Who We Are
Our Staff
RENATO PAIVA
Chief Executive Officer
Renato Paiva has been a pivotal force in the world of squash and youth development, serving as the Executive Director of Access Youth Academy since its inception. Over the past 19 years, Renato has led Access to remarkable achievements, establishing it as one of the premier urban squash and youth development programs in the world. Under his leadership, Access students have achieved a 100% college graduation rate, secured over $15 million in scholarships, and won 13 national squash titles. Renato was instrumental in the design and construction of a state-of-the-art education and squash facility in a federally designated Promise Zone in Southeastern San Diego, which opened in June 2021. A native of Brazil, Renato's passion for squash propelled him to become an internationally ranked player, competing across several countries. Before his tenure at Access, Renato honed his coaching skills at prestigious institutions, including Squash Coach at Harvard University and Head Coach at USC. His exceptional coaching abilities were recognized when he was named Development Coach of the Year by U.S. Squash in 2010 and honored as Coach of the Year by the U.S. Congressional Caucus on Youth Sports in Washington, DC, in 2011. In addition to his role at Access Youth Academy, Renato serves as a board member at the Panamerican Squash Federation and the PSA Foundation, where he continues to influence the sport's growth and development on a global scale. His dedication to both the sport and the holistic development of young athletes underscores his commitment to making a lasting impact in the community.
SHELBY COOPWOOD
Chief Operating Officer
Shelby started working at Access in 2018 as an Academic Coordinator. In this role, she successfully graduated three classes of high school seniors and guided the students through the challenges of the pandemic and virtual programming. In 2021, Shelby was promoted to Program Director, where she was instrumental in the program expansion as Access opened the new facility and doubled the number of students served. In 2023, Shelby took on a new opportunity to manage a mentorship program for underrepresented students in STEM at UC San Diego. After a year away, Shelby returned to Access in the summer of 2024 as the Chief Operating Officer. She is grateful for the opportunity to oversee the systems and quality of the growing program in her leadership role.
Shelby was born in Tucson, Arizona, and earned her BS in sociology from Northern Arizona University. She later moved to Fort Collins, CO, to pursue her MA in sociology at Colorado State University. Her background in sociology continues to fuel her drive and commitment to dismantle the inequitable systems in society. As a child of the desert, Shelby thoroughly enjoys living by the ocean in San Diego.
Michael Castro
Director of Development
Born and raised in east county San Diego, Michael's lifelong passion for sports led him to a career dedicated to harnessing its social impact for local, regional, and global change. He earned his BA in Political Science from California State University, Long Beach, and his Juris Doctorate from California Western School of Law.
Michael’s journey in the nonprofit sector began in 2020 when he founded All-Star Advocacy, a youth-focused civic engagement initiative in San Diego that partnered with MLB athletes and local community leaders. He then served as Chief of Staff for a national social impact firm, supporting NBA Champions and Olympic Gold Medalists in their philanthropic work across multiple U.S. cities. Most recently, he was a key member of the Community Engagement & Impact team at SoFi Stadium, leading initiatives in STEAM education, health & wellness, sustainability, and financial literacy for Inglewood and South Bay youth
Now as Director of Development at Access Youth Academy, Michael is excited to continue leveraging the power of sports to create lasting change in his hometown. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with family, friends, his wife Christina, and their dog Hendrix.
SIARAH REED
Program Director
Siarah was born and raised in Southeast San Diego. After completing high school at a local K-12 charter school, she went on to earn a degree from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Following the completion of her undergraduate career, she began working in K-12 education, providing college admissions and application support to high school students. Later, she was afforded the opportunity to also work in the classroom with students, providing 1-on-1 and group academic support.
It has been Siarah's goal to help foster environments that promote belongingness and access amongst students from underrepresented and underserved communities. After having experienced it herself as a high schooler, Siarah is now committed to creating opportunities for students to thrive academically and in life as a whole.
NATE CAMBRIDGE
Academic Coordinator
Nate Cambridge was born and raised in upstate New York and relocated to San Diego in 2020. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Education from The City College of New York. Early in his career, Nate worked as a Senior Resident Counselor, providing life skills and mental health support for adolescents living in a group home. Nate then spent several years working as a first-grade teacher in Title I schools in New York City. Prior to joining Access, Nate worked as an Academic Specialist at Harlem Children’s Zone, working with high school students on academic goals and college access.
Nate has devoted his career to helping students gain access to equitable educational opportunities. He is passionate about sports and believes in the power of integrating athletics with academics. Nate is thrilled to be a resident of the San Diego community and part of the Access Youth Academy team.
Kira Brashears
Academic Coach
Kira was born and raised in San Jose, California where she attended a Spanish K-8 dual immersion program. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Spanish with a minor in Education from UC Davis. She earned her Masters of Education and teaching credential from UC San Diego. Prior to joining Access, she taught 3rd grade for four years in the bilingual programs within San Diego Unified School District. She is currently an Academic Coach at Access and is passionate about continuing to promote educational equity for multilingual students and underserved communities within this role. She is so excited to be part of the team!
