Our Staff

Dieu Ho, Executive Director

Dieu (“Zu”) grew up in Phoenix, Arizona before making the move to Maine, where she graduated from Bowdoin College with a double major in Government and Music, and a minor in Spanish. She worked in college admissions at Bates College and Bowdoin College before completing her Master’s in Education at the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Dieu transitioned to college counseling in the Boston area before arriving at Breakthrough Santa Fe in June 2021. As a first-generation college student, Dieu is passionate about college preparation and access, and is thrilled to be a part of the Breakthrough family! When Dieu isn’t at Breakthrough, she enjoys hiking, singing loudly in the car, and eating spicy food.

Yesi Bermejo, Middle School Program Manager

Yesi graduated from St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas, with a degree in English Language Literature, in 2019. She spent four years working with Communities in Schools supporting elementary-aged students at Nina Otero Community School. Yesi returned to her home base with the knowledge of five summers as a teaching fellow and the experience of working in the public school system. As a Davis NM Scholar and Breakthrough alumnus, she hopes to be a trustworthy support to students and families.

Oscar Loya, Student Support Coordinator

Oscar grew up between Santa Fe and Benito Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. Oscar was a Breakthrough Santa Fe student from 2013 to 2019 and returned as a teaching fellow in the summer of 2021. He attended the United World College USA (’19) and Lawrence University (’23) as a Davis New Mexico Scholar. Oscar earned his BA in Anthropology with a concentration in Archaeology and a minor in East Asian Studies. Oscar is overjoyed to be back in his home community of Breakthrough and empowering students of similar backgrounds.

Advisory Board

  • Luis Burrola
  • Andrew Davis
  • Kenneth Johnson
  • Susan Matteucci, Chair
  • Michael McNeill
  • Cindy Onore
  • Sam Ritter
  • Mitchell Rocha
  • Dennis Romero
  • Carol Romero-Wirth
  • Jenna Scanlan
  • Aaron Schubach
  • Harry Shapiro
  • Leah Swanson