Katelyn Martinez, the inaugural Executive Director for the Ivory Bridges Foundation, has worked in higher education student success and belonging for over a decade. Previously, she provided strategic planning and implementation for the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity at the National Institutes of Health, the Center for Diversity & Inclusion at John Hopkins University, and the Office of Strategy and Policy at The University of Texas at Austin. She has her M.Ed. in Higher Education Leadership & Policy and is an alum of the Longhorn Link Program, a federally funded TRIO student support services program at the University of Texas at Austin. Whenever life provides the opportunity, she enjoys baking while listening to the latest audiobook, exploring nature with her family and their dog, and solving Murdle puzzles in a hammock. 

Ms. Mendez is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach with over 23 years of experience in diverse career and professional development, specializing in strengths-based leadership, student engagement, and college program design. She has held leadership and executive consulting roles with UC San Diego, California State University Sacramento, and The Honor Foundation, and also provides consulting support to the California Department of Public Health in partnership with 34 Strong. A sought-after speaker, she has been featured by U.S. News & World Report, Univision, and the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Over the course of her career, she has guided thousands of students in clarifying their career direction, developing leadership skills, and building the confidence needed to succeed beyond the classroom. Her coaching philosophy is grounded in core values, CliftonStrengths, cognitive-behavioral principles, and a growth mindset, with a focus on helping students and professionals alike align their personal, academic, and career goals to achieve meaningful success. A few of her current features include…
 
The most surprising workplace trends of 2025 (so far) - Fast Company and Finding Peace As A CEO: 16 Daily Rituals » CEO Official Mag.

Amy Lay, known as The INVINCIBILITY Coach, is a mental and performance coach with global reach, working with Ivory Bridges Foundation since its inception. She loves working with first-gen student stars. Amy centers her high-performance coaching philosophy around five pillars: Mental, Physical, Behavioral, Nutritional, and Environmental. With broad and extensive research in all disciplines and industries, Amy connects with clients in the arenas of business, academia, entertainment, sport, science, and hardware/deep tech. Check out her book on Amazon:

You Are INVINCIBLE

Ley Ebrada is the founder of Sage Abacus, a boutique tax strategy and financial coaching firm dedicated to empowering entrepreneurs, small business owners, and women in business to build sustainable wealth and financial confidence. With roots in a family legacy—learning tax preparation at her father’s side—Ley has transformed that foundation of loyalty, honesty, and community into a modern, values-driven practice that blends technical expertise with empowerment.
 
At Sage Abacus, Ley and her team go beyond traditional tax preparation. They provide education, resources, and membership programs designed to demystify taxes, maximize deductions, and foster long-term financial well-being. Her firm’s holistic approach is grounded in the belief that financial literacy is a powerful tool for independence and legacy-building, especially for women entrepreneurs navigating business ownership.
 
Ley is passionate about community empowerment and mentorship. She partners with organizations like Ivory Bridges to support rising college juniors and seniors through financial coaching retreats, and she creates safe, engaging spaces—both online and in community settings—where anyone can learn, ask questions, and grow their financial confidence without intimidation. Through memberships, workshops, and collaborations, Sage Abacus provides not just tax strategies, but also encouragement, clarity, and a sense of belonging.
 
 
As a woman business owner herself, Ley champions collaboration and community over competition. Her mission is to empower others to not only meet their financial obligations but also to thrive, dream bigger, and create legacies that extend well beyond numbers.

Elysia is a Project Manager at UC San Diego Design Lab. She graduated from the University of California, San Diego with a degree in Cognitive Science w/ Design & Interaction, with a minor in Business. In her free time, Elysia enjoys rock climbing, hiking, playing volleyball, and karaoke!!

Andrea is a Programs Coordinator at the Center for Asian Americans United for Self  Empowerment (CAUSE), a nonprofit organization that advances the political and civic empowerment of the Asian Pacific Islander (API) community through voter outreach, training, education, and leadership development. She graduated from Pomona College with a B.A. in Public Policy Analysis and Economics and is a dedicated advocate for equitable access to resources for underrepresented and marginalized communities. In her free time, Andrea enjoys going on long walks with her dog, cooking, and making fun matcha drinks!

Sara Reyna is a lecturer at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) and South Texas College (STC), where she teaches communication and public speaking courses. As a first-generation graduate from UTRGV with a BA and MA in Communication, she is passionate about amplifying student and faculty voices. With a background in Public Relations and Marketing for higher education institutions, Sara has worked to elevate the visibility of the lower Rio Grande Valley by crafting compelling narratives that highlight the journey and successes of students and faculty through a holistic lens. Beyond her professional work, Sara enjoys exploring creative outlets such as pottery classes, experimenting with new recipes and filming cooking videos, trying new local coffee shops and taking long drives while tuning into her favorite podcasts.