The Next Chapter: Bezos Scholars Alum Council Welcomes Six Incoming Chairs

Brayden York, 2019 Cohort, Incoming Chair

Brayden York serves as the Foundation Operations Coordinator at the BHI Foundation in Indianapolis, Indiana. Prior to joining the foundation, he worked as the Donor and Engagement Coordinator at Million Meal Movement, where his experiences strengthened his commitment to nonprofit service and deepened his passion for supporting organizations that help create meaningful community impact.

A 2024 graduate of Butler University, Brayden earned a bachelor’s degree in Youth and Community Development with a concentration in Organizational Communication and Leadership. During his time at Butler, Brayden also served as the 2023 Aspen Challenge Brooklyn Event Intern, an experience that fueled his commitment to stay connected with the Bezos Scholar community. Outside of work, Brayden enjoys exploring Indianapolis, staying active, traveling, and spending time with his cat, Vinnie. As Events Chair, Brayden is excited to create more opportunities for alums across the globe to connect and strengthen relationships through meaningful experiences.

Matthew Garcia, 2018 Cohort, Incoming Professional Development Chair

Matthew Garcia is an Associate Consultant at The Bridgespan Group, where he advises social sector organizations and philanthropists on strategy, organizational effectiveness, and social impact. His work has ranged from digital transformation initiatives to place-based philanthropic investments aimed at advancing economic mobility in major U.S. cities.

Matthew graduated from Harvard College with a degree in Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology. His interests in education, research, and expanding access to opportunity have led him to build and lead nonprofit organizations serving young people across the country.

He is the founder and a board director of the Pre-College Research Institute and a co-founder of Through the Staff. Through the Staff has provided thousands of free, one-on-one music lessons to students across the United States, while the Pre-College Research Institute has connected hundreds of high school students—particularly those from backgrounds historically underrepresented in academia—with free research education, mentorship, and hands-on research experiences. Together, the organizations have delivered millions of dollars in educational value to students and families.

Matthew’s work in education was featured by the TED Fellows program in a main-stage TED Talk in 2022, where he spoke about the role young people can play in building more equitable systems of education.

Originally from the Rio Grande Valley in South Texas, Matthew now calls San Francisco home. Outside of work, he is an avid musician and is a violist in the San Francisco Philharmonic. He also enjoys running, exploring the Bay Area, and getting to know more of California. As the incoming Professional Development Chair, Matthew hopes to foster mentorship and career development opportunities that empower alums to grow personally and professionally.

Sundoes Elbery, 2011 Bezos Scholar; 2024 Educator Scholar, Incoming Events Chair

A 2011 student Scholar and 2024 educator Scholar, Sundoes brings a unique perspective and deep commitment to empowering students and educators. With more than a decade of experience in the classroom, she is dedicated to fostering equitable educational opportunities and supporting student success.        

Sundoes holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Rutgers University, a Master of Arts in Teaching from Relay Graduate School of Education, and a Doctorate from Saint Peter’s University. Her doctoral research focused on the Impact of Socioeconomic Status on First-Generation Arab College Students’ Cultural Integration and Academic Success in their first year of college, highlighting her passion for understanding and addressing educational disparities.  As the incoming Events Chair, Sundoes is excited to use her experience as both a student and educator Scholar and leverage her expertise to champion innovative approaches to learning and leadership while supporting the growth of the Alum Network.

Jeslyn Kamga, 2025 Cohort, Incoming Current Scholar Cohort Chair

Jeslyn Kamga grew up in Frederick, Maryland and credits her Cameroonian heritage as a defining influence on her perspectives and values. Learning from her family’s experiences in Cameroon shaped her passion for creating equitable opportunities for others globally. Early in her leadership journey, Jeslyn served on Frederick County Public Schools’ Racial Equity Committee, where she advised on Board of Education policies, examined county-wide racial inequalities, and worked to amplify student voices across her community.

Jeslyn is a first-year student pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at Duke University. She is particularly interested in humanitarian engineering and exploring the intersection between technology and making real social change, with a focus on addressing opportunities across African countries.

 As the incoming Current Scholar Cohort Chair, she is excited to use her experience engaging young people to support current Scholars as they develop their leadership skills, navigate their BSP experience, and build lasting connections with the Network.

Kaetlyn Rodriguez, 2017 Cohort, Incoming Cohort Ambassador Chair

Kaetlyn Rodriguez was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles and is the first in her family to complete high school and pursue higher education. Her experiences navigating educational spaces have shaped her commitment to making science more equitable and accessible for all.

Kaetlyn is currently a PhD candidate at Tulane University in New Orleans, where her research is focused on reconstructing past dissolved ocean oxygen and understanding how environments changed alongside global temperatures. Driven by a passion for science education, she partners with nonprofits to help students think critically about the natural world and explore pathways into science and research.

When she is not writing, on a field expedition, or at a conference, you will find her at home reading a good book or listening to her favorite Dungeons & Dragons podcasts. As the incoming Cohort Ambassador chair, Kaetlyn is excited to build more opportunities for alums to share their personal interests and develop deeper and more meaningful connections across alum cohorts.

Abelkarim Ben Fraj, 2024 Cohort, Incoming Communications Chair

Karim is a cosmopolitan, storyteller, and filmmaker whose experiences living and learning across multiple countries have shaped his passion for building cross-cultural connections. Originally from Tunisia, Karim attended the African Leadership Academy in South Africa and is now a student at Pomona College where he is pursuing double majors in Economics and Media Studies.
Storytelling and filmmaking are Karim’s primary mediums for advancing social impact and creating meaningful dialogue. His experiences include organizing the South African Ideas Festival, contributing to education reform initiatives, and advocating for the international student community on his college campus. Through these experiences, he has developed a strong belief in the power of stories to bridge differences and inspire positive change. Karim is also building a digital platform centered on seeking discomfort, embracing new perspectives, and navigating diversity with intention.

As the Communications Chair, Karim is excited to give back to the network by amplifying alum voices and sharing more stories of impact.