Meet The Team
Gina De Paiva
Co-Founder
B.A., UCLA – Psychology
Ed.M, Harvard University Education: Adolescent and Human Development
J.D., University of Pennsylvania
With degrees from three of the finest universities in the country, Gina was a unique graduate able to choose from a variety of challenging career options. After a six-year career that included a position in one of the country’s top law firms, Gina discovered her passion for education. Drawing upon her Harvard emphasis in adolescent and human development, Gina happily moved from the courtroom to the classroom where she taught both elementary and middle school for five years prior to Growing Minds. As the co-founder of Growing Minds, Gina brings her ability to connect with each student and tailor individualized learning programs based on both academic and social patterns.
Milly Roseman
Co-Founder
B.A., UC Berkeley – Rhetoric
B.A., UC Berkeley – Near Eastern Studies
M.A., UCLA – Education-Gifted/CLAD Certification
ED.M Pepperdine University – Educational Administration
While pursuing her Master’s degree, Milly focused on gifted children and the various programs available throughout the country that identify and foster individual needs. With seven years experience in the classroom, Milly developed programs that promote inclusion and differentiated instruction. Seeking an opportunity to incorporate her passion for teaching throughout different mediums, Milly co-founded Growing Minds. Milly brings to Growing Minds her life vision of an educational center that assists students with academic goals in a realistic, individualized, and highly effective manner.
Heather Diamond
Director of High School Curriculum and Tutoring
B.S., CSUN – Consumer Affairs; Marketing
Ed.M University of Phoenix – Secondary Education/CBEST Certification
Heather is a multi-talented educator with expertise across several academic domains, including history, English, math, science, and foreign languages.
With a graduate degree in secondary education, Heather uses her extensive knowledge of learning modalities, from visual to auditory to kinesthetic, to find the best instructional methods for each student.
She leads our growing team of tutors in supporting both typical students and those with learning differences. For over 10 years, Heather has brought her ebullient personality and wide-ranging subject matter interests to Growing Minds.
Vanessa Canley
Director, College Essay Division
B.A., UC Berkeley – English
M.A., UC Berkeley – Multicultural Urban Secondary Education
California Single Subject Teaching Credential – English
With over 15 years of essay coaching experience, Vanessa has helped numerous students attain admission to some of the country’s most highly selective private universities (Stanford, Duke, Columbia) and flagship public institutions (UC Berkeley, Michigan, UT Austin).
A former classroom teacher, Vanessa describes herself as a relentless cheerleader on a mission to make the writing process fulfilling and enjoyable. She’s excited to bring her perspective and expertise to Growing Minds. Off the clock, Vanessa is dedicated to scaling the Peloton leaderboard, hiking with her dogs, and cheering from the sidelines as a volleyball/soccer mom.
Rina Romo
Director of College Curriculum and Transfer Execution
B.A., CSUN — Sociology
As a member of the Growing Minds team for over 10 years, Rina has been involved in nearly every aspect of our services. Most prevalently, she has spent years mastering the intricate dynamics of executing successful transfer plans.
In her role, Rina navigates the ever-changing transfer landscape with a keen attention to detail while providing invaluable personal support to our students. When she’s not working with clients one-on-one, Rina is a plant enthusiast who also enjoys pursuing independent research projects and reading literary classics to her cat.
