Our Teams - Applicaa

Amanda Grainger

Customer Success Director

Applicaa is innovative, market-leading, and passionate about helping schools. I’ve been working in Applicaa for almost 1 year and 4 months. My most significant contribution to Applicaa’s continued growth was by creating, establishing, and growing the Customer Success Team and striving to improve every process for our customers – onboarding, training, ticket resolution, and the Knowledge Base. Bringing the idea for B16+ and seeing it through to market last year, enjoying the success it is having! Contributing ideas and feedback in SLT and always pushing the growth forward.

Andrew Bradnock

Lead Technician and Data Protection Officer

I have been involved in the Edutech business for nearly 25 years and before then I studied Business Information Technology at Anglia Ruskin University. I have been with Applicaa for over 4 years and during that time I have supported many State and Independent schools and colleges with their Admissions+ MIS integration. I am currently supporting Sixth Form colleges with ApplicaaOne and also just started an exciting new role as a Data Protection Officer at Applicaa.

Angel Capacio

CS Operations & Data Manager

I’ve worked with the BPO industry and became an Executive Assistant to the CEO before joining Applicaa. I was lucky enough to be hired during the pandemic and have been working here for almost 5 years now. I began working as their Customer Success Manager, where we manually edit the application form to match the school’s paper admissions. In addition, I respond to calls to address and possibly resolve concerns over the phone. I am now responsible for ensuring the accuracy of our data. My job involves sending onboarding information and additional details about behind-the-scenes work that I am unable to share here. My 11 years of work experience have shown that Applicaa is the best employer I have ever worked for. In return, I will always choose this company and will make sure to deliver the best of my work. I am eternally grateful for this family.

Antony Wambua

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

I’m responsible for developing our Applicaa digital platforms to serve the needs of parents, students, admin teams, and teachers by working with our product and development teams. Our product team is tasked with listening to customers, understanding their needs, and interpreting this to create powerful product updates that continue to add value to existing and new jobs. I’ve worked closely with our team from our initial version of Admissions+ to transform it into the complete end-to-end platform it is today – enabling our schools to do all things Admissions & Bursary in one place! It’s just really satisfying and enjoyable seeing ideas come to life before your eyes. I love the process of solving challenging problems through intuitive product solutions in a space that has a genuine impact. There is significant room for growth both in the product and also market adoption. It’s such an enjoyable to be on – making Applicaa the number 1 Admissions, Marketing & Onboarding Platform!

Arnel Dionisio

Customer Success Manager

Hi! My name is Arnel. I have been with Applicaa for a year and a half now as one of the Support Technicians within the Customer Success Team. My main role is to resolve customer technical issues or queries, recommend solutions, and guide them through features and functionalities. It is great to work here where employees’ hard work and contributions are acknowledged and everyone is treated like a valued family.

Athena Abacan

Account Growth Leader

Hi, my name is Athena and I’m one of the Customer Success Managers at Applicaa. I have been with the company for a year and a half now. I train and onboard schools to make sure that they are fully confident to use the system and help them achieve their admissions goals. I’m also proud of the relationship that I was able to build with the schools I have met over the past year and counting. As a licensed teacher by profession, it is fulfilling for me to do all these for our customers. I love working for Applicaa as it cares deeply for its employees.

Brendan Quinn

Performannce Architect

An experienced technologist and leader with a passion for continuous improvement and roots in the early days of the web, I have a proven track record in senior leadership roles, building high-performing technology organisations, empowering teams and delivering cutting-edge innovation at a global scale. As an advisor, I have recent experience in a wide range of industries including Fintech, Education, Security, AI & Machine Learning and Industrial Analytics.

Christian Zacarias

MIS Migration Manager

Hi, my name is Chris and I’m a Customer Success Manager. I help ensure that schools are set up and have everything they need in place to use the platform successfully. I’m also part of the Support Technician Team who’s responsible for ensuring that support tickets and queries raised by customers are resolved efficiently and quickly as possible and making sure that they get the kind of service experience we want for them. Aside from that, I’m managing the MIS Migration Pipeline to help all schools who wish to change from their current to a new MIS. I’m so grateful that despite being new in the company (less than a year), I’ve been able to wear different hats and now support several processes. It is really a pleasure and honor for me to be working with amazing people, and wonderful and generous Bosses who have the same goal; which is to “Champion Seamless and Smooth School Admissions”.

