The Executive Team
Operations Committee
The Operations Committee oversees all other executive committees. They work closely with the Executive Director to make decisions on action plans for nationwide campaigns.
Executive
Director
Genavieve Koenigshofer (she/her) is the Executive Director of GENup and a first-year MPP student at the UC Berkeley Goldman School of Public Policy. Her journey in education reform began in her senior year of high school, where she served as the student board member for Capistrano Unified School District. She then spent 4 years as Chief of Staff of GENup, where she helped pass dozens of pro-student bills and worked with hundreds of student leaders. She learned everything she knows about advocacy and leadership from her time as a student advocate with GENup!Genavieve graduated from UC San Diego in 2024, where she worked with Associated Students to fight for comprehensive disability services reform and affordable housing opportunities. She recently completed the Coro Fellowship in Public Affairs in Los Angeles. Now, as an MPP student, she hopes to learn how to design policy that is effective, implementable, and actionable at the local level.
Executive Chief of Communications
Michelle Mendoza is a Data Sience undergraduate minoring in Education at UC Irvine. Her passion for education began in high school through teachers that inspired her and meeting with her school board. Her passion continuted into university, where she became a campus representative, connecting with other students through storytelling and sharing her experiences as a student. She hopes to connect her love of data science with education policy to make meaningful, positive impacts on education.
Chief Executive of Policy and Programs
Sofia Shah (she/her) is a senior at The Harker School in San Jose, California. Her journey is marked by a deep commitment to women’s equality, climate activism, and an unwavering dedication to making a positive impact on her community and beyond. As a Youth Commissioner for the last four years, she actively engages with her local community. She was selected to the advisory council of the National Charity League, where she creates training programs for over 240 chapters. She has advocated the San Jose City Council for free feminine hygiene products for girls in public libraries and has personally created over 500 packs for unhoused girls. Sofia is an avid debater, and involved in several school clubs, including founding Fem Club. In her free time, Sofia enjoys dancing in diverse styles from modern jazz to tap to ballet.
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Founder
Alvin Lee (he/him) is the founder and Executive Director of GENup. In this capacity, he oversees day-to-day operations of the organization as well as strategic development and expansion of the organization as a whole.
Email: alee@generationup.net
Co-Chief Operations Officer
Shaoxuan (Lily) Ma is an 11th grader from Tallahassee, FL. She first explored STEM through research and competitions, but discovered a passion for policy while working on historical analyses of ethics in STEM, particularly around issues that affect marginalized communities and students. She has witnessed firsthand the impact of educational inequities and recognizes the importance of initiatives like those led by GENup. Lily serves in many local and national initiatives, where she focuses on fostering community engagement. She hopes to continue bridging the gap between education, policy, and advocacy throughout her high school years and beyond, to ultimately pursue a career in politics. Outside of academics and advocacy, she enjoys lifting weights, building Legos, and going on boat rides. Lily is thrilled to join GENup this year and to be able to contribute to the organization’s nationwide impact!
Co-Chief Operations Officer
Maegha Ramanathan (she/her) Maegha Ramanathan (she/her) is a college freshman in the Bay Area and currently serves as GENup’s Co-Chief Operations Officer. Her passion for advocacy began after experiencing social inequity in sports firsthand. Witnessing broader Title IX issues in her school district, she was driven to become a student advocate and joined GENup to push for gender equity and systemic change in education. Since then, Maegha has led local and statewide campaigns focused on Title IX compliance and youth empowerment. Her advocacy work has earned national recognition, including the 2024 Diana Award, Prudential Emerging Visionary honor, and features in The New York Times, People, and The Today Show. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, watching Suits, and spending time with friends.
Co-Chief of Campaigns (K-12)
Rishaan Marwaha is a student at Sage Hill committed to expanding opportunities for young people through education and leadership. He has worked with local and statewide organizations to support student voices in policy conversations and has gained experience in civic spaces by collaborating with elected officials. Beyond leadership and policy reform, he started Ladder Up, a community-based initiative that offers tutoring, mentorship, and skill-building programs to help students prepare for future careers. Rishaan has been involved in finance, banking, the policy world, and debate, experiences that have shaped his interest in creating practical solutions for education equity and youth empowerment.