[1] Her mother immigrated to the United States from the Philippines, and her brother, Jack Alessio, swam competitively for Harvard University.

[2] After graduating from high school, Pretto started university at College of the Holy Cross.

She transferred to Trinity College in 2013, graduating in 2016 with a major in literature and minor in environmental science and gender studies.

She won the Division III second varsity eight at the NCAA Women's Rowing Championships in 2014 and the Division III varsity eight in 2015.

In 2023, she competed at the Pan American Games, where she won the gold in the mixed eight,[4] as well as silver in the women's quad and eight.