12M Recruiting
Ed Tech Recruiting

Gabriel Lucas

Gabriel Lucas

Principal

Gabe has been a technology leader in the education field for over a decade and is passionate about and experienced in recruiting, managing, and staff development. He’s a tech guy who loves working with people.

From Math Teacher at Menlo School to Director of Technology at Castilleja School to developer of an online math system called Take Math, Gabe has dedicated his life to educating students and developing the best technology leaders in schools. He co-founded ATLIS, the Association of Technology Leaders in Independent Schools, where he serves as its inaugural board president.

Gabe's involvement in ATLIS and other professional organizations connects him to a deep network of experienced technology professionals. He graduated from Stanford University with a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematical and Computational Science, UC Berkeley with a Master's degree in Information Management and Systems, and San Francisco State with a Master's degree in Mathematics. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife and three wonderful children.

Meet the Team

Helping find the right person for the right job is our specialty. Our team cares about our clients and takes pride in helping them hire the best technology leaders in the industry.

Sarah Murphy

Operations Coordinator

Sarah is the operations coordinator for 12M and Ed Tech Recruiting. Prior to joining the team in 2022, Sarah brought her analytical skills to independent schools and nonprofits, where she served in various operational and administrative roles. Upon joining 12M and Ed Tech Recruiting, Sarah leaned into the world of executive recruiting, thoughtfully engaging with clients in assessing needs and then developing and executing search strategies.  Sarah holds a bachelor's degree in philosophy from Georgia State University with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, and master’s degree in applied (I/O) psychology from the University of Southern California. In her free time, she enjoys visiting national parks, gardening, playing video games, listening to science podcasts, and cooking.

Micaela Rogers

Marketing and Communications Coordinator

Micaela is a dedicated and creative member of the 12M and Ed Tech Recruiting team. Micaela graduated from San Jose State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Information Systems Management. Since 2018, Micaela has been a devoted team player supporting all phases of our retained searches. As the marketing and communications coordinator, she works closely with the internal team and clients to develop and execute search strategies, recruit candidates, and support marketing and communication initiatives.  Presently, Micaela is continuing her education in the area of UX/UI and graphic design. Outside of the workday, Micaela loves playing with her two dogs, spending quality time with her husband, and reading thriller novels.

Aaron Griffin

Search Consultant

Aaron Griffin is a recruiter with a deep background in technology, innovation, and educational leadership.  As a former middle school science teacher, elementary principal, director of technology, and now associate head of school, he has always been passionate about moving schools forward and being innovative.  Aaron has mentored and coached many aspiring leaders and well-established leaders to fine-tune their craft and think differently.  He has presented on topics related to educational technology and leadership at many national and local conferences.  Aaron graduated from the University of Wisconsin Whitewater with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and from Aurora University with a master’s degree in educational leadership.  He currently serves on the Georgia Educational Technology Consortium Board and is the associate director of the Georgia Educational Technology Competition Steering Committee.  Aaron lives in the Atlanta area with his wife and four children.

Ilaria Cortesi

International Search Consultant

Ilaria Cortesi is a seasoned HR professional with over a decade of experience in talent acquisition, employee development, and culture building. She combines extensive hands-on experience with a solid academic background, including a Master’s degree in Business with a specialization in Human Resources from the University of Essex. With a global career spanning Moscow, Tokyo, and Shanghai, Ilaria has developed a nuanced understanding of international HR practices and cross-cultural dynamics. This unique perspective enables her to navigate the complexities of global talent acquisition with exceptional skill. Recently, Ilaria completed an eight-year tenure at Shanghai American School, where she served as the director of human resources for the last two years. In the distinctive setting of international schools, Ilaria has introduced innovative methods that go beyond traditional recruitment practices. She is passionate about fostering diverse and inclusive workplaces and has led impactful DEIB initiatives. Outside of work, Ilaria enjoys hiking with her family, creating digital art, and making jewelry.

John Umekubo

Search Consultant

John Umekubo is an accomplished education professional with over three decades of experience in educational leadership, innovation, and community impact. He brings a unique perspective to recruitment, drawing from a diverse career that spans educational technology and nonprofit leadership. John holds a bachelor’s degree in history from UCLA and a master’s degree in educational technology from Cal State University Dominguez Hills. His previous roles include Director of Technology in both private and public school systems, educational technology consultant, and Executive Director of ADTECH, a consortium of public schools, universities, and vendor partners. As the founder of LumenSparQ, a nonprofit spotlighting local heroes in education, John has dedicated his career to empowering and supporting students and educators. In his current role as Director of Social Entrepreneurship at Westside Neighborhood School, he mentors aspiring leaders and guides students through real-world community projects.

Lindsay George

Search Consultant

Lindsay George is an experienced non-profit professional with over 20 years of leadership in technology, independent schools, higher education, and healthcare. As a recruiter with 12M Recruiting, she leverages her experience in finance, operations, and strategic planning to help clients hire leaders for human resource, campus operations, and finance roles in searches across the US and internationally.

Lindsay began her career at the University of Miami, where she held several leadership roles, including Director of Information Security, Interim Chief Academic Technology Officer and Assistant Vice President for Strategic Initiatives. She also served as Chief Information Officer and, later, Chief Operating Officer at Miami Country Day School. Lindsay holds a B.B.A. in Computer Information Systems, is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP), and resides in Franklin, Tennessee, with her daughter Sydney.

Miloni Gandhi

Recruiter

Miloni Gandhi has worked with the 12M and Ed Tech recruiting teams since 2019, providing insight across several areas of the search process: prospectus creation, search strategy, lead generation, and relationship building. Miloni is a quadruple UCLA Bruin (BA x 2 ’02, MA ’05, PhD ’10) and a 20 year veteran of the education industry with industry specializations in workforce development, higher education and international education.  Miloni is an active member of organizations such as NAFSA, AERA, and CCCAOE and has presented both regionally and internationally. She specializes regionally in California, the Asia Pacific, Europe, and Latin America. She is a connector, LinkedIn enthusiast, and avid world traveler - and has visited all 7 continents.

Lilyan Salazar

Associate

An exceptionally talented graphic designer, Lilyan has worked with 12M and Ed Tech Recruiting since 2018 to bring a client's brand identity to life.  Lilyan enjoys developing and designing a portfolio of collateral that captures a client's unique vision, mission, and culture. Her passion for design materialized while first attending City College of San Francisco, and then continued when she transferred to San Jose State University, where she received a BFA in graphic design.  Lilyan worked at a design studio for many years prior to joining our firm, handling clients ranging from nonprofit organizations to educational institutions. Outside of work, Lilyan has always had an affinity for the past — specifically the mid-century and beyond — appreciating different styles of music, cinema, architecture, design, and fashion. Lilyan also enjoys the present — and can often be found taking photos during walks in the city or hikes in natural surroundings.

Malika Oybekova

Administrative Assistant and Project Support Specialist

Malika, hailing from Uzbekistan, brings a vibrant energy and global perspective to the 12M and Ed Tech Recruiting team. Holding a degree in International Relations from UC San Diego, she serves as the team's administrative assistant and project support specialist and contributes to seamless background operations. Malika is also passionate about Artificial Intelligence, and continually expands her expertise through online courses to integrate innovative techniques involving large language models to improve operational workflows. Outside of her professional pursuits, Malika finds joy in reading, staying active through workouts and hiking, and exploring the vibrant city of San Francisco with friends and family. Fluent in three languages, Malika exemplifies the diverse talents that make our team thrive.