ARY ASCENCIO
Software Engineer, Data & Technology
Our Staff
ARY ASCENCIO
Software Engineer, Data & Technology
Ary grew up in Denver, Colorado, and received her BS in Symbolic Systems from Stanford University as a QuestBridge Scholar. Throughout college, Ary spent time working with pre-school through high school students, both locally and abroad. Her experiences working with these students inspired her to continue her involvement in education, and she's excited to keep on merging her interests in both technology and educational fields through QuestBridge.
VANESSA CHEN
Senior Program Associate, Partner Relations
VANESSA CHEN
Senior Program Associate, Partner Relations
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!
GRACE CHO
Data Scientist
GRACE CHO
Data Scientist
Grace worked mainly in science and technology firms before she was inspired to join the vibrant QuestBridge team in the summer of 2008. Having grown up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Grace returned to live in the Bay Area with her husband and two children. Grace continues to use her technical skills to manage the data and web applications for the organization. Grace received her B.S. in Materials Science & Engineering from MIT and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Tufts University.
YU-REE CHO
Data Analyst, Partner Relations
YU-REE CHO
Data Analyst, Partner Relations
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!
ZIYAN CHU
Program Manager, Student Relations
ZIYAN CHU
Program Manager, Student Relations
Ziyan was born in China and grew up in the US, where she has lived in San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, and New York City. She received a B.S. in Biology from MIT and, upon graduation, worked as a Microbiologist/Virologist at a consumer products company. A few years into the job, she found education to be her passion and has since then worked in Americorps as a Mentor/Tutor and in an EdTech start-up as a Sales Consultant. She enjoys working at QuestBridge and being given the opportunity to meet such talented students every year through various programs and conferences. In her free time, she enjoys long distance running, international travel, reading, photography, rock climbing, and being a "foodie" (she loves swapping restaurant recommendations - especially hole-in-the-wall taquerias and ramen spots!).
KYLA CRISOSTOMO
Program Associate, Student Relations
KYLA CRISOSTOMO
Program Associate, Student Relations
Kyla was born in the Philippines and grew up in Los Angeles, California. She received her BA in Art History from Stanford University as a QuestBridge Scholar. Because Education was not an available major for undergraduates, she made sure to incorporate it into her extracurricular activities by working at the education department of the Cantor Arts Center, tutoring second graders in reading, and holding creative writing workshops at local elementary schools as part of her theater group. After college, she was determined to pursue her interest in education further. She is thrilled to be doing this at QuestBridge, where she can provide other students with the opportunities that QuestBridge has provided her.
LILY CUTITTA
Bookkeeper
LILY CUTITTA
Bookkeeper
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.
TARA FILER
Director, Student Relations
TARA FILER
Director, Student Relations
Tara grew up in the Seattle area and earned her BA in Spanish Language and Literature and an English as a Second language teaching certificate from the University of Montana. Tara’s love for teaching and language led her to Southern Italy where she completed her MA in Italian Studies and taught students of all ages (and enjoyed the fantastic food!). Back stateside, she taught at and managed various English Language schools in California. During this time, she further developed her love of educating youth and helping them realize their dreams. She had the opportunity to travel with and teach many talented young leaders of the world through the English Access Microscholarship Program and decided it was time to start making more of a difference. And then she found QuestBridge. She is excited to be a member of the team, helping us grow our educational resources and community among QuestBridge Scholars.
RACHEL FISHBEIN
Senior Program Manager, Student Relations
RACHEL FISHBEIN
Senior Program Manager, Student Relations
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!
ERIN HANSEN
Data Analyst, Data & Technology
ERIN HANSEN
Data Analyst, Data & Technology
Erin grew up in Visalia, California, a mid-sized town in the heart of the Central Valley. She attended UCLA where she earned a BS degree in Mathematics / Actuarial Science; however, it was her minor in Statistics that allowed her to discover her passion for data. Prior to joining QuestBridge, Erin worked as a research analyst at an executive compensation data firm in Redwood City, CA. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and watching live music. Erin is excited to join the very dedicated and enthusiastic QuestBridge team where she can do the analytical work that she loves while contributing to the organization's impactful mission.
MARCIA KILCREASE
Manager, Human Resources & Administration
MARCIA KILCREASE
Manager, Human Resources & Administration
Marcia is passionate about supporting the people side of business. She received her BS in Business Administration from the University of Colorado and brings over 20 years of Human Resources experience to her role on the Quest Team. While Marcia began her career in nonprofits, she has worked at various software and Internet companies, from a small start-up to global corporations, since moving to the Bay Area. She is excited to now have the opportunity to support the Quest staff in achieving our mission by making a real difference in the lives of individuals and in the future of our communities.
MAUREEN KIM
Associate Director, Quest for Excellence
MAUREEN KIM
Associate Director, Quest for Excellence
Maureen grew up in Northern New Jersey and attended the University of Michigan, receiving her BA in Communication Studies. After working at a corporate law firm in New York City for a few years, she found her passion for urban education reform by joining Teach for America. After teaching in Newark, New Jersey, she made the cross country move to the Bay Area with her husband and taught for another year in East San Jose. Through her experiences in the classroom, Maureen saw firsthand the impact that equal access to education and opportunities can have on students of low-income communities. She is thrilled to join the QuestBridge team, where she can continue her work in education on a greater scale.
