Summer Springboard
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OUR MISSION AT SUMMER SPRINGBOARD IS TO HELP STUDENTS INCREASE THEIR SELF-AWARENESS SO THEY CAN MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT COLLEGE SELECTION, ACADEMIC MAJORS, AND CAREERS THAT REFLECT THEIR PERSONAL VISION FOR SUCCESS.
About Summer Springboard
Summer Springboard empowers college-bound teens through immersive academics, hands-on learning, and real-world career exploration at top universities around the globe. Students discover their passions, build confidence, and gain the skills needed to thrive in college and beyond. It’s more than a summer program, it’s a launchpad for future success.
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Our Story
Summer Springboard was founded to give college-bound teens a supportive environment where they can explore their personal and academic passions.
Our innovative pre-college summer programs, offered at some of the nation’s leading colleges and universities, combines the benefits of an academically challenging summer experience with tools and frameworks for personal leadership development and self-discovery.
Leveraging the years of success enjoyed by our sister organizations, Global Leadership Adventures and Discover Corps. Summer Springboard aims to continue the tradition of providing unique and compelling summer experiences for college-bound teens as they look to grow, expand and impact their communities.
We ensure student well-being using our 5-Point Safety System and top tier university partners.
The Summer Springboard leadership team brings together diverse backgrounds spanning several decades.
Our goal is to use our decades of experience in areas such as service learning, education, international travel, media, and program operations to create the most impactful domestic summer enrichment programs for college-bound teens.
We are proudly based in San Diego, California.
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Our Founder
Andrew Motiwalla
After college, Andrew served two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in Central America. His overseas volunteer experience ignited a passion to share that experience with others, and he became vice president at a non-profit international volunteer organization where he set up volunteer operations in 14 countries around the world.
Later, he did brief stints with a couple of tech start-up companies and also started two of his own ventures. He returned to his passion for experiential education by founding Terra Education and personally launched Global Leadership Adventures, Discover Corps, and Summer Springboard, and most recently, The Good Life Abroad, an international living experience for adults ages 55 and older.
Andrew is a graduate of Lawrence University and has done graduate studies at New School University. He speaks Spanish and Portuguese.
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Our Values
Summer Springboard has adopted six key values from the African Leadership Academy that sit at the heart of our mission.
ALA is at the root of the journey that eventually led to the formation of Terra Education and its programs around the world, including Summer Springboard, and these values continue to embody everything Summer Springboard represents as an organization.
★ Integrity: We are a people of our word, with the courage to do what is right.
★ Curiosity: We challenge the status quo and take the initiative to pursue new Ideas.
★ Humility: We are thankful for opportunities and are aware of our limitations.
★ Compassion: We empathize with and care for those around us.
★ Diversity: We respect all people and believe that difference should be celebrated.
★ Excellence: We set high standards for our own achievement and celebrate the achievements of others.
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Our Team
Maria Balmaseda, MBA
Vice President of Operations
Maria was born and raised in a small town in Toledo, Spain. Her curiosity and love for exploration first took her to Madrid, where she earned a degree in chemical engineering. The city’s vibrant atmosphere and her early volunteer experiences sparked a passion for travel, learning, and connection across cultures. That same drive led her to New York City to continue her studies and, eventually, to California, where she completed her MBA and found her home in the United States. Today, Maria channels her experiences into inspiring and guiding the next generation as they discover their own paths—just as she found hers through education and adventure.
Eva Strausberg, M.A.
Director of Business Development and Partnerships
Eva is a Southern California native but has spent many years living and working in Boston and Italy. She holds a B.A. in Sociology from Brandeis University and an M.A. in Intercultural Relations from Lesley University. After grad school, her time in Florence led to a career designing and directing academic and study abroad programs in both the U.S. and abroad. Her previous work at Harvard University, Sarah Lawrence, and various English for Speakers of Other Languages programs reflect her belief in the value of cross-cultural education, respecting diversity, and hands-on learning experiences. When not working, she enjoys cooking, traveling, and spending time with family.
Kevin Khy, MPA
Director of Admissions and Operations
A California native, Kevin is the Director of Admissions at Summer Springboard. Kevin has worked in the high school student education and travel industry for 15 years. He has worked with thousands of teens in international and university settings and is has a passion for experiential learning. Kevin holds a Bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly Pomona in Political Science, and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of La Verne. His experience with educational programs for teens, a passion for personal development and a desire to help young people succeed led him to joining the Summer Springboard team.
