Meet Our Team

Michael Sanchez

Co-Founder, Executive Director & Director of Academics

“When done correctly, the college application process can be a transformative moment and one of the first times that a student will truly reflect upon their engagements with the world around them. For a low-income minority student, attending college could mean bettering the lives of oneself and one’s community. I created Circle Match to help the next generation of change-makers who may need an extra push.”

Memorial High School 2019
Yale University 2023
B.A. English, Certificate in Medieval Studies

Lauren McDermott

Director of Marketing

"I joined Circle Match because I believe every student has the potential for greatness, but not all have access to it. Circle Match's program helps reveal that greatness by clearing the barriers to a higher education."

Bonita Vista High School, '06 San Francisco State Univ. '13 University of Southern California, '17, MCM

Max Kaplan

Co-Founder & Director of Strategy

"I joined the Circle Match team because I want to help bridge the gap when it comes to the underrepresentation of minority students on college campuses. Having split time between Public and Private High Schools, I have seen firsthand the difference in resources when it comes to preparing students for the college application process. I hope to share these resources to help make higher-education a level playing field."

Memorial High School (2008-2010), Blair Academy 2012
University of Virginia 2016
B.S. Political Science and Economics

Lizzett Cuervo

Co-Founder & Director of Community

"I have been an educator for the WNY school district for 14 years, specifically working with students with learning disabilities. I joined Circle Match because I have always loved the idea of helping students from underrepresented communities like WNY thrive and be able to attend great schools."

Rutgers University, University of Phoenix
M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction

Aileen Rangel

Marketing Manager

"Being a part of the Circle Match team is an honor. Having the opportunity to make the assistance of the college application process and educational resources accessible to underrepresented students fulfills me. As a first-generation student, it’s a dream come true to be able to help students with similar backgrounds. I’m excited to contribute to expanding Circle Match to notify students about this amazing program."

Memorial High School 2022
Rutgers University 2026
B.S. Computer Science

Stephanie Leiva

SAT Coach

"Coming from a family of Cuban immigrants, they didn’t have the finances to help me on my college journey. But when I attended MHS, I was honored with caring and passionate teachers. I’ve joined Circle Match as the SAT Tutor because I would like to pay it forward and give the next student the best opportunity to succeed."

Memorial High School 2012
Rutgers University 2016
B.A. Math and Theater

Mia Pazan

Operations and Marketing Fellow

"Circle Match was able to provide for me the necessary skills I needed to be a well-rounded applicant for the colleges I dreamed of applying to. As such, it is an honor to be able to help out the program that helped me when I needed it the most. Giving back to my community helps me become a better student, volunteer, and overall person."

Memorial High School 2023
Vanderbilt University 2023
B.S. Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Rocio Perez

Strategy Fellow

"I chose to work with Circle Match because I knew it was an organization dedicated to my future as an university student. I wanted a structure and guidance to work towards my goal of reaching higher education. I was also struggling with my writing skills and lacked the knowledge of opportunities outside my high school."

Memorial High School 2023
Washington University in St. Louis 2027
B.A. Business Administration

Cleo

Development Associate

"I chose to work with Circle Match because I knew it was an organization dedicated to my future as an university student. I wanted a structure and guidance to work towards my goal of reaching higher education. I was also struggling with my writing skills and lacked the knowledge of opportunities outside my high school."

Memorial High School 2023
Washington University in St. Louis 2027
B.A. Business Administration

Terence Tan

Head Advisor

"Joining Circle Match as a Head Advisor was a natural extension of my commitment to educational equity and my belief in the transformative power of access to higher education. The organization's sustainable model resonates deeply with my own experiences as an educator, where I have witnessed the long-term impact of nurturing student potential. This role is not only an opportunity to contribute to a cause close to my heart but also a chance to be part of a larger movement that champions equity & belonging in the educational landscape"

Harvard GSE Ed.M. ’16
NYU B.A.(Hons) ‘15

Irenys Reyes

Junior/Senior Advisor for Memorial HS

"College applications are scary at first but not impossible. It’s a process that has to be embraced and persevered through — Circle Match taught me the necessary skills and gave me the needed help to do so. Aside from being grateful for the opportunities Circle Match has offered me, I want other students just like me to know they’re not alone in this."

Memorial High School 2022
Emory University 2026
B.S. Biology

Jaylaan Limon

Junior/Senior Advisor for North Bergen HS

"I owe it to Circle Match for guiding me through every step of the college process. There were times where I doubted myself in every college that I applied, but Circle Match continued to push me through. As an advisor, I want to provide that same form of comfort to those who are also going through the college application. It is an overwhelming and stressful process. However, I will make sure to help with as much advice as I can give."

Memorial High School 2022
Hamilton College 2026
B.S. Public Health

Ashley Cangana

Junior/Senior Advising Fellow for North Bergen HS

"As someone who was a Circle Match student and got the opportunity of a lifetime, I hope to give other students the guidance I received in order to find their story and help them find community to rely on throughout the college application process."

