Ascend Youth Finance is led by students passionate about expanding access to financial education. Our team is dedicated to making topics like budgeting, investing, and entrepreneurship clear, practical, and engaging for the next generation. We believe that every student, regardless of background, deserves the knowledge and tools to build a strong financial future.
Mateo Atluri
Co-Founder
Mateo is a senior at Harvard-Westlake and co-Founder of Ascend Youth Finance. Driven by a desire to help fix systemic inequality, Mateo helped jumpstart Ascend Youth Finance in the summer of 2025. In school, Mateo enjoys math and computer science, along with being an active participant in his school's clubs.
Shiv Grover
Co-Founder
Shiv Grover is a senior and one of the cofounders of Ascend Youth Finance. He has worked in other foundations to help support underprivileged children in India. At Ascend Youth Finance he hopes to help children in underprivileged make smart financial decisions. Shiv is also passionate about biology.
Rares Obreja
Team Member
Rares is a senior at Harvard-Westlake with an interest in medicine and finance. He is passionate about teaching students about financial literacy, and helping them develop valuable financial skills. In school, Rares enjoys math, chemistry, and biology, and is part of both the jazz band and the varisty basketball team.
Andrés Mogollon
Team Member
Andrés is a senior at Harvard Westlake with interest in business and film and member of Ascend Youth Finance. He is passionate in his journey to provide financial aid and advice to younger people. Outside of the academic hub Andrés is an avid athlete, playing golf and football at a Varsity level.
Ryan Davidoff
Team Member
Ryan is a senior at Harvard-Westlake with a strong interest in finance, investing, and business. He is passionate about expanding access to financial education and works to help students in underserved communities build essential skills. Ryan is also actively involved in finance-related school activities.
Diya Desai
Team Member
Diya is a junior with an interest in business and policy. She has a particular passion for financial literacy because of its importance in creating independence and changing lives. She is also involved in student council, field hockey, and debate, where she enjoys working with others and tackling challenges. Diya especially loves working with children and values opportunities to support younger students.
Davis Fried
Team Member
Davis is a senior at Harvard-Westlake with a strong interest in math and business. He's skilled in economics and quantitative analysis, with a passion for finance. Outside of school, Davis loves to workout and rock climb.
Colin Hou
Team Member
Colin is a senior at Harvard-Westlake with an interest in finance and business. He is passionate about helping younger students build financial literacy early and, through Ascend Youth Finance, looks to make finance accessible and engaging. In school, Colin enjoys chemistry and math and is a part of the leadership team for the Investment Club.