We’re on the side of borrowers.
Summer combines innovative technology and policy expertise to serve student loan borrowers across the country.
In an industry known for misinformation and bad actors, we promise to stand on the side of borrowers.
We’re on the side of borrowers.
Summer combines innovative technology and policy expertise to serve student loan borrowers across the country.
In an industry known for misinformation and bad actors, we promise to stand on the side of borrowers.
Meet the Team
Our founding team draws on years of experience in public policy, law, consumer finance, and engineering to tackle one of the greatest challenges of our generation.
Hometown:
New York, NY
Background
Political campaign organizer
%
White House staffer
%
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau expert
%
SoFi employee
%
Art lover
%
MBA
%
Why Summer?
Our country should not punish people for striving to improve their lives through education. The current system is failing borrowers, with another borrower defaulting every 28 seconds. The rampant misinformation in the market exacerbates the issue for too many borrowers. We founded Summer to bring real, lasting change to the student loan market.
Hometown:
Houston, Texas
Background
JD & MBA
%
Cognitive scientist
%
Ex-consultant
%
Ex-U.S. Attorney’s Office
%
Corporate law, nonprofit board member
%
Violinist
%
Potluck host
%
Why Summer?
I spent my undergraduate career studying cognitive science and the ways it can be used to improve consumer welfare, and focused my graduate studies on the intersection of law and business. Summer’s mission hits a sweet spot for me: I see student debt as a critical issue both as a burden at a personal level that impacts major life decisions and in terms of the macroeconomic consequences of having a generation of Americans burdened by rising tuition costs.
Hometown:
Bronx, New York
Background
CFA
%
Retired from finance
%
Veteran product lead in fintech startups
%
Youngest of five siblings
%
Son of Vietnam War refugees
%
Husband to Jess
%
Dog dad to Yoda
%
Why Summer?
Like most student loan borrowers, I was overwhelmed by the repayment process when I graduated from college. I chose to work in finance so that I could pay off my debt, and was excited to work in fintech startups once I got my debt under control. When I met Will and Paul at a pitch competition, I fell in love with Summer’s mission. I feel lucky to come to work every day to help make the process less painful for everyone.
-
Leah McLaughlinLead Product Designer
- Arden KlemmerProduct Designer
- Matt MolnarFounding Engineer
- Don LeistmanSoftware Engineer
- Dylan WrightSoftware Engineer
- Chen FuData Scientist
- Anusha RaturiBusiness Development
- Natania Malin GazekTalent Lead
- Camden FlathContent Editor
- Nauman AhmadSoftware Engineer Intern
Hometown:
Gympie, Australia
Background
Branding and creative direction
%
Amateur sailor
%
Nonprofit board member
%
Karaoke enthusiast
%
World traveller
%
Why Summer?
Hometown:
Scarsdale, New York
Background
Portrait painter
%
User experience designer
%
Graphic design & branding
%
Lover of bowling
%
Road traveler
%
Why Summer?
Student loan debt is one of those scary topics that, as you roll up your sleeves and dive into the details, only seems to get more complicated and dire. It affects almost every one of my peers. On the bright side, there are many people and organizations trying to solve this crisis with forgiveness programs and funds, alternatives to borrowing, education and more. We’re starting with a problem that we have the power to solve: these options are unknown, unclear and often misrepresented to the people who need them most. We’re here to connect all the pieces!
Hometown:
Toledo, Ohio
Background
Full stack engineer
%
Entrepreneur
%
Instructor
%
Computer science major
%
Radio station board member
%
Why Summer?
I am interested in harnessing technology to tackle one of the major social issues of our generation. I enjoy leading teams in the adoption of new technologies and am excited to build innovative solutions from the ground up with the Summer team.
Hometown:
Long Island, NY
Background
Full stack engineer
%
Painter
%
Former arts administrator
%
Film buff
%
Politics junkie
%
Why Summer?
The student loan crisis is forcing a generation of my peers to put a mortgage on our futures. The byzantine structure that exists for managing one’s loans just makes the already huge burden of student debt all the heavier. I’m a big believer in empowerment through knowledge, and Summer is doing great work to help educate people about their student loan options and give them back control over their lives. I’m excited to be part of a team that is dedicated to making a positive change in the world, and solve fun technological challenges along the way.
