Get Schooled

Meet Our Team

We are a passionate, diverse, and fun group of people who care deeply about college and job readiness and success. Meet us, and hear what excites us about Get Schooled.

Work with Us

Want to help young people get to college, find first jobs, and succeed in both? See below for our open job opportunities. We would love to hear from you.  Email us!

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 (aka Toby Wan Kenobi, aka Toby Bryant, aka Toblerone, aka Tobias, aka Tobes)

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.

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

Communications & Marketing Manager, 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

Program Coordinator, 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.

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

Office Manager, with Get Schooled since 2014

Where you went to college/what your degree is in: University of Washington; Political Science & International Affairs

First Job: Horse Trainer

Name of your pet(s): None

Hobbies: Yoga, trying to keep plants alive

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. 

Joi Louviere

Senior Program Manager, with Get Schooled since 2020

Where you went to college/what your degree is in: Hampton University and Georgetown University; degrees in Journalism

First Job: The Charlotte Observer as a copy editor and designer

Name of your pet(s): Bear the dog

Hobbies: Writing, painting, traveling, tennis, watching reality TV 

What excites you most about Get Schooled?

It’s so exciting to be a part of a support system for students who want to further their education. College is a beautiful time in life and everybody deserves that experience, if they want it, and I’m going to work hard to make sure students have all they need to thrive.

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

Where you went to college/what your degree is in: Seattle Pacific University; degree in Journalism

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.