OUR TEAM



Brad Rothenberg
Co-Founder
& Executive Director
Brad has devoted his career to advancing equity in youth soccer. As co-founder of BRC Group and Alianza de Futbol, he helped grow the game at the grassroots level raising more than $50 million in corporate partnerships and leading Black and Latino soccer initiatives across 41 U.S. cities, reaching over 5 million participants.
In 2023, Brad left the corporate world to serve full-time as Executive Director of ACCESS U. Leveraging his deep relationships within the soccer community and extensive sports marketing experience, he works to bridge gaps in access and college recruiting, empowering young people to pursue and achieve their college aspirations.

Joaquín Escoto
Co-Founder
Joaquín Escoto is Co-Founder and Board Member of ACCESS U. He has built his career across global sports, commercial strategy, and youth development, with roles at IMG and FIFA supporting partnerships around the FIFA World Cup 2026 and FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027.He was a partner at BRC Group and Alianza de Futbol, helping build the largest grassroots soccer property in the United States, reaching millions of Hispanic players and families.
He is the former EVP of San Diego FC, where as a founding executive he helped shape the club’s long-term vision, including the development of the Right to Dream Academy, MLS’s first residential middle school academy.

Eugenia Chow
Chief Operating Officer
Eugenia leads internal operations for efficiency, growth and mission alignment. She oversees the strategic development and execution of ACCESS U’s programming, communications, and community partnerships. She also works closely with the Executive Director on donor development and fundraising initiatives.
Eugenia brings more than 20 years of experience in social impact and sports philanthropy, holding leadership positions at The Players’ Tribune, Los Angeles Lakers, Lakers Youth Foundation, California Community Foundation and CAA Foundation. She earned a B.A. in American Studies from Amherst College, where she played field hockey.

Ana Rojas
Director of Events and Programming
Ana is a seasoned sports professional with over a decade of experience in client servicing, partnerships, media broadcast, community engagement and event operations. Her diverse background includes work with The Drone Racing League, Angel City FC, and Alianza de Futbol. Ana holds a Master’s Degree in Sport Management from the University of San Francisco. She is driven by a mission to expand accessibility and visibility in sport, finding her greatest fulfillment in building meaningful connections within the communities the game serves."

Tila Brambila
Digital, Design and Social Media Manager
As a communications professional and former student-athlete producing audiovisual content for athletes, brands, tournaments, and teams, Tila has built a unique connection between soccer and their/his work, one that has allowed them/him to live the passion of the game both on and off the field for over 15 years. Their/his commitment at ACCESS U goes beyond “creating content.” They/he firmly believe that an image, a word, or a video has the power to change lives and shape social narratives. Their/his mission is to support and amplify each student-athlete’s purpose through visual storytelling, using every story as an opportunity to inspire meaningful change.

Xochitl Montoya
Design and Social Media Coordinator
Xochitl is a former high-performance track and field athlete who competed in javelin for over a decade. After her athletic career, she transitioned into creative work in sports, specializing in photography, design, and visual storytelling that highlights athletes and the culture surrounding sport. Drawing from her own experience as an athlete, her creative approach focuses on authentically capturing the dedication, resilience, and identity of athletes. Through her work, she aims to empower them and inspire the next generation to believe in their potential and pursue their dreams both on and off the field.

Yasmine Angel
Player Relations Manager
A soccer standout at Dominican University, Yasmine is a first-generation college graduate with a Master’s in Business Administration. Soccer has created a pathway for her to continue her education on and off the field. She is passionate to help guide those who wish to continue their education with or without soccer, by providing mentorship, resources, and encouragement to navigate their own unique journeys.

Rocio Corona
Player Relations Manager
Rocio is a youth development professional, high school soccer coach, and former collegiate student-athlete who supports athlete engagement and player development initiatives with ACCESS U Foundation. She holds a background in Education and Psychology and has several years of experience working with youth and families in community and school-based settings, supporting academic, personal, and athletic growth. She also focuses on supporting athletes in building character, resilience, and strong habits that contribute to personal growth beyond the game.

Richard Copeland
Corporate Development
Richard is a veteran sports marketer and the co-founder of BRC Group, where he has been a pioneer in creating innovative sports properties for the U.S. Hispanic market with Brad Rothenberg beginning in 2002. He was instrumental in the launch and growth of Alianza de Futbol, which has become the largest amateur Hispanic soccer program in the United States. Currently, Richard assists with business development for ACCESS U, leveraging his extensive experience to expand the foundation's reach and impact for scholar-athletes.

