Our Executives

 

Michael Okinczyc serves as the Executive Director for the Golden Cubs, a Bay Area based non-profit organization focused on educating children and families about higher education and inspiring them to pursue the academic opportunities that they are expose to.

Michael founded The Golden Cubs in 2009 and has been extensively involved in its growth and development since its inception. A graduate of the University of California Berkeley with a degree in ISF (International Relations and Trade) and a minor in Spanish Linguistics, Michael first entered into the non-profit realm with The Sage Mentorship Project where he served as President for two consecutive semesters beginning in 2009. During this period Michael worked closely with a dedicated leadership team in fostering strong and value driven relationships at each of the ten elementary schools Sage served, establishing a sustainable executive leadership model, and developing a culture focused on the its mission – providing inspirational role models for young children. In addition to this Michael competed with the University of California, Berkeley Men’s Water Polo team where he was a member of the 2006 and 2007 National Championship winning teams.

 

Rachel Pedowitz serves as Director of School Operations for the Golden Cubs. Primarily responsible for keeping students and parents aware of the opportunities Golden Cubs has to offer and coordinating efforts of teachers and staff, Rachel strives to inspire students to work hard and believe in themselves and their academic ability. Prior to joining the Golden Cubs, Rachel was a mentor and one of the site directors for the Sage Mentorship Project.

Rachel developed close relationships within the community of Washington Elementary and was continually moved by the parents’, teachers’, and staffs’ dedication to the students. From this experience she gained invaluable knowledge of the successful ways to motivate children that she now applies to the Golden Cubs.

Rachel studies Public Health and Psychology at the University of California, Berkeley, where she will graduate in May 2011.

 

Claudia Walterspiel serves as Director of Event Operations for Golden Cubs, a Bay Area based non-profit organization focused on introducing young students to academic opportunities available to them by educating children and their families about higher education and inspiring them to pursue their dreams.

Claudia is very excited to join the team of Golden Cubs this year. A current student at the University of California Berkeley with an intended double major in French and International Affairs, Claudia has been involved in numerous charities and tutoring programs throughout her life.

Claudia served as both a mentor and a School Director on the Leadership Council of The Sage Mentorship Project beginning in 2008. Within this role, Claudia was responsible for introducing and establishing the program at Berkeley's Jefferson Elementary School. She worked to ensure the program was meeting its goal of providing inspirational role models for young students.

As a current student at UC Berkeley, Claudia is a member of the Pac-10 Championship winning Women’s NCAA Crew team. This past year she pursued educational opportunities abroad, studying one semester in Bordeaux, France, and the following semester in Berlin, Germany.