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).
Kirsten Carr
Director of Engagement & Partnerships | 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.
James Dent
Chief Academic Officer | james.dent@navigatorschools.org
James is a Navigator Schools co-founder. He has served as founding principal of both Gilroy and Hollister Prep schools and as executive director. He is now the Chief Academic Officer of Navigator Schools. Prior to founding Navigator, James moved up the ranks in the public school system, from teacher to assistant principal to principal, always producing exceptional student results through high-quality teaching and outstanding student engagement. His commitment to innovation is evidenced by the constantly evolving blended learning model at work in Navigator's classrooms, which is highly responsive to student needs. James is fluent in Spanish, is the proud father of six children, and is an avid spear fisherman.
Neena Goswamy
Director of Strategy and Innovation | neena.goswamy@navigatorschools.org
Neena Goswamy has dedicated her career to closing systemic barriers in education, first with Teach For America and most recently, as the founder of Hayward Collegiate, a highly successful Bay Area public charter school that was recently acquired by Navigator Schools, one of the top three CMOs in California. She's passionate about utilizing technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship to ensure all children have equal access to education. Education: B.A., University of Washington.
Tina Hill
Director of Student Services and Special Education | tina.hill@navigatorschools.org
As the Director of Student Services, Tina is responsible for special education services, intervention, and mental health. Tina has been an educator and advocate for students for 18 years. She has supported students in her roles as a teacher, ELL teacher, educational specialist, and student service coordinator. Tina joined Navigator in 2015 and has dedicated her efforts to helping build a strong full-inclusion model and MTSS model to ensure equitable access and opportunities for all students so they can reach their full individual potential. Tina is a mother of three who, in her spare time, can be found reading, baking, and spending time outdoors horseback riding and racing vintage automobiles with family. Education: MAE; Brandman University, BLS; University of LaVerne, Multiple Subject Credential, Educational Specialist Credential, Administrative Credential.
Crystal O'Rourke
Director of Schools | 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.
Ami Ortiz
Director of Business and Finance | ami.ortiz@navigatorschools.org
Ami Ortiz is a lifelong learner with a passion for serving her community and making the world a better place. She is a servant leader who believes in giving back to her communities. Ami came to Navigator with a strong history in nonprofit financial management and has also volunteered on the Relay for Life committee in Hollister and was the president of the San Juan/ Aromas Little League.
Ami’s experience varies from early childhood education as a PK and Kindergarten teacher to the business world as director of operations for Natividad Medical Foundation and Director of Finance at Community Homeless Solutions.
A proud mother of four boys, Ami is a lifelong resident of San Juan Bautista with a deep commitment to ensuring the community she loves is provided with quality education choices. She loves being a Navigator parent as well!
Education: B.A. National University, Charter Business Officer Certification CSDC
Tomislav Peraic
General Counsel | tomislav.peraic@navigatorschools.org
Tom is a seasoned General Counsel whose work in education has run the gamut, including charter schools, charter school management organizations, traditional public school districts, and representation of union employees in licensure proceedings. He has worked with charter schools nationally, including in California, Arizona, New York, and Delaware. Tom's true generalist skill set is the product of his background in legal malpractice defense litigation, which exposed him to nearly every area of legal practice. His areas of expertise include governance, contract negotiation and formation, labor law and employee issues, facilities and real estate issues, and student matters, including special education and disciplinary proceedings. Tom was a first-generation college student, a former teacher, and served as a board trustee on the Advisory Commission for Special Education (2008-2012). Education: University of California, Berkeley (B.A. with high honors;) and University of California College of the Law, San Francisco (formerly known as Hastings College of the Law.) In addition to his license to practice law, Tom is the holder of a CBEST credential.
Noël Russell-Unterburger
Chief Finance and Operations Officer | noel.russellunterburger@navigatorschools.org
Noël is an accomplished finance leader and business strategist with 20 years of experience focusing on strategic and growth planning, operational and fiscal management, complex government grants management, facilities finance, technology, people support, mitigating risk, and auditing. She has led major nonprofit organizations through profound growth, including Baby2Baby, CORE, and the YWCA of Greater Los Angeles. She also is the parent of charter school graduates. Education: Executive M.B.A. and B.S., Pepperdine Graziadio Business School.
Caprice Young, Ed.D.
