Leadership + Directors

  • Randi Shafton

    Chief Executive Officer
    randi@peninsulabridge.org

    Before joining Peninsula Bridge in 2013, Randi served as the co-Development Director at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Peninsula. Her career spans non-profit operations and consulting, legislature, and industry work. Randi has a BA from UCLA and a MA from Harvard's Kennedy School of Government.

  • Amika Maria Maran Guillaume

    Chief Operating Officer
    amika@peninsulabridge.org

    Amika comes to Peninsula Bridge with over 20 years of experience as a leader of K-12 public schools, nonprofits dedicated to non-violence, and expanding educational opportunities for first generation students. Amika has a BA from UCLA and an MA in School Leadership from Harvard's Graduate School of Education.

  • Kristen Reese

    Director of Curriculum Design and Instructional Coaching
    kristen@peninsulabridge.org

    Kristen earned her Master of Arts in Teaching degree at Emory University. Over the past decade, Kristen taught students of all ages in public and private schools. She has been a curriculum lead, teacher mentor and coach, and director of student support and services.

  • MaryBeth Ventura

    Director, Elementary & Middle School Programs
    marybeth@peninsulabridge.org

    MaryBeth is a lifelong middle school educator. She has worked as a Spanish and ELD teacher, learning specialist and administrator in public and independent schools in the East Bay for 21 years. MaryBeth earned a BA in Spanish from Indiana University, Bloomington and an M. Ed. in Bilingual and Multicultural Education from Northern Arizona University.

  • Rene Jimenez

    Director of High School & College Success Programs
    rene@peninsulabridge.org

    Rene participated in Peninsula Bridge as a student in Middle School, and then joined the PB team in 2015. As a Bay Area native from Menlo Park, he feels very connected to Peninsula Bridge's mission and the student's families. He has a B.S. in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management and International Business.

Development

  • Devon Gold

    Senior Engagement and Major Gifts Director
    devon@peninsulabridge.org

    Devon has more than 19 years of experience as an enthusiastic nonprofit and school fundraiser and dedicated community volunteer, including CASA of San Mateo County and Young Men’s Service League of Silicon Valley. Previously, Devon was a senior litigation attorney at Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP, and holds a JD from the University of Michigan and a BA in English and Political Science from UCLA.

  • Catherine Clover

    Executive Assistant & Development Associate
    catherinec@peninsulabridge.org

    With over 15 years of project and content management experience in the non-profit and private sectors, Catherine has worked in the US and abroad and is passionate about supporting students and families from multi-ethnic backgrounds to strengthen their English language proficiency. Catherine holds a PhD from the University of Oxford, and a BA in French from Mount Holyoke College.

  • Susi Lindley

    Business Manager
    susi@peninsulabridge.org

    Susi brings with her more than a decade of school oriented business management experience to Peninsula Bridge. Susi previously worked as Business Manager at the German American International School in Menlo Park, as well as Manager of the Travel Cuts office on the Stanford University campus.

  • Suzanne O'Brien

    Director of Events & Community Engagement suzanne@peninsulabridge.org

    Suzanne brings years of non-profit fundraising, event planning and storytelling experience to Peninsula Bridge. After beginning her career in investment banking and private equity, she pivoted to become an engaged community volunteer while running a photography and graphic design business. Suzanne holds a BA in Economics from Northwestern University and an MBA from Stanford University's Graduate School of Business.

  • Michelle White

    Development Assistant and Volunteer Coordinator
    michelle@peninsulabridge.org

    Michelle brings over five years of experience in non-profit fundraising to Peninsula Bridge. Previously, she worked at Burlingame Community For Education Foundation and served on a PTA Board for several years. Passionate about education equity, Michelle believes that every student deserves the opportunity to succeed academically. She earned her BA in Psychology from San Francisco State University.

