meet The Team
Our Leadership Team
Rebecca Branstetter. Ph.D.
Founder of Thriving Students Collective
Dr. Rebecca Branstetter, Founder
Rebecca Branstetter, Ph.D., is a California-certified psychologist and a licensed public school psychologist in the San Francisco Bay Area. She earned her doctorate in Education at the University of California at Berkeley. She is the founder of the Thriving School Psychologist Collective and The Thriving Students Collective, whose mission is to bring mental health and learning support to schools and families.
A sought-after speaker and national media expert, Rebecca’s expertise has appeared in various publications, including Huffington Post, Washington Post, NPR, CNN, and Parents Magazine. She has also published several books and created online courses for parents and professionals on supporting struggling students, particularly those with attention and executive functioning challenges.
Sarah Hauser, M.A.
CEO
Sarah Eisenberg Hauser, CEO
Sarah is a passionate and tenured Executive Leader in the education technology industry, with extensive background in marketing, education and business. From working directly with students, public administrators, and members of the private sector, she brings over 20 years of sales, management, training, marketing, operational and customer success, and recruiting expertise.
Sarah holds a BA from UC Berkeley, an MBA in Marketing, and a Master's in Teaching from the University of San Francisco. She also completed a certification program at Columbia Business School in Building and Leading Effective Teams. Sarah resides in Oakland, California with her 3 amazing children and husband.
Mike Attia
VP of Operations
Mike Attia, VP of Operations
Mike’s journey into helping students overcome educational barriers started in 2007, when he started teaching SAT prep while getting his bachelor's in mathematics at UCSD. He spent the next 15 years of his career working in operations and management at The Princeton Review. Mike earned his bachelor’s degree in mathematics.
Mike lives in Oakland, California. When he’s not at work, you can often find him in front of a piano, singing with his local community chorus or eating (food is the great love of his life).
Team Members
Anna Napawan, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Anna Napawan, ph.D.
licensed clinical psychologist
Dr. Anna Napawan is a licensed clinical psychologist, and she has worked and trained in a variety of settings including UCSF Langley Porter Psychiatric Hospital and Clinic, Children’s Hospital Oakland, Ann Martin Center, and Kaiser Permanente. Dr. Napawan has experience in assessing giftedness, ADHD, ASD, and various learning differences. She used a collaborative therapeutic approach when conducting her assessments, which includes an in-depth clinical interview, school observations, standardized measures, and projective tests. In addition to Dr. Napawan's work, she enjoys learning to watercolor, embroidery, and caring for her 3 children.
Charity Plaxton-hennings, Ph.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Credentialed School Psychologist
charity plaxton-hennings, ph.d.
licensed clinical psychologist, credentialed School psychologist
Dr. Charity Plaxton-Hennings is a pediatric neuropsychologist, licensed clinical psychologist, and credentialed school psychologist. She holds a doctorate in Clinical Psychology, a Master's Degree in Public Health, a Master's Degree in Psychology and a Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Psychology. She completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship at Loma Linda University Children's Hospital in Pediatric Neurodevelopment. She currently serves as a Director of Special Education. Dr. Plaxton-Hennings spent the first 8 years of her career as an Associate Professor at Azusa Pacific University and has since held several adjunct faculty appointments at many colleges and universities. She is certified as a trauma specialist and has an extensive background in crisis intervention, including serving for two weeks in New York following 9/11. Historically, she also worked in private practice conducting neuropsychological evaluations, therapy, organizational consulting and training. She currently serves as reviewer for the Journal of Contemporary School Psychology and serves in leadership positions on state and local organizations.
Javarte Bobino, Psy.D.
Licensed Educational Psychologist
Javarte Bobino, Psy.D.
Licensed Educational Psychologist
Dr. Javarte Bobino is a Licensed Educational Psychologist and credentialed school psychologist who holds a Doctoral Degree in Educational Psychology. He completed a Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology. He possesses years of experience working with youth and adults in a variety of settings. Dr. Bobino has been an adjunct instructor for Mills College, St. Mary’s College of California, Loyola Marymount University, and University of San Francisco. Dr. Bobino is native to the Bay Area and specializes in working with foster youth, developing mental health program initiatives, optimizing the learning atmosphere, student development, and promoting a safe learning environment.
Jenna Palacios, M.S.
Licensed Educational Psychologist
Jenna Palacios, Ed.S., M.S.
Licensed educational Psychologist
Jenna is a Licensed Educational Psychologist and California credentialed School Psychologist with over 10 years of experience in education in different capacities for school districts in San Diego, San Bernardino, LA and Orange counties. She received B.A.s in both Psychology and Spanish from San Diego State University. She also attended graduate school for School Psychology at SDSU, earning an M.S. in Counseling and an Ed.S. degree in School Psychology. Jenna's areas of expertise and interest include bilingual assessment, culturally affirming and responsive interventions, preschool assessment/early childhood education, and inclusionary practices. She is most passionate about disability justice and is drive to ensure that disabled students thrive with equitable access and opportunities in all settings. Jenna takes pride in connecting with families and providing psychoeducation to empower them to be the best advocates for their children. In her free time, Jenna enjoys watercoloring, roller skating, pilates, meditation, reading and doing her own nails.
Laura lives in San Francisco with her husband and dog Larry. In her free time she enjoys reading, traveling, playing board games, and getting outside as much as possible: hiking, cycling, and going to the dog park.
Ke’Shana Griddine, Ph.D
Licensed Educational Psychologist
Ke’Shana Griddine, Ph.D
Licensed Educational Psychologist
Dr. Griddine is a Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP) and Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) with 10 years of experience in the public schools. She earned her Doctorate degree from Indiana State University in Psychological and Guidance Services with a specialty in School Psychology. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Clark Atlanta University. In addition to her public school experience, she has provided services in alternative settings such as residential treatment and juvenile detention facilities. Her professional purpose is to provide information to support students and families as they navigate the education system.
