Norrie Beach
Program Associate
Our Staff
Norrie Beach
Program Associate
Norrie grew up in Columbia, South Carolina, a city with the tagline “famously hot.” In search of some cooler weather, she moved to Boston, Massachusetts to attend Tufts University. At Tufts, she received a BA in English with a minor in Film and Media Studies. She developed her passion for Higher Education during her Senior Year, when she interned with Harvard Business School. Her internship turned into a full time opportunity, and she worked as a Program Coordinator in Executive Education at HBS for three years. Her interest in Higher Education led her to QuestBridge, and she is so excited to contribute to the meaningful work of the organization and to be a part of such a wonderful and inspiring team.
Jenna Campbell
Data Analyst
Jenna Campbell
Data Analyst
Jenna grew up in Palo Alto, CA and earned a B.A. in Molecular and Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley. She was involved in science research as an undergraduate and worked in a lab that explored the relationship between emotional state and visual signal processing in the brain. Her enthusiasm for science led her to first become involved in education through a program she worked with that ran science experiments for first grade students in low income areas. Following graduation, Jenna lived abroad in Costa Rica for six months while working for a program that integrated travel, sports and community engagement. Jenna’s interests outside of work include anything and everything outdoors. She especially loves biking, hiking, running and rock climbing.
VANESSA CHEN
Director
VANESSA CHEN
Director
Vanessa grew up in Southern California and earned her BA in Spanish from UCLA, where she developed her passion for higher education as an undergraduate discussion leader. This led her to pursue her Ed.M. at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. While in Cambridge, Vanessa worked in the Graduate Admissions office at HGSE. Prior to joining QuestBridge, she was the Assistant Director of Admissions at UC Irvine's Paul Merage School of Business. She is excited to be in the Bay Area and contribute to the QuestBridge team!
Yichun Chen
Program Associate
Yichun Chen
Program Associate
Yichun grew up in China and moved to Oklahoma when she was in middle school. She studied History and Sociology at Northwestern University. After graduating, Yichun worked at a Chicago-based nonprofit to coordinate international exchange programs. In this role, she discovered her love for working with young people and helping them identify educational opportunities that align with their goals and interests. This passion in education and her own experience as a first-generation college student led Yichun to QuestBridge. She is excited to contribute to QuestBridge’s mission, and be a part of their wonderful team. In her spare time, Yichun enjoys learning kickboxing, trying new restaurants, and running along Lake Michigan.
GRACE CHO
Senior Director
GRACE CHO
Senior Director
Grace joined QuestBridge in the summer of 2008, and has grown with the organization as it transformed through the years. She finds her motivation from the inspiring stories of the students QuestBridge serves, and is proud to be part of such an impactful organization where she can contribute to its mission by applying her technical skills. Grace studied Materials Science & Engineering at MIT, after which she tried a brief stint as a scientific researcher while pursuing a master's in Electrical Engineering at Tufts University, but quickly realized the clean room was not for her. Grace then worked for an investment bank and also hopped through several tech startups before finally finding her way into the educational non-profit world. Grace is married and has two teenagers and a dog named Biscuit. She loves reading, eating, and playing board games.
YU-REE CHO
Senior Data Analyst
YU-REE CHO
Senior Data Analyst
Yu-Ree was born in Illinois and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. She went to UC Berkeley where she received her BA in Psychology. After graduating, she further developed a passion and interest in education as she worked as a research assistant at psychology and education labs at Stanford, as well as through working with students from diverse backgrounds and needs. This led her to pursue her MA in Human Development and Psychology at UCLA, and upon graduating, she moved back up to Northern California where she worked as a research analyst at Stanford and took part in working with data that significantly impacted educational decision making. She is very excited to join the QuestBridge team!
LILY CUTITTA
Staff Accountant
LILY CUTITTA
Staff Accountant
Lily received her BA in Business Administration from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines. Shortly after graduating, her family moved to San Francisco, California. She brings years of knowledge and experience in accounting, as well as management, to her role with the Quest Team. She began her career with the U.S. Federal Government, and has worked with corporations and several nonprofit organizations. She enjoys reading, photography, gardening, and daily coastal trail walks with her husband. She and her husband have a passion for travel. So far, they have traveled to 23 countries and 42 states. Lily enjoys working at QuestBridge and is thrilled to be a part of the talented and dedicated team.
