Jeff co-founded Rivet School in 2017, and currently serves as the organization's Chief Executive Officer.

Before founding Rivet School, Jeff was a history teacher and academic dean at Leadership Public Schools in Richmond, California – a nationally ranked high school serving first-generation college-going students. Jeff earned his BA in history and political science, and taught as a Teach for America corps member after college.

Ask Jeff about his favorite political podcasts, the best Bay Area flea markets, or making coffee at home.

Iris formerly led the Program team at Rivet School and now as COO oversees finance, people strategy and ops, and tech systems, in addition to collaborating with the Executive Director and Leadership Team on special projects. One of Iris’ favorite parts of their job is designing tools and processes to create a transformative student experience.

After working at Deloitte Consulting and Sony Pictures in LA, Iris joined the team at Year Up Bay Area. There, they managed strategic projects, coached students, and led a new program site launch. Iris graduated from college with a BA in economics and English, and was an active organizer in the LGBTQ and Asian American communities.

Iris is also a writer and comics artist, and is partial to discussing fan culture, gender identity, and comedy.

Nora leads the Growth and Admissions team, overseeing partnerships and growth strategy, and also helps lead diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at Rivet School. A highlight of her job is having the chance to meet and speak with groups of prospective students at information sessions.

Before joining Rivet School, Nora was a program manager at CollegeVine, where she led a team of consultants to support students as they applied to their dream universities. During college, Nora earned her BS in film with minors in environmental policy and French. She also led her college’s hiking organization, with an emphasis on making the outdoors more accessible to people of color and low-income students.

Ask Nora about personal finance and budgeting, backpacking, or why her hometown of Chicago is the greatest city in the world.

As the Chief Program Officer, Sandra steers the development, implementation, and evaluation of college and career programs and works closely with the leadership team to create and execute a strategic vision for Rivet School. 

Before joining Rivet, Sandra worked at Latinos for Education where she led local leadership programs and helped expand the organization’s reach in Houston, TX. Sandra’s professional background includes teaching, recruitment, and college access. As a first-generation college graduate, she feels passionately about supporting students in reaching their goals of attaining a college degree.

Sandra was born in Mexico City and grew up in El Paso, TX. She has two sons who she is working hard to ensure are bilingual. She loves television, trying new restaurants, and (someday when her kids are older) traveling internationally. 

In her role, Journey builds out Rivet School referral partnerships, aiming to recruit future Riveters and grow Rivet School’s impact. 

Prior to Rivet School, Journey was working at an EdTech startup, empowering individuals to achieve their dream jobs by connecting them to job training programs, like tech bootcamps. Previous to that, she developed and facilitated leadership and community organizing programs for Asian-American high schoolers in the Greater Boston area. Journey graduated with a Bachelor’s in Marketing and Liberal Studies Major in Diversity and Society. 

Ask Journey about her favorite restaurants and hang out spots in Boston, MA, where she currently resides.

Shelly coaches students through their college journey, leads the Bridge program for recent high school graduates, and loves being able to engage one-on-one with students to support them toward their goals.

Prior to Rivet School, Shelly worked as a Program Manager at Genesys Works – a nonprofit focused on college access and internship opportunities for high school seniors in the Bay Area. Shelly studied Latin American and Latino/a Studies and global economics in college, and went on to work as an adviser at UC Santa Cruz after earning her degree.

Born and raised in Berkeley, Shelly loves exploring new corners of the Bay Area to find hidden food spots. Shelly also enjoys volunteering to support the Bay Area community.

Alex drives operations work at Rivet School with a people-focused, customer-service lens. As a technology strategist, he frequently uses empathy and humor to balance technology and systems.

Before joining Rivet School, Alex worked at iMentor, a national mentoring and college access organization, and taught at an independent K-8 school. 

Alex is a second-generation Filipino American and native of the Bay Area. The first in his family to graduate from college, he received a BA in Ethnic Studies and a Masters in Public Administration. He is an ardent fan of KQED podcasts, the Oxford comma and contradictions. You can find him sailing downwind and perfecting his over edge stitch in Oakland.

As an Admissions Specialist, Essence guides incoming Rivet School fellows through the admissions and onboarding process, providing personalized support to eliminate the barriers associated with the higher education application steps. 

