▶︎ Heidi Dotterrer, Chief Operating Officer

Heidi Dotterrer brings 15 years of experience teaching and leading in cities across the country. As the COO, Heidi leads partnerships, operations, data collection and analysis, and communication across the org. Prior to joining Generation Teach in 2015, Heidi directed and launched Breakthrough Collaborative summer programs and taught at KIPP San Francisco Bay Academy. At Breakthrough, Heidi led student recruitment, selection, and support; curriculum development and implementation; and volunteer, intern teacher, and instructional coach recruitment, selection, and supervision. She founded two Breakthrough sites in new cities and served as the chair of Breakthrough Collaborative’s Directors’ Council and represented directors on the Breakthrough Collaborative Board of Trustees. Heidi manages the California region of Middlebury College’s Alumni Admissions Program. She holds her B.A. in Environmental Science, Biology, and Education from Middlebury College.

▶︎ Ivelisse Sanchez, Managing Director, New England Programs

Ivelisse (Ive) Sanchez is a Boston, MA native and has worked in K-12 public education for a decade. She was a middle-school English as a Second Language teacher before transitioning into talent and recruitment. She has founded and led several diversity initiatives, including managing a diversity and inclusion task force, designing and implementing a mentoring program for employees of color, and assisting non-profits in Boston and New Haven in attracting, recruiting, hiring, and retaining a talented and diverse staff. She earned her B.A. in Journalism from Northeastern University and her Master of Education in Curriculum and Teaching from Boston University. She serves on various committees and governing boards in the education and non-profit sectors.

▶︎ Jenny Pichardo, Senior Director of Grants Management

Jenny Pichardo has spent the last ten years investing in Rhode Island’s future generation. She joined the Generation Teach team in 2021. Before Generation Teach, Jenny worked with Rhode Island public high schools and public charter schools, university partners, and employers to provide students with meaningful career exploration and work-based learning opportunities. She spearheaded projects to ensure students learn critical workforce skills, including designing a Work-Readiness Bootcamp training. Jenny grew up in the city of Providence and is passionate about education and the success of Rhode Island students. She holds a B.S in Management and Marketing from the University of Rhode Island, and an M.A in Community Development from Roger Williams University.

▶︎ Laura Zahn, Founder & CEO

Inspired by a summer teaching fellowship to pursue a career in education, Laura Zahn founded Generation Teach in March 2014 to scale summer teaching fellowships in partnership with district and charter schools. A former Breakthrough Teaching Fellow, Instructional Coach, Executive & Program Director, national board member, and Chief Academic Officer, Laura has served as a middle- and high-school teacher, middle-school principal, school improvement consultant, and NH Department of Education School Improvement Grant (SIG) Consultant. A recipient of a Paul Douglas Teaching Scholarship, Laura graduated summa cum laude with a B.A. in English and Humanities from Messiah College and holds an M.A. in liberal studies from Dartmouth College and an M.S. in educational administration from National University, as well as experienced educator credentials in English grades 5-12 and K-12 principal leadership.

▶︎ Maria Macias, Senior Director of Recruitment & Special Projects

Maria Medina Macias was born in Aguascalientes, Mexico. She grew up in Southern Minnesota and relocated to Colorado in 2021. She graduated from Augsburg University in Minneapolis with a degree in Communication Studies and a focus in Business Administration. Maria enjoys completing bootcamps to expand her UX/UI and Project Management skills. Maria joined the Generation Teach team in 2022 and brings a background and experience in law and education. Maria has worked at two law firms where she was able to utilize and grow her business administration and project management skills. She enjoys making sure organizations run smoothly and efficiently.

Prior to joining GT, Maria also worked as a Personal Learning Coach at Robbinsdale Middle School in Minnesota, where she supported student success by mentoring students and being a resource for families. She is passionate about Generation Teach’s mission and vision and is excited to learn and lead with her team.

▶︎ Mayra Mendez, Director of Denver Programs

Mayra Mendez was born in Aguascalientes, Mexico and grew up in rural Minnesota. She recently moved to Colorado, where she joined the Generation Teach team in 2022. Mayra obtained her B.A. in Communication Studies, Film Production, and Studio Art at Augsburg University in Minneapolis and holds a Masters degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of Northwestern - St. Paul.

Mayra has always had a passion for working with low-income, first-generation, and immigrant students. She has devoted most of her professional career to roles regarding diversity, equity, inclusion, and access to education. She helped lead a national leadership scholarship program and has also worked in college admissions. Mayra previously directed a nationwide college access program and before joining Generation Teach, Mayra worked at her alma mater as the Director for Latinx Student Services. Mayra is devoted and passionate about helping education become more equitable for students of color.

▶︎ Seidah Rivera, Senior Director of Administration

Seidah is a native of Statesville, NC and has a strong passion for education and social justice. Her mom was an elementary school teacher for 25 years which led to Seidah also working in the local school system for two years as a digital lab monitor.

Seidah has a passion for supporting her teammates. She prides herself on giving careful attention to practical details in all aspects of her life and work. She has over 15 years of customer service experience, of which, 10 years have been in administrative departments.

Prior to joining Generation Teach, she worked as an Operations Supervisor for a contract staffing firm. She was the lead administrative personnel to a multi-million-dollar account with one of the nation’s top banks. She supported and supervised the onboarding process, provided oversight and training for new staff members, and processed weekly payroll for consultants.

Seidah looks forward to applying her administrative knowledge to support her teammates and grow with Generation Teach. She currently resides in Jacksonville, FL with her family.

▶︎ Shelia Cherry-Branch, Regional Director of Texas Programs

Shelia Cherry-Branch is a native Dallas, TX. resident. She completed her undergraduate studies at the University of Texas at Arlington, and went on to attain a Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership with a specialization in Collaborative Urban Leadership at the University of Texas at Austin. Shelia subscribes to the ideology of being a lifelong learner.

For the past twenty years Shelia has had the fortunate opportunity to educate students in the Dallas area from diverse academic, socioeconomic, and cultural backgrounds. While working in the Dallas Independent School District she has served in several impactful roles as an Educator, District Literacy Coach, and High School Collegiate Administrator. She is passionate about advocating for students who are not normally afforded an opportunity to attend a college or a university. Seeing first-hand the sense of accomplishment and pride students exude once they realize that a college education is attainable is a driving force behind Shelia’s dedication and service!