Anna Graham-Meyer
Staff Accountant
Anna grew up in San Diego, California. She attended San Diego Mesa Community College and took classes in multiple fields trying to find a career she enjoyed. Due to her love of numbers she followed her passion into the field of Accounting. She went on to graduate Summa Cum Laude from the University of Lynchburg with a degree in Accounting. She wishes she had found a program such as Summer Springboard when she was in high school to have given her direction earlier in life. In her free time she enjoys traveling, the beach, soccer, Gaelic football, learning Spanish, and tutoring youth in mathematics.
Layni Pistone
Head of Customer Service
Raised on the west coast, Layni went to college in the east coast and graduated with a major in Psychology from Bay Path University. She has spent the past eight years working with students in a variety of settings, ranging from leading student programs in Costa Rica to working in Admissions and Student Success while helping families plan for college abroad semesters. These experiences have solidified her passion for helping students identify their goals and next steps in education. Layni recently moved to Colorado, where she spends her time hiking, climbing and trying her hand at various arts an
Lexington Hewitt-Park
Admissions Manager | Sales
Lexi finished her Bachelor of Science in Public Management and Policy with a minor in Adolescence, Community, and Education from the University of Arizona. As a college freshman her intention was to be a teacher, but after learning more about education policy, she was able to weave her interests of social justice and education together. She has experience working on different summer programs across the world. In the summer of 2017, she traveled to Prague as a camp aide for an English as a Second Language program. The following year she worked on staff at a teen summer program in Appalachian Mountains. Her hope as an admissions coordinator is to bring a diverse group of students together on all our campuses. When Lexi is not working on admissions she enjoys going to the gym, walking her dog, and watching college basketball.
Sammy Gacsi
Admissions Manager – Enrollment
Born and raised in Hungary, Sammy spent over two and a half decades traveling the world, spreading his love and experience in the universe of outdoor education through summer camps, experiential education projects, and student travel programs. At Summer Springboard, he brings his passion and professionalism for educational travel as an Admissions Manager and offers families a seamless participant experience.
Renae Pink, MPA
Senior Program Director
Renae was born in Jamaica but lived half her life in Westchester County, NY. She received her B.S. in Criminal Justice and her MPA in nonprofit management from SUNY Brockport. After graduating, Renae worked in various roles in higher education, such as an Admissions Advisor, Instructor, and Residence Hall Director. She is passionate about helping students reach their full potential by creating a fun and educational environment while handling and facilitating leadership and personal development opportunities. Renae is the current Campus Director for the N.Y. and Georgetown program, a role she also held last summer.
Thomas Schubert, M.A.
Program Director
A Chicagoland native, Thomas discovered his love for culture and travel through studying Spanish and French in high school. In college, he studied abroad for a semester in Poitiers, France and another semester in Córdoba, Argentina. Thomas graduated from Saint Louis University in 2018 with majors in Spanish, French, and International Studies and minors in Latin American Studies and Urban Poverty Studies.
After graduation, he moved to Santiago, Chile where he lived for 3 years working with the homeless population and teaching English before joining the team. Thomas recently received his Master’s in International Policy and Development from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies in Monterey, California.
Claudine Jones, MPA
Director of Market Development | Program Director
Claudine is a first-generation Latinx-American who was raised in Michigan and has spent most of her life in California (Bay Area and San Diego). She received her B.S. in Merchandising Management and Design from Michigan State University and received her Masters in Professional Accounting with honors from Colorado State University. With over 25 years of professional experience, Claudine has spent the last 9 years working with students while serving as a public school board member for a K-12 school district. One of Claudine’s many passions is to find ways for students to be immersed in their interests in college and potential careers. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling the world with her husband and two kids, baking, running, sewing, and caring for her 13-year-old chihuahua, Radar.
Chiara Thomas
Hiring Manager
Chiara was born in the United States and raised in Italy. She speaks Italian and English fluently and has a great passion for both travel and education. She visited more than 30 countries before the age of 30, began teaching at the age of 20 and has not left the academic world since. She dedicated the past twelve years to teaching overseas, whilst pursuing her B.S. in ESL and special needs instruction. She has supported students of all ages throughout their studies in multiple settings, including high school programs, organizing student group trips abroad, and directing ESL summer programs in multiple universities across the US and the UK. She is passionate about helping each student thrive and reach their personal goals, as well as find their most suitable academic path. When Chiara is not working she is volunteering, travelling with her family, and scuba diving.
