About Us
STEAM Ahead Foundation (SAF), is a not-for-profit, public benefit corporation. The specific purpose of the Corporation shall include without limitation, to support in-school and extra-curricular STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) activities, with a mission to help underserved and underrepresented students to overcome the challenges they face due to the lack of access to capital and other learning and career opportunities not normally available to them.
Currently, the foundation aims to serve the San Diego, CA South Bay region which offers a potentiality of impacting over 83,000 K-12 students distributed in 5 different public education school districts. About 65% of students qualify for Free/Reduce priced meals and about 40% are English Learners.
Our Vision
Empowering underserved and underrepresented students to realize their full potential through equitable access to transformative STEAM education and career opportunities, fostering innovation, inclusivity, and lifelong success in a rapidly evolving world.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide inclusive and engaging STEAM experiences that empower students from all backgrounds. We believe that through education, we can change lives and cultivate a passion for science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. Join us in our journey to inspire and uplift every young learner.
Board of Directors
Dr. J. Leo Ulloa
Dr. J. Leo has worked in K12 public education for over 25 years. He is a DoD/STEM Ambassador and is committed to increase the STEM workforce pipeline in our country. Currently, he is the principal of Launch Virtual Academy.
J. Leo is a founding board member of the STEAM Ahead Foundation and co-creator of the South bay Pumpkin Smash. He also serves in the Friends of Chula Vista Park and Recreation Foundation. He is a past board member of the Eastlake Educational Foundation and Science Delivered Foundation.
A tinkerer and hope dealer, Dr. J. Leo likes to spend time with his family and friends cooking, riding bicycles, and exercising.
Joe Amaro
Joe is a design engineer with over twenty years of experience in Project Management in both the private and public sectors. Strong background in manufacturing processes, computer applications, and woodworking technologies.
Experienced career technical education instructor in middle and high school public education system specialized in advanced manufacturing, robotics, and engineering. Joe is a VEX Robotics event partner and has hosted many robotics events including California State VEX Robotics Championships at elementary, middle, and high school level competitions. Joe has also joined VEX Robotics World's Championships as a judge and advisor. Joe was inducted into the REC Foundation Stem Hall of Fame in 2025 when he was awarded the 2025 VEX Robotics World’s Championship Inspirational All Star Award.
In his spare time, Joe likes to tinker with 3D printers, CNC & laser machines. He likes to spend time with his family and friends.
Katherine Velliquette
Katherine is a retired U.S. Marine. She runs her own consultant business and also teaches career technical education classes in a local public education district specializing in the Information and Communications Technology and Business & Finance pathways .
Katherine is deeply committed to leveraging technology to connect diverse youth with their communities. She advocates for students to explore Science and Technology fields to empower their communities and spur growth.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Katherine dedicates her spare time to coaching high school teams in robotics and small Unmanned Aerial Systems (sUAS).
Paige Jodoin
Paige has been involved in various STEM competitions including QuickScience, FIRST LEGO LEAGUE and Science Olympiad. She specializes in VEX Robotics as a participant (2013-2017), volunteer, event partner and coach throughout Southern California. She also collaborates closely with CECYTE School in Bahía de Los Ángeles, Baja California Sur, Mexico providing robotics and STEM learning opportunities to their students.
Paige is a mechanical engineer with National Community Renaissance working in Data Analytics and PV Solar installation coordination. On the rare occasion that Paige isn't at a robotics event, she enjoys spending time outdoors backpacking, overlanding, or boating.
Alec Harley
Alec is an IT professional in public education, supporting teachers and students alike with technology needs. He was a robotics competition participant in both VEX and FRC during high school. He has remained active with local VEX Robotics competitions, providing technical support and guidance for the past fifteen years.
Alec always has a STEAM project lined up, whether it involves a microprocessor, challenging programming or his scale steam engine. He also serves on the board of the Chula Vista Live Steamers. His spare time also involves working on his classic truck and nature photography.
Lillian Leopold
Lillian is a communications professional whose career includes reporting for the San Diego Union-Tribune and serving as a public information officer for South County school districts. Recently retired from Southwestern Community College, Lillian brings more than 25 years experience in school public relations, government relations and education advocacy to the STEAM Ahead Foundation. Before Southwestern College, Lillian served at the Sweetwater Union High School and Chula Vista Elementary school districts.
In addition to her institutional leadership, Lillian currently serves on the board of the Eastlake Educational Foundation, supporting local schools and students. She also plays a key role with the Altrusa International Club of Chula Vista, serving as the president of the club’s Foundation, driving initiatives in education, leadership development, and volunteerism. A seasoned grant writer, Lillian has successfully garnered much-needed funds for school districts and non-profit organizations throughout San Diego County. Lillian is a resident of Bonita, California and now spends her free time gardening, walking and spoiling her granddaughter.
Mark Leopold
Mark brings more than 20 years of bookkeeping, accounting and fiscal accountability experience to the STEAM Ahead Foundation. He currently is the senior fiscal analyst for the nutrition services division of Neighborhood House Association, one of the largest non-profit organizations in San Diego County. There, Mark is responsible for reconciling local and federal reimbursement claims. Prior to that, Mark served as Controller and Accounting Manager for the Coronado and Coronado Cays yacht clubs, where he streamlined processes and conducted audits, providing both organizations significant savings.
Mark also currently serves at the Southwestern College’s Restorative Justice Program inside the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Center, providing in-classroom assistance to incarcerated students. His dedication to community service includes more than 10 years as a reserve police officer with Chula Vista Police and San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. Mark is a resident of Bonita, California.
Travis Bateman
Travis is a seasoned leader with more than 23 years of service in the United States Navy, where he developed extensive experience in organizational leadership, strategic planning, and team development. Throughout his naval career, he led diverse teams, managed complex operations, and emphasized accountability, safety, and continuous improvement.
Travis brings a disciplined, mission-focused approach to nonprofit governance, with a strong belief in developing future leaders through education and mentorship. He values programs that promote problem-solving, technical curiosity, and teamwork skills essential to success in robotics, STEM education, and life beyond the classroom. His leadership style is grounded in clear expectations, collaboration, and support for long-term program sustainability.
Family, faith, and community service are central to Travis’s values. He has significant experience working with youth and young adults and is committed to creating environments where students feel encouraged, challenged, and safe as they learn and grow. He believes access to high-quality STEM opportunities can open doors for students from all backgrounds.