Before Rivet School, Essence was the Admissions Coach of Trellis, a similar program focused on the Gulf Coast region and Louisiana that joined Rivet School, so she is able to bring her in-depth knowledge of the College for America program to the Rivet team. She has previously worked in other educational attainment environments, including a correctional education program that assisted incarcerated people in receiving their degrees and a nonprofit organization focused on helping lower-income young adults learn useful workplace skills. She is dedicated to increasing college access to all students. 

Essence grew up in Illinois, and currently resides in Louisiana, trading extra cold winters for extra hot summers. She loves her pets, including her three cats and two tortoises. In her free time, you can find her reading a great book or embarking on a new craft project.

Angelina supports Rivet School’s incoming students through the admissions and onboarding process, helping them transition seamlessly into college. The highlight of her job is going above and beyond to show new students that Rivet School is a different college experience.

Prior to joining Rivet School, Angelina worked at Contra Costa College, where she helped local and international students navigate the admissions, application, and enrollment processes. She also coached first-year students and helped design the college’s First Year Experience program.
In addition to her work at Rivet School, Angelina is also a full-time college student studying industrial/organizational psychology. Ask Angelina about her love of succulents, active rollerblading life, or DIY home improvement projects.

As a college coach, Jeremiah works directly with fellows to support them in earning their degrees. His favorite part about this work is the opportunity to encourage fellows to dream big and establish concrete steps to achieve their goals. 

Before Rivet School, Jeremiah taught World History in the Oakland Unified School District. He also served as a STEM & AYP facilitator at SMASH academy, where he advised aspiring first-generation college students. Jeremiah graduated from college with a double major in History and Education. 

In his free time, you can find Jeremiah running throughout the Bay area and racing local track meets. Ask Jeremiah about his love for Jeni’s Ice cream and pickleball. 

Paulina is passionate about building relationships with Rivet School fellows and guiding them toward their long-term career goals. She is also deeply committed to fostering a strong sense of belonging and community within the cohort in the Bridge Program. As a College Coach, she supports fellows as they transition from high school to college, helping them work toward earning their degrees.

Before joining Rivet School, Paulina served as a Program Coordinator at California State University, Fresno, where she assisted high school students with financial aid and accessing higher education opportunities.

Outside of work, Paulina loves exploring new coffee shops and curating mood boards on Pinterest to stay inspired by music, lifestyle, and fashion.

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Angela works directly with fellows to support their journey to earning a Bachelor’s degree. She values consistency, directness, and humor in coaching, while always taking a person-first approach. As a first generation college student herself, Angela personally knows the life changing impact a degree can provide and that is at the heart of each coaching relationship she fosters.

Previously, Angela worked in school systems designing program strategy and coaching models for a similar competency-based program to Rivet School. Prior to that, she worked in the nonprofit space leading college access and persistence programs for youth in Chicago. Angela has been helping students navigate institutions of higher learning for the past 10 years. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Spanish. 

When she is not working, you’ll find Angela gardening, reading, camping, and spending time with her husband and daughter. 

Natalie leads the Coaching team, supporting individual coaches and developing program strategies that meet our students’ changing needs. The highlights of her job are working closely with Rivet School’s passionate and dynamic team of Coaches; as well as being able to encourage students who are also parents, since she was a student-parent herself in college. 

Before Rivet School, Natalie was a College Coach at Beyond 12, where she supported over 100 first-generation students as they navigated their first two years of college at universities across the country. Natalie graduated from college with dual degrees in sociology and social welfare, and led advocacy efforts for student-parents on campus. 

Ask Natalie about the critically acclaimed dramas she is binge-watching, which local pizza spot she is craving, or about the joys of raising her 9-year-old daughter, Clara.

Chardonnay coaches Rivet School fellows through their individual educational journeys. She focuses on supporting her students in a holistic and empathetic way to guide them toward achieving their goals.

Prior to becoming a Rivet School coach, Chardonnay worked at the ed-tech organization Beyond 12, supporting over 100 first-generation students through their first two years of college.

Chardonnay graduated from Mills College with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and held several leadership roles on and off campus. She also spent a semester abroad in Havana, Cuba studying Spanish.

