Summer Ambassadors Take on 2025 Career Day at Accel-KKR

For the third year in a row, our Summer Ambassadors stepped into the offices of Accel-KKR, a private equity firm in Menlo Park, for a day of career exploration and community connection.

We kicked off the morning with longtime OLC supporter and Accel-KKR Co-Founder, Tom Barnds. Tom shared his own journey, how following your passions can lead to building a business, and how lessons from the field, like coaching and teamwork, show up in the workplace.

For many Ambassadors, it was their first time hearing directly from a CEO, and you could see the spark of possibility in the room. OLC alumni Jasmine Vo, Oakland High School Class of 2022, shared: 

“My visit at AKKR was a blast! They were very welcoming and friendly. The AKKR team gave me great insights on how to network, navigate my career path, and set goals for self-growth and self-identity in my personal life. I had the honor of giving Tom, the CEO, his very own OLC stick. His down to earth, hard working attitude spoke volumes to my peers and I. We thank him for this opportunity and all he's done for OLC!”

From there, Ambassadors heard from a panel of junior staff who spoke openly about their own paths, from college choices, first jobs, and what it’s like to find your way in a competitive industry. These conversations weren’t just about finance; they were about resilience, leadership, and making the most of opportunities, values that mirror what we practice every day at OLC.

In breakout groups, Ambassadors worked on their elevator pitches, learning how to introduce themselves with confidence. Later, during networking time, they put those skills into practice, asking questions, making connections, and showing the same attentiveness and curiosity that makes them stand out on the field. A few even took a bold step forward, inquiring about internships. That’s OLC coachability and leadership in action.

Coach Jazzy helped close the day the OLC way—with shout outs. Ambassadors and Accel-KKR staff lifted each other up by recognizing leadership, effort, and moments of growth. It was a beautiful reminder that community spirit doesn’t just live in Oakland; it travels with our players wherever they go. Shout out to Nick Korompilas and Annabelle Burke from AKKR for taking the lead on facilitating and organizing the day. 

We are deeply grateful to Annabelle Burke, Nicholas Korompilas, and the many AKKR staff who welcomed our youth, shared their stories, and gave their time. And of course, a special thank you to Tom Barnds. We hope you enjoy your custom OLC lacrosse stick, a small token of our big appreciation.

This visit was more than a field trip; it was a chance for our Summer Ambassadors to envision new possibilities for themselves and to put OLC values into practice. We can’t wait to see how our Ambassadors carry these lessons forward into the season ahead!