(New Staff Spotlight: Meet Nancy Rivera – Published 7/09/2026) First Tee – Silicon Valley is excited to welcome our newest Program Coordinator, Nancy Rivera. Although, Nancy is not new to FTSV and not new to the spotlight, she is a very welcome addition to our full-time staff. Her main areas of focus, aside from coaching, will be to oversee the First Tee – Silicon Valley Alumni Club and Community Outreach. Having a local alumni club will allow us to continue strengthening bonds and community as fellow alumni navigate the professional stage of life.
Nancy began her journey with FTSV in 2017 and racked up a series of well-deserved honors during her time as a highly engaged participant. Her hard work, dedication, and high character led to her being nationally selected attend to First Tee national opportunities such as the First Tee Game Changers Academy, Innovators Forum, and Leadership Summit.
After she graduated high school, Nancy was awarded the First Tee College Scholar Program, joining a class of 25 scholars who earned this honor based on their academic performance, length and involvement in First Tee programs, financial need, and commitment to volunteerism. This program’s financial assistance, along with her award of the Innovators Forum scholarship and FTSV’s Joyce Taylor Eagle Award and scholarship, helped her achieve her dream of being a first-generation college student when she chose to attend Middlebury College in Vermont. While at Middlebury she was selected for the Patrick J. Durkin ’79 Public Service Leadership Award, a prestigious honor given to students who demonstrate a special dedication to public service at Middlebury College.
We sat down with Nancy to ask some questions.
What does the FTSV mean to you as an Alum?
“To me, FTSV means having a lifelong community. No matter where I am in the country, the First Tee has become my home away from home. As I moved from the West Coast to the East Coast for College, my First Tee family, both from my home chapter and others, have become an incredible support system in my life in general. Whether it is just general life advice or guidance related to school or work, I know there is always someone I can reach out to. Even if they don’t have the answer, they’ll always offer support or connect me with the right resources. Being an alumni means that you know there’s people in your corner through the relationships you’ve built throughout the years and that doesn’t just end when you leave a chapter or graduate, they stay with you wherever you go.”
What impact has the program had on you?
“Since I joined the First Tee, the trajectory of my life has changed tremendously. I always give credit to the First Tee and the coaches for helping me become the first person in my family to graduate college. This program has truly shaped me into the person I am today. It has also inspired my future career aspirations, and given me the confidence to pursue opportunities I had never even thought about before.”
What are your goals in your position?
“As far as Alumni Club I would love for all of us to see the First Tee as a place that brings us back together and helps us stay connected, even after graduating from the program. More broadly I would love for every participant and their families to feel welcomed, supported and valued at First Tee. I want them to see us as a community where they can meet new people, and build meaningful relationships that go beyond our weekly class.”
For more information about joining the Alumni Club, visit our Alumni Club Page or contact Nancy via email: [email protected].