Kelly Day
Program Manager
Kelly Day
Program Manager
Originally from a small town in Michigan, Kelly made her way to the University of Michigan as a first generation student, and received a BA in Psychology and Master of Social Work. Throughout her time at UMich and beyond, she worked with nonprofit organizations on a variety of issues, including housing, immigration, and college access, among others. In her previous role at the University of Michigan, she focused on creating inclusive career programming and increasing access to funding opportunities. Kelly is thrilled to be a part of QuestBridge and continue the work she is most dedicated to. Outside of work, she spends her time gardening, learning oil painting, and exploring new places with her family.
Cynthia Dominguez Davis
Executive Assistant to the CEO
Cynthia Dominguez Davis
Executive Assistant to the CEO
Cynthia grew up in San Antonio, Texas. She earned her BA in Telecommunications from Texas Tech University and her M. Ed. in Higher Education Administration from The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). Prior to QuestBridge, Cynthia worked for the University of Texas System as executive assistant to the Vice Chancellor for External Relations, Communications and Advancement Services. She has over 20 years of higher education administration experience working as administrative officer for the Vice President of Administration and marketing coordinator for USTA’s College of Education and Human Development. Cynthia is passionate about education and assisting first-generation students navigate the system. She is a firm believer that education can transform lives. She is thrilled to be part of QuestBridge, an organization whose mission aligns with her passions and beliefs. Outside work, Cynthia enjoys traveling to national parks across the U.S., hiking, gardening, and art. She currently resides in Austin, Texas with her husband Charlie.
Cailin Dore
Associate Director
Cailin Dore
Associate Director
Cailin is originally from upstate New York. She holds a BS in Industrial and Labor Relations from Cornell University and worked for several years as a Research Associate at Harvard Business School before pursuing an MS in Elementary Education from Northwestern University and teaching in Chicago Public Schools. Cailin is excited to join QuestBridge where she is able to combine her passion for research and education.
Tally Erickson
Program Manager
Tally Erickson
Program Manager
Tally is originally from Minnesota and currently lives in Minneapolis with her husband. She received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Swarthmore College. Upon graduation, she moved to Boston to work at a software start-up in sales. After five years on the east coast, Tally moved back to the Twin Cities to try her hand at software development at a financial services company. Eventually, Tally’s passion for education and helping others led her to College Possible to advise high-achieving, low-income juniors and seniors during their college application process through the CollegePoint program. After her husband's career path took her to the Bay Area, Tally joined QuestBridge for a year before pursuing a master's degree in nonprofit leadership at the University of Pennsylvania. She is excited to return to QuestBridge to continue working to help solve issues of inequity in the college access & success space. Outside of work, Tally enjoys spending time with family and friends, checking out the local restaurant scene, playing & watching sports, and biking around the land of 10,000 lakes.
Jordan Fan
Senior Data Analyst
Jordan Fan
Senior Data Analyst
Jordan was born and raised in San Francisco and received a BA in Statistics from UC Berkeley. During his time at Berkeley, he was heavily involved in the community service club, Circle K, which influenced his desire to search for a career that would have a large positive impact. After hearing about QuestBridge and learning more about the organization, he fell in love with the QB mission, and could relate to stories of QB students as a first generation college student himself. He is excited to work with QuestBridge where he can learn from the amazing staff, while also serving incredible students during their college years. In his free time he likes to cook, bake, and walk dogs at his local animal shelter.
RACHEL FISHBEIN
Senior Program Manager
RACHEL FISHBEIN
Senior Program Manager
Rachel grew up in Manhattan and received her BA in Psychology from Cornell University. Through research and volunteering, she became very interested in education, and upon graduation returned to New York City where she taught in the public and charter school system through Teach For America. During that time she earned an MS from Pace University in Childhood education, and decided to move her focus from academics to student support and college access. She attended the Stanford Graduate School of Education where she earned an MA in Policy, Organization, and Leadership Studies, and was first introduced to QuestBridge as an application reader. After graduation she spent time working at the Kellogg School of Management in Evanston, IL, and then ultimately made her way back to New York City where she lives with her husband and their dog Lily. Rachel has seen firsthand the wonderful work that Quest does, and is so excited to further those benefits through the Quest for Excellence NYC Award!
