Peak Education is proud to cohost the 2026 Career-Connected L/Earning Conference — registration is now open
Meet Our Team
Pedro Ramírez
Co-Interim CEO & Senior Director for Strategic Initiatives
Pedro's higher education experience spans over 15 years in enrollment management, academic success, and student affairs. The past decade plus has been dedicated to college admissions, where he's worked at a variety of institutions to increase the quality and quantity of traditionally underrepresented students for matriculation.
Prior to arriving at Peak Education, Pedro served as the Associate Director for Outreach & Access at Colorado College.
Born and raised in California's San Joaquin Valley, Pedro received his B.A. from the University of California, Irvine, and his M.Ed. from the University of Texas at Austin. In his free time, he enjoys going on hikes with his wife Krista and son Leo, learning a new recipe, and enjoying SF Giants baseball.
Claudia De Santiago
Co-Interim CEO & Director of Development
In September of 2023, Claudia joined Peak Education as the Director of Development, bringing with her a wealth of experience and expertise. With over a decade of dedicated community service, conflict resolution, and guidance under her belt, Claudia has developed a versatile skill set that has proven to be invaluable on various international platforms. Her extensive involvement in the non-profit industry has not only made her a proficient communicator but also an expert at building and nurturing relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Claudia's primary objective at Peak Education is to diversify the organization's funding sources. She aims to achieve this by forging connections with new donors and networks that are currently disconnected from the organization.
Claudia graduated from the University of Arkansas with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Middle Eastern studies, she also holds minors in Political Science, Sustainability, and Arabic. Additionally, Claudia obtained an Associate in Business Administration from Crowder College in 2012, further solidifying her knowledge and expertise in the field.
Jasmine Rainey
Director of Access and Success
Jasmine is a graduate of Colorado State University. She comes from a low-income, first-generation background, which contributed to her passion of empowering and helping students from similar backgrounds. Jasmine was a recipient of the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) and became the first DSF scholar to work for the organization. During her time at DSF from 2011 until May 2020, she served in a variety of roles, working as a TRIO advisor, a college advisor and later as a lead advisor who supervised and guided other advisors. Through her work she has assisted hundreds of students across the Denver Public Schools district, helping them gain access to higher education and obtain financial aid to support their plans. She has developed core college success programming, increased college enrollment rates at various high schools, led community trainings and presentations, and much more.
In addition to her passion for college access, Jasmine is pursuing her counseling degree to increase her ability to holistically impact students.
Colleen McClure
Director of Finance and Operations
In December 2025, Colleen joined Peak Education as the Director of Finance and Operations, bringing more than 20 years of professional experience and eight years of specialized experience in nonprofit finance and operations. Throughout her career, she has developed expertise in financial management, budgeting, grant administration, human resources, compliance, and organizational leadership, helping mission-driven organizations build the infrastructure needed to achieve long-term success.
As Director of Finance and Operations, Colleen oversees the organization’s financial and operational functions with a focus on strengthening financial sustainability, building operational excellence, supporting staff and organizational growth, and ensuring resources are directed toward maximizing student impact. She is passionate about creating strong systems and processes that empower teams to focus on serving students and families throughout the Pikes Peak region.
Prior to joining Peak Education, Colleen held finance leadership positions in both nonprofit and private-sector organizations, including serving in a financial leadership role at The Place. Her experience includes financial reporting, budgeting, grant management, payroll and benefits administration, strategic planning, and organizational operations.
Colleen earned a Master of Business Administration from the University of Colorado Denver and holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Oregon with studies in Journalism, Communications, and Business.
Outside of work, Colleen is the proud parent of two children in middle and high school, coaches high school soccer, and serves on the board of The Little Dipper. Her commitment to supporting young people both professionally and personally reflects her dedication to expanding opportunities for students and families in the community.
Taryn Frazier
Interim Assistant Director of Middle School Programs
Taryn is passionate about empowering middle school students and helping them realize their full potential. With over three years of experience in the Colorado Springs area, she has served as a middle school Choice & Success Advisor in District 49 and now brings her expertise to Peak Education as a Middle School Coordinator. She is also a certified Career and Technical Education Work-Based Learning Coordinator for grades 7–12, with a strong commitment to ICAP (Individual Career and Academic Plan) development and work-based learning opportunities for all students.
A proud Colorado Springs native and graduate of Coronado High School, Taryn was a four-year collegiate athlete. She earned her Associate of Arts from Lamar Community College and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Kansas Wesleyan University.
As the first woman in four generations of her family to graduate from college—raised by a single mother and using basketball as her path to higher education—Taryn deeply understands the challenges faced by low-income and first-generation students. Her personal journey fuels her dedication to helping others break generational cycles and achieve success.
Taryn brings a unique perspective from her diverse professional background and firsthand experience navigating college, athletics, and the workforce. She takes immense pride in being part of the Peak Education team, where she supports students in becoming the best versions of themselves—regardless of their circumstances or starting point. Reach Higher!
