Cardinals Interact Staff
Beatriz Valencia
Executive Director
Beatriz was born in Michoacán, Mexico, and raised in San Diego, California. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, San Diego, in Human Development and Spanish Literature before earning a master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego.
She has built a career dedicated to empowering youth and strengthening underserved communities. As Executive Director of the Cardinals Interact Program, Beatriz leads initiatives that support students’ academic success, college and career readiness, leadership development, and community engagement. Through strategic partnerships, mentorship, and student-centered programming, she helps create opportunities that equip young people with the skills, resources, and confidence to reach their fullest potential.
Pamela Gutierrez
Assistant Director
Pamela was born and raised in San Diego’s City Heights community and is proud to be both a Hoover High School alumna and an Aaron Price Fellow alumna. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management from San Diego State University and a master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management from the University of San Diego. She is also a graduate of the LEAD Advance leadership program.
Michael Rios
Program Manager
Michael is a proud alumnus of the very first Cardinals Interact class and now serves as the program’s Program Manager. He is passionate about helping students discover their strengths and prepare for college, careers, and life beyond high school.
Having attended vocational school, community college, and California State University San Marcos, Michael draws from his own educational journey to help students understand that there are many paths to achieving their goals.
Lizbeth Pastenes
Senior Program Coordinator / College Lead
Lizbeth is a native San Diegan who grew up in the City Heights community. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Social Work, as well as a Master of Public Administration, from San Diego State University.
Passionate about giving back to the community that shaped her, Lizbeth serves as Senior Program Coordinator and College Pathways Lead, where she supports first-generation students as they navigate their educational journeys.
Jennie Chau-Rivas
Senior Program Coordinator / Recruitment Lead
Jennie is a native San Diegan who earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from San Diego State University. She later earned a master’s degree in Social Work from California State University San Marcos, followed by a Pupil Personnel Services Credential from the University of California, Los Angeles.
Through her work with Cardinals Interact, Jennie continues to pursue her passion for supporting youth and their families.
Johnny Nguyen
Program Tutor
University of San Diego, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Computer Science
Maricarmen Lopez
Program Tutor / Facilitator
University of California, Irvine, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Education
Miguel Arias Estrada
Program Tutor / Facilitator
University of California, San Diego, Bachelor of Science (B.A.) in Computer Science
San Diego State University, Pursuing Math Credential
Son Truong
Program Tutor
University of San Diego, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Anthropology with a concentration in Archaeology
Alfredo Montes
Program Facilitator
San Diego State University, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Interdisciplinary Studies in Counseling and Social Change, Chicano/a Studies, Latin American Studies
Anthony Villalba
Program Facilitator
University of California, San Diego, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Computer Engineering
Belgica Crespo
Program Facilitator
San Diego State University, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Spanish with Personality and Social Psychology
University of San Diego, Master of Arts (M.A.) in Counseling with Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Credential
Emily Fragoso
Program Facilitator
San Diego State University, Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Psychology
Emily Sabory
Program Facilitator
University of California, Los Angeles, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Chicano and Central American Studies with a focus on History and Culture
Miriam Castanon
Program Facilitator
University of San Diego, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Creative Writing; Minor in Communication Studies
Gustavo Cristobal
Communications Coordinator
San Diego State University, Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Journalism with a Public Relations Emphasis