John Gaines
Senior Partner
John Gaines
Senior Partner
John joins QuestBridge as Senior Partner, Strategic Programs, having led offices of admission at three institutions. From 2002-2021, John was Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Vanderbilt University, Nashville, Tennessee, a QuestBridge college partner. During this time, he came to deeply admire the mission of QuestBridge through selecting incoming scholars and by routinely presenting at QuestBridge National College Admissions Conferences! Prior to Vanderbilt, he served as Assistant VP & Director of Admissions at Millsaps College, Jackson, Mississippi, and as Director of Admissions at Transylvania University, Lexington, Kentucky. He currently serves as a Board Member and Past Chair of the Coalition for College. A Kentucky native, John holds a B.A. from Transylvania University, and a M.Ed. from the University of South Carolina. He lives in the Nashville, Tennessee area with his wife, Lisa, and The Captain (their yellow lab). He’s lucky, in that his adult children and one grandchild live nearby, and constantly keep him on his toes!
Nancy Hill
Development Director
Nancy Hill
Development Director
Nancy grew up in Massachusetts and attended Amherst College as a first-gen student, where she received her BA in Asian Studies. She went to Brown University, earned an MA in Anthropology, and did her fieldwork in Pakistan as a Fulbright Scholar, and in Egypt as a Rotary Scholar. Passionate about access to education, Nancy worked at the Education Alliance at Brown, taught writing at Carleton College to Trio, ESL, and Posse students, then joined QuestBridge as founding Director of the QuestBridge Scholars Network from 2007-2013. She shifted to the Stanford University Office of Development to focus on grant writing, stewardship, and donor relations for Stanford Medicine and the School of Humanities & Sciences. Nancy returned to QuestBridge in 2023 to lead development and fundraising initiatives that will support new opportunities for QuestBridge Scholars. These days she lives in Rhode Island with her husband, Shahzad, and their lovable Texas street dog, Clara.
Callie Jacobs
Associate Director
Callie Jacobs
Associate Director
Originally from a small town in Wisconsin, Callie earned her BA in Comparative Human Development at the University of Chicago. While working in highly selective admissions at the University of Chicago, she was inspired by the meaningful connections she was able to develop with students and began to pursue her master's degree in social work. During her MA program at the University of Chicago, she pivoted professionally into the corporate world where she helped college seniors find their first managerial jobs. Callie felt called to return to education and spent five years serving as a college counselor, partnering with students and their families at a high school in Florida. Over the past decade-plus working in higher education, Callie has continued to be inspired by QuestBridge and is truly overjoyed to join the team!
Isis Jimenez
Systems Engineer
Isis Jimenez
Systems Engineer
Isis was born in the Dominican Republic but raised in New Jersey. She received her B.S. in Mathematics from Yale University. Having grown up in an underserved school district, she has always been passionate about making a difference in education. Prior to joining QuestBridge, she was a Product Manager for an EdTech company as well as a Data Manager for a charter school. She is excited to join the Systems & Engineering team!
MAUREEN KIM
Senior Director
MAUREEN KIM
Senior Director
Maureen grew up in Northern New Jersey and attended the University of Michigan, receiving her BA in Communication Studies. Initially working at a corporate law firm in NYC, she eventually pursued her passion for education reform by joining Teach for America. After teaching in Newark, New Jersey, she made the cross country move to the Bay Area and taught in East San Jose. Through her experiences in the classroom at Title I schools, Maureen saw firsthand the impact that equal access to education, opportunities, and information can have on students of low-income backgrounds. Upon learning about QuestBridge she was deeply inspired by the potential for its work to change the life trajectory of tens of thousands of students, including her very own. She is thrilled to join the QuestBridge team, where she can continue her work in education access on a greater scale. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring all that the East Bay has to offer with her family and dog.
Clay Kingsbury
Senior Program Associate
Clay Kingsbury
Senior Program Associate
Clay grew up in both Fort Lauderdale and Raleigh before moving to Northfield, Minnesota to attend Carleton College. At Carleton he received his BA in History with a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies. Clay’s first interaction with QuestBridge was as a high school junior, when he was encouraged to apply for the College Prep Scholars Program. After applying for the National College Match, Clay would matriculate at Carleton as a QuestBridge scholar. Clay developed his passion for higher education equity and inclusion work through working for Carleton’s Admission Office as an Access Fellow and volunteering with the QuestBridge Scholars Network. He is thrilled to join the dynamic and collaborative QuestBridge team!
Julia Kleingarn
Program Manager
Julia Kleingarn
Program Manager
Julia grew up in the Philadelphia area, later moving with her family to Tucson, Arizona. Julia made her way to Minnesota to attend Carleton College, where she studied Psychology and Educational Studies. Following graduation, Julia received a Master of Public Health degree from the University of Minnesota. During her studies, she learned about the relationship between access to education and health outcomes. After graduating, Julia continued to work for the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health, where she continued to develop a passion for improving access to education and healthcare among underserved populations. She is thrilled to be part of the QuestBridge team and support the mission of the organization. Julia lives with her husband, two kids, and cat in Tampa, Florida.
