Building the future of student-led recruitment

Rodel brings a rare combination of international education expertise, youth community building, and high-impact campaign creation to UpperClass. Over the past decade, he has built his career at the intersection of education, leadership, and growth. He was an early-stage leader at ApplyBoard, helping expand one of the world's fastest-growing international education companies across the Philippines and South Korea. Prior to that, he worked with Harvard Business Publishing's Asia partner, introducing world-class leadership programs to leading conglomerates across Southeast Asia. Through his work with Enactus Philippines as Strategic Adviser, he established the Enactus Entrepreneurship Institute from the ground up, engaging more than 20 university teams and empowering hundreds of student innovators. These experiences gave him a deep understanding of how students build communities, how institutions foster belonging, and how trusted peer relationships influence life-changing decisions.

At UpperClass, Rodel sits at the intersection of international education, student communities, and creator-driven growth. Beyond education, he has extensive experience designing campaigns that capture attention and inspire action, having helped scale consumer brands through innovative marketing and experiential activations. This unique combination of student ecosystem expertise and campaign execution makes him exceptionally well-positioned to build the student creator category. Rodel understands that universities need a more sustainable and authentic approach to student recruitment, while students increasingly seek meaningful opportunities to earn, create, and build their personal brands. Outside of his professional work, he trains in kickboxing, drawing on the discipline and resilience that define his leadership style. A lifelong student leader and former Boy Scouts leader, he has also had the opportunity to engage with some of the country's most respected leaders, including two Chief Justices of the Supreme Court and a former President of the Philippines. Together, these experiences reflect a founder committed to long-term impact, principled leadership, and empowering the next generation of student creators.

Angela brings something essential to UpperClass: she understands that meaningful education begins with human connection. With over 15 years of experience spanning teaching, education policy, international partnerships, and student recruitment, Angela has built her career around helping people feel seen, heard, and supported in their growth. She began as an educator, where she discovered that the most transformative experiences happen not through information alone, but through trust and authentic relationships. Since then, she has contributed to national initiatives with the Commission on Higher Education, helping align communication standards with global frameworks such as CEFR, and worked with the Government–Academe–Industry Network (GAIN), Inc. to bring together leaders across government, academia, and industry. Her experience later expanded into international education through ApplyBoard, where she built relationships with more than 100 agents across the Philippines, Canada, Australia, Asia, and the Middle East, helping institutions expand their global reach while supporting students through life-changing decisions.

At UpperClass, Angela sits at the intersection of education, storytelling, and community engagement. Beyond her work in international education, she is an accomplished host and interviewer who has facilitated conversations with a diverse range of leaders, changemakers, and public figures, including Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, York University President Emerita Rhonda Lenton, and many others across education, business, and media. Her ability to create meaningful dialogue and put people at ease reflects the empathy and presence that define her approach to leadership. As the host of the UpperClass Podcast, Angela brings warmth, curiosity, and authenticity to every conversation, helping uncover the human stories behind ambition and achievement. In a platform built around empowering students to become trusted creators, Angela ensures that UpperClass remains grounded in what matters most: genuine connection, purposeful storytelling, and creating spaces where every voice has the opportunity to be heard.