Ask Chardonnay about what she’s currently cooking in the kitchen, her favorite things about her hometown of Oakland, or what new creative endeavor she’s taking on.

Hanna works on building out Rivet School’s long-term strategy, tools, and systems to strengthen and expand referral partnerships, all with the goal of recruiting future Riveters and growing our impact.

A former special education teacher, Hanna is passionate about lifelong learning and educational equity. After leaving the classroom, Hanna spent 4 years on staff at Teach For America working in district partnerships and teacher hiring & credentialing. Most recently, she managed partnerships at Landed helping essential professionals like educators, healthcare workers, and government employees plant roots in their communities through homeownership.

Ask Hanna about how she lived in 6 different cities in her 20s (and her extensive food recommendations in each!) or her love of reality TV competition shows (especially Survivor).

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As College Coach Manager, Myiah supports Rivet School students to their bachelor’s degree. She aims to be a helping hand with logistics, academics, and motivation.

Myiah has been an educator since the age of 15, when she found a summer job working at a preschool. For the past seven years, Myiah has taught kindergarten and school-aged children. When she’s not immersed in supporting students through higher education, Myiah likes to spend her time with music, family, good reads, or good television.

Myiah grew up in the Bay Area — right next door to Rivet School’s HQ in Richmond. In common California form, she enjoys getting outside for beach days, hikes, parks, mountains high and valleys low. Want to bike a trail? Ask Myiah which one!

As a College Coach for the Bridge program, Keilyn curates intentional and personalized spaces for fellows to achieve their academic goals. Keilyn values collaboration, transparency, and building community with her fellows.

Before Rivet school, Keilyn worked as a teacher in various academic settings in the Bay Area and Hawai՝i. She is a former Rivet school fellow graduating with her BA in Business Management. Later, she pursued her MA in Language Education researching equitable access to language education for working adults and heritage language learners. 

Keilyn was born and raised in San Francisco’s Mission District and has a deep love for her community. In her free time, Keilyn enjoys fiber arts, trying new snacks, attending shows and exhibits, and spending time in the sunshine.

Lorena supports Rivet School’s incoming students through the admissions and onboarding process, helping them transition seamlessly into college. The highlight of her job is going above and beyond to show new students that Rivet School is a different college experience.

Prior to joining Rivet School, Lorena worked at College Track, where she helped and supported East Palo Alto high school students navigate their way through high school academics. She did this through coaching students, facilitating sessions/workshops, and constantly improving the overall Academics Department to best serve the students.

In addition to her work at Rivet School, Lorena is also a full-time college student at Rivet School studying to obtain her Bachelor’s of Arts in Business Management. Ask Lorena about her love for music, video games, movies, and TV shows.

María wears many hats at Rivet School, helping design impactful experiences for our students, and supporting new applicants through the admissions process and in their transition to college. She also facilitates our Riveter Leadership Council, which serves as a bridge between students and the Rivet School team. One of her favorite things about this work is being able to create opportunities for students to connect beyond their academic work, like facilitating virtual and in-person community experiences that bring our students together.

Before joining Rivet School, María worked as a store supervisor in the food industry. She is a first-generation college student who is a Rivet School student and is currently working toward her BA in management. The duality of her role, staff member and student, allows her to bring a unique perspective to her work. After she graduates, she hopes to continue to work in the education non-profit world.

Ask María about her healthy obsession with true crime TV, her favorite health/wellness podcasts, and her emerging interest in acrylic painting and water coloring.

Dorothy helps find new Rivet School students by building and sustaining partnerships with schools, community organizations, and employers.

Dorothy has dedicated her career to pursuing educational equity, working at local non-profits supporting students from preschool to college and career. Before joining Rivet School, Dorothy was a program director at Springboard Collaborative, where she led partnerships with school districts to implement early literacy programs and train teachers on best practices. Dorothy received her BA in Sociology and was awarded a Fulbright grant to live and teach in Malaysia for one year.

Ask Dorothy about vegetarian cooking, her world travel recommendations, or what National Park she will be visiting next.

As a College Coach, Cesar works alongside students to achieve their goal, getting a College degree. As an alumnus of a competency based program Cesar has first hand experience on the rigorous dedication it takes for our fellows to obtain their degree while working full time. 