Evgeniy Ko
Systems Engineer
Evgeniy Ko
Systems Engineer
Evgeniy was born in Uzbekistan but grew up in New York City and Georgia. He received his B.S. in Computer Science from Georgia State University. After learning about QuestBridge, he fell in love with the organization and its mission. He is excited to be joining the Systems & Engineering team. In his free time Evgeniy likes to go to the gym, play basketball, and go on hikes.
KELSEY KOJETIN
Senior Associate Director
KELSEY KOJETIN
Senior Associate Director
Kelsey grew up in Knoxville, Tennessee, and started making her way westward after receiving her B.A. in Journalism and International Studies from Miami University of Ohio. Following graduation, Kelsey moved to Colorado to work with passionate college students in a communications role at Engineers Without Borders USA and she witnessed the impact that the college years can make on both the student and the world. She is thrilled to join the QuestBridge team to help connect more students to the outstanding opportunities that college can provide. Outside of work, she enjoys hiking, playing with her dog, and exploring new places.
Stephanie Lau-Chen
Senior Director
Stephanie Lau-Chen
Senior Director
Stef grew up in San Francisco and loves living in the Bay Area. She has held multiple Human Resources leadership roles in the Technology, Financial & Professional Services, and Life Sciences industries including roles at EnerVenue, Inc., Hercules Capital, and Fujitsu Electronics America. She is excited to be leading HR and Administration for QuestBridge, and being a part of an organization that helps students realize their dreams. She enjoys volunteering in the local community for a variety of causes including those related to education and to food allergy awareness. When Stef is not working, you'll find her humming a Broadway tune, attending a field hockey game or acapella concert, cooking up crazy recipes, or playing with her maltipoo.
Mirae Lee
Manager, Data Science & Analytics
Mirae Lee
Manager, Data Science & Analytics
Mirae grew up in nine different California cities and is happy to say that she now lives in one of her favorite. She studied English and digital humanities at Stanford University, looking to pursue new and creative forms of data analysis. She has pursued her passion for activism as well by leading a theater group specializing in promoting representational equity. In combining her interests in data analysis and activism, Mirae completed an MSc in sociology at the University of Oxford, where she researched the effects of grade acceleration on U.S. students’ peer networks. She firmly believes in the storytelling power of data, and is thrilled to be working with QuestBridge in its important mission through data analytics.
MIRIAM LEE
Chief Operating Officer
MIRIAM LEE
Chief Operating Officer
Originally from a small town in Northern New Jersey, Miriam attended Boston College and graduated with a BA in Human Development and Sociology. She worked for over three years as an Assistant Buyer for a department store before deciding to turn her growing interest in education and student development into a full-time career. It was at Teachers College at Columbia University that Miriam discovered her passion for educational access. She graduated with an MA in Higher Education and went on to be an Assistant Director of Admissions at Boston University. She is excited to be in the Bay Area and working at QuestBridge, where she is able to combine her passion and experiences into helping students reach their academic potential.
Nayeli Lopez
Senior Communications Associate
Nayeli Lopez
Senior Communications Associate
Nayeli graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies and a minor in Journalism. During her time as a student she was very involved in her community through student government, new student orientation, and various fellowships and organizations. She also worked at San Jose State University as a marketing assistant for Associated Students, where she focused on web design and social media efforts. Through her work and involvement at SJSU, she discovered her passion for student affairs, and desire to seek opportunities to support students coming from underserved communities. She is excited to join QuestBridge where she can advance her career into the realm of student affairs through marketing and communications.
ANA ROWENA MALLARI
Founder and CEO
ANA ROWENA MALLARI
Founder and CEO
Ana co-founded the Quest Scholars Program (QuestBridge) with Michael McCullough while an undergraduate at Stanford. For this, she received the Dinkelspiel Award for outstanding contributions to education at Stanford. Ana is Co-Founder and former VP, Content at Shmoop.com, and is a former management consultant at McKinsey & Company. In addition, she worked for five years as a consulting scientist to the Environmental Defense Fund, a national non-profit environmental organization, and served as a research associate for Stanford President Emeritus Donald Kennedy. Ana holds a J.D. degree from Stanford Law School where she focused on environmental and youth law.