Marissa Floyd, PhD
Program Director | Admissions Specialist
Marissa is deeply passionate about education and travel. Born in Detroit, raised in Colorado, and fond of cultural immersion she has lived in Costa Rica, Spain, and Mexico over the past 6 years. Marissa has a Doctorate in Communication, Culture, and Identity and boasts 12 years teaching with public and private universities. She loves the diversity of the college experience and has taught the full range of courses from first-year seminars, to senior capstones, to service-learning and internships. Marissa brings her knowledge and experience to SSB with the desire to help guide and support future undergrads to fully embrace and successfully navigate their college career and beyond. In her personal time, Marissa enjoys traveling with her family, skateboarding, and watching Detroit sports.
Katie Begley
Program Director
Katie brings her passion for young people and development to the Summer Springboard team. After completing a year with AmeriCorps with City Year New York and majoring in sociology and education from Saint Joseph’s University, Katie wanted to pursue education access outside of teaching. Katie has spent the past years in workforce development, mentorship, and social-emotional learning. Katie is grateful to have had work and travel experiences in California, New Mexico, and Costa Rica including food production, farming, and trail maintenance, bringing her love of travel to a team who values it.
Rebecca Perry
Program Director | Medical Screening
Becca lives on the coast of North Carolina, calling the beach her home. She developed a passion for travel and cultural exchange during her time in university, after studying abroad in Peru and working in community development in Tanzania. She graduated from UNC Wilmington with degrees in Psychology and Public Administration. After graduating, she continued her experiences abroad with Terra Education and developed new travel programs for high school students. Her love for encouraging young people to step out of their comfort zones and find their passion in life is what led her to the Summer Springboard team.
Rishard Mallory, MS
Program Manager | Admissions Coordinator
Rishard, a North Carolina native, is passionate about the power of education to transform lives. He earned his B.A. in Middle Grades Education from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and is pursuing his M.S. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology at Florida International University. As a former middle school English educator, Rishard created engaging lessons that built literacy and confidence in the classroom, deepening his commitment to student growth. Through internships in human resources and organizational development, he has gained experience in training, recruitment, and employee engagement, which he now aims to merge with his education background to broaden his impact—empowering not only students, but also teachers and educational leaders.
Tracy Woodard, Ph.D.
Program Manager
Tracy grew up in Florida and earned all three of her degrees from Florida State University—a B.S. in Child Development, an M.S. in Family Relations, and a Ph.D. in Family Relations with an emphasis in Marriage and Family Therapy. For the past 31 years, she has taught in higher education, which reflects her deep passion for helping students navigate their educational journeys and career goals. Outside of work, she enjoys working out and traveling.
Suzanne McClure
Program Director
Born and raised on the East Coast, Suzanne now calls Los Angeles home and brings over 15 years of educational leadership experience to Summer Springboard. As a former Head of School, she successfully led schools through major transitions, managed growing budgets, and built strong relationships with students, families, and staff. Her expertise includes curriculum development, innovative program design, and creating immersive learning experiences that help students discover their passions.
Suzanne holds a BFA in Dance and certification in Non-Profit Arts Management from Marymount Manhattan College, along with Process Communication Model certification. She is passionate about helping students explore their interests and build confidence as they prepare for college and beyond. Her experience in educational leadership and program development makes her perfectly suited to develop and oversee SSB’s innovative summer programs.
Eden Lantz
Senior Customer Services Specialist
Eden is originally from southern Illinois and attended Loyola University Chicago, where she earned her bachelor’s of science in Anthropology. This is where she developed a deep interest in cultural studies, history, and their intersection with science and technology. She was a teaching assistant in the Human Osteology Lab, working on archaeological projects in the field, in the lab, and at The Field Museum in Chicago. Her love of exploration could not be ignored and she moved to Costa Rica and immersed herself in both the natural world and local culture, furthering her commitment to educational exchange and cross-cultural understanding. With years of experience teaching English to students of all ages and working in educational settings, Eden is dedicated to fostering a love of learning and promoting global perspectives. Outside of work, Eden enjoys hiking, biking, and crafting, and her favorite sport is rugby. She speaks Spanish and is eager to expand her language skills by learning Portuguese and German.
Jorge Cortez Jr.
Programs Manager | Admissions Specialist
Born and raised in southern California, Jorge attended the University of California Riverside where he graduated with a bachelors in political science. Initially wanting to work in the space of social justice, Jorge realized his passion for youth empowerment while working at a summer program in 2018 and has been working with youth and students since then. After working multiple summer programs and spending some time as a substitute teacher for Los Angeles Unified, Jorge is now a full time admissions coordinator for Summer Springboard. In his free time he enjoys making music, taking pictures, attending sports games throughout the Los Angeles area, and more often than not you can find him eating pupusas!