Before Rivet School, Cesar has worked with every age in education: kindergarten, elementary school, high school, and college students. Cesar has also received his Master’s in Higher Education Leadership. 

Born in Morelos, Mexico but raised in Chicago, Cesar has a passion working with the Undocumented/Dacamented community and supporting underprivileged communities. Cesar also has a passion for sports of all types, especially Chicago based sports.

Alanza has spent the past decade working at a nonprofit organization that helps low-income families in the San Francisco community with child care and preschool through a bilingual Montessori program. 

Alanza earned her bachelor's degree through Rivet School in early 2020, and is excited to continue to play a role in the community by assisting future students with the admissions process. Alanza loved the non-conventional nature of the Rivet School program, and is excited to bring this experience to future students. 

Born and raised in San Francisco, Alanza is passionate about community development and social justice. Ask Alanza about her latest ventures in starting a homestead or her successes in composting for garden fertilizer.

As a College Coach, Kristiane works alongside fellows as they work to achieve their goal of earning a college degree. She takes pride in helping fellows navigate institutional and societal barriers, and she especially enjoys coaching fellows on building writing and self-confidence skills.

Before Rivet School, Kristiane worked as a high school English teacher in New Orleans where she advocated for student success by founding Gender & Sexuality Alliance clubs and coaching students on college admissions. She developed her coaching skills as a College Coach with Trellis, a college success program that has joined Rivet School. She has bachelor’s degrees in English and secular religious studies and a master’s degree in teaching.

Kristiane grew up on Yokota Air Base in Tokyo, went to college in Utah, and currently lives in Baton Rouge, LA with her husband and their pit bull-german shepherd mix. When she isn’t coaching, you can catch Kristiane playing boardgames, tinkering with her 3D printers, and deepening community bonds and partnerships.

Tanise coaches Rivet School students with all areas relevant to them having a successfully unique academic journey based on their individual needs and desired outcomes. Tanise obtained her AA degree with Rivet School in 7 months and is completing her bachelor's degree now. 

Before Rivet School, Tanise served West Contra County Unified School District families for 6 years in various capacities. Tanise serves on multiple advisory committees and advocacy groups in Richmond and loves to learn.

Ask Tanise about coupons and discounts. She loves having an affordable good time especially if food is involved. 

Leo supports and empowers incoming students at Rivet School. With his guidance, they effortlessly transitioned into an unforgettable college experience that's truly unlike any other. 

Before joining Rivet School, Leo helped reignite the program and curriculum into a hybrid workspace at Year-Up (Meta)—served as a coach on empowering young adults i2n their quest to secure tech internships across the bustling Bay Area.  His innovative coaching, influential sessions, and social campaign helped ensure that young talents achieved their fullest potential.

A native to THE CITY, Leo is your go-to source for uncovering the city's hidden gems. When he's not assisting fellows at Rivet School, you'll find Leo cherishing precious moments with his beloved daughter or conquering the exhilarating Bay Area hills on his mountain bike.

Melissa coaches Rivet School’s students to meet their goals through logistical, academic, and social-emotional support. Her favorite part of coaching is breaking down barriers to higher education and empowering students to gain a sense of agency and resilience.

Prior to joining Rivet School, Melissa worked as a parenting counselor, trauma informed practices trainer and content writer, and preschool teacher for ten years at a women's rehabilitation center. The highlight of her work is supporting students and families in all aspects of their education, health, and wellness.

Melissa works as a parenting and early education consultant in the Bay Area. She received her BA in early childhood education with a Minor in urban education, and an MA in education with a focus on trauma informed practices. Ask her about her favorite coastal hikes, local music, and community events in her lovely San Francisco neighborhood.

Tammy coaches Rivet School students as they navigate their career journeys. She also plays an integral role in shaping our career strategy and program design.

Prior to Rivet School, Tammy spent four years as an elementary and middle school teacher in the Bay Area. As an educator, she taught her students to embrace their heritage and celebrate each other’s differences. Tammy graduated college with a BS in marketing and information systems/information technology. 

Ask her about the surf and yoga camp she went to in Costa Rica or her new idea for a podcast! 

As a College Coach, Logan supports Rivet School students to their associate’s and bachelor’s degree with wraparound services. He hopes to serve as not only your coach but also as a motivator and support system as you move through the program.