Kim Marar
Associate Director
Kim Marar
Associate Director
Kim works on the Graduate School Partnerships team, having previously worked on the College Partnerships team from 2011 – 2017. She has worked for several community-based non-profit organizations, for the University of California, Irvine, and in the museum industry. A career throughline is a passion for helping young people access meaningful educational opportunities that will inspire them. A Bay Area native, Kim earned her B.A. in History and Art History at UCLA and an Ed.M from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She lives in the Bay Area with her husband and two school-age children.
Christian Martell
Director
Christian Martell
Director
Christian grew up in Brownsville, Texas and attended Brown University, where she studied Political Science and American Studies. Upon graduation, she worked as a middle school teacher in Miami, Florida through Teach for America and as a program manager for Breakthrough Miami. She has also served as a senior administrator at a PK3-12th grade independent school and in marketing and development roles at the Kessler Scholars Collaborative and the University of Michigan School of Education. She holds a MS.Ed. from the University of Miami and a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan, where her research focused on the organizational processes that help or hinder college access and success for historically marginalized students. Christian is deeply committed to seeing all students achieve their highest potential and is excited to continue this work through QuestBridge. She and her partner Wayne live in Lexington, Kentucky along with their basenji pup, Cairo.
Janet Martinez
Program Associate
Janet Martinez
Program Associate
Janet grew up in Santa Ana, California, and graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and a minor in Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity. Janet’s interests in community activism and social well-being heavily shaped her undergraduate experience. These interests led her to become involved with the Stanford Center for Public Service and the Barrio Assistance Tutoring Program where she provided fellow first-generation students with the mentorship and support she had benefited from herself. After briefly working in the legal field, Janet was inspired by her previous experiences to return to the education field as part of the QuestBridge team. Janet is excited to join the QuestBridge team and looks forward to working with scholars and alumni. Beyond her professional interests, Janet enjoys spending time in nature, experimenting with film photography, and getting creative in the kitchen.
MICHAEL MCCULLOUGH, M.D., M.SC.
Founder and President
MICHAEL MCCULLOUGH, M.D., M.SC.
Founder and President
Michael co-founded the Quest Scholars Program (QuestBridge) with Ana Rowena McCullough following his successful co-founding, direction and institutionalization of the Stanford Medical Youth Science Program from 1987-1989. After attending medical school at the University of California San Francisco, Michael trained in emergency medicine at the Stanford University Hospital. In his early years, Michael became the first undergraduate to teach at the Stanford Medical School. Michael attended Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, served as the student advisor to the Oregon State Board of Education, and has successfully founded several local, regional and overseas health related public service projects.
Caroline Mubiru
Program Associate
Caroline Mubiru
Program Associate
Caroline grew up in Falls Church, Virginia, and graduated from the University of Virginia with a Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies and a minor in Religious Studies. They have always been interested in communications and in particular interpersonal relationships when being in community. Some of the most impactful roles which shaped their interests were resident advising for three years in college and contact tracing post graduation. Though they were seen as a resource in both positions, they learned a great deal from and alongside residents and community members. Wanting to continue to support students as well as learn more about the education system, Caroline looks forward to being a part of QuestBridge as they first heard about the QuestBridge Scholars program while at the University of Virginia. Outside of work, they are getting into nature photography, poetry writing, and experimenting in the kitchen to see if they can cook some of their favorite Ugandan dishes.
VI NGUYEN
Director
VI NGUYEN
Director
Vi studied economics, computer science, and public policy at Yale University and the University of Chicago. Before joining QuestBridge, she conducted research and cost estimates at the Congressional Budget Office in Washington D.C., and provided analytics and strategy support for executives at the seven City Colleges of Chicago. Vi’s first interaction with QuestBridge was as a high school junior growing up in Iowa when QuestBridge reached out and encouraged her to apply. Having been guided directly by QuestBridge through the college admissions process, she’s excited to come full circle to join the team in this meaningful work. When not talking data/education/tech, Vi explores the Bay Area, looking for opportunities to use her inflatable kayak.
Tony Ni
Data Analyst
Tony Ni
Data Analyst
Originally from a rural town in central Illinois, Tony attended and graduated from Amherst College with a BA in Statistics and Computer Science. He was first introduced to the Amherst QuestBridge Chapter during orientation week where he developed his passion for equity and accessibility in relation to higher education. During his time at Amherst, he worked as a research assistant in the fields of biochemistry and psychology which fostered his interest in data management and analysis. Tony is delighted to join the QuestBridge team and aspires to combine his passions, alongside his firsthand experience as an FGLI student, to help advance QuestBridge’s mission. Outside of work, he enjoys playing music, creative writing, and frequenting various bubble tea stores (alongside brewing his own).