North Bergen High School 2023
Washington University in St. Louis 2027
B.S. Biomedical Engineering

Angelica Garcia

Assistant Director of Academics & Senior Advisor for Garfield HS

"There is a huge gap that exists among the competitive college application process and students who come from low-income, historically underrepresented communities. Circle Match is that bridge from imagining to actually being a student at a competitive campus. I aim to help students from my East LA community to see beyond our brown space and see how their values, experiences, and knowledge are necessary for these college spaces."

Garfield High School 2020
UC Berkeley 2024
B.S. Sociology and Chicanx Studies, Minor in Education

Osvaldo Cabrales

Senior Advisor for Garfield HS

"The college application process is available to all, but not everyone has the same chance of succeeding through it. Some schools simply cannot offer high school guidance to all or offer extensive help throughout the college application process. With Circle Match, we will be able to offer this help to low-income high achieving students and truly help them meet their true potential."

Garfield High School 2020
Yale University 2024
B.S. Economics, Certificate in Statistics and Data Science

Eleanor Valentin

Junior/Senior Advisor for Franklin Delano Roosevelt HS

"I joined Circle Match with the belief of “paying it forward.” I came from a high school where students do not receive support unless they persistently ask for it. Through Circle Match, I will be able to make a difference in other student’s life, especially those who come from similar backgrounds as myself."

Franklin Delano High School 2023
Yale University 2026
B.A. Womens Gender Sexuality Studies

Annalie Diaz

Junior/Senior Advising Fellow for Memorial HS

“I joined the Circle Match team since I am a witness to the immense impact that the program has… I thank Circle Match for helping me obtain a full ride scholarship to my dream college, so now I want to pay it forward and support the students in my community by making their dreams come true as well."

Memorial High School 2023
Yale University 2027
B.S. Biomedical Engineering

Paola Rivas

Junior/Senior Advising Fellow for Memorial HS

"I joined Circle Match because it was and still is a program that helped low-income and first generation students like me. The advisors that work with Circle Match are truly admirable for they go an extraordinary length to help those students understand this complicated college admission process. I pay it forward now because I want to be that guide that I desperately needed and gratefully had—without their help, I wouldn’t be where I am today."

Memorial High School 2023
Middlebury College 2027
B.S. Psychology

Daniela Salazar

Junior/Senior Advising Fellow for North Bergen HS
North Bergen High School 2023
University of Rochester 2027
B.S. Biology

Aimee Perales

Junior/Senior Advising Fellow for Garfield HS
Garfield High School 2023
Yale University 2027
B.S. Mechanical Engineering

Angel Villeraldo

Junior/Senior Advising Fellow for Garfield HS

"I joined Circle Match because I believe in its mission to providing peer-to-peer college advising to deserving low-income students. As someone who comes from an underrepresented community, I understand that not every student has the same chance of succeeding in the college application process. Circle Match will allow me to guide students from East Los Angeles to succeed not only in the college application process but in prestigious colleges as well."

Garfield High School 2023
Stanford University 2027
B.S. Aerospace Engineering

Michael Sanchez

Executive Director & Director of Academics

"... For a low-income minority student, attending college could mean bettering the lives of oneself and one’s community. I created Circle Match to help the next generation of change-makers who may need an extra push."

Memorial High School 2019
Yale University 2023
B.A. English, Certificate in Medieval Studies

Elizabeth Aguirre

Director of Operations & Director of Marketing

"... I want high school students, no matter their background or hardships they’re facing, to know they’re capable of reaching new heights. I created Circle Match to meet the needs of ambitious students and to empower them to achieve their fullest potentials."

Memorial High School 2018
Johns Hopkins University 2022
B.S. Computer Engineering, Minor in Computer Science

Max Kaplan

Director of Strategy

"... I have seen firsthand the difference in resources when it comes to preparing students for the college application process. I hope to share these resources to help make higher-education a level playing field."

Memorial High School (2008-2010), Blair Academy 2012
University of Virginia 2016
B.S. Political Science and Economics

Lizzett Cuervo

Director of Community

"I have been an educator for the WNY school district for 14 years, specifically working with students with learning disabilities. I joined Circle Match because I have always loved the idea of helping students from underrepresented communities like WNY thrive and be able to attend great schools."

Rutgers University, University of Phoenix
M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction

Aileen Rangel

Marketing Manager

"... As a first-generation student, it's a dream come true to be able to help students with similar backgrounds. I'm excited to contribute to expanding Circle Match to notify students about this amazing program."

Memorial High School 2022
Rutgers University 2026
B.S. Computer Science

Stephanie Leiva

SAT Coach

"Coming from a family of Cuban immigrants, they didn’t have the finances to help me on my college journey...I’ve joined Circle Match as the SAT Tutor because I would like to pay it forward and give the next student the best opportunity to succeed."

