Meet Our Talented Staff!

CEO

Learn more about our CEO!

EXECUTIVE VP and SENIOR ADVISOR

With a wealth of professional experience in managing and growing businesses, Richard works with the GOALS team to streamline and improve our business processes. He also works with strategic partners to expand GOALS' services to populations who lack access to services like ours. Richard’s background includes positions as a Senior Advisor, Executive Director, Director of Admissions, and President & CEO.

Richard highly values encouraging young people to become the very best versions of themselves, making him a perfect match with GOALS mission to guide students towards becoming strong, independent learners. While Richard often worked with business practices, he was able to share his passion for working with young people in his role as a Regional Manager with Kidz Love Soccer. He also never missed a shift as a PE parent throughout his daughter’s school years.

Richard’s free time revolves around his wife and daughters, who enjoy trying new foods and traveling. His youngest daughter is currently off to college as a UCLA Bruin. With his new found free time, Richard is enjoying playing more league soccer.

CHIEF EDUCATION OFFICER

Alysia earned a Master’s degree in Anthropology of Childhood, Youth, and Education at Brunel University in West London. She had previously attended CSU Sacramento where she studied Psychology with an emphasis in Applied Behavioral Analysis. While in the UK she did her dissertation work at a hostel for vulnerable youth and has since worked extensively with children and youth in the foster care system and in group homes. 

She has a strong behavioral background with experience supervising behavioral therapy for children and youth with developmental disabilities and severe behavioral difficulties.  Alysia’s extensive experience in both direct care and supervision of care has helped her to mentor GOALS staff as Director of Education. In the long term, Alysia wants to continue polishing her skills at leading teams in a student-focused environment. 

OPERATIONS MANAGER

Maggie graduated Summa Cum Laude from San Jose State University with a BS Degree in Justice Studies. She was admitted to Santa Clara School of Law and Golden Gate University School of Law on scholarship but decided being a lawyer was not her cup of tea. She joined GOALS in 2016 as Phillip's Executive Assistant and was promoted to Chief Administrative Officer, then a few years later, stepping down to Operations Manager, where she has been leading the Administrative department, as well as Finance and HR.

She gained experience and a passion working with youth interning at the LGBTQ Youth Space and has also worked with adults with autism prior to joining GOALS. Additionally, she has years of customer service and administrative experience and uses her variety of skill sets while working here at GOALS.

SENIOR INSTRUCTOR and PRODUCTIVITY MANAGER

Kristin studied clinical psychology in graduate school and graduated summa cum laude with a BS in Health Sciences from Portland State University. She has provided CBT-focused psychotherapy to adults experiencing psychological disorders; counseled at-risk high school students; helped develop the social and behavioral skills of children with autism spectrum disorder as an ABA therapist; and worked as an Adolescent Development Specialist at a crisis residential treatment program. Her work has taught her the importance of tailoring her approach to best meet the needs of each individual student, recognizing that everyone has different strengths and areas of need. She approaches her students with empathy and patience, and works alongside them to help them realize their full potential.

A former Division 1 soccer player at Portland State University, Kristin understands the value of teamwork, habit formation, and dedication. When not at GOALS, you’ll find Kristin playing center defender on the soccer field, or hanging out with her golden retriever and two shiba inu pups.

EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING, CONTENT, and PRODUCTIVITY INSTRUCTOR

“Sunny” has a background in Humanities with emphasis in English and Asian Studies. He is skilled at working as an interventionist for individuals who are filling academic gaps and who are managing at-risk factors for success in academics and beyond. When Sunny coaches a student who is discouraged or unmotivated he supports them as they find their own awesomeness by focusing on improving their lives and/or the lives of those around them.

He has a wide range of eclectic interests, which include martial arts (Karate, Wing Chun, Mui Thai, and swordsmanship), parkour, surfing, writing poetry, D&D, Magic the Gathering, and Mario Kart.

TRAINING SUPERVISOR, SENIOR EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING and CONTENT INSTRUCTOR

With an academic background of Psychology and Education, Erin develops innovative learning experiences for her students, which is a skill she began when she led education components at science centers and museums. She excels at emotionally supporting her clients with aspects of learning that can be overwhelming. As a coach and instructor, Erin believes that every moment can be a teaching moment.

Her hobbies are closely tied to her love of STEM education and include working and living on a ranch for rescued horses, pinning and collecting insects, and gardening.

EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING and CONTENT INSTRUCTOR

An academic foundation in cell biology and virology, as well as a lifelong love of Spanish language and culture, led to Maddie’s accidental entry into education, and she quickly realized how passionate she was about the field. Her deep understanding of both the Spanish language and STEM fields enables her to confidently and competently work in a collaborative mode while helping her client process academics. Practical executive functioning strategies developed through her experience working with students in and out of the classroom are another fundamental component of Maddie’s teaching approach. Maddie believes that mutual respect, deep questioning, and problem solving are critical aspects of the learning process and her coaching process.