Before Rivet School, Logan served as a College Completion Coach with Trellis supporting students as they earned their online degrees with SNHU. For the last 8 years Logan has supported non-traditional students as they navigate the college landscape at multiple universities. Logan graduated with a degree in Psychology and a Master’s in Counseling. 

Born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. Logan is truly a son of the city and enjoys the many different festivals New Orleans has to offer as well as the live music scene with his wife. Logan is a huge sports fan. He is passionate about educational access for all.

Bianca supports Rivet School’s growth on all things digital marketing. She plays an integral role in shaping our growth strategy to find more future Rivet School students.

Bianca is a Latine digital marketer who calls Richmond, California home. She received both her BA in Marketing and Master of Science in Marketing Intelligence. Prior to Rivet School, she executed data-led social media and email marketing campaigns for mission-driven organizations - highlighting the power of community through every story she tells.

Ask her about her favorite restaurants in SF, her go-to Boba order, or the latest thing she’s creating.

Chriseah advocates for Rivet School students by providing them with empowering, personalized support as they navigate their unique academic journeys. She also helps shape our strategy and program design in ways that support student pathways to success.

Before coming to Rivet School, Chriseah supported college access programming for first-generation students of color at the University of California, Davis. After receiving her teaching credential, she spent over 5 years in Los Angeles and San Francisco schools teaching history through a humanizing and critical lens. She graduated with a Bachelor’s in Human Development and a Master’s in Education with an emphasis on Ethnic Studies.

In her free time, Chriseah enjoys perfecting the art of coffee brewing, playing board games, and exploring new hiking trails. 

Jess prioritizes an empathetic, data-informed perspective to support fellows working towards degree attainment. She enjoys learning about each student’s motivations and goals, and she is always seeking ways to demystify, streamline, and improve the college experience.

Previously, Jess served as a College Completion Coach with Trellis, a competency-based college program that joined Rivet School. She is a committed social justice advocate with over a decade of experience supporting historically excluded groups in the New Orleans community, Southeast Asia, and beyond. As a first-generation college student herself, she is dedicated to strengthening equitable access to education and opportunity. Jess holds a BA in International Relations, International Development, and Asian Studies and an MA in Conflict, Security, and Development. 

Jess has called many places home, but always finds herself back in New Orleans. Ask about her food and travel recommendations. In her free time, she is an avid home chef and enjoys sharing her love of cooking with others.

As a College Coach, Cassy supports Rivet School fellows to their degree journey. She aims to be a helping hand with logistics, academics, and motivation. Cassy loves learning about her fellows and aims to help you achieve your academic goals.

Before Rivet School, Cassy attempted different forms of education such as community college, trade schools and more. Nothing stuck until she was introduced to Rivet School. Cassy completed our Rivet program and celebrated obtaining her Associates Degree in just 11 months since joining Rivet. Cassy is now a Rivet Fellow and Coach!

Born and raised in the Bay Area, Cassy has been surrounded by diverse environments and communities. Outside of her professional life, Cassy is a mom who adores her son and his active imagination. Cassy’s hobbies include anything Formula One related, Podcasts, True Crime documentaries, and a vast love for all kinds of music.

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As a College Coach, Christian supports Rivet School students towards achieving their bachelor’s degrees. He is committed to providing support with academic planning, logistical challenges, and motivation to help students succeed.

Before joining Rivet School, Christian co-founded Latitude High School, a project-based learning institution, where he played a key role in shaping its vision and served as the Dean of Students. He also founded Noxhegalactica, a platform dedicated to highlighting the stories and successes of individuals who are often overlooked. As a first-generation college graduate, Christian’s own journey was supported by Rivet School.

Originally from Michoacán, Mexico, Christian is deeply passionate about creative design and community innovation. He enjoys discovering new music, working on creative projects, and advancing educational initiatives. Feel free to ask him about his latest creative endeavors or his efforts in community storytelling.

As a College Coach at Rivet School, Jasmin Prado employs a compassionate, student-centered approach to support learners on their path to degree completion. She takes pride in understanding each student's unique aspirations and challenges, constantly seeking innovative ways to simplify, enhance, and personalize the college experience. Jasmin's dedication to her students' success drives her to continually refine her coaching strategies, ensuring that each learner receives the tailored support they need to thrive.