Memorial High School 2012
Rutgers University 2016
B.A. Math and Theater

Mia Pazan

Operations and Marketing Fellow

"Circle Match was able to provide for me the necessary skills I needed to be a well-rounded applicant for the colleges I dreamed of applying to…it is an honor to be able to help out the program that helped me when I needed it the most..."

Memorial High School 2023
Vanderbilt University 2023
B.S. Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

Rocio Perez

Strategy Fellow

"I chose to work with Circle Match because I knew it was an organization dedicated to my future as an university student. I wanted a structure and guidance to work towards my goal of reaching higher education..."

Memorial High School 2023
Washington University in St. Louis 2027
B.A. Business Administration

Rick Gao

Summer Intern

"Throughout my high school journey, I was alone, everything had to be done by me…Circle Match’s mission really resonated with me, as it helps high-achieving students reach their goals, providing key knowledge and insights that are otherwise unavailable to them."

Deer Lakes High School 2022
Yale University 2026
B.S. Computer Science, Economics, and Math

Irenys Reyes

Junior/Senior Advisor for Memorial HS

"College applications are scary at first but not impossible. ... Aside from being grateful for the opportunities Circle Match has offered me, I want other students just like me to know they’re not alone in this."

Memorial High School 2022
Emory University 2026
B.S. Biology

Jaylaan Limon

Junior/Senior Advisor for North Bergen HS

"...There were times where I doubted myself in every college that I applied, but Circle Match continued to push me through those limitations I put on myself. As an advisor, I want to provide that same form of comfort to those who are also going through the college application..."

Memorial High School 2022
Hamilton College 2026
B.S. Public Health

Ashley Cangana

Junior/Senior Advising Fellow for North Bergen HS

"As someone who was a Circle Match student and got the opportunity of a lifetime, I hope to give other students the guidance I received in order to find their story and help them find community to rely on throughout the college application process."

North Bergen High School 2023
Washington University in St. Louis 2027
B.S. Biomedical Engineering

Angelica Garcia

Assistant Director of Academics & Senior Advisor for Garfield HS

“... Circle Match is that bridge from imagining to actually being a student at a competitive campus. Circle Match helps students from my East LA community to see beyond our brown space and see how their values, experiences, and knowledge are necessary for these college spaces.”

Garfield High School 2020
UC Berkeley 2024
B.S. Sociology and Chicanx Studies, Minor in Education

Osvaldo Cabrales

Senior Advisor for Garfield HS

“... Some schools simply cannot offer high school guidance to all or offer extensive help through the college application process which is why Circle Match is such a helpful program. We are able to offer this help to low-income, high achieving students and truly help them meet their true potential.“

Garfield High School 2020
Yale University 2024
B.S. Economics, Certificate in Statistics and Data Science

Eleanor Valentin

Junior/Senior Advisor for Franklin Delano Roosevelt HS

“I joined Circle Match with the belief of “paying it forward.” I came from a high school where students do not receive support unless they persistently ask for it. Through Circle Match, I will be able to make a difference in other student’s life, especially those who come from similar backgrounds as myself.”

Franklin Delano High School 2023
Yale University 2026
B.A. Womens Gender Sexuality Studies

Annalie Diaz

Junior/Senior Advising Fellow for Memorial HS

"I joined the Circle Match team since I am a witness to the immense impact that the program has... I thank Circle Match for helping me obtain a full ride scholarship to my dream college, so now I want to pay it forward and support the students in my community by making their dreams come true as well."

Memorial High School 2023
Yale University 2027
B.S. Biomedical Engineering

Paola Rivas

Junior/Senior Advising Fellow for Memorial HS

"…The advisors that work with Circle Match are truly admirable for they go an extraordinary length to help those students understand this complicated college admission process. I pay it forward now because I want to be that guide that I desperately needed and gratefully had—without their help, I wouldn’t be where I am today."

Memorial High School 2023
Middlebury College 2027
B.S. Psychology

Daniela Salazar

Junior/Senior Advising Fellow for North Bergen HS
North Bergen High School 2023
University of Rochester 2027
B.S. Biology

Aimee Perales

Junior/Senior Advising Fellow for Garfield HS
Garfield High School 2023
Yale University 2027
B.S. Mechanical Engineering

Angel Villeraldo

Junior/Senior Advising Fellow for Garfield HS

"I joined Circle Match because I believe in its mission to providing peer-to-peer college advising to deserving low-income students…Circle Match will allow me to guide students from East Los Angeles to succeed not only in the college application process but in prestigious colleges as well. "

Garfield High School 2023
Stanford University 2027
B.S. Aerospace Engineering

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Circle Match Programs

Find out more about how each role impacts our students throughout our 4 tracks.

Program Overview