Diana Castillo Alcala
Programs Manager | Senior Admissions Specialist
Born and raised in Oregon, Diana graduated from Portland State University with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Sociology. She always dreamed of studying abroad in college but didn’t know how to get started or who to go to for help. After exploring different options, Diana was able to study abroad in England and complete her senior capstone project in Spain. During her time abroad she was able to travel to seven countries and visit more than 25 cities. These experiences inspired Diana to help students pursue their goals. Since then, she’s had the chance to connect with many students and families and has helped them figure out their next steps in higher education. In her free time, Diana enjoys reading, trying out new hobbies, and trying new foods.
Eile Harris
Admissions Officer
Born and raised in southern New Jersey, Eile was a student-athlete at Wilmington University, where she played Division II volleyball and majored in Organizational Management. Throughout college and after graduation, she worked in customer service and sports coaching. Through coaching, she discovered her passion for working with young students and creating a positive, uplifting environment that helps them learn and grow. In her free time, Eile continues her love for sports on the volleyball court, enjoys traveling the world in search of new adventures, and is always eager to try new cuisines. She is excited to continue supporting students in achieving their goals through this experience.
Brendan Heinkel
Program Director
Brendan, a proud Midwesterner, began his higher education journey studying Communication at Missouri State University. During this time, a semester abroad in Chiang Mai, Thailand, ignited his passion for experiential education. Now a Colorado resident, Brendan has built a diverse career in education, developing outdoor youth programs, advising university students on social impact projects, and directing summer programs worldwide with Terra Education. As Admissions Coordinator, he is excited to help students discover their ideal summer experiences with SSB. Outside of work, you can find Brendan snowboarding with friends, cooking with family, traveling with his wife, and adventuring with his dog, Huey.
Mercy Nwamara
Support Specialist Manager
Born and raised in Nigeria, Mercy earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Ibadan with honors. Fueled by the desire for personal development and to effect positive change in the society, she volunteered for societies such as Junior Chamber International where she worked with the Executive Vice President to organize training sessions and help coordinate national conventions. She also volunteered in Fame Initiative where she was a member of the Programs and Logistics Unit and taught high school students within the ages 13-17 about leadership and how to be the best versions of themselves for a period of 6-8 weeks per session. She later became an Administrative Assistant at Quantum Leap Consulting – an organization that specializes in talk therapy for marriage and individual counseling sessions. She is currently the Support Specialist at Summer Springboard and intends to use her experience to ensure the programs are the right fit for the students.
Chioma Ujubuonu
Support Specialist
Chioma was born and raised in the southern part of Nigeria. She holds a public administration and management degree from the Federal Polytechnic Oko Nigeria after which she interned in the National Youth Service Corp where she taught junior high school students the basic civic education subject. She then proceeded to work at an auto lubricant production company for 5 years moving from the accounts assistant role supporting the account heads and department in general to sales and customer service. She also once volunteered as a social media manager at a start-up. Her passion for learning and improving her skills led her to the tech solutions industry which she is still developing and also set her on the path to joining Summer Springboard where she currently works as a support specialist. Chioma loves traveling and watching comic movies in her free time.
Ebere Ugobueze
Support Specialist
Ebere Ugobueze was born and raised in Nigeria and holds a degree in Economics from Tansian University. After completing her studies, she began her career as a teaching intern, guiding senior high school students through the fundamentals of economics. She later gained hands-on experience as a Personal Assistant to a Managing Director and went on to serve as both an Administrative and Accounting Assistant in the production and importing sectors, roles that strengthened her organizational abilities and attention to detail. Ebere is now a Support Specialist at Summer Spring board, where she contributes her skills, efficiency, and dedication to supporting the team’s success.
Jill Villa
Admissions Coordinator
Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Jill had discovered her passion for guiding the youth toward exciting futures. Volunteering in her community, Jill often worked with children by helping them with school and teaching them soccer. Jill graduated Brooklyn College with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and minor in Business Law and then went on to work at an Interior Design company as an Account Manager before joining SSB as our Costa Rica Admissions Intern. In her free time, Jill enjoys creating art, traveling the world, and playing with dogs.
Jules Martinez
Admissions Coordinator
Jules was born and raised in Los Angeles, California. She received her B.A. in Psychology with a minor in education from the University of California, Riverside. Jules found their passion for working with high school and middle school students while working for Summer Springboard as a mentor. They aspire to help students figure out and become confident in their educational and career goals. In her spare time, she enjoys playing with their two cats, making art, and spending time with her family. Jules is excited to be a Summer Springboard Admissions and Program Intern in Costa Rica.
