Shilpa coaches students, designs program strategy, and helps lead diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at Rivet School. The best part of her role is experimenting with new program elements that can improve student’s experiences.

Before Rivet School, Shilpa’s work (at both startups and nonprofits) included implementing a program with the World Bank for female entrepreneurs in the Middle East, and designing a four-week summer arts program for girls in Los Angeles. In college, Shilpa earned a BA in economics and led a student-run entrepreneurship program.

Ask Shilpa about classical Indian dance, exploring bookstores, and the joy of all things miniature.

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.

Alex leads operations 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. He received his BA in Ethnic Studies from the University of California San Diego, and an MPA from the University of San Francisco. 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, California.

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.

Iris leads the Program team at Rivet School, overseeing strategic projects, coaching, and community initiatives. 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, Iris 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Natalie coaches Rivet School students with direct academic and social-emotional support throughout their individual journeys. The best part of this work is 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 6-year-old daughter, Clara.

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.

As a College Coach, 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!

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.

Alanza is an Admissions Operations Specialist at Rivet School.

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.

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 from Boston University and is earning her Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania.

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.

Claire leads Rivet School’s career programming, working to support students to family-sustaining careers both during and after their studies.  Claire's background is in workforce and economic development, with a decade of experience running programs connecting job seekers to small businesses in San Francisco and Brooklyn. Claire loves developing innovative new programs and partnerships. Claire holds a bachelor's degree in urban studies from the University of Pennsylvania, and a master's degree in public policy from UC Berkeley. A native of Oakland, Claire still lives there today along with her husband David and daughter Ellanor.

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.

John Philip Coghlan is Executive Chairman of Life360, a location-sharing app keeping families connected and protected, former President and CEO of Visa USA, and former Vice Chairman of the Charles Schwab Corporation. John is a board member of the Glide Foundation; former board chair at KIPP Bay Area; 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 from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Yin Lu leads Option B, an initiative to build resilience in the face of adversity, at the Sheryl Sandberg & Dave Goldberg Family Foundation. Previously, as VP of International Growth Khan Academy, Yin and her team scaled Khan Academy’s content into 30 languages and launched offices in Latin America and India. A Coursera, Google and Microsoft alumnus, Yin is deeply passionate about the intersection of education and technology. Outside of work, she is a mother, mountain biker, and skier. Yin earned her BA in economics and M. Ed in counseling from UCLA.