Staff
Renato Paiva Executive Director came to San Diego to join Access Youth Academy in May of 2007 after previously serving as Assistant Coach at Harvard University and USC. Originally from Brazil, Paiva competed as Brazilian Junior Champion and a top junior in South America. He represented his home country on the national team as its captain, and graduated from Ruy Barbosa University with a business degree.
In 2010, Paiva was named Development Coach of the Year by U.S. Squash, and was honored as 2011 Coach of the Year by the U.S. Congressional Caucus on Youth Sports in Washington, DC. He has overseen the development of squash on the West Coast, serving as California Junior Squash Team Coach, winning five consecutive urban squash team titles and leading the only urban squash squad to compete in the prestigious U.S. High School Squash Nationals at Yale University, obtaining the #11th ranking in the nation (Access Youth Academy in 2011 and 2012).
Alison Friedel Academic Director is a San Diego native who grew up in North County. She spent the past seven years as a classroom teacher working with elementary through high school students in Chandler, Arizona. Alison graduated form San Diego State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts and obtained her multiple subject teaching credential from California State University, San Marcos.
Andrew Holets Development Director moved to San Diego in August 2010 to join Access Youth Academy (formerly Surf City Squash). He previously served in the Republic of Kazakhstan with the United States Peace Corps, developing non-governmental and community organizations. Andrew participated in the University of Pennsylvania Fels Institute of Government’s nonprofit administration certificate program, and graduated from Albright College with an undergraduate degree in Political Science and Communications.
Kristen Lange Squash Director joined the Access Youth Academy staff in August 2011. She grew up in Woodinville, Washington where in 2004 she was the squash U.S. Junior Open Champion for U17 age group, the U.S. Junior Champion for U15 and U17 age groups, and ranked number one for U19 age group.
Kristen went on to attend the University of Pennsylvania where she continued her illustrious squash career. During her senior year she was First-team All-American, First-team All-Ivy and finished the season ranking fourth in the nation. Kristen graduated from UPenn this Spring 2011.
academic tutoring
squash instruction
community service
