Executive Director
Adriana Betti
Adriana Betti First began working with R.I.S.E. in 1996 as a math consultant; in 1998 she took on the role of Program Director, and in 2013 became Executive Director of R.I.S.E. Adriana Betti received her Bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley in Math and Computer Science, and received her Masters in Math, English, and Science Technology from University of Massachusetts Amherst. As one of the original collaborators of the 20/20 Vision, Ms. Betti has worked tirelessly addressing the inequities and disparities for students of color in the Berkeley Unified School District. In 1994 she founded the Native American youth group, Cuauhtli Mitotiani Mexica, and till this day continues to teach and travel internationally with the youth. Adriana Betti has also worked for the Lawrence Hall of Science as a math teacher trainer for the Oakland Unified School District. Along with teaching adjunct math classes at UC Berkeley, Adriana Betti has formerly taught at King Middle School, Berkeley High, and B-Tech. In 2014, she was named VIP Woman of the Year by the National Association of Professional Women. Her vision of RISE and constant commitment and dedication has earned her much respect in the community as one of the very few Indigenous Latina leaders in the City of Berkeley.Staff
Wardell Myles -- Chief Financial Officer, Case Manager
Wardell was first introduced to R.I.S.E. as a collegestudent in 1997, and first began working as an academic mentor. His passion for tutoring and mentoring students at the High School level developed over the years and culminated with him becoming a Case Manager and the Chief Financial Officer for the R.I.S.E. program in 1999.
He earned his Bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science in 1998.
Javier Rebollar-- Case Manager
Javier started in R.I.S.E. as a student eventually graduating from the Berkeley High and R.I.S.E. and going to college. He came back to work for R.I.S.E. as an academic mentor in 2012 while still in school. Javier started developing a passion for teaching and tutoring which made him find his new career path. He became the new R.I.S.E. case manager in 2017.
Javier earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Studies and Planning from San Francisco State University in 2016.
Board of Directors
Alberto Ledesma
Alberto Ledesma grew up in East Oakland and received his undergraduate and graduate degrees from UC Berkeley. He earned a Ph.D. in ethnic studies in 1996 and is a former faculty member at California State University, Monterey Bay, and a lecturer in ethnic studies at UC Berkeley. He has held several staff positions at UC Berkeley, including director of admissions at the School of Optometry, and writing program coordinator at the Student Learning Center. Currently, he works as the Assistant Dean for Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity in the Arts and Humanities at UC Berkeley and is the author of the award winning illustrated autobiography, Diary of A Reluctant Dreamer.Yanira Madrigal-Garcia
Yanira Madrigal-Garcia is a scholar-activist, currently a doctoral candidate completing her dissertation. Yanira is an interdisciplinary scholar in Education who is steeped in Ethnic Studies and Chicanx/Latinx methodologies and pedagogy. Her research explores schooling contexts and experiences in urban PK-20 systems by centering community engagement and privileging the voices and trajectories of vulnerable youth populations. Yanira has lectured for the Departments of Latina/Latino Studies and Sociology and Sexuality Studies at San Francisco State as well as the Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies at UC Davis. Further, as a grassroots organizer, Yanira specializes in community engagement that fosters social justice educational practices with youth, parents and teachers. Yanira is a UC/MEXUS CONACYT Doctoral Fellow and her research has been published in the Journal of Hispanic Higher Education and the American Journal of Education.Zulma Muñoz
Zulma Muñoz is an Associate Attorney at Bean+Lloyd LLP in Oakland, CA. She practices immigration law, emphasizing removal defense and family-based immigration. Zulma represents clients before the San Francisco Immigration Court, the Board of Immigration Appeals, and the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Zulma is a R.I.S.E. graduate and a proud daughter of Mexican immigrant parents. She received her B.A. from UC Berkeley and her J.D. from the University of San Francisco School of Law. Zulma is a member of the State Bar of California.Hiedi Weber
Heidi Weber has been an educator since 1993 in Berkeley Unified School District. She taught English Language Development and English at Berkeley High School (BHS) for 20 years. She was a teacher leader/instructional coach for the English Learner Newcomer program, now the Multilingual Program at BHS. In 2014 she participated in the Principal’s Leadership Institute for her Masters in Education and administrative credential. She became an assistant principal at Pittsburg High School, in Pittsburg Unified School District. Then came back to BHS as a dean for two years. And for the last four years has been the principal for Berkeley Independent Study and Berkeley Technology Academy, BUSD’s alternative high schools. She became a RISE Board member in 2018 and has closely worked with the RISE program for many years. She currently has three RISE students at her school.Name 5