Leadership Team
Navigator Senior Leadership
Melissa Alatorre Alnas
Director of People Support | melissa.alatorre@navigatorschools.org
Melissa Alatorre Alnas is an advocate for justice and equity in school communities. Within this advocacy, Melissa strongly believes that the foundation for educational success begins with collaboratively building a school community culture that provides a safe, challenging, and affirming environment. Melissa brings to her work over 20 years of experience in education, a first-generation college graduate perspective, and the core belief that every human has the potential to realize their dreams.
Melissa has served on school sites as a classroom teacher, literacy coach, ELD trainer, vice principal, and principal. She has also served in the roles of director of schools, human resources, and talent. In addition, Melissa has had the opportunity to gain training and certification from Relay Graduate School of Education’s National Principal Supervisory Academy, Innovate Public Schools’ Fellowship, Sobrato Early Academic Language Academy (SEAL), and the Valor Compass model.
Melissa is a proud Gaucho (UCSB) alum, mother of three, and wife of one. She enjoys the outdoors (especially anywhere near a body of water), home improvement shows, and looking on the bright side of life. Education: M.A. (San Jose State University), ASC (University of California, Santa Cruz), M.Ed, BCLAD MS Credential, B.A. (University of California, Santa Barbara).
James Dent
President | james.dent@navigatorschools.org
Kirsten Carr
Chief Communications & Engagement Officer | kirsten.carr@navigatorschools.org
Kirsten is the Director of Engagement & Partnerships for Navigator Schools, focusing on strong school culture and opportunities to share the Navigator model with students all over the Central Coast while maintaining strong relations with authorizers. As a parent of two charter school alumni, Kirsten has been a charter school advocate for almost 20 years, with a career history in community development and communications. In the position of executive director of two nonprofits, the Gilroy Visitors Bureau & the Oldtown Salinas Association, she has focused her attention on improving and strengthening the visitor and business activity of both of those communities. Education: B.A., Virginia Tech; Santa Clara University, Elementary Education Credential.
Andrea Hernandez
Director of Schools | andrea.hernandez@navigatorschools.org
Andi started with Navigator Schools in 2013 and became the founding Principal of Watsonville Prep in 2019, just in time for the pandemic. She completed the Ryan Fellowship through the Relay Graduate School of Education’s instructional leadership program, was an Innovate Public Schools start-up fellow, and regularly serves as an expert speaker on achieving equity in schools. Andi earned a scholar-athlete award, paying her way through college playing soccer. Education: B.A., San Francisco State University; California State University, TEACH, California Teaching Credential.
Malka Borrego
Interim Chief Executive Officer | malka.borrego@navigatorschools.org
Crystal O'Rourke
Principal, Watsonville Prep | crystal.orourke@navigatorschools.org
In her 15 years of experience in education, Crystal has served as a classroom teacher, academic coach, vice principal, and principal. Crystal was a founding Navigator teacher and has been instrumental in the development of the academic model at Navigator’s campuses. She is driven to support Navigator’s partner organizations to close the opportunity gap through excellent coaching practices. Crystal is a proud Gaucho, holding a B.A. and Master's degree from University of California, Santa Barbara. In her personal time, you can find her gardening, practicing yoga, and spending time with her husband and two sons.
Navigator Schools Principals
Nancy Salazar
Principal, Hollister Prep | nancy.salazar@navigatorschools.org
Nancy Salazar has been an experienced educator and leader at Navigator Schools for the past eight years. A first-generation college graduate, she began as a Physical Education Coach and later transitioned to teaching STEM, where she achieved high academic scores with her students. As Vice Principal of GPS Middle School for the past three years, Nancy has led with vision and dedication, contributing to the school's success.
She holds an Associate of Arts in Business from Gavilan College, a Bachelor of Science from CSUMB, and a K-12 Teaching Credential from CalStateTeach. Nancy now serves as Principal of Watsonville Prep School, where she continues to inspire and lead with passion.