Vennita Browning
Director of Alumni and Family Engagement
Vennita has been the Program Director for Peak Education since August 2005. In this position, she is, in effect, our Chief Relationship Officer, maintaining and strengthening our connections with each Peak Education Scholar and family. Her experience as a single mother of three boys, all of whom are college graduates, has given her unique insight into the daily struggles of low-income families served by Peak Education.
Vennita moved to Colorado Springs in 1986 from California after graduating with a B.A. in Mass Communications with an emphasis in radio and television from the University of LaVerne in LaVerne, California.
Before coming to Peak Education, Vennita worked with the Girl Scouts Wagon Wheel Council for 13 years as a Membership and Marketing Specialist. She recruited, trained and supervised leaders and marketed the Girl Scout program to girls in the Greater Colorado Springs area and surrounding counties. She developed successful outreach programs in low income and underserved areas of the council.
In addition to her work with the Girl Scouts, she served on the board of the Community Partnership for Child Development (CPCD), and finished her second term as a board member as the African American Youth Leadership Conference (AAYLC). In addition, she is in her tenth year as a mentor with the Sachs Foundation’s “Elevated” program, which empowers students to achieve excellence in postsecondary education.
Tam Doane
College and Financial Aid Advisor
Born and raised in Melbourne, Australia, Colorado Springs has been home to Tam since 1999. She has dedicated over fifteen years to removing financial barriers for those who wish to pursue higher education. Tam works with Sierra and Harrison High School students to complete the FAFSA/CASFA and apply for scholarships.
Before joining the Peak Education team, Tam worked with El Pomar Foundation and UCCS. She holds a Master’s degree in Counseling and Human Services.
Anjolenna Lutz
Assistant Program Director for Concurrent Enrollment
Anjolenna is deeply committed to supporting students as they navigate the journey to higher education and beyond. She holds a degree in French and Francophone Studies from Colorado College, along with a Spanish minor. Over the past six years, Anjolenna lived and worked in El Salvador, where she served as the first-ever college counselor at Josué Christian School. In this role, she built the college counseling program from scratch and supported dual enrollment students, helping them navigate the demands of both high school and college courses. She also mentored students at Envision El Salvador, a nonprofit that supports youth from underserved communities, guiding them in their academic and personal development.
Now back in her home state, Anjolenna is excited to apply her expertise in college counseling and her passion for educational equity to her role as Assistant Program Director for Concurrent Enrollment. She is dedicated to ensuring that local students have the support they need to successfully transition from high school to college, or discern what pathway is best for them. Outside of work, Anjolenna enjoys solving cryptic crosswords, listening to audiobooks, and savoring Salvadoran coffee—a cherished reminder of her time abroad.
RaeAnn Gutierrez
Associate Director of D2 Promise Program
In her role, she will serve as the link between Harrison District 2 (D2) and Pikes Peak State College (PPSC), orchestrating collaborative efforts to strengthen and expand the Promise Program infrastructure. Some of the key tasks that will foster this collaboration include strategic planning, facilitating relationships with key stakeholders, managing data collection, and developing programming that enhances student pathways from high school to higher education.
RaeAnn has over 10 years of experience in higher education across two institutions, Colorado State University – Pueblo and Pueblo Community College. At CSU – Pueblo, she served as the Site Coordinator for the Denver Scholarship Foundation and advised first year students as they transitioned into college. While at Pueblo Community College, RaeAnn held several roles revolving around enrollment and Hispanic Serving Institution work which include Success Coach, Title V Project Director, Executive Director of HSI Initiatives, and Director of Recruitment & First Year Programs. Additionally, she is also a Facilitator for ESCALA Education Services’ Moving Towards Serving and Culturally Responsive Facilitation courses. Throughout all her professional experience, her work has centered around enrollment, onboarding, and equity; which will play a vital role in her work with the D2 Promise Program.
RaeAnn’s education experience attests to my aspiration to be a lifelong learner. Academically, she holds an Associate’s of Science from Pueblo Community College, a Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Colorado State University – Pueblo, and a Master of Science from Colorado State University. Currently, she is pursuing a Doctor of Education in Leadership for Educational Equity with an emphasis in Justice, Equity, and Diverse Identities at the University of Colorado – Denver. In addition to her educational experience, RaeAnn is a certified Emotional Intelligence Coach and Diversity Officer for Standards of Professional Practice Institute through the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE).
In her free time, RaeAnn enjoys hanging out with her family, spending time outdoors, and cooking.
Katie Martins
Communication and Event Coordinator
Katie brings nearly ten years of experience in education, organizational support, communications, event planning, and operations. In her role at Peak Education, she supports the organization’s communications, event planning, and operational initiatives, helping advance its mission and strengthen its impact.
A passionate and creative professional, Katie is proud to support Peak Education’s commitment to expanding equitable access to opportunity for youth across our region. Her background in both nonprofit work and education provides a unique and thoughtful perspective that enhances her contributions to the organization.
Raised in Colorado Springs, Katie has a deep appreciation for this community and is dedicated to its continued growth and success. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies and Geography, with a certificate in GIS, from UCCS and is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration with a focus in Nonprofit Management. She believes that strong community connection is central to building a healthier, more equitable world.
Outside of work, Katie enjoys climbing, creating art, and spending time with her dogs.