For 25 years, SMASH has opened doors for students to explore computing, pursue their passions, and build brighter futures.
Make a donation to help us create more opportunities for the next generation of innovators and leaders. As a thank-you, you’ll receive an exclusive SMASH25 Community Champion digital badge via email to proudly display in the Licenses & Certifications section of your LinkedIn profile.
OUR MISSION + VISION
We empower dedicated students in STEM fields through intensive education, rigorous coursework, and access to resources, aiming to cultivate success in college and careers. Our vision is to create a STEM ecosystem where every student can thrive in the global economy. By providing opportunities, we seek to enrich our communities and workplaces with well-prepared, competitive leaders.
OUR HISTORY
SMASH was one of the earliest STEM education programs created in the United States as a way to prepare students for STEM college studies. The very first SMASH site program launched on the University of California, Berkeley campus in 2004.
Prior to joining SMASH, Jonathan founded VEER Ventures in 2020 to support disruptive educational technologies that benefit communities of color, served as vice president of development for the National Math + Science Initiative ($45 million annual budget), successfully launched Nord Anglia Education’s $100 million flagship campus, worked as an associate vice chancellor of Texas’ second largest higher education system, and was the founding director at the Inland Empire Economic Partnership. He obtained a master’s in public administration from Harvard University and a bachelor’s in political science from Pepperdine University.
Jonathan currently lives in Houston, Texas with his wife and two teenage sons. Having studied abroad in Europe and Africa while in college, he is passionate about traveling and experiencing new communities, cuisines, and cultures from all around the world.
Before joining the organization, Amanda held leadership roles at AnitaB.org, Renaissance West Community Initiative, the Jimmie Johnson Foundation, and KIPP Charlotte. A strategic leader, she has tackled complex fundraising challenges during unprecedented times, including growing individual giving, championing the use of blockchain donations, and revitalizing board engagement and support. Amanda is known for bringing innovative ideas to life when building major donor programs from the ground up and implementing trust-based philanthropy models. She excels at blending data, storytelling, and bold strategy to drive sustainable growth through successfully cultivating and stewarding individuals, foundations, corporations and other philanthropic entities.
Originally from the north east of England, Amanda holds a Masters Degree in Gender Studies from the University of Leeds and a Bachelor's Degree in Organization Studies, with Honors from the University of Bradford. Now based in the Charlotte, NC area, she enjoys spending time with her son and dog, mentoring women to become triathletes, exploring her creativity, weightlifting, skiing, and building Lego.
He’s a lifelong artist and received some formal training from California College of the Arts, but most of what he knows has been learned from workshops or self-taught. Cam also has over 20 years of experience working with his family business training dogs of all breeds. He’s excited to contribute to the development of the next generation of the tech workforce with SMASH. When Cam isn’t working, you can find him reading, making art, traveling, or hanging out with dogs.
Cindy is originally from Nayarit, Mexico, and has lived in the Central Valley for the past 20 years. Cindy is passionate about building community and supporting students. In her free time, Cindy can be found with her toddler Joaquín, either at a park or in a library.
Ahna began her career as a college and career advisor at Windsor Forest High School with the Savannah Graduates program and then transitioned to Clark Atlanta University as a Program Specialist with their TRiO Upward Bound program. Ahna helps students explore and pursue postsecondary education. Her mantra is “be who you needed when you were younger.” In her free time, Ahna enjoys reading, fitness, playing the piano, brunch, and traveling.
Before coming to SMASH, Elena was a Researcher at TMZ where she not only broke exclusive worldwide stories, but she strengthened her ability to sniff out new angles and create content that breaks through a crowded media landscape.
While at UC Berkeley, Elena was the News Editor for San Quentin State Prison’s newspaper, where going behind bars weekly helped her realize her desire to use storytelling to inform audiences and share people’s experiences. Her short documentaries spotlight underserved communities, and they have been screened at festivals like the Tribeca Film Festival and Cannes Film Festival. She’s also worked on Shorty-award winning campaigns for Mark Zuckerberg’s nonprofit, FWD.us.
In her free time, she likes to play beach volleyball, watch anything Bravo or RuPaul-related, obsess over dogs and cook.
Holding a BA in Economics from The University of Texas at Austin, Eunice is passionate about harnessing the power of data to effect positive change within educational systems and beyond.
Outside work, she enjoys dedicating time to her well-being, family, and hobbies, such as DJing on weekends and reading compelling novels.
Before joining SMASH, LaDana served as the Director of Development at Techbridge Girls, where she played a pivotal role in driving organizational sustainability and growth. In this capacity, she collaborated with the leadership team to spearhead fundraising and donor engagement strategies. Her innovative approaches to donor cultivation, grant acquisition, and stewardship ensured a steady flow of support, facilitating the organization’s expansion and impact.
Throughout her career, LaDana has consistently demonstrated her commitment to supporting young people and their communities. Notably, she led initiatives aimed at equipping young adults, parenting teens, and homeless youth, especially those transitioning from the foster care system, with essential educational and vocational skills to facilitate successful transitions into adulthood. Her collaborative efforts with community donors, coupled with her adept management of multiple grants, underscore her unwavering dedication to fostering positive and enduring change within vulnerable communities. LaDana holds a Master’s in Social Work from Barry University in Miami Shores, Florida. She actively participates in professional and civic organizations, including the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Blacks in Technology, NASW, and Junior League of Durham and Orange County.