Cuong Nguyen

Web Developer

I am a passionate fullstack developer with a bachelor’s degree from VNU University of Engineering and Technology, having worked in the field since 2012. I joined Applicaa part-time before transitioning to a full-time role in May 2019, and over the years, Applicaa has truly become my second family.

During my time at Applicaa, I have contributed to various A+ projects, including the Cloud MIS Integration, facilitating data transfer to MIS systems like Arbor, Bromcom, and iSams, and the Bursary+ project. Currently, I am focused on a performance improvement project to ensure our server infrastructure’s stability, capable of handling high traffic on Enrolment Day.

My motivation is fueled by the opportunity to grow with Applicaa’s innovative products, helping schools and students navigate their admissions journey with ease and efficiency.

Dario Peñalosa

Data Technician

Hi! I’m Dario. I started working in Applicaa as a Data Manager since December 2021. I graduated at STI Academic Center Lucena, Philippines with a Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology. Before working with this company, I am a former Client Acquisition Manager at a BPO company for 4 years.

Darmel Joshua Esplana

Support Technician

I’m Darmel, a Support Technician for Applicaa. I have 7 years of dynamic experience in talent management. Applicaa has allowed me to seamlessly blend my expertise in dealing with people and technical proficiency to deliver customer assistance and solutions. I am grateful to showcase my adaptability and commitment to continuous learning and delivering exceptional customer experiences. Every challenge is an opportunity for growth.

Dat Do Quoc

Windows App Developer

Applicaa helps schools manage students more efficiently. I’ve noticed that Applicaa is constantly striving to improve the application, with enthusiastic support available to assist schools whenever needed. Having worked at Applicaa, I believe the key factor contributing to its development is my dedication to working hard, building features for the application, and striving to make them as error-free as possible.

DJ Amano

Marketing Development Representative

As a dedicated team player with over a decade of extensive experience in customer care management, I chose Applicaa because of its great work environment and passion for excellence. I am now part of the Marketing Team, tasked with reaching out to academic institutions, making an impact with our educational technology business, and paving the way to greater innovations.

Edrian Guloya

Marketing Development Representative

In my previous role as a digital marketer, I specialized in media buying and lead generation, driving successful campaigns that connected businesses with their target audiences. I’ve joined Applicaa as a Marketing Development Representative to support their mission of leveraging technology to improve student access to the right courses, aligning my marketing skills with their data-driven education solutions.

Elijah Cruz

Support Technician

Hi! My name is Elijah, I am part of the Customer Success Team, and I have been with Applicaa since September 6, 2021. As a Support Technician, my main goal is to keep the customers happy and satisfied with the product by providing accurate resolutions to their issues, giving guidelines and procedures, and showing them how to best utilise them. Applicaa is an ideal company that provides the employee’s a healthy and supportive environment.

Emma Nguyen

Product Designer

My name is Emma, and my journey with Applicaa started in January 2020. Seeking to grow and to contribute both individually and as a team member, I transitioned from a Graphics Web Designer, providing visual elements to the company’s website and marketing activities to a UI/ UX Designer, who helps to turn Applicaa’s software into user-friendly products for our clients. What has kept me at Applicaa for almost 3 years is the opportunity to wear many hats to become proficient in a lot of different kinds of design. I like the variety and freedom, as well as the control I can oversee my designs. I wanted to solve our teacher’s problems and make sure the solution was beautiful. Also, I must say teamwork at Applicaa plays a big part in the company’s success. With many of us working remotely and internationally, I am very proud that we are doing a great job in cross-function collaboration between the Design team, Developers, Product Managers, and Quality Assurance team from initial discovery research and design concept through the execution of interaction and visual design. What a dream team!

Erika Merillo

Finance Officer

This is my journey. I started as a Data Entry Specialist here in Applicaa on the 20th of December 2021. Then after two months, I have been reassigned as Customer Success Support Admin and just last April 2022 I have been a part of the Finance Department which is quite challenging as this is different from when I started. Every day is a learning experience which is what I love about the role that I have now. What’s important is I love helping people and all of us here at Applicaa is doing what we can to ensure a successful company.

