Meet Our Team

• John Branam
• Chris Brown
• Yesenia Cisneros
• Melissa Damo
• Andre Garza
• Danielle Gunder
• Don Hoang
• Moses Hooper
• Kyla Lackie
• Lisa Lane
• Eric Lopez
• Sean Morrin
• Taylor Muñoz
• David Nguyen
• Miranda Ryan

Work with Us

Are you passionate about countering structural racism, working to support more equitable outcomes for Black + Brown youth by helping them get to college, find first jobs and succeed in both? If so, apply to join us! Any current job openings are posted below, in our Educator Newsletter, and on our LinkedIn page.

John Branam

Executive Director, with Get Schooled since 2019

Where you went to college/what your degree is in: Washington & Lee University, BA in Political Science; University of Oregon School of Law, Juris Doctorate

First job: Newspaper delivery boy

Name of your pet(s): Francis Clarke

Hobbies: Playing with our kids, gardening, bike riding 

What excites you most about Get Schooled?

Being part of a team that's exclusively focused on helping youth - many of whom are black and brown-skinned and/or from low-income families - get into college, find their first jobs and succeed in both. Had the internet and Get Schooled existed when I was in high school, it would have been extremely helpful as I struggled to navigate the college application and first job-finding processes!

Chris Brown

Director of Communications, with Get Schooled Since 2019

Where you went to college/what your degree is in: Beloit College, BS Physics & Mathematics & Seattle University, Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Leadership

First job: Youth Soccer Referee

Name of your pet(s): Toby & Kai (aka Toby Wan Kenobi & Kai-lo Ren)

Hobbies: Outdoor Mountain Sports, Playing Guitar, Cooking (eating), Gardening, Petting Toby, Board Games

What excites you most about Get Schooled?

I am moved by how many young people - especially low income, first gen, and rural - don't have access to up-to-date information, resources, experience, and advice needed to access college and jobs. I love that Get Schooled is completely free and delivers an effective and high-quality experience for young people. I am excited and driven to get it in front of more young people.

Yesenia Cisneros

Manager, Graphic Design, with Get Schooled Since 2023

Where you went to college/what your degree is in: UCLA for a couple of years before switching to Westwood College School of Design for a Bachelors of Science in Visual Communications.

First job: Cashier at Ralphs

Name of your pets: My two rescue kitties are Misha & Kira (Kira’s name derived from a popular anime/manga series). Misha's been nicknamed "Spicy Cat" while Kira is "not spicy cat" and they go by Mimi and Kiki for short!

Hobbies: Gardening, arts & crafts, making friends online, watching movies, supporting local small family-owned businesses and hyping them up online, gaming, spending time in nature, and playing Roblox with kiddo.

What excites you most about Get Schooled?

I am a first-generation Latina who attended public school in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). Through education, I transformed my circumstances and built a career in design. It has always been my dream to give back to the next generation and support youth who find themselves in the same position I was in, helping them overcome the challenges they face within a system that makes doing so an uphill battle. Joining Get Schooled gives me the opportunity to use my design and leadership skills to make this dream come true.

Melissa Damo

Program Manager, with Get Schooled Since 2021

Where you went to college/what your degree is in: San Diego State University; Interdisciplinary BA in Communications, Women's Studies, and Counseling & Social Change

First job: Call center representative

Name of your pet(s): I don't live with them anymore, but my family dogs are Mochi (like the rice cake), and Jonas (like the brothers)

Hobbies: Thrifting, nail art, finding good local restaurants, and putting together charcuterie/grazing boards

What excites you most about Get Schooled?

Working with highly talented and creative individuals in supporting a mission I can personally relate to. As the first in my family to graduate college, I'm excited to help youth navigate through their own college experiences and the complexities that come with it.

Andre Garza

Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications, with Get Schooled since 2018

Where you went to college/what your degree is in: University of Washington; Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration

First job: Selling my art as a side hustle, and working as a cleaning guy at a fertilizer plant

Name of your pet(s): Rhino the French Bulldog

Hobbies: Anything art related, Cooking, Movies/TV, Dog Walks

What excites you most about Get Schooled?

To be part of a mission that is supporting students to empower themselves as they learn, grow, and lead is an amazing opportunity. Get Schooled meets students where they're at - online, text, social media - helping them through the college application process, a partnership that could have changed the game during my own journey to a degree!

Danielle Gunder, M.Ed.

Senior Program Manager, with Get Schooled since 2020

Where you went to college/what your degree is in: Gonzaga University; Bachelors of Biology and Bachelors of Psychology & Arizona State University; Master’s in Secondary Education

First job: Worked at an office organizing their files and scanning everything to convert their paper documentation to electronic records!

Name of your pet(s): Bentley, 87 lb lap dog Black Lab mix and Eleanor (or Ella), a Staffy/Husky/Hound mix- both from rural Louisiana.

Hobbies: I love reading! I have way more books on my "to read" list then I've actually read. My husband and I love living in the PNW and enjoy hiking and backpacking through the beautiful land around us. During regular life I also travel as often as possible - National Parks, Europe (especially Italy!), the beaches of San Diego as well as any new adventures that call my name!

What excites you most about Get Schooled?

I get excited about the impact that Get Schooled makes on students. Whether it be from the engaging content or the relationships built on the Textline, it feels great knowing that our work is making a difference in the lives of students all over the nation.

