Founder, CEO

Sunny created StrivePath to center the focus on the student, believing this approach leads to better results and happier students. 

His goal is to prepare students for college and life with a stronger sense of self. As a parent of three, Sunny understands the challenges of distinguishing fact from noise. 

He aims to simplify their lives by becoming a trusted source, making the journey to academic success easier for families.

Executive Advisor

Naomi Grewal, Ph.D. is a research leader at LinkedIn with nearly two decades of experience at leading tech companies including Meta and Uber. She specializes in how people make high-stakes decisions, bringing a research-driven lens to complex life choices like college and career coaching.

Naomi holds a Ph.D. in psychology and teaches graduate-level business psychology at the University of Southern California. She also serves on the Advisory Board of Women in Research (WIRe), helping shape the future of research and insights across industries.

Community Manager

Sarah joined StrivePath to bring her passion for helping students find the right college to the Tri-Valley region of the East Bay. With over twenty years in Corporate Human Resources and personal experience navigating her own children's academic journeys, she understands the importance of holistic development and community resources. 

At StrivePath, Sarah uses her connections and research skills to provide valuable market insights and curated lists of tutors, summer programs, internships, and jobs, making life easier for families. 

Community Manager

Hilarie's journey to join StrivePath came to fruition because of her oldest daughter’s goals with academic and college counseling.  

She greatly admires the holistic approach StrivePath offers the student and family through this process and wanted to lend her strengths to further foster the experience for all parties involved.

She looks forward to sharing her skill set as an event coordinator and community lead resource manager to support future students find their own success as individuals while thriving with their talents and passions. 

Advisor

Brooks E. Scott is a professionally certified Executive Coach, Interpersonal Communications Expert, Strategic Advisor, and DEI Expert specializing in leadership and management training. 

Before becoming an executive coach, Brooks served as the VP of Safety for a cybersecurity company, managed operations for the protection team of the CEO and COO of Meta, worked as a New Jersey State Trooper, a 5th-grade elementary school teacher is also currently the COO of a New York-based law firm. 

Brooks has facilitated leadership development courses for tens of thousands of managers across the world’s top companies. 

Executive Assistant

Joy Vivien Mercado is the Executive Assistant at StrivePath, turning plans into action and keeping teams and projects on track. 

She previously spent six years supporting the Chief Clinical Officer at ProtoCall Services and two years at Transcom in the BPO industry, where she progressed through three roles—from call center representative to subject-matter expert, and then trainer. Known for her organization, adaptability, and reliability, Joy thrives on making processes efficient and helping teams succeed. 

Outside of work, she is an active church member, plays the piano, loves cooking, and treasures time with her family.

Athletic Consultant

Ryan Castle is a coach, mentor, and program builder with more than 16 years of experience guiding student-athletes and their families through the college recruiting process. He has helped athletes secure roster spots and scholarships across NCAA DI, DII, DIII, and club programs, with a strong track record in California recruiting networks.

Ryan previously served as Head Coach at Indiana University, Carthage College and Acting Head Coach at the University of Hawaii, leading teams to national success, including a #3 NCAA ranking. He also founded the Chicago Elite League, transforming it into one of the largest water polo programs in the U.S. His background includes international experience with the South African, New Zealand and Kazakhstan National Teams and board leadership roles with USA Water Polo.

Athletic Consultant

Danielle Sunderhaus is a goal setter and goal achiever. From the age of 15, when she first made the US Women’s National Soccer Team until today she has set big lofty goals and achieved her goals along the way. Danielle played with the US Women’s National Soccer Team, played collegiate soccer at UNC, won 2 National Championships, was a first-round draft pick for the Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA).  

After retiring from professional soccer, Danielle started to work with kids of all ages on improving their soccer skills and understanding of the game. Danielle has coached soccer at the club, high school and college levels. 

