Our Board of Directors
Catherine Liu
Executive Director
Ms. Catherine Liu possesses 20 years of expertise in high-tech project and program management and education program development. She holds an M.S. in Information Systems from Carnegie Mellon University and a B.A. in Business from Renming University in Beijing. Throughout her career, Catherine has served as a program manager and consultant for prominent organizations such as KPMG, Rational Software, Siebel Systems, and Cisco Systems. During her tenure as a Program Manager at Cisco Systems Global Employee Education, Catherine made a shift towards education and has gained over 10 years of experience in developing STEM education programs, engaging with local schools, and working hands-on in K-12 education.
As Executive Director for CompassPoint Mentorship, she is a strong advocate for innovative learning approaches that prepare youth for the future. She has successfully run summer camps that focus on developing skills beyond traditional academics. Her programs aim to grow youth who are committed to making positive changes in their communities. Through CompassPoint Mentorship, she has established several committees engaging youth in areas such as Data Science for Social Justice, Water Conservation, Public Art & Media, History & Culture, Wellness, Youth Policy & Civic Engagement, Environmental Justice, and AI For Good. The organization collaborates closely with Santa Clara County Parks and numerous other non-profit organizations to build impactful projects. These initiatives include environmental and social justice efforts for Alviso, community mural projects, and various other programs designed to empower youth and benefit local communities. Her work demonstrates a commitment to fostering a new generation of leaders equipped to address complex societal challenges through hands-on, community-oriented learning experiences.
Yiju Chen
Development Director
Yiju has been supporting CP Mentorship since 2020, driven by her passion to serve the next generation amidst the challenges and opportunities they face, post-Covid. At Cisco Systems, Yiju served as the lead volunteer/connector for Upwardly Global, a national nonprofit aiding immigrant and refugee professionals in rebuilding their careers in the US. Invited to join UpGlo's San Francisco leadership council, she led the PR/marketing committee and contributed to successful fundraising efforts through galas, auctions, volunteer days, and corporate sponsorships. Deeply committed to her philanthropic efforts, Yiju actively volunteers for nonprofits aligned with her values, including those focused on animal welfare, global young leadership, minority entrepreneurship, at-risk youth employment, and affordable housing. She holds an MBA and a BS in International Business from San Francisco State University.
Rebecca Lin
Rebecca Lin is a notable figure in the medical devices industry, recognized as one of the Top 25 Women Leaders in Medical Devices of 2023. As Chief Strategy Officer at Accuryn Medical, she leads the company's growth in MedTech AI innovation. With extensive experience in both corporate and startup environments, Rebecca has significantly contributed to the industry through roles at Johnson & Johnson, CR Bard, and TheraNova. Additionally, she is dedicated to educating the next generation, teaching at UCSF and UC Berkeley, and fostering entrepreneurship as vice president of Stanford Angels & Entrepreneurs.
Francis Despanie
Raised in Lafayette, Louisiana amidst underserved communities, Francis harbored dreams of becoming a fighter pilot but was constrained by limited educational opportunities and scant knowledge of such careers. Joining the US Marine Corps at 17, he voyaged globally, where he recognized stark disparities in opportunities. Combat scars and community underrepresentation post-retirement, however, drove Francis to found BHooveU. Leveraging expertise across leadership, psychology, sociology & physical education, BHooveU focuses on health, wellness, and educational equity to ensure everyone has the chance to thrive, irrespective of their background or circumstances. Francis holds a Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Jasmine Thomas
Jasmine brings over two decades of invaluable experience in the tech industry, having served in various capacities at renowned companies such as Apple, Nvidia, and NetApp. Transitioning from her successful career in tech, Jasmine is now making a significant impact as a public high school teacher within the Fremont Unified School District.
In her role as a Physics and Engineering teacher at a Title 1 school, Jasmine is deeply committed to providing quality education to underserved communities. Beyond the classroom, she serves as the advisor for the Engineering club and Data Science club, demonstrating her dedication to fostering students' interest and proficiency in cutting-edge fields.
Jasmine's forward-thinking approach extends beyond her classroom walls. She actively collaborates with her students, colleagues, and the Fremont School District to integrate Data Science into the curriculum across Fremont High Schools. Her efforts reflect a commitment to preparing students for the future by equipping them with essential skills in data analysis, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
In summary, Jasmine Thomas epitomizes the intersection of tech expertise and educational advocacy, leveraging her extensive industry experience to inspire and empower the next generation of innovators in the dynamic field of Data Science.