Faith Canaria

CS Assosciate

Hi, I joined Applicaa as part of Data Team. Together with Dario, we help organize and collate data needed to make sure our products reach as many schools as possible. I love that although I belong to the team whose working only from the background, Applicaa never fails to make us feel and see the importance of the work that we do here. No effort is left unnoticed. Here at Applicaa, we have amazing managers and team members who are dedicated to give their very best. Although we are working remotely and are from different parts of the globe, it is still very clear to us that we all are on a mission to help schools perform their best and give students the best start to their school journey.

Geoff Corbie

Senior Product Manager

Hi, my name is Geoff Corbie. I am a Product Development Manager. I help to influence and define the improvements to Admissions+ for Independent Schools in particular, as well as Bursary+. I have worked in IT and Education all my working life. I joined Applicaa in November 2021. Prior to that, I was working for a large trust of schools that wanted to embrace the vision that Applicaa has and exploit the value that our products offer. I encountered the energy and friendliness of the Applicaa staff firsthand and wanted to be a part of it! Having made the move to the “other side”, I now enjoy the contact I have with school staff and helping them to do their job more efficiently, listening to their ideas and combining them with our own to create better products. It is great being part of a motivated, talented, and forward-thinking team with a common goal to make the best systems for our new and existing customers.

Guthrie Denniston

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Hello, I’m Guthrie co-founder of Applicaa, with my colleague Tim Dixon, and Managing Director. Tim and I used to work together at Greenford High School in London where he was Head of Sixth Form and we both taught Geography.

What led you to develop Admissions+?

While we were working at Greenford High, we realised that each year, like many other schools, Greenford was losing students after Year 11. Many would stay but others would leave to attend local colleges in the area or to move to other Sixth Forms. The harsh reality at that time was that numbers were down 20-30% in Year 12 which of course has a negative impact on school funding. At this critical stage, no school wants to lose students.

Ha Pham

Quality Assurance

My name is Ha, I’m on the Quality Assurance team. I have worked in the Information Technology aspect for more than 4 years and have been working at Applicaa since June 2021. I use my experience and knowledge to ensure the quality of Applicaa product. At Applicaa, I get to work with very friendly people, with a real sense of commitment to the job who are working hard every day to make Applicaa better and better. Hence, I see a positive change every day in Applicaa to become a professional team

Hannah Vu Ngoc

Quality Assurance

Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.

Happy Truong

Quality Assurance

Hi, my name is Happy and I’m a Quality Assurance at Applicaa. I joined Applicaa in September 2021. I have been with the team for more than 1 year working on testing and ensuring the quality of the system, trying to keep it stable, and making some new features to improve it every day. I’m so proud to be a part of Applicaa team and I hope that together we will make it better and better in the future.

Harry Nguyen

Web Developer

I am a seasoned software engineer with over 10 years of experience, I excel in delivering high-quality, performant software throughout the entire product development lifecycle. My passion lies in crafting clean, maintainable, and efficient code, ensuring applications run smoothly and are easy to understand for everyone.

Since 2011, I’ve been consistently impressed by Applicaa’s ability to build great products and foster a thriving global team. I’m thrilled to be part of the Applicaa team, a group of passionate and dedicated individuals, and I’m excited to contribute to our shared success.

Hoang Nguyen

Web Developer

Your content goes here. Edit or remove this text inline or in the module Content settings. You can also style every aspect of this content in the module Design settings and even apply custom CSS to this text in the module Advanced settings.

Hung Manh

Head of Windows Application

My current position is Head of Windows App at Applicaa, dedicated to Admissions+ application since May 2020. Experiencing more than 9 years with Web & Enterprise Applications, I have gained comprehensive knowledge and expertise in this field to consult the most efficient tech solutions with well-trained business analysis and deployment skills. Before being a software architect, I was honored to be the Leader of the Microsoft Student Partner program (2013-2015) and graduated Bachelor of Engineering at Hanoi University of Science and Technology – the top-notch college in Vietnam (2010 – 2014). I’m in charge of new-function development and UI/UX design for the A+ SIMS App mainly and A+ SIMS Sync App – tech products for Teachers and IT/Data Managers to transfer data between A+ and SIMS. Besides, I’m responsible for supporting any problems in terms of installation, usage, and other computer-related issues in different schools. It’s really an excellent chance for me to experience a global working environment, work directly with other colleagues from various departments and interact with academic organizations for assistance to put A+ into practice, which helps me understand more about the English educational system and people. On the other hand, I have broadened my horizon a lot by testing cutting-edge technologies and applying special features for Edtech products in the developing process.