Middle School Academy

  • Rachel Chen

    Community Partnerships Manager & Middle School Program Coordinator
    rachel@peninsulabridge.org

    Rachel has a BS in Industrial and Labor Relations with double minors in Business and Education from Cornell University. She was deeply involved with the Cornell TRIO programs, supporting underserved rural students in surrounding K-12 school districts. Rachel then worked at Cardinal Education, where she ran their Private School Test Prep Division and coached K-12 students.

  • Rebecca Dehovitz

    Impact and Evaluation Manager & Middle School Program Coordinator
    rebecca@peninsulabridge.org

    Rebecca has previously worked as the Director of After-School Education programs at Congregation Beth Am, and as an Elementary School teacher. She has also taught English as a Second Language at the Day Worker Center of Mountain View. Rebecca received her BA from Brandeis University in Waltham, MA.

  • Samantha Espinoza-V

    Middle School Program Coordinator samantha@peninsulabridge.org

    Prior to joining the Peninsula Bridge, Sam was a Legal Assistant at an Immigration Firm and a Student Teacher Assistant for a Child Development Center at Skyline College. As a first-generation Latina, she understands the significance of finding a teacher or mentor who cared about her success not only in college, but in her early education. She earned a BS in Criminal Justice with a Minor in Latinx/Chicanx Studies from Sacramento State.

  • Lynn Fischbach

    Middle School Academic Advisor
    lynn@peninsulabridge.org

    Lynn graduated from Chico State University with a BA in Sociology. She worked in sales and account management until having her son Ryan. Lynn became very involved in working with children and parent organizations at all levels. She worked for a few years in interior design until deciding it was time to find work that more fulfilled her, which led her to Peninsula Bridge.

  • Ahtziri Lopez

    Manager of Student Support and Services
    ahtziri@peninsulabridge.org

    As a first-generation college grad, Ahtziri participated in community programs like Peninsula Bridge to help guide her through school. She graduated from San Jose State University with a BS degree in Advertising. She hopes to continue her passion of helping students in Peninsula Bridge and allow them to discover their untapped potential, as well as encourage them to aim for higher education.

  • Karen Zamora

    Middle School Manager of Admissions and Program Coordinator
    karen@peninsulabridge.org

    Prior to joining Peninsula Bridge, Karen was Operations Manager for Summit Preparatory Charter High School in Redwood City. Karen has a passion for working with youth and a dedication to effective and equitable education. Karen is fluent in Spanish and is a Peninsula Bridge and Menlo School alumna. She has a BA in Education from San Jose State University.

High School Academy

  • Jolene Caruso-Soares

    High School Academic Advisor
    jolene@peninsulabridge.org

    Jolene’s professional and vocational careers are rooted in building relationships and increasing opportunities for students. She holds an M.A. in both Business Administration and Education and a Pupil Personnel Services Credential from San Jose State University. Jolene most recently supported students at Archbishop Mitty High School as a guidance counselor.

  • Amayrani Chávez

    High School Academic Advisor
    amayrani@peninsulabridge.org

    Amayrani Chávez (she/they), otherwise known as Rani, joined Peninsula Bridge in 2021. Rani attended high school at Eastside College Prep, where they were first exposed to the impact of higher education. They graduated from Gonzaga University with a degree in English Literature and Solidarity & Social Justice. As a first-gen college student, Rani has always been passionate about mentoring underrepresented students in their journey to college and career success.

  • Anna Gutgsell

    High School Academic Advisor
    anna@peninsulabridge.org

    Anna graduated from the University of San Francisco with her Bachelor’s in History and Spanish, as well as her Master's degree in Teaching. Prior to joining the Peninsula Bridge Team, Anna worked as a 6th grade history teacher and team leader at KIPP Excelencia in Redwood City. Before working as a classroom teacher she also worked at the Jewish Community Center in Palo Alto for 6 years as an after school teacher.

