President and CEO, 10,000 Degrees1650 Los Gamos Dr., Ste. 110, San Rafael 94903; 10000degrees.org
Age: Young (52, if you have to know)
Residence: Petaluma
Professional background: Nonprofit executive
Education: B.S. and M.S., San Francisco State University; doctorate in education, University of San Francisco, pending 2016
Staff: 25
Describe your organization. 10,000 Degrees believes that education is the foundation of a just and equitable society. Our mission is to achieve educational equity and support students coming from low-income households to get to and through college. We do this by providing high school students intensive college prep, college and financial aid counseling, mentoring, scholarships and financial aid and wrap-around support. Our College for Kids program plants the seed of a college dream and takes elementary and middle school students on tours of local college campuses.
Last year we served 3,300 students and have a total of 1,050 students in college; 100 percent of our students are on track to graduate from college and 84 percent who started at a four-year university have graduated, as compared to the national average of 54 percent.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. I am a Mom of two beautiful twin daughters who just started college this fall. I am also a partner, a daughter and an advocate passionately committed to education and social justice. I was born and raised in the Bay Area and am a first generation college graduate. I love to learn and am currently pursuing my doctorate in education. I love people and animals, especially dogs. My dear friend says, that when she dies, she would like to come back as my dog. I love the outdoors, especially warm oceans and West Marin and Sonoma. I love life and I count my blessings every day.
I become easily impatient and frustrated with the status quo and am disheartened by the growing inequalities in our country. I believe that we can, and we must do better.
What achievement are you most proud of? Shaping 10,000 Degrees to be a steadfast advocate for students who have been traditionally underserved.
Biggest challenge today?: Raising money
Next major project?: Expanding to all parts of Sonoma County and raising more money.
Product or service that would help?: People and technology.
How do you think your profession will change in the next five years?
The profession will have to get a whole better in managing in a VUCA world (Volitility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity). Our cause of educational equity will be an even larger movement and business partnerships will be critical to sustainable communities.
Most admired businessperson: Saul Pena, vice president of Dodge & Cox.
Current reading: Norwegian by Night, Flourish, Scaling for Excellence and Social Justice Leadership.
Most want to meet: Rosa Parks.
Stress-relievers: Being with friends and family, and vacations.
Favorite hobbies: I love to read and learn, and I also like to play - cycling, walking swimming, painting and wine-tasting.
Words that best describe you: Intuitive, entrepreneurial, intense, passionate, intellectual, dedicated, resilient and funny
Anything you want to add?: I love what we do at 10,000 Degrees, and my vigor for our mission only gets stronger with each day.
