Alumni Committee
César Ivan Zamora
FG7, Process Engineer, Alumni Committee Chair
Fun Fact: I have visited Costa Rica and South Africa for free!
Derrick Ly
FG5, Senior Recruiting Coordinator, FG5 Representative
I joined the alumni committee because FG has given so much to me and I would like to give back to the organization as a whole. I have been in many internal projects to create an alumni group for FG and with this committee, I know we will set a great foundation for current alumni and future FG students.
Fun fact: I was born at UCSF-Parnassus campus and I traveled to 8 different Southeast Asian countries when I studied abroad.
Gabriela Gucho-Oliva
FG2, Program Manager, FG2 Representative
I joined the alumni committee because FG forever changed my life and I know it does for many. Throughout my time at First Graduate® they instilled in us how to be resourceful, and I am hoping that we can become that for others as the Alumni group, a resource to tap into, to further education and careers.
Fun Fact: During the early years of First Graduate, then known as B.A.Y Fund, the team let us create a magazine on the weekends. We got to review the Rainforest Cafe at Pier 39.
Daisy Medina
FG1, Business Relationship Specialist, FG1 Representative
I joined the alumni committee because FG has done so much for me, my family and my community. I want to pay it forward by giving back to the students, staff and program. This alumni committee will allow alumni and future alumni the opportunity to continue to help each other and create a strong network of first generation college graduates.
Fun Fact: I joined FG when it was called B.A.Y Fund. I also met my best friend through the program who just happened to be from the same small town as my parents.
Alex Lazo
FG1, Assistant Director of Admission at The Bay School of San Francisco, FG 4 Representative
In the process of becoming the first in my family to graduate from college, I overcame many obstacles. This process allowed me to see the great privilege it is to be able to attend college, how powerful it is to be able to engage in educational opportunities, and the importance and impact of support networks. I owe it all to the First Graduate® and I am beyond thrilled to be part of First Graduate’s alumni committee.
Fun Fact: I have 48 plants at home and love replanting and exchanging with friends.
Heisel Paredes
FG9, Family Service Specialist, FG9 Representative
FG helped me achieve my goal of graduating from a university. Their support had a huge impact in my life and my future opportunities. First Graduate® is a program that helped me for 10 years, and I created long lasting relationships with my cohort and staff. I joined the alumni committee so that I could give back to this organization and my community.
Fun Fact: I have an aquarium with freshwater shrimp.
Steven Chen
FG10, Product Designer, FG10 Representative
As a first generation student, FG helped me navigate the complexities of school and apply to college. Now that I am in a position where I’ve graduated with a full-time job, I want to give back and contribute to the committee.
Kara Chen
FG 7, Demand Generation Manager + Digital Marketing Consultant, FG 7 Representative
I can confidently say that First Graduate® has helped me get to where I am today – from instilling the image of “Kara In College” since age 12 to helping me to apply for and choose the perfect university for my needs. I am now a digital marketing professional and own a digital marketing consulting business.
Fun fact: I love to travel! The photo above was from Bali. I was supposed to travel from January 2020 through December 2020, starting in Chile and ending in South Africa (but came back to the States in March for obvious reasons).