Having grown up in a working class, immigrant family, Catherine is a NYC public school alumnus and began her career advocating for quality public education in the nonprofit sector. Her motivation comes from a belief in the power of education to change lives. Catherine has a MA from Columbia University’s Teachers College. From evaluating dozens of youth development programs to designing career training virtual reality products, she draws from her experience in instructional design, research, and program evaluation in a range of industries to develop solutions for different types of learners.

Since moving to the US from the Philippines in 2002, Claire earned her MBA degree from the Zicklin School of Business, Baruch College. She joined the Project Management Institute NYC Chapter Mentoring Program where she met mentors who supported her professional growth, and she later managed the program. A true believer in mentorship and continuous improvement, she is proud to have helped many people navigate systems, processes and projects. She currently is a project manager and IT business analyst.

Michelle is a first-generation American who grew up in a single-parent low-income household and was the first in her family to attend college. She is passionate about helping others from disadvantaged backgrounds succeed and craft their own stories. Michelle has a degree in Computer Science from Boston College and has worked in a range of industries including the finance, advertising, and journalism. She owns a digital design consulting business and is building a FemTech startup, Neuemoon Health, to help women suffering from debilitating reproductive disorders.

Surekha is a leader with 15 years of experience in the development of product management and marketing programs for life sciences tools, clinical platforms and oncology medical device. She’s experienced in building high-performance teams, defining and executing go-to-market strategies, and managing product lifecycles to meet financial targets. Surekha joined Project Alpaca because its unique program and tailored, comprehensive curriculum for holistic professional development sets up students for success and to thrive in any career.

A lifelong New Yorker, Fred Butterweck was born in Forest Hills, raised in Valley Stream, and graduated from Binghamton University. Fred began his career as an auditor for PricewaterhouseCoopers where he quickly rose to the rank of assurance manager.  Since then, he has helpied growth-stage technology, software and advertising companies build business plans and develop sound financial practices.  Fred joined Project Alpaca in 2023 and helps oversee all financial matters such as cash flows, compliance, financial reporting and cost efficiency.

Dara has 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector. and currently works at MJHS Foundation, an end-of-life organization as an Events Manager. She holds a BA from SUNY Purchase, an MA in Educational Theater from NYU, and a Master of Public Administration from Baruch College. She served the New York Urban League Young Professionals as the Community Service Co-Chair from 2011-12 and on the board as Chair from 2012-14. Dara is also an alumni of National Urban League's Emerging Leaders Program.

Mac is the founder and CEO of CampusLush, a student engagement and future-of-work platform focused on closing the access-to-resource gap for underserved students, particularly at HBCUs. As a first-generation college graduate from Pace University with Haitian roots, Mac’s journey fuels his passion for creating pathways to success—both in higher education and the workforce. His work in both CampusLush and Project Alpaca reflects his commitment to leveraging technology and data to drive educational innovation, boost student engagement, and bridge the gap between academia and industry.

Donna is an Executive Producer and Production Operations leader who guides digital transformation and emerging tech projects, blending design, storytelling, and innovation. With a background in exhibit and interactive media, she’s spent over a decade producing AI-driven platforms, experiential installations, and public-facing digital experiences. She’s worked with diverse companies, overseeing production for cultural organizations and Fortune 100 clients, which include IBM, Netflix, Nickelodeon, Bloomberg Philanthropies, American Museum of Natural History, and the Museum of the City of New York. She first joined Project Alpaca as a mentor before joining the board.