Ally O'Connor
Communications Associate
Ally O'Connor
Communications Associate
Ally grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and earned her B.A. in English from Santa Clara University. During her undergraduate years, Ally was very involved in SCU's campus community serving as a T.A. in numerous courses, as Editor-in-Chief for the literary magazine the Santa Clara Review, and as Senior Editor and Content Strategist for SCU's College of Arts and Sciences. In addition, Ally interned with California State Senator Jerry Hill and volunteered for the Biden for President campaign. Upon graduation, Ally joined California State Senator Henry Stern's Capitol Team, where she honed her skills in research, communication, and organization and found herself drawn to education-related legislation and the academic needs in California. She is passionate about accessibility to higher education and connecting students to opportunities that can change their lives and help them to find their spark. Ally is honored to join the QuestBridge team and to support students in achieving their goals.
SANDRA OLIVEIRA
Senior Program Manager
SANDRA OLIVEIRA
Senior Program Manager
Sandra grew up in Somerville, Massachusetts and earned her Bachelor of Science in print journalism with a minor in history. After writing for her hometown paper for a bit, she decided to pursue a Masters in Teaching and went on to teach high school and middle school. She went on to manage various educational research programs at Harvard’s Kennedy School and Harvard Medical School. These experiences, plus her own experience as a first-generation student, led her to go back to school at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education where she earned her second masters in educational policy, with a focus on college access issues. She joins QuestBridge from NYU Wagner, where she was Associate Director of Admissions. She’s excited to work with educators and helping them support students through the QuestBridge process. She, her husband John, and her pitbull rescue Max live in New York City.
Linnea Paseiro
Program Manager
Linnea Paseiro
Program Manager
Linnea was born in Stockholm, Sweden, and grew up in the small mountain town of Flagstaff, Arizona. She first learned about QuestBridge in high school and ended up attending Princeton as a QuestBridge Scholar. After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Slavic Languages and Literatures, her professional journey led her to Kazakhstan to teach writing to business students, to Ukraine to recruit students for U.S. State Department scholarships, to Vietnam to advocate for public health legislation, and to New York City to work in talent development at a quantitative hedge fund. She is so grateful that her path has now led her back to QuestBridge, where she can pay it forward to a new generation of Scholars. Outside of work, Linnea is an avid traveler, language learner, and reader. She is back at home in Flagstaff these days, with her partner and their dog, Hammie.
BETH PATRICK
Administrative Assistant
BETH PATRICK
Administrative Assistant
Beth is a Bay Area native with a heart for social justice. She graduated from San Jose State University with Bachelor’s degrees in both French and Art & Design. She has worked for humanitarian organizations in the United States, the United Kingdom and France with marginalized populations from Africa and Eastern Europe. She has diverse work experience in management, education, travel & tourism, design, and the preforming arts. In her spare time, Beth enjoys cooking, hiking, travel, watching science & history documentaries and trying new cultural experiences. She has seen education play a key role in giving hope and changing lives. She is excited to be a part of bringing hope to students with the QuestBridge team.
HOLLY PAULSEN
Senior Associate Director
HOLLY PAULSEN
Senior Associate Director
Holly is originally from Colorado, just outside of Denver, and still considers herself a Coloradan at heart. She received a BA in English from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. After graduation, she moved to the Bay Area where she spent many years in higher education publishing as a production editor for textbooks in the humanities and social sciences. She first came to QuestBridge in 2012 to assist during the College Match application process, and enjoyed it so much she returned to stay early in 2013. She loves being a part of the team, and enjoys helping outstanding students realize their dreams of attending a top college.
Paul Peña
Director
Paul Peña
Director
Paul leads QuestBridge’s finance, administration, and human resources functions, and is committed to empowering the team to help as many students as possible. He is the proud son of an immigrant, and was a first-generation college student who attended college as a QuestBridge Scholar. He holds a B.A. in Philosophy from Yale University, an M.A. in Political Science from Columbia University, and an M.P.A. in Non-Profit Management from Harvard University. Paul began his career in state and local government, then worked with multiple political campaigns, before transitioning to the non-profit space. Prior to joining QuestBridge, he worked with non-profits on criminal justice reform, food insecurity, and education policy. Paul lives in Ohio with his wife, their son, and their miniature schnauzer.
