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
- Matt MolnarFounding Engineer
- Chen FuData Scientist
- Bridget HaileHead of Borrower Success
- Don LeistmanSoftware Engineer
- Dylan WrightSoftware Engineer
- Andrii DobroshynskyiSoftware Engineer Intern
- Cristina ModestoData Science Intern
- Naomi PengBusiness Analyst Intern
- Natania Malin GazekTalent Lead
Hometown:
Gympie, Australia
Background
Branding and creative direction
%
Amateur sailor
%
Nonprofit board member
%
Karaoke enthusiast
%
World traveller
%
Why Summer?
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:
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:
Upper Arlington, OH
Background
Client team lead in fintech
%
Financial professional
%
People person
%
Classical singer
%
Avid baker
%
British period drama expert
%
Why Summer?
After finishing grad school in debt and navigating repayment as a freelance musician, I understand how opaque and complex the process can be. It took working in investment management to develop my financial health and perspective. I want to make sure everyone can take that journey no matter what field they’re in. Debt repayment and financial planning are the foundational steps to building a life that looks the way you want it to. I’m honored to be working with Summer to support borrowers with expert help and make student debt manageable.
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:
Ridgewood, NJ
Background
NYU master's student
%
Soccer and basketball fan
%
Avid competitive gamer
%
Engineer
%
Why Summer?
As a fellow student, I have experienced the impact and burden of debt firsthand. When I first heard about Summer, I was greatly inspired by the opportunity to build tools that help borrowers save. Excited by the problems being solved here, I hope to use my passion for engineering to build reliable and intuitive products that can help people alleviate the pressure of debt and live a better life.
Hometown:
Chinantla, Mexico
Background
Queens College student
%
Soccer superfan
%
Cat mom to Max
%
Ramen lover
%
Horror + romantic movie enthusiast
%
Why Summer?
My education has taught me how to apply the knowledge of computer science to help solve real-world problems such as the student debt crisis. Student loans can be much less scary with the right guidance. I chose to intern at Summer because the company is using advanced technology and policy expertise to provide the guidance needed for borrowers to effectively pay back their loans. After all, the outcome of higher education should not be putting your life on hold due to high monthly payments. Summer is working to make the loan repayment process easier.
Hometown:
Gainesville, FL
Background
Georgetown University undergrad
%
Double-majoring in finance and operations & information management
%
Diver on Georgetown’s varsity swim and dive team
%
Traveler
%
Loves hiking
%
Why Summer?
Hearing people say they regret pursuing higher education because of the seemingly never-ending cycle of student loan debt is ridiculous and upsetting. With a background in helping students with their personal finance skills, I am extremely excited to join the Summer team to help educate people about their repayment options and save borrowers money to regain control of their financial lives. I am eager to apply my business background to help Summer grow and reach its full potential.
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.
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.
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.