As a biology student, she discovered a new species of lungworms. In her downtime, she loves a good book and like anyone else some cuddles from her adoring cat.

EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING and CONTENT INSTRUCTOR

For Brittany , teaching has always been more than a job—it’s a calling. With a Master’s in Global and International Education, a BA in Elementary and Special Education, and certification as an ADHD Life Coach, Brittany is all about helping students with ADHD and executive functioning challenges find their strengths. She blends structure, like time-blocking and organizational hacks, with a healthy dose of empathy and positive reinforcement, making sure her students feel confident and empowered. Brittany’s passion for education started early, from "teaching" her dolls to guiding neighborhood kids in play. Her career has taken her around the world—she’s lived in four different countries—and she’s always ready to bring a global perspective to her work.

When she’s not helping students thrive, you can find her diving into Social Studies and English lessons or trying her hand at pickleball (even if she admits she's not quite a pro yet!).

EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING INSTRUCTOR

Amanda is a passionate educator with a knack for making learning both meaningful and approachable. With both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in English and Education, her love for literature and teaching has taken her to some truly unique classrooms—from a correctional facility, where she helped individuals find their voice through poetry and resumes, to supporting college students with autism at an independent living center, and even working in a therapeutic program. Amanda’s journey has taught her one clear lesson: education should be accessible and tailored to every learner. Amanda also has extensive experience coaching blind clients in the use of assistive technologies, blending practical tools with encouragement to empower individuals in their educational and personal goals.

At GOALS, Amanda takes a warm and relational approach, connecting with students to understand their needs and finding creative, sometimes unconventional ways to help them succeed. When Amanda isn’t inspiring her students, you might find her reading a great book, soaking up the sun on South Florida beaches, or plotting her next travel adventure (her bucket list is impressive). She also loves live music and even embraces her “terrible taste” in TV shows with pride. As a blind educator, Amanda offers a fresh perspective, turning challenges into opportunities and showing students how to see their own potential in a new light. She’s excited to bring her expertise to GOALS as a Content and Executive Functioning Instructor, helping everyone access the tools and strategies they need to thrive.

EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING and PRODUCTIVITY INSTRUCTOR

Neel is on a mission to deliver a fresh and dynamic approach to teaching. His journey in education is both varied and inspiring, having taught conversational English to children in a remote village in India and creating engaging content for social media. Neel’s approach to teaching centers on making subjects come alive by building strong connections with students and infusing lessons with a touch of wit. He believes that igniting curiosity is essential for learning, and he excels at demonstrating the real-world relevance of different subjects.

Outside the classroom, Neel channels his enthusiasm into video production, where he explores topics like history, music, film & TV, psychology, and more through visually captivating content. 

CONTENT INSTRUCTOR

With an educational background in both education and nursing, Stephanie brings a unique skill set to the GOALS Education Team. Her academic background spans both education with some specialization in working with neurodiversity and a nursing program, where she also conducted advanced academic tutoring in nursing with emphasis on how to learn the material. Her experience in nursing has been diverse as an Outpatient Hospice RN Case Manager, Acute Care Charge RN, and RN/Educator for medically fragile individuals. As Stephanie has refined her approach to learning and vocational development, she has remained humble, approaching her students with an open mind, offering compassion and flexibility to foster learning and growth in others.

A great joy for Stephanie is learning from others, but in her downtime, you may have a hard time finding her because she loves to get outdoors and find adventure.

STEM CONTENT INSTRUCTOR

Simon is a graduate student of Mathematics and Physics at San Jose State University with a bachelors from University of California at Santa Cruz. Simon brings a vibrant energy to his teaching that makes learning anything but boring. He’s known for his down-to-earth approach and a dash of monotoned humor that keeps students on their toes. When teaching, Simon prefers to ask more questions than he answers, socratically sparking curiosity and deeper understanding. Simon is comfortable supporting Mathematics from people who are just learning how to add and subtract through complex multivariate calculus.

When he’s not unraveling the mysteries of the universe, he’s relishing his love for basketball (a seven-year veteran) or chatting about his goal to be the first Korean Nobel Laureate in Physics. Simon is comfortable teaching in both Korean and English.

EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING and CONTENT INSTRUCTOR

Skilled at helping students discover their unique learning styles, Zoe is a content and EF instructor with a wealth of strategies to share. With a Masters of Science in TESOL and a double major in Writing & Rhetoric and Spanish, she’s taught English in Colombia and Spain, tutored college writing for nearly 8 years, and supported students through various academic challenges. Zoe’s teaching philosophy revolves around metacognitive strategies—asking insightful questions to help students recognize their strengths and how they learn best. 

Whether it’s mastering academic writing, refining study habits, or boosting prioritization skills, Zoe’s goal is to empower students to take charge of their learning journey. Outside of teaching, Zoe enjoys traveling, crocheting, and—here’s a fun fact—she unknowingly got married at a UFO sighting hotspot (something she learned afterward)!

EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING INSTRUCTOR

Ebani Broadus comes to us with an advanced degree, (Ed.S) Education Leadership Specialist, a masters degree in Humanities, and more than 20 years working in education. From school administrator to curriculum specialist, behavior specialist, mentor, and author, Ebani has worn many hats throughout her career. Her teaching style is rooted in empathy, blending tried-and-true educational models with creative strategies like mind maps and organizational tools that keep students engaged and on track. Inspired by the amazing educators who shaped her, Ebani is passionate about teaching executive functioning skills and sparking a love for reading, writing, and comprehension. 

When she’s not empowering students, you’ll find Ebani collecting lip glosses—because who doesn’t love a pop of color?

EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING and CONTENT INSTRUCTOR

Emmily has a rich background in supporting individuals through her previous roles as a certified STAND Coach at the UCLA Resilience Peer Network, a Teaching Assistant at Chapman University and currently as a School Counselor (MSW Intern) at YouthBuild Charter School of California. She holds a BA in Psychology from UCLA and is currently enrolled in a Master's in Social Work program at USC. She also has experience as a Research Assistant for The Child Brain Study at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior.

From working with neurodivergent children in research to teaching students in high school, Emmily has learned that all students carry tons of ambition and passion. She believes that as instructors, we inspire students to find confidence and autonomy throughout their academic journeys. Her approach to working with students has always emphasized patience, care, and a non-judgmental attitude. She embraces each student's unique skills and learning preferences. A combination of organizational tips, cognitive support, and fun, game-based learning devices has been her go-to!

Emmily firmly believes that fostering academic achievement goes beyond explaining concepts. She wants to ensure students have the confidence to successfully navigate their academic challenges and refine their learning skills. She teaches because she wants students to believe in their capabilities as much as she does.

A fun fact about Emmily is that she has written, illustrated, and published a children's book. She also loves scrapbooking and exploring new food spots!

CONTENT INSTRUCTOR

Harika is currently a very busy undergraduate student at the University of Washington studying Medical Anthropology and Global Health as well as Food Systems and Nutrition with plans to pursue a medical degree. She started working at GOALS when she was in high school as a Junior Instructor, proving to be an extraordinary asset to the team both as a peer tutor and Productivity support.  Before coming to GOALS she worked at Kumon for 3 years teaching Math and English. Her extensive peer tutoring experience includes different subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, and Spanish.

Harika’s experience supporting a wide range of students has taught her that each student has their own style of learning and the best way to help them learn is to adapt her teaching style to best fit their learning. The main tools that she uses are active recall for memorization and hands-on learning through practice problems. Harika emphasizes mastery of concepts by having students demonstrate their knowledge during sessions.Harika loves observing the "lightbulb moment” when a challenging concept finally clicks for a student. She believes that is one of the best parts about learning because it gives the student a sense of power and accomplishment. Teaching gives her the tools to help people reach their lightbulb moments and she loves to empower them in that way.

When not focusing on academia, Harika spends her time playing volleyball or taking dance or art lessons.

CONTENT INSTRUCTOR

With a Master’s in Education and a Bachelor's in Music Education, and a deep passion for mathematics, and over 14 years teaching in a classroom,  Jacqueline brings a creative and seasoned touch to teaching. Her philosophy is to let students showcase their knowledge in a relaxed, supportive environment. Using activities like vocabulary sorting and visual recaps, she encourages students to express understanding without pressure, then guides them with thoughtful questions that deepen their thinking. For Jacqueline, the most rewarding moment is when a student makes steady progress on their own—a true sign of mastery. Because of her deep love for the subject and the joy of expanding own understanding of advanced concepts, she has been working on a second bachelors in math.

Beyond teaching, she’s an avid language learner, a native Spanish speaker, and enjoys collecting Harry Potter books and Bibles from around the world; she currently owns three versions of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and the Bible in seven languages!

PRODUCTIVITY INSTRUCTOR

Monet started her teaching journey as the eldest of 4 girls at home and learned from an early age the importance of patience and listening as a key to discover the individual needs of each student as she takes time to build a good rapport and connection. She has a strong background in Science with a BS in Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology from UC Santa Cruz as well as experience as a Phlebotomist.  She spent time honing her skills addressing challenging and maladaptive behaviors as a Behavioral Therapist and developed further teaching tools as an EMT skills instructor.

Monet approaches clients with an open mind, asking questions to better understand what each individual needs. She believes in treating students with respect and asking guiding questions to find the root of each problem. Monet enjoys her work most when her clients are also having fun learning a new skill. She found a passion in teaching others by learning how fun it can be to learn when you have the right person teaching - and she wants to be that person.

In her spare time Monet enjoys a variety of creative hobbies as well as hiking, working on her motorcycle and taking care of her new baby and sweet kitties.