Brianna Powell
Program Associate
Brianna Powell
Program Associate
Brianna grew up in New Jersey and Illinois, She graduated from Loyola University Chicago with a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a minor in Black Studies. Empowered by Loyola’s supportive community for underrepresented students, she cultivated a passion for social justice and educational equity while serving as a student leader in the Undergraduate Admissions Office and the Office of Student Diversity Multicultural Affairs. Upon graduation, she worked at a Chicago-based college access non-profit. There, she found a calling for empowering low-income, first-generation high school students to create successful paths to the nation’s top colleges, and to equip them with skills for life beyond admission. She is excited to join the QuestBridge team and to develop expertise to support historically marginalized students in building impactful futures. In her free time, Brianna loves binging episodes of The Real Housewives, attending concerts, and traveling.
Marla Ross
Senior Program Associate
Marla Ross
Senior Program Associate
Marla grew up in a small, rural community in Ohio, and first heard of QuestBridge when she came across a flyer in the mail for the College Prep Scholars program. Her QuestBridge journey ultimately led her to the University of Southern California, where she received a BA in Cognitive Science and minors in Spanish and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. During her time at USC, she became involved with multiple organizations seeking to increase college access for students in the surrounding community, and even worked with some high schoolers to fill out QuestBridge applications of their own. After graduating, she pursued a Fulbright English teaching fellowship at Universidad EAN in Bogota, Colombia, which further solidified her passion for working in the realm of higher education and introducing students to little-known resources. She is ecstatic to join the QuestBridge team and grow in equipping students with the tools necessary to realize their academic goals.
ERIC SANSONE
Program Manager
ERIC SANSONE
Program Manager
Eric, a proud New Hampshirite, first attended Ithaca College in New York where he studied Spanish, French & Dance but eventually transferred to earn his B.S. in Mathematics-Physics at Keene State College. He held a research internship in Astronomy at the University of Hawaii-Manoa in Honolulu, which propelled him to graduate school in San Francisco to tackle the fields of Physics & Astronomy. Leading up to the big move, Eric taught Math, Astronomy, and Mythology at KSC Upward Bound. There he met the most talented, resilient, and inspiring population of students he had ever come across after many years in the classroom. It was the admiration of those students that motivated him to leave his graduate studies to join the QuestBridge team to assist others with chasing their own dreams. After a decade in the Bay Area, Eric now resides in Boston with his beloved rescue dog Geno. Together they pass the time touring all of the dog parks, hiking, adventuring with friends and family, and listening to endless hours of K-Pop.
Carlee Shults
Associate Director
Carlee Shults
Associate Director
Carlee grew up in Misawa, Japan and the West Valley of Phoenix, Arizona. After studying Anthropology, Sociology, and Gender Studies at Whittier College, she was a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant in Zagreb, Croatia. In Zagreb she connected with future English teachers and collaborated with EducationUSA, offering programming on the US college application process. She worked as an admission counselor at University of Redlands and in admission marketing at Wellesley College, adding to her deep belief in lifelong learning and the power of college access. After pivoting to commercial and engagement marketing in travel and hospitality tech, Carlee is thrilled to bring her marketing and higher education experiences to life at QuestBridge on the High School and Partner Communications team. She lives with her partner on the South Shore of Boston where she loves to knit, read, and birdwatch.
Spencer Simon
Data Analyst
Spencer Simon
Data Analyst
Spencer was born and raised in the Chicago area. He graduated from Northwestern University with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and a minor in Computer Science. After graduating, he pursued his passion for education and earned his Masters in Teaching while teaching 8th grade science as a Teach For America Corps Member in Chicago. While teaching, Spencer saw the important role data plays in students' education and was inspired to further support students through data analysis. He went on to study analytics at the University of Chicago. Spencer is excited to join the team and combine his interests in education and technology through data analytics at QuestBridge!
Eric Son
Data Engineer
Eric Son
Data Engineer
Eric grew up in South Korea and moved to Virginia when he was in middle school. He studied economics and film studies at The College of William & Mary, and spent several years working in non-profit educational content production and education technology. He then studied computer science and public policy at the University of Chicago. His public school education, along with working in the education sector, motivates him to help students gain access to resources and a college education. He is passionate about civic tech and building inclusive technology that serves people who are the most in need. When not on his computer, he likes weightlifting, climbing, traveling, and petting dogs.
LESLIE SULLIVAN
Senior Director
LESLIE SULLIVAN
Senior Director
Leslie grew up in rural Northern Wisconsin, with lots of trees, lakes, and wild animals. She then moved out to the East Coast, where she not only earned her BA in Economics at Harvard University, but also began working to help low-income students gain access to higher education by working in financial aid at the university. Besides working in financial aid for over eight years, Leslie also spent time doing education research in Washington DC and working as a project manager for an education technology company before joining QuestBridge in 2011.
