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.

Micaela Andres

Senior Associate

Micaela is a passionate 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 in all phases of the 12M and Ed Tech Recruiting process. As a senior associate, she works closely with candidates and clients to design unique, visually-spectacular opportunity statements, outlines prospecting strategies, screens candidates, conducts reference calls, and edits eye-catching social media posts and hiring announcements. 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 fiancé, and reading thriller novels.

Sarah Murphy

Search Consultant

Sarah Murphy describes herself as a lifelong learner. Sarah graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy. Prior to joining the 12M and Ed Tech Recruiting team in 2022, Sarah brought her analytical skills to independent schools, where she served in various operational and administrative support roles. Upon joining the 12M and Ed Tech Recruiting team, Sarah leaned into her passion for developing search strategy, as well as her desire to thoughtfully engage with clients in the discovery phase of a search. Additionally, Sarah helps to create position statements for each client, and feels inspired by learning about each organization's unique approach to leadership hiring. Presently, Sarah is pursuing a Master’s degree in Applied Psychology from the University of Southern California, with a focus in organizational psychology and assessments. In her free time, she enjoys visiting national parks, listening to science podcasts, and learning about natural history.

Leyla Arabian

Communications and Project Specialist

Leyla Arabian is a passionate writer and communications expert. She graduated from San Diego State University with her Bachelor’s degree in Communications and has been part of the 12M and Ed Tech Recruiting team since 2021. Leyla enjoys getting to know each client and creating meaningful marketing content.  Leyla’s work helps to catalyze a diverse, highly qualified, and mission-aligned pool of applicants, from which an exceptional candidate is ultimately hired after an intense process of candidate evaluation. She also plays an integral part in building the firm's social media presence, as well as developing and curating articles and insights that are shared with industry professionals. In her free time, Leyla loves to exercise, watch Real Housewives, and explore new restaurants throughout the Bay Area.

Marissa Premenko

Administrative Assistant and Project Support Specialist

Marissa has been an enthusiastic and valued member of the 12M and Ed Tech Recruiting team since 2020. She graduated from San Francisco State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Childhood Adolescence Development, with a concentration in School Age Child and Family. Marissa embodies what it means to be a “behind the scenes” master, and is responsible for crucial administrative tasks such as conducting early-stage calls with clients and candidates, prospecting for potential candidates, and scheduling regular social media posts, weekly newsletters, and hiring announcements. In the future, Marissa aims to continue focusing on her administrative and organizational skills and take on a project management role. In her spare time, Marissa enjoys taking trips to Disneyland, spending time with family and friends, and exploring escape rooms around the Bay Area.

Diane Rosenberg

Recruiter

Diane Rosenberg, former head of Nueva School from 2001 to 2020, has been involved in leadership hiring for nearly 40 years. During her tenure at Nueva, enrollment grew from 317 to 950, and Nueva realized its long-held dream of opening an upper school to serve students in grades 9–12. Nueva continued to build upon its distinctive social-emotional learning programs and created a distinctive design thinking and engineering program for K–12 students through its own I-Lab and in collaboration with Stanford University’s Institute of Design. At 12M Recruiting, Diane supports searches both as a consultant to clients as well as a screener to candidates.  Diane brings a thoughtful, insightful, and strategic lens to hiring and talent acquisition.

Aaron Griffin

Recruiter

Aaron Griffin is a recruiter with a deep background in technology and innovation.  As a former Middle School Science teacher and Elementary Principal, he has always had a passion to integrate technology effectively in schools.  He has helped teachers integrate technology into the curriculum such as robotics, drones, 3D printing, online learning for 3rd graders on up, and connecting globally with other students and experts.  Aaron has worked with teachers to find ways to integrate technology in classrooms as young as 18 months.  He has presented at many state and local Technology Conferences and has done workshops around Educational Technology for schools.  The Epstein School has recently become a Microsoft Showcase School to show the innovative ways it uses technology in its classrooms.  Aaron currently serves on the Georgia Educational Technology Fair Steering Committee, TAG-Ed STEM Educator Awards Advisory Board, and The ATLIS 2016 Organizing Committee.