Dr. Ana Aguayo-Bryant has worked in higher education for over 30 years. She has managed different student programs such as Dream Centers that support undocumented students, foster youth programs, services for students with disabilities, and other programs that support students in achieving their academic goals. She is dedicated to promoting a collaborative culture that supports underrepresented, first-generation, and disadvantaged students. She illegally entered the United States as a child, along with her parents and her older brother from Mexico. She is the first in her family to obtain a doctorate on both sides of the border. In her personal time, she launched the Alumni Alliance as a mentorship program for former foster youth, but it has evolved into more than just a mentorship program. She holds a doctorate degree in organizational leadership from the University of La Verne, a master's degree in public administration, and a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from California State University, Long Beach.

Jason has over 25 years of experience in financial planning and wealth management. He is currently the Director of Financial Planning for Edelman Financial Engines, having previously sold his bay area firm Herrmann & Cooke Wealth Management, in 2022.

A bay area native, Jason has held various roles in nonprofit organizations and local government, most recently as a member of the Advisory Board for the Richmond based, Today’s Youth Matter, as well as a long list of local commissions, oversight committees and finance-based roles. Further adding to his background is his wife Kimberly, a long-time credentialed Resource Teacher at the elementary school level.

Jason earned the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ designation from the College for Financial Planning (‘05), and like the other Alumni Alliance board members, is also a proud graduate of California State University, Long Beach (’94).

Dr. Sara Gamez is an immigrant from Guatemala and a first-generation college graduate who has dedicated over 20 years to helping first-generation, low-income, and foster youth access higher education. Through her work, she empowers these students to graduate.

Dr. Gamez has held various roles in education, including high school and educational counselor, program coordinator, and director of foster youth support programs. Her primary research interests focus on the experiences of foster youth in college, and she has published works relevant to this population.

She has served as chair of the Southern California Higher Education Foster Youth Consortium (SCHEFYC) and co-chair of a NASPA knowledge community. Additionally, she co-founded Foster Scholars and serves on the Board of Directors for the Children’s Fund of San Bernardino County.

Dr. Gamez has received several awards, including the 2017 College Hero title and the Outstanding Professional Award from NASPA in 2021. In January 2023, she received a certificate of achievement for promoting equity and inclusivity on campus.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, a Master of Science in Educational Counseling from the University of La Verne, and a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from California State University, Long Beach.