GRACE SUN
Director
GRACE SUN
Director
Grace has experience in higher education administration and non-profit communications. Shortly after graduating from Stanford University, she served as a college counselor at an education start-up in the Bay Area. She received an Ed.M. at the Harvard Graduate School of Education and then served as the school's Assistant Director of Admissions, and as the communications manager at an educational non-profit in the Boston area. Back in northern California, she returned to her interest in undergraduate admissions by reading applications for Stanford University, and is now happy to contribute to the work of QuestBridge. Grace is originally from Southern California, and now lives in San Diego with her husband, 3 kids (including a set of twins), and her favorite mutt, Haruki.
Skylar Thoma
Data Analyst
Skylar Thoma
Data Analyst
A native of the Bay Area, Skylar graduated from Swarthmore College in Philadelphia with a BA in Education and Political Science and a minor in Computer Science. Skylar quickly became involved in the education nonprofit world, facilitating programs in Philadelphia high schools and on Zoom during the COVID-19 pandemic. These volunteer opportunities taught Skylar the value of using systems and analytics to directly support students’ educational development. Skylar also worked in the Office of Admissions at Swarthmore, giving him a firsthand look at the world of higher education admissions and the impact of organizations like QuestBridge. He is excited to help the QuestBridge team develop quality programs and services for their scholars. In his spare time, Skylar enjoys practicing martial arts, listening to acapella music, and reading science fiction and fantasy novels.
Beverly Watson
Senior Partner
Beverly Watson
Senior Partner
Beverly Watson is a Senior Partner, supporting the QuestBridge Careers Program. As a graduate of Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service and Stanford Law School, she brings over 20 years’ experience working in a combination of fields, including international development, education, law, business and media. She’s held senior positions at the Millennium Challenge Corporation (US government agency), Laureate Education, Shearman & Sterling LLP and King Philanthropies, a grantmaking foundation that works to combat extreme poverty. She’s passionate about inspiring young people to dream about creating lives and careers of impact. Originally from Miami, Beverly is proud to call Northern California home. She is a three-time exchange student to Brazil and is fluent in Portuguese.
Sabrina Wise
Program Manager
Sabrina Wise
Program Manager
Sabrina grew up in artist communities in Colorado and California, then earned her BA in English as a first-generation student at Whitman College. Upon graduating, she served with College Possible as a coach to high school students from low-income backgrounds. Her belief in the power of stories eventually drew her to the publishing industry, where she supported authors in their career growth and launched an internship program for recent college graduates. Energized by the work of career education, Sabrina pursued her M.Ed. in Student Development Administration at Seattle University and went on to serve as Assistant Director in the University’s career center. Sabrina has been inspired by QuestBridge ever since she became a QuestBridge College Prep Scholar, and she is thrilled to be part of the Strategic Programs team. Outside of work, she delights in writing, hiking, musicals, and acquiring more books than she has time to read. She lives on Vashon, an island near Seattle, with her partner and a very talkative cat.
Sivian Yu
Data Analyst
Sivian Yu
Data Analyst
Sivian attended Amherst College as a QuestBridge Scholar and graduated with a BA in Mathematics and Asian Languages & Civilizations. During her time at Amherst, she worked with the Admissions Office to mentor low-income high school seniors throughout their college application process. Her passion for community empowerment led her to pursue an AmeriCorps service year at a Houston-based nonprofit to enhance engagement with limited English-speaking populations and promote awareness of social safety net programs. Sivian is excited about the intersection of technology/data and social impact, and looks forward to contributing to QuestBridge's meaningful work through data analytics.
TOMMY YU
Manager, Data Science & Analytics
TOMMY YU
Manager, Data Science & Analytics
Tommy grew up in Shanghai, and studied international business & finance at the University of Hong Kong. During college, he co-led a team of volunteers on a trip to Ghana for voluntary teaching and latrine construction, which turned out to be one of his most memorable journeys. After working at Teneo for about a year in Hong Kong, Tommy went on to pursue his passion for the social good, and obtained his MS degree in data science and public policy from the University of Chicago in 2018. He feels truly honored to join the QuestBridge team that has changed the lives of numerous low-income youth. In his spare time, Tommy plays tennis and idolizes Roger Federer. He also loves Broadway musicals, wildlife, dogs, and traveling.