YAA Pep Rally | Yale Cheer Huddle

Breann Swann Nuʻuhiwa ES ’01  is a former Captain of Yale Cheer and current legal counsel for the Pechanga Band of Luiseño Indians in Southern California. Born and raised in Hawaiʻi, Breann fondly remembers the fun and excitement Yale Cheer brought to her bright college years!

Mindy A. Marks ’00, Senior Director for Yale Regional Clubs, oversees volunteer development and engagement strategy for alumni in regional clubs and associations around the world to strengthen ties within those communities and to the University. Prior to her current position, she was Director for Shared Interest Groups, working closely on the formation and development of YaleWomen and its chapters. From 2016 through 2019, Mindy oversaw the strategic planning and coordination of staff, volunteers, and senior University administrators leading towards 50 Women at Yale 150, a celebration of the 50th anniversary of coeducation in Yale College and the 150th anniversary of women students at the University, as well as the successful launch and execution of the President’s Women of Yale Lectures, which showcased the accomplishments of women who graduated from the university - particularly women of color - whose leadership reflected the success of coeducation at Yale.

Mindy received a B.A. from Yale College (psychology and teacher preparation), and an M.S. in school psychology from Southern Connecticut State University, and taught high school in the New Haven public school system. As an undergraduate, she was a member of Black Student Alliance at Yale (BSAY), staff supervisor for Urban Improvement Corps, Inc., and team co-captain of Yale Cheerleaders. Mindy is a native of New Haven and an active member of her church. She is married and has a teenage son.

Rachel Wallace ’03 is the Director of Grant Operations at the University of California, Office of the President. With more than 14 years of experience, Rachel has led strategic planning, business development, and contract negotiations across the public and private sector. Most recently, Rachel was a strategy and business development executive with Sandia National Laboratories. While leading strategic planning for Sandia, a multi-billion-dollar federal government research lab, Rachel also served as co-chair for the Sandia Hispanic Leadership Committee.

Prior to Sandia, Rachel served as an industry relations manager with the University of California, Berkeley. Before that, she spent five years in research administration and contract and grant analyst positons at the University of Arizona. Rachel began her career in public relations at Shutterfly, Inc., a Silicon Valley based photography and consumer goods company, during their initial public offering on NASDAQ.

Rachel holds a bachelor’s degree in American Studies from Yale University, and a juris doctor from Santa Clara University. She enjoys spending time with her two young children and husband, consuming the latest new shows on Netflix, and is a voracious reader.