Hometown:
Lexington, KY
Background
Full stack engineer
%
Dog dad
%
Photography enthusiast
%
Traveler
%
Why Summer?
There are plenty of difficult problems in technology; some matter more than others. Addressing the student debt crisis presents a challenge that has the potential to change people’s lives. The people at this company care deeply about solving this problem. Every person we can help is one fewer who has to live with anxiety and one more who can live a fulfilling life without the burden of student debt.
Hometown:
Jinan, China
Background
MBA
%
Machine learning scientist
%
Fintech enthusiast
%
Table tennis player
%
New father!
%
Why Summer?
Student loans have impacted many people’s lives. Impressed by Summer’s mission, I joined the founding team as a data scientist to work with a talented team on a critical issue. At Summer, I am able to utilize the power of data science to analyze complicated student loan cases and turn our findings into a scalable product for millions of student loan borrowers. We care about data, and even more importantly, we care about the people we serve.
Hometown:
Delhi, Jakarta, DC
Background
MBA
%
Ex-public sector consultant
%
Educator
%
Edu-preneur
%
TCK (third culture kid)
%
Hip hop acapella singer
%
Bollywood enthusiast
%
Why Summer?
As a former educator, administrator of a financial literacy initiative, and student loan borrower myself, I’ve felt the significant impact that debt can play in one’s ability to support themselves or plan for their future. It’s a huge challenge, and one that requires deep understanding of cross-sector dynamics. What drew me to Summer was it’s holistic approach — engaging with government, business and society — empowering more students with the tools they need to tackle their student debt.
Hometown:
Santa Cruz, California
Background
MBA
%
Sociologist
%
US Department of Justice paralegal
%
Nonprofit employee engagement manager
%
Tech startup recruiter
%
Human capital consultant
%
Pop cover band singer
%
Turkey Trot jogger
%
Proud older sister.
%
Why Summer?
From the start, Summer’s founders have been clear that building a diverse, inclusive team is a core value. That’s not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because it’s key to the success of a company striving to fix a systemic issue impacting socioeconomic injustice in the US. I’m picky about working with organizations that practice what they preach, and Summer is facing that challenge head on.
Hometown:
I grew up moving from place to place, from California to Australia to Kazakhstan, so that’s a tricky question!
Background
Writer
%
Editor
%
Author
%
Consultant
%
Music lover
%
Why Summer?
Any time I can use writing to help simplify complex information for people who’d benefit in concrete ways from greater simplicity and understanding, I’m enthusiastic about the opportunity to bridge the gap. Few systems are more complex than student loan borrowing, and few groups more in need of clear, direct information than student loan borrowers. I’ve been extraordinarily happy to be part of a team dedicated to making sure borrowers understand as much as possible about their loans, their options, and how they can regain control of their financial lives.
Hometown:
Islamabad, Pakistan
Background
New York University undergrad
%
Fintech enthusiast
%
Avid traveler
%
Why Summer?
Having come from a part of the world where there is almost no concept of student loans, I was shocked to learn about the extent of debt that students have in the United States. It is an issue very personal to me, seeing as so many of my peers are affected by it. By joining Summer, I hope to leverage my passion for tech and finance to alleviate the burden of student debt by simplifying the loan repayment process.
READ THE REPORTS:
Buried in Debt: The Domino Effect
Published November 1, 2018
We surveyed 7,095 borrowers from all 50 states to understand how the burden of student debt impacts borrowers’ everyday lives.
Student Debt and Demographics: Disparate Impact
Published March 11, 2019
The severity of the student debt crisis is compounded in minority communities, perpetuating an intergenerational cycle.
The Debt Burden of LGBTQ+ Youth
Published April 8, 2019
LGBTQ+ borrowers receive significantly less family support and face higher default rates than non-LGBTQ peers.
READ THE REPORTS:
Buried in Debt: The Domino Effect
Published November 1, 2018
We surveyed 7,095 borrowers from all 50 states to understand how the burden of student debt impacts borrowers’ everyday lives.
Student Debt and Demographics: Disparate Impact
Published March 11, 2019
The severity of the student debt crisis is compounded in minority communities, perpetuating an intergenerational cycle.