Huy Bui

Web Developer

I am a full-stack web developer since 2012. I joined Applicaa in July 2020 to work on developing, and maintaining application features as well as ensuring the system’s performance and stability. Having been through a few Enrolment weeks, and seeing the application becoming better and better over the years, I have the motivations to help the business to go to the next level.

Inah Carlos

Marketing Executive & Partnership Manager

Hi! My name is Inah. I’m the Marketing Executive & Partnership Manager at Applicaa. I’ve been with Applicaa for 4 years now and was assigned to customer support, customer success, and currently, the marketing team. My job is to provide product updates by sending customer newsletters and increasing our social media and webinar engagement. I’m also creating social graphics for our social media platforms. I enjoy learning new stuff and hanging out with my friends on the weekends.

Janine Jackson-Brown

Regional Manager

I am Janine, my role is Regional Sales Manager at Applicaa focusing on the North of the UK reaching out to schools and telling them about the amazing Applicaa platform and how we can make life easier. My career has always been in sales in some very challenging sectors but I love the education sector. My favorite part is talking to people cause I am really good at it. Oh and glitter makes everything better.

Jaylene Nanol

Finance Manager

Hi, I’m Jaylene, the Finance Manager at Applicaa. I joined the company in May 2021 as a Bookkeeper and Finance Admin Assistant. Since then, my role has evolved significantly, and I now serve as Finance Manager. I have never felt more valued, respected, and supported as an employee than I do here. The immense trust Applicaa places in me motivates me to give my best, consistently aiming to do things right the first time and all the time. One of the aspects I’m most proud of is our impact on shaping young minds for the future. By supporting schools, teachers, and staff through our products, we contribute to something meaningful and lasting.

Jesa Salvacion

Support Technician

Before joining Applicaa, I worked as an ESL teacher in Thailand, helping students enhance their English language skills. I choose Applicaa because it aligns with education and technology. My experience as an ESL teacher in Thailand gave me a firsthand understanding of the importance of efficient and streamlined educational processes, and the opportunity to be a part of a dynamic team dedicated to transforming educational administration resonates with me.

Joyce Anne Gorospe

Product Support Specialist

Hi! I’m Joyce, one of the Product Support Specialists at Applicaa. I’ve been with the company for a little over a year now assisting schools to ensure a convenient & seamless admissions process. I love meeting with equally lovely & passionate individuals and their dedication & hard work inspire me to always give my absolute best. Having stayed as long as I have, I can honestly say that Applica is the best employer I have ever had. People treat each other with an equal amount of respect, employees’ efforts are recognised, and I truly believe that the product makes life easier for educators.

Julius Alexander Bolongaita

Technical Analyst

The pandemic significantly impacted our daily lives, affecting my career as both a teacher for six years and a call centre agent for five. However, my journey took a positive turn when I joined Applicaa, where I’ve been a Technical Analyst in the Customer Success Department for over four years. In my role, I tackle level 2 issues that the support team and Customer Success Managers (CSMs) can’t resolve. I also offer valuable suggestions for workarounds to meet schools’ needs and contribute ideas to improve our system. Additionally, I’m part of the cloud integration working group, where I provide insights for product development. I’ve chosen to stay with Applicaa because the company treats its employees like family and consistently appreciates our efforts. It’s a supportive environment that inspires me to grow and make a difference.

