It’s our 10 Year Anniversary!
The Brain Connection was created in 2008 by Hanna Mandell, a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley. While at Westlake High School, she developed a community tutoring service that would work to close the academic gap often found in elementary school classrooms.
Today, the program runs smoothly under the direction of:
Ava Mandell, Director of Business and Marketing Development
Tiffany Kim, Lang Ranch & Ladera Senior Program On-Site Director
Leah Merjan, Lang Ranch & Ladera Junior Program On-Site Director
All of our volunteer tutors are members of the honors systems at their local high schools and are often involved in student government, Future Business Leaders, performing arts, and athletics. Despite their extensive commitments to extracurricular activities, they donate an hour each week to participate in The Brain Connection. We are grateful to them for their continued service – and they love mentoring our elementary students!
Our Lead Tutors:
Ryan Berard, Thousand Oaks High School
Maya Groves, Westlake High School
Amanda Hacker, Westlake High School
Andrew Liu, Thousand Oaks High School
Braden Padbery, Thousand Oaks High School
The Brain Connection 