  • Stephanie Lopez-Hernandez

    High School Academic Advisor
    stephanie@peninsulabridge.org

    Stephanie Lopez-Hernandez is a proud Peninsula Bridge alumna and East Palo Alto native. As a first-generation Latina, she is dedicated to supporting low-income and underrepresented students by fostering a nurturing environment for their academic and personal growth. Now a member of the Peninsula Bridge staff, Stephanie is thrilled to further the program’s mission and continue her commitment to helping students succeed. Stephanie is a UC Merced graduate with a B.A. in Sociology and a Minor in Chicano/a Studies.

  • Guillermo Vazquez

    High School Academic Advisor
    guillermo@peninsulabridge.org

    A San Mateo native, Guillermo has served the community by leading educational programs, cultivating parental engagement, and strengthening school partnerships. In joining the Peninsula Bridge team, he brings collaborative values, skills, and wisdom for students and families to achieve their dreams. Guillermo earned his B.A. in Psychology from San Francisco State University.

College Success

  • Marlene Benavidez Landiz

    College Success Advisor
    marlene@peninsulabridge.org

    Prior to Peninsula Bridge, Marlene was a Family Involvement Coordinator at UCSC, an Instructional Aid with EPAA, and worked as an Academic Intern in Watsonville. Marlene is committed to cultivating an inclusive and safe space for her students. As a first generation Latina, having a supportive community was essential for her success in high school and in college. Marlene earned her BA in History with a Minor in Education from UC Santa Cruz.

  • Komal Goel

    Mentor Coordinator
    komal@peninsulabridge.org

    Komal is dedicated to the cause of bridging the gap of income inequality through education, and takes tremendous joy in supporting students and paving their way towards their dreams. After living in Asia for 10 years, Komal moved to the Bay Area in 2016 with her husband and two boys. She holds a BA in Economics and Psychology from Columbia University.

  • Natalie Gomez

    College Success Advisor & Community Engagement Manager
    natalie@peninsulabridge.org

    Natalie attended Connecticut College and earned a degree in Human Development with an emphasis in Elementary Education. She has a passion for social justice and working with children. She spent 6 years teaching Spanish in Minneapolis before moving to California. She is excited to empower future diverse leaders with similar backgrounds and make an impact on Bay Area youth every day!

  • Osvaldo Muro

    Coordinator of College Access Counseling & Programming
    osvaldo@peninsulabridge.org

    Born and raised in East Los Angeles, Osvaldo is a first-generation college graduate, having earned a B.S. in Science, Technology, and Society from Stanford University. His experience mentoring and advising first-generation students is extensive through nearly a decade of service. Osvaldo’s tenureship with local community non-profits include: Stanford’s Leland Scholars Program, Peninsula Bridge, and Eastside College Preparatory School.

  • Kari Rust

    Senior Manager, College Access Counseling
    karirust@peninsulabridge.org

    Kari has a BA from Williams College in English and has a degree in College and Career Counseling from UC Berkeley Extension. Previously, Kari was the college counselor for first-gen students at Burlingame High through the Bella Foundation, and also worked in the College Counseling department at Cristo Rey San Jose. She has been an active volunteer for Peninsula Bridge, the Boys and Girls Club Future Grads program, PeerForward, and the Gates Millenium Scholars Program.

  • Amy Wong

    College Success Counselor
    amy@peninsulabridge.org

    Amy holds a B.S. in Psychobiology from UCLA, and an M.A. in Education from Stanford University. Previously, Amy taught at East Palo Alto Academy and Luis Valdez Leadership Academy, where she was a founding science teacher, department head, advisor, and cross-country coach. Prior to joining Peninsula Bridge, Amy returned to the East Palo Alto community as a College Success Counselor. Amy is deeply committed to supporting her students in breaking the cycle of poverty and being agents of change.

Summer Site Directors

  • Amanda Carroll

    Crystal Springs Uplands School Site Director

  • Andrea Grana

    Episcopal Day Co-Site Director

  • Liz Vargas

    Episcopal Day Co-Site Director

  • Mame Diarra Dioum

    Castilleja Site Director

  • Dylan Cummins

    Menlo Co-Site Director

  • Rolando Victoria

    Sacred Heart Site Director

  • Omar Brown

    Woodside Priory Site Director