Don Hoang

Manager, Marketing & Communications, with Get Schooled since 2019

Where you went to college/what your degree is in: University of Washington. BA in Communications

First job: Unofficially selling Kettle Corn with my dad; first real job was Sales Associate at Banana Republic

Name of your pet(s): Luka! Follow him on IG @LilDoodLuka

Hobbies: Photography, Video, lots of sports (basketball, football, volleyball, tennis), Anime/Netflix, Gaming 

What excites you most about Get Schooled?

The mission excites me the most. Being able to help young people from across the nation with problems that they faces is tremendously important to me. All young people deserve a chance and Get Schooled helps make it easier.

Moses Hooper

Video Production Manager, with Get Schooled since 2021

Where you went to college/what your degree is in: Biola University, B.A in Film and Video Production, minor in Biblical Studies;

First job: Radio Operator and Dispatch at Scantech Systems

Name of your pet(s): None yet, looking to adopt an American Bully and Great Dane

Hobbies: Telling stories, traveling, photography, music production, skateboarding, camping, shooting, hiking, blockchain technology

What excites you most about working at Get Schooled?

I am excited at the opportunity to hold doors open and even open new doors for young people striving for excellence. Additionally, I'm thrilled to get to work alongside like-minded, passion-filled, agents of change in this space. Let's make an impact! 

Kyla Lackie

Deputy Director, with Get Schooled since 2021

Where you went to college/what your degree is in: University of San Diego, BAs in Ethnic Studies & Sociology, Nonprofit Management certificate, and minor in Documentary Photography; University of Washington, Masters in Public Administration with a Public Policy & Nonprofit Management focus

First job: Children’s garden program assistant through Teens In Public Service

Name of your pet(s): No pets (yet!)

Hobbies: Playing with my daughter, growing dahlias, running, and enjoying the Northwest

What excites you most about Get Schooled? 

Creating highly supportive and resonant content for Black and Brown and first generation college students to navigate their post-high school goals is so powerful! We are all better off when young people are supported to pursue their dreams, lead in our communities, and put their brilliance and passions into action.

Lisa Lane

Director of Operations, with Get Schooled since 2014

What excites you most about Get Schooled? 

I get to work with a team of individuals that are super talented and passionate about our mission. Seeing the work we do each day to support young people and educators makes it easy to show up. 

Eric Lopez

Senior Program Manager, with Get Schooled since 2021

First job: Crew Member at McDonald’s

Name of your pet(s): I do not have any pets! But I would like to adopt a dog in the future.

Hobbies: Attending concerts (I’ve been to over 60+), photography, trying new coffee shops, and watching so bad it’s good reality TV.

What excites you most about working at Get Schooled?

I am really excited to work for an organization that is mission driven alongside talented & caring people. I am eager to support young people in giving them tools & resources they need to make the best decision for themselves for life after high school! 

Sean Morrin

Senior Program Manager, with Get Schooled since 2021

Where you went to college/what your degree is in: Villanova University, B.A. in Political science

First job: Cashier in the Women’s shoes department at Nordstrom

Name of your pet(s): No pets, but lots of plants that are mostly named after authors and characters from British TV period-dramas (shoutout to Call the Midwife!)

Hobbies: Cooking, sourdough/fermentation projects, acting in community theater, playing sports that don’t destroy my creaky knees

What excites you most about Get Schooled?

The creativity, innovative spirit, and humanity of the Get Schooled team is energizing and it shows in our products and partnerships. I'm most excited about supporting the First Jobs work at Get Schooled because we can make sure that every young person has a chance to shine and feel successful.

Taylor Muñoz

Program Manager, with Get Schooled since 2021

First job: My college radio station running their social media!

Name of your pet(s): None (hoping that’ll change soon- I really want a Corgi!)

Hobbies: Reading, writing, weightlifting, doing the NYT crossword puzzle, and re-watching Parks & Recreation

What excites you most about Get Schooled?

I am so excited to use my privilege to teach and advocate for low-income, first-generation students across the country. Everyone deserves an equal chance at higher education, and I believe Get Schooled's work helps to even the playing field for students, while uplifting and encouraging them on their journey. 

David Nguyen

Director of Product & Data Analytics, with Get Schooled since 2012

Where you went to college/what your degree is in: University of Washington. Go Huskies! I received my business degree focusing on Marketing and Accounting.

First job: I worked in a store one summer when I was 16. Then I worked in an office filing, doing data entry and photocopying. I also spent time working retail at Footlocker.

Name of your pet(s): My sister has Tobi the Corgi

Hobbies: Hanging with my kids, watching everything basketball, playing Nintendo switch, eating food, drinking Vietnamese coffee, and watching movies. 

What excites you most about Get Schooled? 

It's amazing to see and meet so many students that Get Schooled has supported. Being able to always make an impact for our students in achieving their goals is what excites me the most about Get Schooled.

Miranda Ryan

Senior Program Manager, with Get Schooled since 2023

Where you went to college/what your degree is in: Portland Community College, Associate of Arts, Portland State University for my Bachelors of Arts in English and my Masters in Education, Concordia University for my Doctorate in Education with a specialization in Organizational Leadership.

First job: Portland Parks and Recreation as a Youth Mentor.

Name of your pet(s): My daughter has a cat named Sico.

Hobbies: I love going to the beach, reading, playing Animal Crossing, Coloring, and hanging out with my family.

What excites you most about Get Schooled?

I am most excited to work with a team of people who are equally passionate about helping students thrive in life. It is a great privilege to be able to give someone tools to succeed. Get Schooled is all about creating those tools. I am honored to be a part of this work.