RAHEEM LOGAN
Squash & Fitness Director
Raheem moved from Harlem, NY to join the Access team. His goal is to create brave and authentic spaces for underrepresented groups and hopes to use his experience as a Squash & Education Alliance alumnus to motivate and inspire the stars of the future.
Harlem native, and Street Squash alum Raheem Logan is the author of the children’s book Black Boy Fly, and origin story about the love and challenges of squash. The children’s book is the first title to enter the squash literary cannon from a hip-hop millennial.
Raheem is a graduate of the Canterbury Boarding School in New Milford, Connecticut, and Wesleyan University, where he played at #9 for the Cardinals as a freshman and #1 his senior year. He has coached at City Squash and Canterbury. Outside of squash, travel is his greatest joy would be exploration and self-discovery. I’m inspired and motivated by the growth that comes from people choosing courage in different aspects of their lives to see more of the world around them! The roller coaster of squash is both one of exploration and self-discovery as well.
YASER ALY
Assistant Squash Coach
Yaser is the newest addition to our squash program, joining Access Youth Academy in February 2024. He’s an Egyptian-American. Born in New Jersey and raised in Alexandria, Egypt where he grew up playing squash as a junior in one of Egypt’s most prestigious clubs - Alexandria Sporting Club. Training in the signature attacking and creative style of Egyptian squash, and working under many of the same coaches in ASC that have produced world class athletes the likes of Nour El Sherbini, Raneem El Weleily, and Fares Dessouky among many others.
After taking some time to explore curiosities in avenues of business development and finance, he’s now back to his roots in Squash and has joined us on our mission! He brings with him over ten years of Squash experience, a deep love and passion for the sport, and a keen focus on fitness, proper nutrition, and mental fortitude as crucial elements in any athlete’s pursuit of excellence.
“I am elated to be joining Access Youth Academy on its noble journey. Pouring one’s knowledge and experience into an ambitious student and watching them take those tools and put them into practice through discipline. Effectively inducing remarkable growth and betterment as a result, especially in the face of adversity, is a feeling of pride and satisfaction unlike any other. I’m honored to be involved as we work together to nurture Southern California’s next generation of squash champions!”
Aaron Levy
Program Manager, Los Angeles
Aaron has been playing squash since he was 11 years old. He started as part of the first-ever squash program in Detroit, Racquet Up Detroit, where he played for years, winning various tournaments, attending training camps, and winning high school nationals in 2018 for Detroit. He went on to play college squash at St. Lawrence University in upstate New York, where he grew and developed his game significantly. During his time there, he served as the men's squash team captain for two years, while also representing the entire student body as the delegate on the university's Board of Trustees. Majoring in Finance and Economics, Aaron graduated and moved to Los Angeles, where he currently works in finance in Century City. He is still dedicating his life to training, mentoring, and coaching younger athletes through Access Youth Academy, going on 2 years now. Aaron now oversees and operates the relatively new program Access launched in Los Angeles, and has seen significant growth in its dynamics. Despite having a busy calendar he still finds time to play and train, after recently joining the Jamaican national team and continues to play squash all around the world.
Nicole Rodriguez
Academic Coordinator, Los Angeles
Born and raised in Fontana, California, Nicole has always believed in the power of storytelling to connect and inspire. That belief led her to pursue a BFA in Film and Television Production at USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. But as much as she loved bringing stories to life on screen, she found her greatest fulfillment in helping real-life stories unfold - especially in the lives of students.
Her journey into education began as an Educational Interventionist, where she worked to close learning gaps and boost academic confidence in K–12 students across Los Angeles. Through targeted instruction in reading and math, she helped students build foundational skills while also cultivating a love for learning. Currently, she serves as an Academic Coordinator at Access Youth Academy, where she plans and implements the new Los Angeles enrichment program focused on academic achievement and personal development for underserved youth.
Blending her creative background with her experience in education, Nicole is passionate about making learning imaginative, joyful, and empowering. She believes that literacy, storytelling, and curiosity are at the heart of academic success, and she’s dedicated to helping students discover their own voices and shape their own stories.
Thankful for our Local and National Donors
Access News: Success Stories, Impact, DEI, & Development
San Diego academy using squash to help kids reach college
BY STEVE ATKINSON
JULY 29, 2021
It begins with an after-school program of academics and squash from 7th through the 12th grade. Students visit colleges, prep for the SAT and ACT, get help with college applications, and of course, play in squash tournaments ...
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Blair Sadler is ‘flunking’ retirement as he helps students through squash
BY ELISABETH FRAUSTO
JULY 9, 2021
La Jollan Blair Sadler, a former president of Rady Children’s Hospital, is using retirement to continue his crusade to squash social inequities via Access Youth Academy ...
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Academics and squash give charter students a new choice for college
BY M.G. PEREZ
FEBRUARY 2, 2022
“Why is it called squash? Because the ball is squashy,” said Deon Saffery, the Academy’s squash manager. She was recruited from the United Kingdom to come to San Diego and teach children as young as 10 how to play the centuries-old game ...
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A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to transform the lives of underserved youth. Access was founded in 2006 by Greg Scherman and Chris Walker, who believed the San Diego community could benefit from an urban squash program that provided opportunity and support unlike any other non-profit in the region.
Federal Tax-ID (EIN) 20-5119659
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