About Us
Subject Matter Experts
For Media: The following staff are available for interviews. For questions, contact the Director of Marketing & Communications by clicking button below.
Kim Mazzuca, President & CEO
Kim Mazzuca has served as President and CEO of 10,000 Degrees since 1999. A Bay Area native and first-generation college graduate, Kim brings more than twenty-five years of experience in executive leadership in nonprofit management, philanthropy, and social justice. She has served on numerous boards, including the Prison University Project, Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership, and the National College Access Network Board of Directors, where she completed a three-year term as board president.
Kim received the San Francisco State University’s Alumna Medal of Honor for Distinguished Service, was awarded the Executive Leadership Award of Excellence by the National College Access Network in 2015 and was the Legislative Woman of the Year for California’s 10th Assembly District. In 2014, she received the Nonprofit Leader of Year award by the North Bay Business Journal and was named a 2016 Game Changer by NorthBay Biz. In 2012, Kim was awarded the Social Impact Business Competition Award by the Growth Philanthropy Network in New York.
Kim holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from San Francisco State University and is a graduate of the Stanford Graduate School of Business Program for Nonprofit Leaders (where she was named a fellow in 2001). Additionally, she completed doctoral studies at the University of San Francisco in Organization and Leadership.
Traci Lanier, Vice President
As Vice President at 10,000 Degrees, Traci is responsible for overseeing scholarships, data and evaluation, policy, and advocacy, as well as cultivating partnerships locally and nationwide that support the college success field and provide opportunities for students from low-income communities. Traci is passionate about transforming education policy and structures to better support access and opportunity for all students.
Traci serves on the board of the National Scholarship Providers Association, she is a founding steering committee member of the Northern California College Promise Coalition, and is active in many national, statewide, and local equity-focused partnerships. She previously served on the Advisory Council for COMPASS, (College of Marin Dual Enrollment Partnership), as co-chair of the Marin Promise College Enrollment Action Team, and as special advisor on projects for The College Board. Traci holds a master’s degree in international studies from the University of Denver, and a bachelor’s degree in international relations from San Francisco State University.
Jin Choi, Director of Scholarship Programs
As Director of Scholarship Programs at 10,000 Degrees, Jin Choi is responsible for overseeing approximately $5 million in scholarships annually, and vets over 3,000 applications for various 10,000 Degrees administered scholarships each year. Jin is also responsible for the processing of scholarship awards, including student award notification and the disbursement of various scholarships.
Prior to his role at 10,000 degrees, Jin served as associate director of financial aid at Dominican University of California. Jin has a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, and a master’s degree in counseling from California State University, East Bay. He currently serves on the Asian Scholarship Fund advisory board.
Karla Santiago, Senior Program Director of 4-Year Success and Alumni
As Program Director of 4-Year Success and Alumni, Karla Santiago is responsible for overseeing the 10,000 Degrees Young Professionals Council (YPC) and alumni network, current undergraduate scholars, and 4-Year Success team, who provide year-round college and career success programming across all regions. Karla was also college success manager and college success advisor at 10,000 Degrees.
Before joining 10,000 Degrees, Karla served as academic affairs manager at College Track, and human services specialist at Public Allies San Francisco/Silicon Valley, in which she took part in the organization’s leadership development program. Karla holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociocultural anthropology from the University of California, San Diego.
Tania Requenes, Director of Community College Success
As Director of Community College Success, Tania Requenes supervises and supports 10,000 Degrees’ community college program managers in Marin, Sonoma, and San Francisco. Under Tania’s direction, her team is responsible for ensuring community college students from low-income backgrounds receive the support needed to graduate college. She has also served as student advisor for the 10,000 Degrees Summer Intensive program, a college success fellow, and program manager at the organization.
Before joining 10,000 Degrees, Tania worked at the Marin and Novato YMCA of San Francisco as the human resources specialist. She is also an adjunct counselor at College of Marin.Tania holds a Master of Arts degree from the University of San Francisco, a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California, Davis, and an Associate of Arts degree from Santa Rosa Junior College. She is a member of the College of Marin Transfer Advisory Committee and College of Marin EOPS Advisory Committee; a fellow at UCLA Law Fellows Program; and a scholar at LevelBar, a pre-law preparation program.
Maria Hernandez Pereira, Director, Curriculum and Engagement
As Director of Curriculum and Engagement, Maria Hernandez Pereira manages curriculum and engagements at 10,000 Degrees, including various financial aid programs and workshops (virtual and in-person). Additionally, Maria works with the 10,000 Degrees program team, providing student-related resources.
Prior to her current role, she was the Virtual Curriculum and Engagement Manager, and a 10,000 Degrees Fellow in Novato from June 2019 to December 2020. Maria holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology and a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology from the University of California, Irvine.
Maria Valle, South Bay Advisory Board Member
Maria Valle is a member of the 10,000 Degrees South Bay Advisory Board, and currently serves as strategic initiatives advisor at the Office of San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo, focusing on community and youth issues and initiatives.
Maria previously served as policy consultant at the California Senate Office of Research, college advising manager at Breakthrough Silicon Valley, a fellow through the Latino Board Leadership Academy at the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley, director of graduate support and secretary at Sacred Heart Nativity Schools, and benefits navigator at Fair Oaks Community Center. She holds a Master of Public Policy degree from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Bachelor of Science degree in political science from Santa Clara University.
Maria, a daughter of Mexican immigrants, was born and raised in downtown San Jose, and is a first-generation graduate of elementary, middle, high school, college, and graduate school.
Glenn Vander Zee, South Bay Advisory Board Member
Glenn Vander Zee is a member of the 10,000 Degrees South Bay Advisory Board, and currently serves as the superintendent for the East Side Union High School District in San Jose. He has been an educator for more than 25 years, having served as principal of James Lick High School, and having held several positions at the East Side Union High School District, including director of curriculum and instruction, associate superintendent of educational services, and the associate superintendent of human resources. In each of these positions, Glenn worked collaboratively with fellow educators to develop clear outcomes, positive relationships, and innovations toward improved student outcomes.
Glenn has been recognized by his peers in education as National Principal of the Year – California, Middle Grades Principal of the Year, and Administrator of the Year. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Calvin College, and a Master of Education degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
