Meet Our Team
Our Advisory Council members bring a wealth of experience, passion and skills to grow the Rose Model community and mission to prevent harmful dynamics and create a new paradigm of healthy relationships in life and work. We are endlessly grateful for their efforts!
Allen Bates
Born in Peru and raised by his adoptive parents in South Carolina, Allen first realized the synergies between his passions and the Rose Model on the dance floor. An avid salsa dancer who performed with Jaramillos dance team throughout Upstate SC, Allen sees dance as a way to access and share emotions that only the beat and rhythm of moving to music can bring.
Allen works as a computer programmer and holds a B.S. in Computer Science and an M.S. in Computer Engineering from the University of South Carolina. When not working or dancing, he enjoys reading and writing stories, studying Spanish, cooking, and gardening. He also looks forward to meeting his half siblings in Peru and Chile.
Why Allen supports the Rose Model:
Allen joined the Rose Model team because he believes in educating youth, teens and adults on how to have a healthy relationship with the people in their lives and each other. A self-described "wallflower who's extremely extroverted when dogs are around," Allen utilizes his neurodivergence to cultivate greater understanding of the diverse needs of people of all abilities. His dream goal is building a sense of unity and understanding in the local Upstate SC community, regardless of age, race, or beliefs.
Andrea Choka
A founding member of the Rose Model community, Andrea is a Purdue University graduate who works as a Business Analyst for an insurance company based out of Boston. In her long-term visions, she dreams some days about opening a coffee shop and others about being a CEO in corporate America. She loves doing yoga, reading, and exploring new places and things.
Andrea holds a B.S. in Applied Statistics with a certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation and also served as Actuarial Club president while attending Purdue. She is a Certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and active participant in the Women Rock Tech resource group and Aspiring Leader program through Homesite.
Why Andrea supports the Rose Model:
The Rose Model has been central to Andrea’s development in her relationships personally and professionally. What she loves most about the model, in addition to the amazing energy and light from Lori, is that the model provides tools to boost self-esteem, self-worth and confidence while providing a safe space for vulnerability.
Tiffany Santagati
As Vice President of Operations at the Greenville Housing Fund and a community volunteer, Tiffany is committed to facilitating meaningful community change, promoting economic development, and improving quality of life for those facing economic and social challenges. She serves on the Boards of Directors for Children’s Trust of South Carolina, the Greenville Technical College Foundation, the Hispanic Alliance, and the American Red Cross of the Upstate and has been recognized as a top young professional by the Greenville Chamber of Commerce and GSA Business Magazine. Tiffany is a graduate of Leadership Greenville and Furman University’s Diversity Leaders Initiative at the Riley Institute. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from USC-Upstate and an M.B.A. from Webster University.
Why Tiffany supports the Rose Model:
Passionate about ending child abuse and neglect, Tiffany believes that the Rose Model’s approach to addressing the underpinnings of generational trauma is greatly needed. In her words, “I think people are not taught how to deal in relationships. There’s no space to have the conversations, and people can easily get into situations where they are mistreated. If we can get education out there, we could have a much healthier culture.”
Gundi Simmons
After graduating from Clemson University with a degree in Sociology, Gundi realized his passion was working with and helping people. As a realtor under the umbrella of JW Martin Real Estate, Gundi loves helping clients navigate a crucial and transitional time in their lives. In addition to his outreach and business development skills, Gundi brings to our team his direct experience working in student athletics and as an advisor to his college fraternity.
Why Gundi supports the Rose Model:
Gundi’s introduction to the Rose Model was participating in a focus group that explored early messages around gender, relationships, and sexuality. He drew immediate parallels between his passions and the Rose Model’s vision of building a more kind and equitable world. When he’s not working and volunteering, Gundi enjoys shooting hoops, playing pool, and devoting his time as a new father to nurturing relationships with his wife and baby daughter. With a new life as his daily inspiration, in Gundi’s own words, “If everyone had the Rose Model, the world would be a better place.”
Hao Wu
Born in China, Hao Wu earned a bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and served in the U.S. Army from 2010-2014. In addition to partnering with companies as an entrepreneur in the fields of real estate, technology startups, and consumer products, Hao serves as a board member for tForm and Mental Health America.
Why Hao supports the Rose Model:
An early supporter of the Rose Model’s mission since meeting Lori at TEDx Greenville, Hao is fiercely impassioned about social entrepreneurship, community care, centering marginalized voices, and equity building. In all he has learned as a student, soldier, friend, family member, entrepreneur, and candidate for elected office, Hao recognizes the value of authentic relating and is proud to contribute to a company like the Rose Model that addresses relationships, sexual health, and life events head-on. He credits the Rose Model with teaching him to be intentional about the power of relationships and re-centering, and looks forward to helping its mission to create a new paradigm of healthy relationships and communities grow.