Making College Dream Come True Making College Dream Come True
OUR PROGRAM
PARTNERS



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Gloria Calderon
College Program Director
Yours in Soccer Foundation
Gloria has dedicated her career to increasing college access by working directly with families and communities who have been historically underrepresented in higher education. She supports YSF’s efforts to reach deserving students by managing the college mentorship program and sustaining partnerships with other nonprofits, academic service providers, and club soccer teams. Gloria is a first-generation college graduate, holding a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies from UCLA and a Master of Arts from Columbia University’s Teachers College.

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Alberto Vega
Athletic Program Director
Yours in Soccer Foundation
Beto grew up playing competitive club soccer in San Diego, California and was recruited to play at the collegiate level for Holy Names University, making him the first in his family to attend college. Beto later completed a Masters in Social Welfare at UCLA and gained extensive experience providing social services to diverse populations. At YSF, Beto’s role is to raise awareness about the Foundation’s mission among the youth soccer development and college coach communities. He also guides students and their families throughout the college recruitment process with the aim of helping students identify the best fit college.


Lindsey Huie
Founder
Gritness
Lindsey is a dynamic and accomplished soccer coach and former professional player with over 15 years of experience in high-performance environments. A two-time Division I National Champion, co-captain, and U21 National Team member, she possesses extensive experience in coaching, mentoring, and leading student-athletes to achieve both academic and athletic excellence. Through Gritness, Lindsey is committed to developing well-rounded players, building team culture and enhancing performance through innovative coaching methods, leadership, and a focus on mental and physical strength.


Jana Brusch
Founder
JL Social Strategies
Jana is the founder of JL Social Strategies, where she helps brands and athletes elevate their digital presence through intentional content, strategic messaging, and authentic storytelling. She plays a key role within Gritness, leading operations and social media strategy while driving the platform’s growth and visibility, all in support of developing complete athletes mentally, personally, and professionally. In partnership with ACCESS U, she works closely with student-athletes to build their personal brands, strengthen recruiting visibility, and position themselves for opportunities beyond the field. Jana also captures impactful moments at ACCESS U x Gritness events, using her photography to elevate player exposure and bring each athlete’s story to life with clarity and purpose.


Phil Cohen
Founder & CEO
Prestige Prep
Phil has dedicated his life’s work to children. He has spent more than 30 years mentoring, teaching, and building social and academic organizations. Through this vast experience, he honed his methodologies and approach to education: “Challenge students to push themselves while building their confidence and sense of self.” To date, Phil has worked with thousands of students and families, creating and maintaining lasting relationships along the way. Phil lives in NYC with his wife and their two boys.


Michaela Schwartz
Program Manager
Prestige Prep
Michaela is a writer and educator living in Brooklyn, NY. Born and raised in Brookline, MA, she has a degree in Film and Gender Studies from Barnard College. Michaela runs the day-to-day operations for Prestige Prep's non-profit partnerships and oversees test prep courses, as well as tutoring her own students. Outside of work, she loves swimming, camping, and all things pop culture.


Reena Kamins
Founder & CEO
College Career & Life
Starting with a work-study job in college, Reena has been in the admissions space for more than 30 years. Over that time, the college application landscape has changed dramatically. However, having co-taught a college course on the psycho-social adjustment to college, Reena’s commitment to minimizing the stress and anxiety associated with the college application process has not wavered. Her goal is for students to be happy and healthy and to help them find the college communities in which they will thrive.


Alyssa Sailor-Tynes
Director
SRK Strategies
Alyssa is a Director at SRK Strategies, where she helps businesses and thought leaders achieve visibility and impact through compelling messaging, media relations, and strategic storytelling. Alyssa is known for crafting thoughtful, high-impact narratives that elevate visibility and drive connection. She is thrilled to use her skills to broaden awareness of ACCESS U's mission-driven work.


Amani Jones
Junior Account Executive
SRK Strategies
Amani is a Junior Executive at SRK Strategies, where she supports public relations campaigns, media outreach, and strategic communications across sports, entertainment, philanthropy, and business clients. Amani is known for her approach to storytelling and ability to support meaningful, mission-driven work through strategic communications. She is proud to broaden awareness of ACCESS U’s impact and help expand opportunities for scholar-athletes.

Making College Dream Come True Making College Dream Come True
ADVISORS



Lisa Regenbogen
College Program Director
Lisa brings over 20 years experience spanning key roles in Strategic Partnerships, PR, and Marketing, with companies from global sports media to innovative technology. A former collegiate soccer player and perpetual athlete, Lisa is a strong believer in the benefit of sport and sport participation in development, and its ability to create pathways to education and opportunities. Lisa was instrumental in helping ACCESS U expand to Charleston, SC and the Lowcountry in 2025.

Barry Williams
Director of Strategic Partnership and Growth
TBD
