Meet our team from Adversity to Advocacy
Rising Above the Labels
Founder & CEO
As a child, I was never labeled “at-risk” on paper—but I was at risk in every way that mattered. I grew up navigating emotional abuse, witnessing physical violence, and constantly battling the systems that were supposed to protect and uplift kids like me. I didn’t fit the traditional definition of an “at-risk youth” because I was never formally placed in the system—but my behaviors, my thoughts, and my reality were the very definition of what it means to be overlooked.
Despite these challenges, I defied expectations and built a career rooted in ensuring that no child falls through the cracks the way I almost did. I went on to earn two master’s degrees, lead multiple businesses, and advocate for marginalized students through my work in education, juvenile justice partnerships, and mental health services. I have dedicated my life to dismantling the barriers that keep kids locked in cycles of trauma, poverty, and under-resourced educational systems.
The RISE Collective is my life’s work. It exists because I know what happens when a child is misunderstood, mislabeled, or ignored. And I know firsthand that with the right support, guidance, and belief, every child—no matter their background—can RISE.
- Zaneta Schaffer
A Story of Strength, Survival, and Change
Co-founder & Executive Director
I entered the foster care system at just three years old, ripped away from everything familiar. I was moved from Indiana to Florida, hoping for stability, but instead, I faced unimaginable hardships. At just 12 years old, I experienced a traumatic assault that should never happen to any child. But the system that was meant to protect me failed.
By 16, I was unadopted and aged out of foster care—alone in the world, without a safety net. With no family to rely on and no roadmap for survival, I had every reason to become another statistic. But I refused to let my circumstances define me.
Against all odds, I built a future that no one expected for me. I became a leader in foster care reform, testifying before Congress and advocating for youth who are often silenced. I earned degrees from Florida State University and the University of Florida, using education as a tool to reclaim my narrative. And today, as a doctoral student and Co-Founder of The RISE Collective, I am using my lived experience to create real change for foster youth, at-risk students, and families struggling against a broken system.
My story is not just one of survival—it’s a testament to the power of resilience and the impact of investing in children who have been forgotten.
- Julia Schaffer
Why The RISE Collective Exists
Together, we built The RISE Collective because we lived the reality of what happens when systems fail kids. We know the pain of feeling unseen, unheard, and unsupported. We know the obstacles that come with breaking generational cycles. And we know what it takes to change the narrative.
At The RISE Collective, we don’t just advocate for youth—we equip them, empower them, and elevate them beyond the limitations placed on them by circumstances. We do the same for the educators, caregivers, and community leaders who have the power to change lives.
We are proof that a child’s past does not determine their future.
We invite you to be part of this movement—because when we invest in youth, we invest in a future where every child can RISE.