VISION
Here at Connect2Better we endeavor to empower students. We are more than academics; we equip students with skills for life that will give them access to a better college education and brighter future. Helping guide students on both the academics with math and college counseling and also offering programs to strengthen soft skills such as leadership and mentorship.
T H E T E A M
Madison Nguyen - Honorary Advisor
Madison Nguyen, former San Jose Vice Mayor, was recently named Executive Director of Hunger at Home. She obtained her undergraduate from the University of California Santa Cruz and graduate degree from the University of Chicago. She published her first book, “Vietnam to America: My Journey of Dreams” in 2012. Madison ran for, and won, a seat on the Franklin-McKinley Board of Education in 2002 while she taught sociology at De Anza College. In 2005, Madison was elected to the San Jose City Council and served until 2014 including four years as Vice Mayor. Madison Nguyen, her husband and her daughter, reside in San Jose.
Jack Smith - President
Jack has been a visionary leader and a philanthropic entrepreneur as a Hotmail founder and CEO of Tech companies in Silicon Valley. He has participated as a motivational keynote speaker and has inspired students, professionals, and executives by sharing his experiences and insights. He is also the owner of Saratoga Mt. Winery.
Sanjiv Das, Ph D - Vice President
Sanjiv Das is a Professor of Finance at Santa Clara University's Leavey School of Business and enjoys interacting with students whenever possible. He previously held faculty appointments as an associate professor at Harvard Business School and UC Berkeley. Prior to being an academic, he worked in the Asia-Pacific region as a Vice-President at Citibank. He has published over eighty articles in academic journals, and has won many awards for research and teaching. He currently serves as a Senior Fellow at the FDIC Center for Financial Research.
Camille Jung, JD - Founder/Executive Director
Camille has been a school teacher, college prep center director, law school vice president, and education columnist for over 20 years. She has also worked in several non-profit and corporate sectors as a director and advisor. Camille believes that every child should have the opportunity to reach his or her potential.
Eric Jorgensen - Secretary
Eric is currently a Senior Vice President and Trustee of Opera San Jose. He is an active member of MIT alumni and a well-respected attorney who has experiences with corporate and non-profit sectors. He has mentored students who wish to pursue career in the legal field. He enjoys spending time with his grandson in college.
Robert Bengiveno - Treasurer
Robert has been raised, educated and has worked his entire life in San Jose. As a CPA he has worked both in Public Accounting and in industry, watching the growth of the magical place of Silicon Valley. In the past ten years, he has practiced as a CPA specializing in the needs of start-ups both in the for-profit sector but also the non-profit sector, working with primarily not-for-profit educational institutions, charities and foundations. Outside of his office, he spends time with his family and loved ones who give him the greatest joy. In his private time, he loves to write music and be with his extended family of friends.
Kevin Park - Board Member Stanford graduate/former Google employee/IT start-up/Innovative and Leadership program volunteer
VOLUNTEERS
KHOA PHAMCogswell College
"There is almost no better feeling than to help out others within your community. Connect2Better has given me a wonderful opportunity and I've gained new skills that will be critical to my future." |
JET TOMPioneer High School
"Serving the community through Connect2Better has taught me that even the littlest things can help change the future. Working as a volunteer has bettered my realization of community problems so that I can express the best side of myself and help those in need." |
SOONSIM PARKKEMS TV News
"I feel good about myself and get positive energy when I am surrounded by many passionate people. And that's the vibe I get through Connect2Better." |
ERIC JUNGUSC Keck School of Medicine
"Connect2Better is a great nonprofit-organization that has showed me that helping out is important for the community. It is meaningful and I learn more as a volunteer." |
ALEX KIM, MDUCSF Medical Center
"I enjoy volunteering because of the positive energy that I get. It is great to see that volunteers make differences in the community." |
PAUL JUNGPwC Consulting
"I've been a volunteer for a long time now and I really see the impact that volunteers make. Witnessing these changes makes me feel grateful to be a volunteer." |
GERALDINE ANG, MBADedicated Volunteer
"There is almost no better feeling than to help out others within your community. Connect2Better has given me a wonderful opportunity and I've gained new skills that will be critical to my future." |
EDWARD SUH, MBACFO GlobalAroma Coffee
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Volunteer with Connect2Better! |
