As a student-centric organization committed to educational equity, ScholarMatch strives to foster a diverse community of supporters who can relate to and uphold our mission at every level.

Our Board of Directors reflects that commitment through its composition of members with from diverse backgrounds and expertise. These members serve to advance our critical work of supporting first-generation college students as they get to and through college.

As we expand our work nationally and enter a new chapter in ScholarMatch’s history, we’re excited to welcome four new board members who will contribute their time and skills to ensure the organization’s long-term success. Meet our new board members below.

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Neha Gupta, Esq.

“All young people deserve the opportunity to achieve their full potential, and access to high-quality education is a critical component of that. From my own lived experiences, I know the transformative impact a great mentor can have in enabling a student to believe in themselves and to reach for their goals. I am deeply honored to be a part of advancing ScholarMatch's mission to make the dream of college a reality for so many deserving first-generation students. Working with ScholarMatch fills me with hope for a brighter future!” 

Neha is a Senior Advisor at the Harvard Kennedy School Government Performance Lab and a Non-Resident Fellow at the Urban Institute. Neha previously served as Associate White House Counsel to President Biden, where she was responsible for driving the Administration’s legal strategy on a portfolio of civil rights and equity policy issues. 

She also served as counsel on the Biden-Harris Presidential Transition Team through the 2020 presidential election. 

Before that, Neha was a Deputy City Attorney at the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office, where she wore several hats as General Counsel to agencies, including the city’s Police Commission and Fire Department; lead litigation counsel in cases challenging city laws; and as a member of the City Attorney’s Affirmative Litigation Task Force. 

During her tenure in city government, Neha helped architect and lead legal policy efforts to reform San Francisco’s cash bail system, protect its sanctuary city status, and craft and implement landmark environmental health initiatives. 

Neha currently serves on the board of directors for the Northern District of California Historical Society and previously sat on the boards of the American Constitution Society Bay Area Lawyers’ Chapter and Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto. 

Neha graduated from Harvard College with a B.A. in Social Studies and received her J.D. from Stanford Law School. 

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Dr. Gourjoine M. Wade

“My personal and professional lived experiences have affirmed my belief that educational opportunities are indeed the key to achieving one’s personal and professional success. I am also a living testimony to the value and importance of making higher education accessible to underserved first-generation students from low-income backgrounds. That profile describes me 25 years ago! I am committed to leading and living a life that positively changes the lives of the students I serve, and ScholarMatch provides me with an additional opportunity to do just that!”

Dr. Gourjoine M. Wade is an executive higher education leader currently serving as the Vice President for Student Affairs at Texas Lutheran University and as an Adjunct Faculty member at San Antonio College. A Monroe, Louisiana native who currently calls San Antonio, Texas, home, Dr. Wade is a high-impact, outcomes-driven student affairs practitioner and digital engagement leader with almost 20 years of higher education experience.

Dr. Wade has dedicated his professional career to finding innovative and strategic ways to expand higher education attainment and retention. Gourjoine is a student-first advocate who continues to foster a sincere passion for serving youth, especially first-generation and HBCU students, traditionally underserved students, and those who were counted out. Dr. Wade's leadership philosophy is built around collaboratively leading with authenticity, honesty, transparency, and data-informed decision-making with students at the center of this work.

Dr. Wade has a Doctor of Education degree in Higher Education, a Master of Science degree in Higher Education with a focus on Student Affairs, and a Bachelor of Public Administration degree with a minor in Political Science.

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Paige DeLacey

“I was introduced to ScholarMatch through its Destined for College high school volunteer program. I am a proud first-year college coach and now board of directors. I have tremendous respect for the ScholarMatch mission and the rigorous standards we expect our volunteers to uphold. My greatest reward was when my scholar notified me with utmost excitement that she got accepted into her dream college, UC San Diego this Fall. It is very rewarding to see her shine! My goal is to use my skills, experience, and passion to uplift the experiences and voices of our scholars at ScholarMatch.” 

With over twenty years of senior human resources leadership experience at premier companies, Paige advises and supports early-stage startups, nonprofits, and high-growth companies with tools and practices to help them achieve their full potential. 

Drawing from her diverse background in retail, consumer products, and technology, she leverages her insights and expertise to facilitate scalable solutions that foster healthy cultures and business success.

As a certified coach and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania's Master's program in Applied Positive Psychology. 

Paige is focused on empowering individuals and organizations with practical ways to increase resilience, establish meaningful goals, and cultivate stronger relationships. 

Paige is passionate about young adult well-being and invested in participating in organizations where she can mentor, coach, and provide tools for success in life. 

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