Chief Executive Officer and Superintendent | caprice.young@navigatorschools.org
Dr. Caprice Young is a transformational education leader with a proven track record of leading complex organizations and championing big visions to success. She has a deep commitment to student voice and success. Raised in a foster family, she has a deep commitment to closing the achievement gap for students, no matter their life circumstances. Caprice's leadership experience spans multi-state and international operations, instruction, technology, finance, philanthropy, educating high-need students, advocacy, and organizations undergoing significant transformations. She has led five charter public school systems ranging from 1,750 to 49,000 students and four to 85 school sites. She received the Coro Crystal Eagle for Excellence in Public Service, the California State University Los Angeles K-12 Educator of the Year award, and the National Charter School Hall of Fame membership. She is the former president of the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education (1999-2003) and the founding CEO of the California Charter Schools Association. Education: Ed.D. UCLA; M.P.A. USC; and B.A. Yale University. She holds a Certificate in ESG Investing from the CFA Institute.
Navigator Schools Principals
Missy Corral
Principal, Gilroy Prep | missy.corral@navigatorschools.org
After teaching for more than a decade, Missy became an Innovation Fellow at Navigator Schools, rising to become vice principal for interventions and academics before becoming the Principal of Gilroy Prep. She was an Innovate Start-up Fellow. Education: B.A., California State University, Stanislaus; California State University, Northridge, California Teaching Credential; Administrator Credential, Santa Clara Office of Education.
Andrea Hernandez (Andi)
Principal, Watsonville Prep | 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.
Norma Knox
Principal, Hollister Prep | norma.knox@navigatorschools.org
Norma Knox, the Principal of Hollister Prep, brings a decade of dedicated service to education. Her career experience encompasses several areas of expertise: special education, early literacy, middle school development, teacher coaching, innovation, and school administration. Norma made a significant impact as an innovation fellow for Navigator Schools, showcasing her commitment to educational advancement. Before serving as a school principal, she was a successful middle school vice principal, dedicating her efforts to developing a creative and engaging approach to middle school reading. Her passion for educational excellence and diverse experiences reflect her dedication to creating a supportive learning environment and enhancing student reading proficiency.
Quincy Lucero Long
Principal, Hayward Collegiate | quincy.long@navigatorschools.org
Quincy helped found Hayward Collegiate as the head of curriculum and instruction and the founding first-grade teacher. A passionate and dedicated bilingual educator on a mission to close the opportunity gap starting in kindergarten, she began her educational career teaching English as a second language to young children in Argentina. Next, she fine-tuned her knowledge of literacy and math as the kindergarten lead teacher at Vista College Prep, a Building Excellent Schools model school in Phoenix, Arizona, and first grade teacher at The Mission Preparatory School in San Francisco. Education: B.A. Sociology and Latin American and Latino Studies with a minor in Education, University of California, Santa Cruz; California Multi-Subject Teaching Credential, REACH University.
Support Staff
Alexandra Heredia - Student Services Coordinator
alexandra.heredia@navigatorschools.org
Andrew Huaracha - Accounting & Finance Specialist
andrew.huaracha@navigatorschools.org
Annie Stevens - Human Resources Coordinator
annie.stevens@navigatorschools.org
Ashley Alnas - Human Resources Technician
ashley.alnas@navigatorschools.org
Christopher Copus - Manager of IT
christopher.copus@navigatorschools.org
David LeBarre - Manager of Maintenance & Operations
david.lebarre@navigatorschools.org
Elizabeth Manzo - Testing Proctor
elizabeth.manzo@navigatorschools.org
Georgea Garduno - Testing Proctor
georgea.garduno@navigatorschools.org
Gabriela Roldan - Communications Manager
gabriela.roldan@navigatorschools.org
Guadalupe Lopez - Translator/Interpreter
guadalupe.lopez@navigatorschools.org
Guillermo Carrillo - Assistant Manager of Maintenance & Operations
guillermo.carrillo@navigatorschools.org
Justin Steiner - Navi Impact Coordinator
justin.steiner@navigatorschools.org
Katie Giacalone - Intervention Specialist
katie.giacalone@navigatorschools.org
Laura Marco - Executive Assistant to the CEO
laura.marco@navigatorschools.org
Mariana Rodriguez - Interim HR Technician
mariana.rodriguez@navigatorschools.org
Marlena Lopez - RTAC Coordinator
marlena.lopez@navigatorschools.org
Rahmi Abuelhaj - Athletic Director
rahmi.abuelhaj@navigatorschools.org
Serena Costanza - School Accountant
serena.costanza@navigatorschools.org
Sama AlRashid - School Data Technician
sama.alrashid@navigatorschools.org
Steven Rivera - Technology Coordinator
steven.rivera@navigatorschools.org
Tanya Rodriguez-Santizo - Data Coordinator
tanya.rodriguezsantizo@navigatorschools.org
Tom Peraic - General Council
tom.peraic@navigatorschools.org
Victoria Garcia - Academic Data & Assessment Coordinator
victoria.garcia@navigatorschools.org