Consultant

Katty joined StrivePath to bring her passion for college access and expert guidance to students and families. With a strong background in college counseling and a degree in Business Administration from The Ohio State University, Katty is dedicated to supporting students through every step of the college admissions process.

At StrivePath, Katty leverages her deep understanding of admission trends and her personalized approach to make the college application journey less stressful and more successful. She focuses on each student's strengths and personal journey, providing tailored advice that helps students make informed decisions. 

Consultant

Khushnuma Driver joins StrivePath as a seasoned School counselor and College Advisor. With over a decade of experience, she has worked extensively with students in diverse educational settings, including having served as an International Baccalaureate (IB) Counselor where she provided academic, mental health, and college counseling to students in the rigorous IB program. In this role, she has guided students through academic planning, extended essays, and community service projects, while nurturing their personal and emotional growth. 

Khushnuma is passionate about helping students navigate their academic and career journeys, empowering them to thrive by embracing their strengths and unique skills. 

Consultant

Maiya is a Silicon Valley native with experience as an academic and college counselor at boarding and public schools. 

She is driven by the desire for families to have the information they need to make the best college and career decisions for their students. She has attended 200+ college tours in the US and Canada to better advise students on finding their best-fit colleges. 

Maiya has read domestic and international first-year applications for 3 UCs and is familiar with International Baccalaureate (IB) and other international systems. 

Consultant

Mo is an educator, college advisor, and lifelong learner who believes in education's power to transform lives and create a better world.

While Mo's career began in the high school English classroom, he quickly discovered his passion for academic advising and college counseling. As a Program Manager at SEO Scholars, he supported hundreds of first-generation students in applying to college and persisting through academic and personal barriers to obtain their degrees. Mo joined StrivePath with the goal of empowering students and families by providing culturally-competent and personalized advising, fostering an authentic love of learning, and building relationships defined by care for the whole person.

Consultant

Niyati Shah has over 15 years of experience as a college and career counselor, guiding students through the application process to top universities across the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Europe. She has experience working with a private high school in the Bay Area, supporting students through course selection, competitive admissions processes, and providing hands-on guidance at every step.

Niyati has completed the UCLA College Counseling Certificate Program and holds a BA in Business Administration and a postgraduate diploma in Mass Communication and Journalism from Gujarat, India. 

She combines strategic thinking with clear communication to help students craft compelling applications while keeping their academic and personal interests at the center. 

Consultant

Sana has over a decade of experience as a college admissions counselor, guiding students applying to selective schools, liberal arts colleges, UC campuses, and Master's programs, including transfer and international applicants.

With a BA in English and French from Franklin and Marshall and an MFA from Columbia, Sana began her career as an essay editor, later helping hundreds of students navigate applications for diverse programs like engineering, business, and pre-med. 

A traditionally published author, she excels at empowering students to craft authentic essays. 

In her spare time, she enjoys reading, writing retreats, strength training, and spending time with her two children.

Consultant

Saumya joined StrivePath to empower students through personalized academic and college advising. She is dedicated to fostering holistic development and guiding students in discovering their strengths and interests. 

At StrivePath, Saumya leverages community resources and market insights to simplify the college application process for students and parents. Her approach ensures families have access to curated lists of tutors, summer programs, internships, and job opportunities, making their lives easier. 

With her support, students navigate academic planning, career exploration, and college admissions with confidence and clarity.

Consultant

Wendy is thrilled to be joining StrivePath after over fifteen years as a high school teacher, dean of students, and college counselor. She is currently the director of college counseling at San Francisco Waldorf High School. She believes that the transition from high school to college is a particularly powerful time for self-reflection and growth, and she can't wait to support StrivePath students through the process. 

Prior to becoming an educator, Wendy was a reporter and television writer. She has a B.A. in English and a Masters in Education from Brown University. 

On weekends she can be found hiking with her son and dog, playing pinball and softball, and reading science fiction.

