Executive Director: Experienced in education and crisis management, Kate Hyle has been an educator and leader in East Palo Alto for thirteen years. She taught middle school and was a high school advisor before becoming Assistant Principal at Aspire East Palo Alto Phoenix Academy. While at the Phoenix Academy, Kate had the opportunity to advise a small group of students from 8th grade to their high school graduation, which stoked her passion for college access work and solidified her commitment to doing direct service.

Her journey with EPAAF began in 2019, having been brought on as a contractor specializing in college success and persistence. She then joined the team full time in 2020 as the Director of Programs. Kate brings a community-centered approach to her work, leading her to launch the Postsecondary Support Program for scholars in community college and vocational programs in addition to sustaining the existing College Success Program. She brings the same approach to her leadership of the EPAAF team now as Executive Director, cultivating a people-positive team culture focused on wellness and dedication to our mission.

Kate has trained in Education and Counseling, having earned her Master’s degree in Counseling and Guidance from San Jose State University. She has also received a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from UC San Diego, as well as her teaching credential from CSU Dominguez Hills.

Scholar Programs Manager: Maggie Garzon is a first-generation college student who graduated from UC Davis with a degree in history and minors in education and women’s studies. She is passionate about the intersectionality between education and social justice, particularly relating to college access.

Growing up in the Bay Area as a low-income, first-generation student, she experienced firsthand the disparity that exists within our community in regards to wealth distribution and the type of education students have access to. Having benefited from a college success program, she has witnessed firsthand the significance of being part of a program that works to meet the unique needs of underserved students as they head into college or plan their careers in a way that empowers them for success every step of the way.

She initially started her journey with EPAAF as a summer intern during her sophomore and junior year of college, and, after a year of being a college advisor at a high school in San Jose, she has now transitioned onto the team full-time.

Advancement Operations Manager: After a varied career in the financial industry that included roles with Visa, JP Morgan Chase and Walmart.com, Joanne Peters decided it was time to “repurpose” her life and follow her passion as a champion of college access for socioeconomically disadvantaged students.

A first-generation college student herself, Joanne grew up in a small town in upstate New York where pursuit of higher education was the exception. Supported by her mother, who earned her high-school equivalency diploma at the age of 40, and encouraged by her step-father, Joanne was committed to being an exception to the norm.

By earning scholarships and working part-time, a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology at SUNY at Plattsburgh and Masters in Communications from SUNY at Albany opened doors to the life of abundance Joanne enjoys today. Now it is time to give back. 

She is energized by East Palo Alto Academy Foundation’s positive impacts on the intellectual, social and community spirit growth of students at East Palo Alto Academy.  Joanne is focusing on implementing processes and building relationships that will help make the college dream for EPAA students a reality.