Before joining Rivet School, Jasmin brought a wealth of experience from her eight-year tenure as an educator. She dedicated her time to shaping young minds, teaching both second grade and kindergarten. This background in early childhood education has equipped her with valuable skills in mentorship, patience, and adaptability, which she now applies to supporting college students.

Outside of her professional life, Jasmin enjoys taking walks to unwind and explore her surroundings. She cherishes quality time spent with her daughter, creating lasting memories together. As a coffee enthusiast, Jasmin loves discovering and trying out new coffee shops, always on the lookout for that perfect brew.

Eli co-founded Rivet School alongside Jeff Manassero and board members Ted Williams, Lauren Dutton, and John Coghlan in late 2017. Eli served as co-Executive Director of Rivet School through late 2021, before transitioning to his current advisory role.

Eli’s experience spans entrepreneurship, philanthropy, and politics. As an early employee at Coursera, Eli helped drive the company's international expansion. Eli has also led strategy projects for the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and Bloomberg Philanthropies, managed a winning state-level political campaign in Alaska, and launched a social enterprise incubator in China.

Beyond Rivet School, Eli is active in local politics and in his religious community, loves exploring the Bay Area on bike, and makes a lot of pizza.

Ted Williams is Managing Partner at Springbok Partners, an investment firm which provides seed capital and consulting in the financial service industry. Ted is also a founding board member of the BASIC Fund, the former CEO and Board Chair of Summer Search National, and a former Big Brother at the San Francisco Juvenile Probation Center. Ted lives in Marin County with his wife Lisa and three children.

Lauren Dutton is a consultant to educational nonprofits and foundations, and was previously a partner at NewSchools Venture Fund. Lauren also served as the first director of new site development for City Year, as the founding executive director for Teach for America in Oakland, and as a management consultant with Bain & Company. Lauren was a 2007 inaugural fellow in the Pahara-Aspen Educational Fellowship, and has served as board chair for KIPP Bay Area Schools and as a national board member for Peer Health Exchange.

John Philip Coghlan is the Chairman of Life360, a public company focused on keeping families connected and protected; former President and CEO of Visa USA; and former Vice Chairman of the Charles Schwab Corporation. John served 16 years on the Board of the GLIDE Foundation; is the former Board Chair of KIPP NorCal Public Schools; and a former founding Board member of Friends of the Children/San Francisco Bay Area.

Jaclyn Piñero is a Bay Area native, the daughter of two immigrant parents, and the first in her family to graduate from college. Currently, Jaclyn serves as the Chief Regional Officer at uAspire, leading regional teams in Massachusetts, New York City, and the Bay Area. Prior to joining uAspire, Jaclyn served as Director of Development at Bay Area Legal Aid, where she worked for 14 years. Jaclyn earned her BS in international business and a minor in Spanish.

Yin is a partner at MCJ collective, an entrepreneurial commons that enables the flow of information, ideas, and capital necessary to advance collaboration and solutions to make a dent in the climate crisis. Yin previously worked on DEI efforts at Sheryl Sandberg & Dave Goldberg Family Foundation and was GM of Khan Academy’s international business, where she and her team scaled Khan Academy’s content into 30 languages and launched offices in Mexico, Brazil, Peru and India. Yin also built up the first community, international and marketing teams at Coursera. She began her tech career at Google and Microsoft. Outside of work, Yin is a mother, mountain biker, singer and skier. Yin earned her BA in economics and M. Ed in counseling.

Adanta Ahanonu (she/her) is an educational leader with expertise in program management at the intersection of workforce development and higher education, and has a strong passion for helping others achieve their full potential. Currently, she serves as the Chief Program Officer at COOP Careers, a national nonprofit focused on overcoming underemployment for recent first generation college grads through digital skills and peer connections. Prior to joining COOP, Adanta spent over six years at the national nonprofit, Year Up, and before then she worked in the private sector. Adanta is a member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women’s Oakland-Bay Area chapter and a member of the women’s network Chief. She is also a dance enthusiast, spin devotee and dedicated to running a half marathon each year. Adanta earned her BS in Business Administration and is earning her Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership.