Leadership

National Board of Directors

Charles Hazen - CEO, Hines REIT
Mike Mulcahy - President, Bridgeway Capital
Scott Pharr - Senior Partner, Accenture
Will Reynolds - Partner, New Profit 
Rafael Alvarez - Founder & CEO, Genesys Works

Genesys Works National Office Staff

Rafael Alvarez
Founder and CEO
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Rafael Alvarez, Founder and CEO, started Genesys Works in 2002. Rafael is now overseeing the national organization and is personally involved in replicating the model throughout the country. For his work as a leading social entrepreneur, Rafael was inducted into the prestigious Ashoka Fellowship in 2006.

Prior to starting Genesys Works, Rafael worked 11 years for Compaq Computer Corporation (now HP) in diverse management roles including engineering program management, corporate strategy and market intelligence.

Rafael is an engaging public speaker who has motivated audiences around the country in diverse topics such as social entrepreneurship, nonprofit earned income models, effect of minority spending programs, changing organizational behaviors and others.

Rafael obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University and a Master of Science in Engineering Management from the University of Houston.

Michelle Burgess
National Program Coordinator
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Michelle Burgess currently serves as National Program Coordinator assisting with human resources, communications, marketing, fundraising and special projects. Prior to joining the national office, she worked in the Houston office as a Program Coordinator mentoring and training young professionals. Michelle joined Genesys Works because she has a true passion for education and seeing students pursue their professional and educational aspirations. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Texas A&M University.

Autumn McDonald 
National Director of Strategic Initiatives
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Autumn McDonald creates, manages, and executes strategic planning around measurement, streamlined processes via the playbook, systemic impact, and policy.

Autumn has worked in education and the nonprofit sector for more than a decade, including work with the American Institutes for Research where she conducted educational research and evaluations, and consulted for foundations, school districts and the Department of Education. She was a 2005 Education Policy Fellow with the Institute for Educational Leadership and a 2007 Education Pioneers Fellows in San Francisco, during which time she worked as a summer associate with NewSchools Venture Fund.

Prior to joining Genesys Works, Autumn worked with the Center for Reform of School Systems as Director of Curriculum and Research and as Principal with Catalyst Education Consulting. She holds a BA from Stanford University, an EdM in Education Policy and Management from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, and an MA in Learning Sciences from Northwestern University's School of Education and Social Policy.

Elizabeth Navejar 
Accounting Coordinator/Administrative Assistant to the Founder and CEO
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Elizabeth Navejar brings 10 years of accounting experience to Genesys Works in for-profit and not-for-profit companies. She previously worked for Consumer Attorneys of California, a trade association for trial attorneys, where she held the position of AP/Payroll Manager.

Since joining Genesys Works in 2009 as an Administrative Assistant, Elizabeth was promoted to the national team where she is now in charge of all day-to-day accounting functions and payroll.