Shauna Schmidt
Principal, Gilroy Prep | shauna.schmidt@navigatorschools.org
Kamille Geneva
Principal, Orange Prep | kamille.geneva@navigatorschools.org
Kamille Geneva is the Principal of Orange Prep Elementary School and has enriched the lives of students in charter schools since 2012. She previously served as Principal of Hayward Collegiate Charter School and brings extensive experience as a classroom educator, having taught grades 1–5 while building strong relationships that inspire a lifelong love of learning. Named Teacher of the Year in 2016 by Plymouth Educational Center, Kamille is deeply committed to ensuring all students, regardless of circumstances, have access to the tools and opportunities needed to shape their futures. Her leadership is grounded in student agency, academic excellence, and creating inclusive school communities where every child feels supported. Outside of school, she enjoys roller skating, listening to music, gardening, and spending time with family and friends. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Sciences and a Bachelor of Arts in English Language Arts from Grand Valley State University, where she also earned her teaching credential.
Danilo Juarez
Principal, Hayward Collegiate | danilo.juarez@navigatorschools.org
Danilo Juarez is the Principal of Hayward Collegiate and a veteran charter school educator and school leader with over 11 years of experience in education. Born in Guatemala and raised in the East Bay, specifically West Oakland, Danilo is multilingual in English and Spanish and brings a deep personal connection to the communities he serves. After graduating from Bishop O’Dowd High School in Oakland, he attended Sonoma State University, where access to higher education became a transformative experience that continues to shape his work today. Danilo spent four years in school leadership before stepping into the principalship and intentionally chose to lead a school that serves a diverse community. His leadership is people-centered, data-driven, and student-focused, grounded in a belief that all students, regardless of circumstances, deserve high-quality educational opportunities that allow them to rise, thrive, and lead—knowing that when one student succeeds, that success strengthens entire families and communities.
Support Staff
Allison Walter - People Support Generalist
allison.walter@navigatorschools.org
Andrew Huaracha - Accounting Supervisor andrew.huaracha@navigatorschools.org
Annie Stevens - Human Resources Coordinator
annie.stevens@navigatorschools.org
Ashley Alnas - Administrative Assistant
ashley.alnas@navigatorschools.org
Christopher Copus - Manager of IT
christopher.copus@navigatorschools.org
Daniel Whitlock - Technology Innovation Lead
daniel.whitlock@navigatorschools.org
David LeBarre - Manager of Maintenance & Operations
david.lebarre@navigatorschools.org
Elizabeth Manzo - Testing Proctor
elizabeth.manzo@navigatorschools.org
Eva Jimenez - Family Resource Coordinator eva.jimenez@navigatorschools.org
Gabriela Roldan - Communications Manager
gabriela.roldan@navigatorschools.org
Guillermo Carrillo - Assistant Manager of Maintenance & Operations
guillermo.carrillo@navigatorschools.org
Laura Marco - Executive Assistant to the CEO
laura.marco@navigatorschools.org
Linda Munoz - Data Coordinator linda.munoz@navigatorschools.org
Margie Gutierrez - Community Engagement Facilitator
margie.gutierrez@navigatorschools.org
Mariana Rodriguez - Talent Recruiter
mariana.rodriguez@navigatorschools.org
Pedro Hernandez - Maintenance Technician pedro.hernandez@navigatorschools.org
Rahmi Abuelhaj - Athletic Director
rahmi.abuelhaj@navigatorschools.org
Tanya Rodriguez-Santizo - Data Coordinator
tanya.rodriguezsantizo@navigatorschools.org
Victoria Garcia - Academic Data & Assessment Coordinator
victoria.garcia@navigatorschools.org
Mariah Butron
Principal, Orange Prep | mariah.butron@navigatorschools.org
Mariah Butron-Sanders is the Founding Principal of Orange Prep High School. A proud first-generation college graduate, she earned the Karl S. Pister Opportunity Scholarship, transferred to UC Santa Cruz where she double majored in Biology and Visual Art, and later earned a Master’s in Education. She understands firsthand how access to education can disrupt generational cycles and open doors for communities that have historically been marginalized. Mariah’s career began at Gilroy Prep School, where she taught 5th grade humanities and supported her students in reaching remarkable academic growth, with 93% scoring proficient or above on the SBAC. She went on to become a mentor teacher, middle school math teacher, Vice Principal, Principal, and Curriculum Coordinator. Her leadership is grounded in honoring her family’s sacrifices, breaking cycles of poverty, and creating inclusive schools where both students and educators thrive.