Dave Dennis
Risk Management Consultant
Dave is co-founder and Executive Director of Cornerstone Safety Group. He is also the founder and President of Resilient Solutions, a risk management and emergency response consulting firm serving travel and experiential education organizations since 2011. He has a risk management master’s degree from Norwich University, has spent the past 27 years in domestic and international travel operations, and has advised over 60 organizations in risk management practices and training. Dave is also the Secretary of the Gap Year Association’s Standards and Accreditation Committee and has spent time as an ambassador with the Responder Alliance focusing on emotional well-being and the stress continuum. Before starting Cornerstone, Dave was the Vice President of Health, Safety and Risk Management at some of the largest organizations in the travel and experiential education industries.
Josh Dubansky, M.D.
Medical Director
Dr. Dubansky is the co-founder and Medical Director of Cornerstone Safety Group and a Board Certified Emergency Medicine Physician with expertise in Wilderness Medicine. He is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Nevada School of Medicine and serves as Medical Director for the Northstar California ski clinic, three national forests, and several outdoor adventure companies. He earned his medical degree from the University of Maryland in 2010 and trained in Emergency Medicine at UCSF-Fresno, completing a concentration in Wilderness Medicine Education in 2014. His experience includes developing EMS field scenarios and mass casualty drills, lecturing widely to medical professionals and park rangers, and creating EMS protocols for the National Park Service. Dr. Dubansky is also co-founder of Tahoe Wilderness Medicine, continues to lead outdoor adventure trips, and has taught for organizations such as NOLS, Cornell Outdoor Education, and ARTA River Trips. He volunteers as a National Ski Patrol physician and holds the Wilderness Medical Society’s Diploma in Mountain Medicine.
Maureen MacConnell, PMHNP-BC, PSY-M
Mental Health Advisor
Maureen MacConnell, PMHNP-BC, PSY-M, is a board-certified Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner providing mental health consultation and training in over 60 countries globally. She has advanced degrees in Clinical Psychology and Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing, and is pursuing a Doctorate in Education in Human and Organizational Learning. Maureen joins Cornerstone with fifteen years experience as a mental health clinician both domestically and internationally. She believes in providing continuous, adaptive support for travelers and is passionate about navigating the complexities of international healthcare.
Mike Armstrong
Risk Management Advisor
Mike has worked in experiential learning and adventure companies around the world for 30+ years. He began as an outdoor educator with the Pacific Crest Outward Bound School and later held senior leadership roles, including Instructor for Outward Bound Australia (1995–96) and Head of Operations for Outward Bound Hong Kong (2018–2022). Currently, he serves as Disaster Program Manager for Western North Carolina at the American Red Cross and as Risk Management Consultant for Outward Bound International, while consulting globally on risk management and presenting at conferences. Mike is a member of multiple boards and risk management committees, with expertise in operations, logistics, safety, and team building. An avid mountaineering, rock climbing, sea kayaking, and white-water rafting guide, he has completed 50 first ascents in the U.S. and a first ski descent in Alaska’s Fairweather Range. Since moving to Asheville, North Carolina in 2022, he enjoys spending time with his family, exploring local crags, traveling, biking, studying maps, and reading about safety and risk management.
Margaret Kelso
Risk Management Advisor
Margaret is the Executive Director of Talisman Programs, a camp in Western North Carolina serving adolescents and young adults with ADHD and on the Autism spectrum, and also works with Cornerstone Safety Group. She currently serves on the Association of Experiential Education Accreditation Council and previously held leadership roles at Blue Ridge Therapeutic Wilderness, Open Sky Wilderness Therapy, and Alaska Crossings, in addition to experience with commercial rafting, canoeing, and kayaking companies. She is also a former Best Practices Committee Chair on the Outdoor Behavioral Health Council Board. Margaret has lived in Minnesota, Alaska, and Colorado, and now resides in Asheville, North Carolina with her husband, two children, and dogs, while enjoying travel and exploring the world.
Michael Habicht, MD, DiMM, FAWM
Medical Advisor
Michael Habicht, MD, DiMM, FAWM is an emergency physician in South Lake Tahoe, California. He began his outdoor and travel career as a backpacking and rock climbing guide before going to medical school and emergency residency at the University of California, Irvine. Today, he serves as the Medical Director for Heavenly and Kirkwood Professional Ski Patrol, an instructor for the Diploma in Mountain Medicine course for the Wilderness Medical Society and served in El Dorado County Search and Rescue for 10 years. He continues to travel and climb around the world with ascents including Alaska’s Denali, Ama Dablam in the Himalaya, Kilimanjaro, and countless climbs and backpacking trips all across California with his family. He has trained extensively in travel medicine, high altitude medicine, and has a special affinity for traveling with children and teens as a father of two adventurous boys who have hike and climbed across the world with him.