Consultant

David joined StrivePath to partner with students and families to create personalized academic advising and college planning pathways. He is driven by the development of a holistic approach, rapport building, and a genuine pursuit of awareness and joy. 

David has over 10 years of experience on “both sides of the desk” serving as both a college counselor in private and public high schools across the Bay Area and as an admissions officer of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, at UC Berkeley. Leading the admissions process for Santa Clara and San Mateo County, David oversaw a team of external readers to evaluate applications for undergraduate admissions. David is currently a college counselor at an independent high school in the Bay Area. 

Consultant

Kathie joined StrivePath to help bring more peace and confidence to parents and students in the college-going experience. She has a heart for every student to explore their unique talents and interests and to find their own voice in the process. 

She spent over 20 years in marketing at eBay and PayPal before beginning academic and college counseling in the Mountain View/Sunnyvale area, initially driven by her oldest daughter’s journey. 

She greatly enjoys volunteering as a college mentor with the AVID program at MVHS. She has a BS in Business Administration from Cal Poly, San Luis Obistpo and a certificate in College Counseling from UC San Diego Extension.

Consultant

Ruchi Saran is a dedicated college counselor with over a decade of experience, she is passionate about helping students discover their strengths, find their voice, and make thoughtful decisions about their future. She holds a Certificate in College & Career Counseling with distinction from UC Berkeley and a degree in Psychology, bringing together expertise in admissions with a deep understanding of adolescent development. She is an active member of professional affiliations like HECA, NACAC, WACAC and IACAC.

Her counseling philosophy is simple: every student has a unique story, and the college application process should reflect who they truly are—not who they think colleges want them to be.

Consultant

Lucinda is a dedicated college admissions advisor who guides students through the complex application process with empathy and expertise. As a mother of two teenagers, she understands the pressures of high school and offers valuable insight into supporting students of all backgrounds and abilities.

Certified in College Admissions Consulting from UC Berkeley, she has reviewed applications for UC Santa Cruz and volunteered in both public and private high school College and Career Centers. 

With extensive college visit experience and a background in sales and marketing, she helps students craft standout applications and approach college with confidence.

Consultant

Andrea makes the college application process easy and fun because she loves mentoring and coaching her students along the way. She understands that each student has their own unique learning style, interests, motivations, and passions, and she helps her students reflect on their experiences to better prepare them for their next step in life after high school. Andrea’s passion is finding that spark that the student may not even be aware of and fostering it to empower them to take that next step. She is highly skilled at utilizing these enlightened skills to enhance each student’s personal statement essay, supplemental essays, and resume.

Andrea is very knowledgeable about the current trends in post-secondary education and the current college landscape. Between visiting college campuses in person, virtually attending conferences within the college consultant world, and keeping up with local and national trends, Andrea is continuously engaged in professional development to foster her wealth of knowledge.

Consultant

Cristina is a passionate and caring college counselor who enjoys supporting students and families throughout the college admissions process. With more than 20 years of experience in education and mental health, Cristina brings a compassionate, student-centered approach to her work.

A former elementary and high school counselor in Orange County, Cristina has supported many students as they navigate the academic, personal, and emotional aspects of preparing for college. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Montclair State University and Master’s degree in School Counseling from Seton Hall University in New Jersey and holds a Certificate in College Counseling from the University of California, San Diego.

Consultant

A native of Southern California, John is a passionate educational consultant with extensive  experience assisting students in navigating the college admission process. He is a 2009 graduate  of Harvard College and a former interviewer for the Harvard College Office of Admissions. John scored a perfect score (1600 out of 1600) on his SAT examination and worked for many years as  an SAT instructor in the US and Asia. His favorite part of working as a counselor is helping  students craft narratives that authentically reflect their personal experiences and enable them  to succeed in the admissions process.  

Several of his former students have gained admission to top American universities, both at the  undergraduate and graduate levels. Previously, John was a Senior Consultant at Ernst & Young  (EY) in its People Advisory Services practice, focusing on corporate communications and  training.