The Jonathan Foundation

My Story

Founder and CEO of The Jonathan Foundation for Children With Learning Disabilities

Ms. Marhaba established a nonprofit organization in 2001 (The Jonathan Foundation for Children With Learning Disabilities, Inc. – www.www.thejonathanfoundation.org)

Raja was recognized in The San Fernando Valley Business Journal in 2002 for “Learning the Hard Way”. Raja Marhaba won a Scholarship to The Anderson School of Business at UCLA – Business Development Entrepreneur Program, graduating in February 2004. She was selected and successfully completed the first cohort of the federally-funded Special Education Advocate Training (SEAT) Program in 2006. After her completion of the SEAT Program, she was selected to be a member of the Education Panel & Committee for the Juvenile Division of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, which is comprised of special education attorneys and advocates, who are court-appointed to represent the educational needs of children involved in the foster care and probation systems.

 Raja Marhaba holds a certificate in Paralegal Studies with a Concentration in Litigation and Corporations from the University of California, Los Angeles, an American Bar Association Certificate Program (2009). In 2016 she received the Enterprising Women of the Year Award, and her Construction Co. made the 2017 Inc. 5000 fastest-growing company by industry and revenue list. She graduated from the Birthing of Giants Fellowship Program in June 2018, hosted by Inc. 500.

 She is the recipient of the 2019 L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth Awards. In December 2019 she was recognized by the Daily News for her accomplishments with The Jonathan Foundation. December 2019 The San Fernando Valley Business Journal recognized her for her work with The Jonathan Foundation, she has been asked by Arianna Huffington to write articles about The Jonathan Foundation and other topics that are community-based for her online newspaper, Thrive Global.  She was honored at the 11th Multicultural International Motion Picture Association as a 2020 Lady in Red Diamond Rose Award recipient for her work with The Jonathan Foundation. 

 2021 Raja B. Marhaba is the recipient of The Diane Lipton Award for Outstanding Advocacy. She was recognized for her work in helping students and families who strive for guidance, supporting them in navigating the right path for their children. 2021 Raja Marhaba was included in, The San Fernando Valley Business Journal’s sixth annual Valley 200, a special standalone book featuring short profiles of the most influential leaders in the Valley area. Given her stature, and involvement in the valley from Martec Construction to The Jonathan Foundation, and her involvement with Val*Pac (San Fernando Valley Business Political Action Committee) she was honored amongst the elite in her community.

 Raja Marhaba has written a book that debuted as the number one best seller on Amazon “Unstoppable” A Parent’s Survival Guide for Special Education Services with an IEP or 504 Plan – This book is Ms. Marhaba’s personal special education journey and is meant to be a resource for parents; co-authored by both her sons, Omar Marhaba, and Jonathan Marhaba.

Scroll to Top