JULIA KLEINGARN
Project Manager, Student Relations
JULIA KLEINGARN
Project Manager, Student Relations
Julia grew up both Philadelphia and Arizona before moving to Minnesota to attend Carleton College, where she received her B.A. in Psychology with a concentration in Educational Studies. After graduating, Julia remained in the Twin Cities area and received a Master of Public Health from the University of Minnesota. Julia became interested in education reform by studying disparities in access to both educational opportunities and health resources and how these issues are often interconnected. Prior to joining QuestBridge, Julia worked on public health research projects and as a program manager for a small university. Julia is thrilled to be part of the Quest team.
KELSEY KOJETIN
Communications Associate, Student Relations
KELSEY KOJETIN
Communications Associate, Student Relations
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 around the Bay Area.
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.
MURSIL MAKHANI
Project Manager, Data & Technology
MURSIL MAKHANI
Project Manager, Data & Technology
Mursil received his dual degrees in Industrial Engineering and Mathematics from the University of California, Berkeley. While in college, he had the opportunity to serve as a counselor, coordinator, and chair of Camp Kesem Berkeley, a nonprofit organization that puts on a camp for kids whose parents have or have had cancer. After college, Mursil worked with a small company to build highly accurate mapping databases for public safety agencies around the country, leading several large and high profile projects. Mursil is a big fan of many sports, particularly the NFL. He also enjoys being a nerd on Code Academy or taking other professional development coursework. Mursil is very excited to be a part of the Quest family!
KIM MARAR
Director, Partner Relations
KIM MARAR
Director, Partner Relations
Originally from the Bay Area, Kim attended UCLA where she earned bachelor’s degrees in History/Art History and French. After working in the museum industry for several years, she went back to school to earn her Ed.M. at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. While in Boston, Kim worked with college-bound low-income students and became focused on access to higher education. She came back to California where she worked on higher education access for low-income students for 10,000 Degrees and then in the scholarships division and as an admissions reader for the University of California, Irvine. Kim is thrilled to be a part of the QuestBridge team.
ANA ROWENA MCCULLOUGH, J.D.
Founder and CEO
ANA ROWENA MCCULLOUGH, J.D.
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. Together with her husband Michael, Ana serves as Co-Founder of QuestBridge.
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. Michael, together with his wife Ana, serves as Co-Founder and Co-President of QuestBridge.
HOLLY PAULSEN
Senior Program Associate, Student Relations
HOLLY PAULSEN
Senior Program Associate, Student Relations
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.
ANDREA PIEN
Associate Director, Partner Relations
ANDREA PIEN
Associate Director, Partner Relations
Andrea grew up in Cherry Hill, New Jersey (a suburb of Philadelphia) and attended Swarthmore College, where she majored in Political Science and Asian Studies. She worked as an admissions officer at her alma mater, and also did college counseling in China. Most recently, she completed her MA from Stanford in Policy, Organization, and Leadership studies. She also read undergraduate applications for Stanford. Andrea is interested in the intersections of philanthropy, social justice, and higher education. She likes board games, podcasts, public transportation, and yoga.
ERIN REED
Associate Director, Student Relations
ERIN REED
Associate Director, Student Relations
Erin grew up in Michigan and graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in Organizational Studies and Sociology. Through her personal experience in the education system and education research, she quickly developed a commitment to ensure that all students receive a quality education. Upon graduation, Erin joined Teach For America because she understood the impact quality teachers can have on students. After numerous conversations with her students and their families, Erin recognized the need for more college admissions resources in low-income communities. She is now thrilled to join QuestBridge where she is able to serve as a resource for students from low-income backgrounds as they transition into higher education.
ERIC SANSONE
Data Analyst, Student Relations
ERIC SANSONE
Data Analyst, Student Relations
Eric, a New Hampshirite, initially 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. In the summer of 2011 he held a research internship in Astronomy at the University of Hawaii-Manoa in Honolulu. For three months he researched planetary dynamics in Binary star systems while gallivanting amongst the Hawaiian Islands. After graduating, Eric taught Math, Astronomy, and Mythology at KSC Upward Bound where he met the most talented, resilient, and inspiring population of students he had ever come across after ten years in the classroom. While graduate school in Physics & Astronomy lured him to the Bay Area originally, it was the love of those students that inspired him to remain and join the QuestBridge team.
LESLIE SULLIVAN
Director, Research & Focused Initiatives
LESLIE SULLIVAN
Director, Research & Focused Initiatives
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
Associate Director, Communications & External Relations
GRACE SUN
Associate Director, Communications & External Relations
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 spends her free time running after 3 young kids, including a set of twins.
ALANA TAUBE
Senior Associate, Focused Initiatives & Development
ALANA TAUBE
Senior Associate, Focused Initiatives & Development
Alana received her BA from the University of California, Berkeley where she also advised students struggling with financial aid, enrollment and discrimination issues. This hands-on experience opened her eyes to the barriers standing between bright, low-income students and the education they deserve. At QuestBridge, Alana is excited to combine her passion for college access with her experience in community service. Before joining the Quest team, Alana worked with the U.S. Federal Government and several nonprofits on economic development, trade and human rights projects.
MARY THAO
Administrative Assistant, Student Relations
MARY THAO
Administrative Assistant, Student Relations
Mary was born and raised in Fresno, California. She graduated from UC Berkeley with a BA in History, a passion that stems from her own cultural heritage as a Hmong American woman. In college, Mary furthered this passion by coordinating and participating in mentorship programs for underrepresented Southeast Asian high school students, which allowed her to create a space for emerging leaders to cultivate their skills. Mary's experiences fueled her desire to be an academic resource for underrepresented students. She is thrilled to be a part of the QuestBridge team, where she can support and provide students with this amazing opportunity.