Dr. Griddine has vast experience with psycho-educational assessments, individual counseling, group counseling, behavior interventions, and consultation with school teams. In the schools, she has facilitated counseling groups to support social-emotional development of female students at the high school and elementary school levels. She enjoys going to the beach, traveling, listening to podcasts, photography, and nature walks.
Laura Hansen, Ed.S., M.Ed.
Licensed Educational Psychologist
Laura Hansen, Ed.S., M.Ed.
Licensed educational Psychologist
Laura is a Licensed Educational Psychologist and a credentialed school psychologist. She earned her Ed.S. and M.Ed. in School Psychology from the College of William and Mary and her B.A. from Villanova University. She has worked with youth and families throughout the Bay Area since 2015. Laura's goal is to support families through an approach that is student-centered, culturally-responsive, evidence-based, and strengths-focused. She has broad experience working with diverse learners with disabilities and difficulties that impact learning.
Laura lives in San Francisco with her husband and dog Larry. In her free time she enjoys reading, traveling, playing board games, and getting outside as much as possible: hiking, cycling, and going to the dog park.
Marianne Lapastora, PsyD
Licensed Educational Psychologist
Marianne Lapastora, PsyD
Licensed Educational Psychologist
Marianne is a Licensed Educational Psychologist and credentialed school psychologist in California. She holds a Master's Degree in Applied Developmental Psychology, a Master's Degree in Educational Psychology, and a Doctorate in Psychology. Marianne has worked as a psychologist in public schools for a decade and has also served as an adjunct faculty member in National University's Master's program in School Psychology. She embraces a neurodiversity affirming perspective and has special interests in ADHD, Autism, anxiety, and traumatic stress. She is additionally trained as a children's yoga teacher and enjoys teaching mindfulness to kids. Marianne also loves creating professional development and educational materials for teachers and parents in order to help them understand and support children's needs. When she is not assessing students, she enjoys gardening, watercolor painting, and learning new musical instruments.
Nicole Smith, Psy.D.
Licensed Psychologist
Nicole Smith, Psy.D., ABSNP
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Nicole has been working as a clinical psychologist in schools since 2013. Dr. Nicole grew up in Perth, Western Australia and moved to the US to attend Northwestern University. She played Division 1 Field Hockey and obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. Dr. Nicole received her Master’s Degree in Clinical Forensic Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, her Doctorate degree from Alliant International University in San Francisco and her Post-Graduate Certification in School Psychology.
She enjoys traveling, reading (all things Harry Potter), watching movies, learning German, tap dancing, and adventuring with her five year old son.r. Nicole received her Master’s Degree in Clinical Forensic Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and her Doctorate degree from Alliant International University in San Francisco. She enjoys traveling, reading (all things Harry Potter), watching movies, learning German, tap dancing, and adventuring with her five year old son.
Shietel Chhana, Psy.D.
Licensed Educational Psychologist
Shietel Chhana, Psy.D.
Licensed Educational Psychologist
Dr. Shietel Chhana is a Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP), Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), and has a Diplomate in School Neuropsychology. She holds a Master’s Degree in Professional Counseling, an Education Specialist Degree in School Psychology, and a Doctorate in Educational Psychology. Shietel has been a practicing school psychologist for the past 12 years working with students in public, nonpublic, and residential school settings. Her additional mental health experiences include working with children, adolescents, and families in group homes, residential treatment centers, county mental health programs, and psychiatric hospitals. Her professional interests include school neuropsychology, school mental health, student and educator trauma, crisis response, and professional development for educators. She enjoys traveling, reading, and spending time with her husband and two daughters.
Shietel Chhana, Psy.D.
Licensed Educational Psychologist
Shinquell Green
Customer Success Manager
Shinquell Green is a dedicated advocate and educator with a passion for shaping impactful education policies. With a Master's degree in Public Policy from USC under her belt, Shinquell has been on a remarkable journey of contributing to the education landscape.
Starting her career as a compassionate 2nd-grade teacher, Shinquell quickly recognized the potential for positive change on a larger scale. For the past decade, Shinquell has demonstrated unwavering commitment by channeling her efforts into nonprofit management focused on education. Her deep-rooted passion for equitable education access has driven her to lead initiatives that empower underprivileged communities and promote educational opportunities for all.
Her unique blend of hands-on teaching experience, policy insight, and nonprofit leadership showcases her dedication to creating meaningful, lasting change in the lives of students and educators alike.
Steven Branstetter
Creative Director
Steven Branstetter
Creative Director
Steven first fell in love with photography at the age of 11, when his brother gave him a film camera. In the digital world, Steven creates images and videos that capture the essence of the Thriving Students Collective.
When he's not ridding the world of cheesy stock photography, you can find him enjoying mint chip ice cream with his wife and two daughters in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Steven Branstetter
Creative Director
Ted Foster
Customer Success Manager
With over 13 years of dedicated experience in customer success, management, and operations, Ted is a driving force behind our team's commitment to values-oriented excellence. Holding a BS in Political Science from Portland State University in Portland, OR, his journey spans diverse sectors, including non-profit, retail, and educational services, fostering a deep understanding of effective service delivery. Ted's passion for elevating customer experiences fuels our pursuit of unparalleled satisfaction.
Currently rooted in Oakland, CA, Ted's adventurous spirit finds solace amidst the majestic redwoods of Northern California, in the elation of live music, and nurturing his burgeoning assortment of plant friends.