to work tirelessly to support her family. Pina never allowed any of her children to use Henry’s death as an excuse for anything. She constantly preached the value of a good education and kept all her children in private schools.
Her unwavering faith in God, service for others, determination, and perseverance was the type of modeling her children needed to pave a clear path for them as individuals and as a family.
All seven of Pina’s children were college graduates. All seven earned advanced degrees ranging from Master’s to Doctorate degrees. All seven became educators and served their communities as teachers, principals, administrators, and professors. Most importantly, Pina raised leaders. One of her children, Bob, was my father, mentor, and hero who gave his life in service to inner city youth as a teacher, coach, and principal. She set high expectations and did not accept excuses. Pina taught her family the values of faith, hard work, grit, love of family, and love of country. While she certainly cherished her Italian roots, she was a fiercely proud American.
I am honored to call Giuseppina “Pina” Roghi my Nonna. It was the lessons she taught her children, including my father, that were passed along to myself and my siblings to keep alive for generations to come. As Pina’s eldest grandson, I am proud to share that Roghi Leadership Academy has been created to ensure that the Roghi spirit is carried forward.
Our Founder
Robert Mendoza has been an educational executive for the better part of 26 years. Robert started his career in education at his alma mater, St. John Bosco High School, where he served as a Dean of Students and football coach. After nine years at Bosco, Robert left to lead Fairmont Private Schools, one of the most prestigious K-12 schools in the country as Headmaster and Senior Vice President. In his tenure, 93% of graduates who applied were accepted to the top 100 colleges and universities according to US News and World Report.
Robert also resurrected their athletic program to a place of prominence. As head coach, he took a football program that had never made the playoffs and earned a CIF playoff berth in his first year with the program. That was followed up by winning the school’s first ever league championship in football. In his 5 years as head coach, the Huskies had a winning record and made the playoffs every year.
After 14 years, Robert left Fairmont to co-found RAM Elite Security Services, Inc. with his brother, Ricky, who serves as a Director for the Los Angeles Police Protective League. The security company was formed in response to the countless school shootings that have occurred over the past several years. The company specializes in providing armed security for schools and will be present at all Roghi Leadership Academy locations.
Robert’s most proud of being a husband and father. His beautiful wife, Jessica, is an aerial arts master teacher and choreographer. She is an active member of SAG/AFTRA and is highly sought after for her ability to choreograph and direct commercials and videos involving dancers,
aerialists and/or circus performers. Jessica will be the Director of Arts for Roghi Leadership Academy’s aerial arts and dance program. Robert and Jessica are blessed to be parents to three sons. The boys have been raised to value their faith, family, and education before anything. They are so excited to make Roghi Leadership Academy available for our youth to safely flourish in a like-minded community!