In her leisure time, LaDana enjoys listening to true crime podcasts, trying new restaurants, exploring the outdoors with her dog, Chloe, and spending time with close friends and family.
Prior to SMASH, Zorel worked in various roles across school districts as a teacher, principal, and coach. Additionally, she has consulted for organizations supporting strategic initiatives and program sustainability.
Zorel was born in Venezuela, grew up in Chicago and now calls Oakland home. She loves to travel, bake desserts, and frequent coffee shops.
Holding a Bachelor of Science in Business Management with a concentration in Human Resources from the University of Nevada – Las Vegas, Rudee is passionate about finding new ways of driving operational excellence and people initiatives.
Outside of work, she enjoys photography, live music, traveling and supporting her son in all his sports endeavors.
A proud graduate of Clemson University with a Bachelor of Arts, Beyonka is passionate about building systems and spaces that help people thrive. She is also the founder of Her Space, a Charlotte-based community that cultivates connection, wellness, and belonging for Black women.
As a Founding Partner at Kapor Capital, Freada invests in seed-stage tech startups that create positive social impact by closing gaps of access, opportunity, or outcome for low-income communities and communities of color. The companies solve actual problems, aspiring to simultaneously generate economic value and positive social impact. Often the founders are drawing on their lived experiences to create businesses that address real needs.
She founded SMASH to provide rigorous STEM education, mentorship, and college and career preparation for high school students.
Freada’s initial job in tech was as the first head of Employee Relations, Organizational Development, and Management Training at Lotus Development Corporation. Her job description was to make Lotus the “most progressive employer in the U.S.” Lotus 1-2-3 is widely recognized as the “killer app” that made the personal computer ubiquitous in business.
In 1976, she co-founded the Alliance Against Sexual Coercion, the first organization in the U.S. to address sexual harassment. She holds a Ph.D. in Social Policy and Research from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University; and has conducted numerous large survey projects on perceptions and experiences of bias, harassment, and disrespectful treatment in workplaces.
Freada is a member of the Obama Foundation Tech Policy Council, the U.C. Berkeley Board of Visitors, and the council that formed the Hollywood Commission chaired by Anita Hill. She serves on the advisory boards of Twilio.org, Generation Investment Management, and Trident; is a board observer at Aclima.io, a tech startup focusing on hyperlocal air quality monitoring, and serves on the NAACP National Board of Directors.
Freada is an author and co-author of books on workplace culture and startup investing.
Dr. Scott led evaluations of pre-college STEM programs and research on computer science preparation in California. She holds a Ph.D. in Education, with a specialization in School Psychology, from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Hampton University. Allison enjoys traveling, jogging, and drinking Diet Coke.
Named by Adweek as one of the “50 Most Indispensable Executives in Marketing, Media, and Tech, “and with more than two decades of experience growing brands at the intersection of technology, entertainment, advertising, media, and marketing, Mr. Wolfe Pereira is committed to building purpose-driven businesses and helping people discover their superpowers to ignite their true potential. Before joining Encantos, Mr. Wolfe Pereira was the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Quantcast, the leading AI-driven audience insights and measurement company. Previously, he also served as the Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Neustar and at Datalogix. Mr. Wolfe Pereira has also held executive roles at Publicis Groupe, Univision, and Akamai Technologies.
A passionate supporter of STEAM education, he also serves on the board of directors of the Ad Council, the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF).
He earned a B.A. from Tufts University, was a Fulbright Scholar, and completed the Greater Boston Executive MBA Program at MIT’s Sloan School of Management.
Under her leadership, Lirvana Labs received the MIT Solve Global Learning Challenge Award, the Supes’ Choice Award by the Institute for Education Innovation, among other accolades for research-backed impact. Christie has been named a 2024 and 2025 Leading Woman in AI in Education by ASU+GSV, a Woman of Impact by Kapor Foundation, and a Leading Woman in AI for Education by the Australia National AI Centre and the Government Department of Industry, Science and Resources.
An advocate for AI in education, Christie is regularly invited to convene and speak as an AI thought partner—most recently by the Global Yidan Prize Summit, the National Association of State Leaders in Early Education, and by Departments of Education across New York City, ASEAN and Hong Kong.
She is a staunch advocate for SMASH and Lirvana Labs has continuously hired SMASH scholars and alumni across the nation.
Today, Dr. Lewis’ lab at UC Santa Barbara specifically focuses on great apes’ abilities to form, build, and deepen social relationships and understand the minds of others. Laura is committed to scientific excellence and compassionate mentorship, and is passionate about creating a scientific world that is more diverse, equitable, just, and kind.
Dr. Lewis believes in the power of SMASH and pays it forward. So much so, she has recently agreed to join the Board of Directors.
Your gift supports hands-on computer science learning, mentorship, and college and career preparation. Help SMASH students develop skills, confidence, and professional networks.
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