Staff

High Jump’s Staff are dedicated to developing, funding, and growing our tuition-free programs to support our scholars by connecting them with the people and resources they need to build confidence, take risks, and achieve their dreams.

Nate Pietrini, Ed.D. (he/him)

Executive Director

Email Nate

Read more about Nate

Nate Pietrini, Ed.D., is the Executive Director of High Jump, an academic enrichment and high school access non-profit in Chicago. During Nate’s tenure, High Jump expanded student enrollment, launched new programming in partnership with Northwestern University, and increased college completion rates for alums.

Before joining High Jump, Nate was a principal, assistant principal, and teacher in Chicago Public Schools. He is a creator and co-host of The Ed Couple podcast, a Governor Pritzker-appointed Illinois Children and Family Services Advisory Council member, and a Board of Trustees member at Brightpoint.

Nate is a lecturer in the Education and Society program at the University of Chicago, has experience as a consulting developer of principal leadership programming at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and serves on the Advisory Board for the University of Chicago’s To and Through Project.

He and his wife live in the Kenwood neighborhood of Chicago with their three boys.

Yolanda Luna-Mroz (she/her)

Chief Programs Officer

Email Yolanda

Read more about Yolanda

Yolanda Luna-Mroz is the Chief Programs Officer of High Jump overseeing leadership and development for High Jump’s successful middle-grade enrichment programs and alumni program extension. She is excited to be part of an organization that is transformative for students and families and life-changing for many children by altering their trajectory.

Before joining the High Jump, Yolanda Luna-Mroz served as principal of Decatur Classical School, one of the highest-rated elementary schools in Chicago, and a National Blue Ribbon School. Yolanda is passionate about creating a more holistic education experience in public schools and is committed to using the power of STEAM to promote high school readiness and boost college completion.

She is a dynamic leader who helps all students realize their potential and achieve their academic goals and her work developing teachers helps improve their high-quality instruction and fosters a community to build resilience in all children.

Yolanda is a native Chicagoan and an alumna of Chicago Public Schools. She earned her bachelor’s degree from DePaul University and her Masters in Education Leadership from National Louis University.