Katie Hullah

Head of Sales

Hello, my name is Katie and I am the Head of Sales at Applicaa. I have been working with UK and International Schools for over 10 years now and joined the Applicaa family back in September 2020. Over the last two years I have helped us grow to over 1000 schools which is largely due to the fantastic products our Dev team have built, the majority of ideas coming directly from schools. The independent schools market is a hugely completive place and our platforms are customisable to help all establishments, whether that be to increase pupil numbers or ensure the right students are coming to your school and getting the help they need. I love being out and about meeting schools and have been lucky to attend a number of conferences already this year, including a fabulous week up in Edinburgh. I hope to see you at an event or on a webinar soon, I will be the one in orange! Katie x

Le Van Ninh

Web Developer

I’m Ninh. In the past, I studied physics at the University, but somehow I fell in love with web development and chose to become a web developer. Learning new languages and technologies is what I am passionate about. I joined Applicaa as a member of the Web Development Team. I’m glad to work here and have a chance to use my knowledge to improve a great product.

Leovie Carandang

Telephone Support Team Leader

Hi, I’m Leovie, the Telephone Support Team Leader from the Success Team. I have been part of the team since March 2022. My role is to ensure that every school gets the best experience and to provide training and guidance for all my schools using the platform. From day one up to the present Applicaa has honed me toward my goals- Yes! This is where you can find self-growth and self-worth.

Levi Capistrano

Subscription Manager

Hello! I’m Levi Capistrano, Applicaa’s Subscription Manager. I’m tasked to make sure schools can use the A+ / B16+ system at its full potential. I also answer support calls when you dial Applicaa’s number and you need help. At times you may also find me answering emails from tickets that you’ve raised as I can also be assigned to the tech team if need be. I’ve been part of Applicaa since June of this year and I think I’m able to help Applicaa grow as I serve well as an all-around customer service guy who ensures that no process is left unmanned. I’ve grown fond of everyone on the team and everyone is like a family to me, we have each other’s backs and are very glad to be of assistance every time, I think that what’s making me stay, is because it’s not only just work but we’re also able to help schools have an easier time managing students, applications and enrolments.

Lucy Curtis

Head of Customer Onboarding

My name is Lucy Curtis and I am Head of Onboarding, leading our team of Customer Success Managers. I’ve been working here since October 2021 and the time has flown! Every day is different, and I have the pleasure of meeting with a variety of school and Trust staff to help them get the most from their platforms. I’m fortunate to work with a fantastic team, with shared goals and can honestly say I love my job!

Mandy Sangha

Head of Marketing

My name is Mandy and I work at Applicaa as the Head of HR and Operations. Having been an Admissions+ user from a Sixth Form, I watched the product develop into a platform all schools can highly benefit from. I made the decision to join Applicaa and I have never looked back. Since University my interest has always been in technology and how we can use/develop platforms to streamline processes. Applicaa is the perfect fit for me. The Team here at Applicaa has the great work ethic and we are all true believers in the products. I love being part of the innovation here and adding value to the products with my knowledge and experience to help schools. I can honestly say I am very fortunate to work with such amazing people and for a company that wants to make a difference in schools and help streamline several processes.

Manelyn Ciervo

Executive Assistant

Hi, my name is Manelyn and I am the Executive Assistant at Applicaa. I have been with the company for one month. I assist the CEO, COO, and other top-level executives to help them focus on their objectives while I take care of logistical details. Before joining Applicaa, I was an Account Executive at a logistics company in the Philippines. I was responsible for acquiring, managing, and maintaining existing and potential clients. I have a proven track record of achieving sales quotas with a 90% client retention rate. I enjoy working with Applicaa because the employees are very kind and supportive. I finally found a company that provides work-life balance which I’m really looking for the longest time.

Marianne Zorilla

Support Technician

Hi! I’m Marianne, a support technician under the Customer Success Team at Applicaa. As a support technician, I am dedicated to providing efficient and reliable technical assistance to users. With a strong background in technology and a passion for problem-solving, I strive to ensure smooth operations and user satisfaction. Overall, as a support technician, my goal is to contribute to the smooth operation of systems and provide exceptional technical support to enhance user experiences and productivity.

Marielle Zorilla

Customer Engagement Manager

With over two years at Applicaa, I’ve transitioned from Customer Success Manager to Customer Engagement Manager, where I focus on building strong relationships with our clients. I work closely with schools, understanding their unique needs and providing tailored guidance and strategic support to streamline processes and boost engagement. My goal is to ensure clients have the tools, training, and resources needed to maximise the value of our solutions.

Maritess Nayle