Our Team

Emily joined the OJS team in February 2020 as a Youth Leadership Intern. As an OJS Alumna, Emily first started in OJS as a 9th grader in 2010 and is excited to return to the organization that gave her so many memorable experiences. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies at Cal State Long Beach. Emily serves as the staff liaison for the Youth Leadership Ambassadors, aiming to create an inclusive and positive learning environment that gives OJS students the opportunity to grow as leaders.

When not at OJS, you can find Emily enjoying an outdoor run, hiking near the mountains, and camping.

Connect with Emily: emily@operationjumpstart.org

Rebecca joined Operation Jumpstart in February 2020. She graduated from the University of California, Davis with a double major in Communication Theory and Gender, Sexuality, & Women’s Studies and a minor in Education. As the first in her family to attend college, she is passionate about providing all students with access to higher education and about the imperative need to support them throughout their journey.

In her free time, she loves to craft, work on ceramic projects, cook, and spend time with her cat, Luna.

Connect with Rebecca: rebecca@operationjumpstart.org

Mayra is an OJS alumna, class of 2004. She received her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from California State University, Los Angeles and went on to receive her Master’s of Social Work degree from California State University, Long Beach. She attributes her desire to become a social worker to the influence and support that OJS provided her with during a pivotal moment in her life. Since 2010 she has worked for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health providing individual, family and group therapy to children and adolescents. She became a licensed clinical social worker in 2014. She is excited to be a part of OJS again as the new MSW Intern Supervisor.

Whenever possible, Mayra loves to travel the world with her husband and two young boys.

Connect with Mayra: mayra@operationjumpstart.org

Kevin joined Operation Jumpstart as a college access coordinator in November 2021. He graduated from Bates College in 2017, with a major in psychology and a minor in Japanese. In 2016, he worked as an intern for Operation Jumpstart, helping with the student recruitment process, which motivated him to continue on his journey of helping younger students. As a part of that journey, he has conducted research on homeless youth’s barriers to education in Lewiston, Maine, and worked four years as a behavioral therapist for children on the autism spectrum. His passion for helping youth excel in education has finally brought him back to Operation Jumpstart, where he hopes to continue his mission of fostering success in young students.

When he’s not at OJS, he likes to spend his free time playing video games, watching anime, working out, or spending some quality time outside roller skating.

Connect with Kevin: kevin@operationjumpstart.org

Chelsea (she/they) joined the team in March 2022. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Louisville with an interdisciplinary studies degree in English, Philosophy, and Communications. As a first-generation American and first-generation college student from a rural, under-resourced town in eastern Kentucky, they care deeply about educational equity. She is particularly passionate about addressing the nuanced and complex intersections between race, gender, sexuality, class, disability, and immigration status in education. 

She worked and volunteered as a movement and political organizer for two years in Philadelphia before moving to southern California, where she now lives with her partner, three cats, and several dozen houseplants.

In their leisure time, Chelsea enjoys film photography, going to museums, bubble tea, Cambodian food, reading, writing poetry, cooking vegan food, hiking, and basking in the sun!

Connect with Chelsea: chelsea@operationjumpstart.org

Karen joined the OJS team as a Programs Assistant in May 2022. She supports the College Access and College Success programs. Fun fact: Karen was previously a social work intern with OJS! She has been with OJS since August of 2021 — and we are so lucky that she loved us enough to stick around and become a staff member!

Karen recently graduated in May 2022 with her Bachelor’s degree in Social Work at CSULB. Her career goal is to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.

One of her hobbies is interior design. She says: “It brings so much peace!”

Connect with Karen: karen@operationjumpstart.org

Jasmine joined the OJS team as a tutor in April 2022. She is a first-generation college student currently studying Mathematics at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Jasmine has worked for organizations such as the Engineer Factory, Mathnasium, and Long Beach City College’s Math Success Center. She is passionate about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and hopes to empower others to pursue higher education.

During her free time, Jasmine enjoys trying new restaurants and binging the latest TV shows and movies!

Connect with Jasmine: jasmine@operationjumpstart.org