Alumnae TPC Fellows
2020-2022
Lina Maria Cañon was born and raised in Bogota, Colombia. She has always been committed to creating multifaceted access for under-resourced individuals and communities. Since graduating from Suffolk University with a Bachelor’s in Sociology and Government, Lina has managed, enhanced, and created programs focused on a variety of topics including homelessness, civic engagement, education, and youth advocacy. Other related experiences include serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA in Chicago, being a Peer Advisor for the Obama Foundation, and hosting The Activist Hustle Podcast.
Lina has been tirelessly advocating for equity and access, particularly for youth, across all sectors. She currently works full time as a Grants Management Associate for Imago Dei Fund. In addition to her work in philanthropy, Lina works with Students for Cross-Cultural Solidarity, bringing college students on service trips to El Salvador. She was named one of Boston’s most influential Latinxs by El Mundo’s 30 Under 30. Lina is currently pursuing her MBA from Boston University’s Questrom and is the Chief Operating Officer of The Nur Collective.
Lily Chin-Martin is passionate about improving communities for underserved and underprivileged groups, which has led to her career as a fundraising professional. Originally from Seattle, she graduated from Occidental College in Los Angeles with a degree in Psychology and Classical Studies. Currently, she is the Development Coordinator at Boston Harbor Now, a nonprofit organization that activates and protects Boston Harbor and the Boston Harbor Islands National and State Park, where she is working on the Annual Fund, assisting with fundraising events, and managing the database. Lily has experience at a diverse range of organizations, including schools, museums, and social service and environmental nonprofits. She believes strongly in the power of philanthropy and has seen first-hand how donations can make real differences in both organizations and individuals’ lives. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, cooking, singing in her community choir, and visiting museums.
Becca Cuntala is a New Jersey native who is passionate about sustainability and human rights. She currently works at Ceres, a sustainability nonprofit, supporting development operations such as tracking and preparing grant proposals and reports, as well as assisting in communications and relationship management for a wide portfolio of foundations. Prior to Ceres, Becca worked in development at EarthLinks, Inc. in Denver as an AmeriCorps VISTA supporting the nonprofit’s mission to end homelessness and sustain the planet. She has also worked at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia as an SCA interpretive intern. Becca has a B.A. in anthropological perspectives from Binghamton University in Binghamton, NY. In her spare time, she loves to read, travel, go hiking, and spend time with her family and friends.
Kelsea Médard, Co-Chair of TPC’s Membership Committee, is an attorney and strategic consultant. In 2019, she founded Grow By Three, a company that seeks to promote social justice through professional and organizational development. Before founding Grow By Three, Kelsea worked as a commercial litigation associate in the Boston office of Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP, and in the admissions office of Boston University School of Law. Her professional experiences activated her desire to increase access to insight in ways that maximize success and ultimately improve lives. Kelsea is certified in Diversity & Inclusion through Cornell University, and is focused on promoting equity within all areas of society.
Kelsea is a New York native, but moved to Massachusetts to attend Boston University School of Law. Prior to law school, she attended Syracuse University where she majored in advertising at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. Outside of her professional endeavors, Kelsea enjoys eating seafood, watching nature documentaries, and making all-natural soy wax candles.
Samantha Perlman is passionate about empowering the next generation of leaders, especially young women, to be changemakers in government and public service. Witnessing youth mobilization and her capacity to make change firsthand as a youth activist while studying abroad in South Africa propelled Sam to public service via state and federal legislative policy work, community organizing, and civic education.
In November 2019, Sam made history as the youngest woman ever elected to the Marlborough City Council at age 24, and the first first-time candidate to top the ticket in a Council race. A proud graduate of Emory University, Sam currently works as the Civic Engagement Manager at Scholars Strategy Network. Additionally, she serves as a newly elected member to the Democratic State Committee and is Chair of her city’s Cultural Council.
Through her previous professional work with Generation Citizen and as part of the MA Civic Learning Coalition, Sam helped secure passage of the 2018 law to provide action-based civic education to all students in the Commonwealth. Sam is a graduate of Emerge Massachusetts, the FAO Schwarz Fellowship, and the Institute for Nonprofit Practice Community Fellows Program. An avid learner, she has also served as a Boston Peer Advisor for the Obama Foundation and a 2019 Institute for Canadian Citizenship Fellow.
2019-2021
Stacy Cabral is a proud Boston native with Colombian roots. She works at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on initiatives that promote safe and supportive learning. Previously, she worked in her home community of East Boston, as the Founding Dean of Students and Culture at Brooke Charter School, developing policies to implement a positive school culture to support students, teachers, and families. Her teaching career started as a third grade teacher in Miami-Dade through Teach for America. Stacy is a graduate of Smith College and the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is excited to meet and learn from other Fellows and share her passion for social justice and combating inequities. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family (including her Frenchie niece and nephew), traveling, running, reading, and cooking.
Amber Gomes is passionate about working for a mission-driven organization that engages in direct service provision and advocacy. She is currently the inaugural Development Coordinator for Y2Y Network, which manages the nation’s first student-run shelter for young adults 18-24 experiencing homelessness.
Amber is an alumna of Oregon State University, where she double-majored in Political Science and International Studies. Out of undergrad, she served as a Public Health Volunteer in Kenya, before joining the Peace Corps Northwest Regional Office as a Recruiter. She returned to school as a Coverdell Fellow at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, where she graduated with an MA in Policy and Development. While in graduate school, she served as an AmeriCorps VIP (Volunteer Infrastructure Program) Fellow with the United Way Monterey County.
Sarah Kalish graduated from Wesleyan University with degrees in Economics and Sociology. During her time at Wesleyan, she led student groups dedicated to increasing awareness of disparities in education and advocated for improved support for students with disabilities. She also volunteered for the Wesleyan Center for Prison Education, which offers college-credit courses to inmates at Cheshire Prison in CT. Additionally, Sarah managed the operations and finances of a student-led cheese co-op that partnered with local dairy farmers.
She has volunteered at a HeadStart preschool in the Boston area and interned in the Health Policy group at Mathematica Policy Research, where she helped prepare a report on the Children’s Health Insurance Plan for Congress. More recently, Sarah was an analyst in the energy practice at the Brattle Group, an economic consulting firm, where she worked on renewable energy and energy efficiency projects to help clients meet emissions standards.
Currently, Sarah works on the Growth Strategy and Digital Marketing team at Wayfair, where she manages performance of core marketing channels targeting business customers. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys creative non-fiction writing, dancing, and discovering local cheese. Sarah is honored to be part of an organization like TPC that blends strategic thinking and direct service, which she finds to be a powerful combination.
Tariana V. Little is driven by science, storytelling, and social justice, and her work embodies what she calls “intentional creativity for social change.” She is CEO and co-founder of EmVision Productions, a media agency for progressive organizations. She is also a Doctor of Public Health candidate at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, where she is building FooFii, a platform to simplify access to food resources. A Boston native and active citizen, Tariana co-chairs the Community Advisory Board of the Gastón Institute for Latino Public Policy and has served on Mayor Walsh’s SPARK Boston Council and as a Boston Peer Advisor for the Obama Foundation. She has been named by El Mundo and El Planeta (New England’s largest Spanish-language newspapers) as among the most influential young Latino leaders in Massachusetts.
Olivia Taylor graduated from UMass Boston in 2016 with a degree in Communication and Public Policy, and recently completed a grant writing certificate course through the university’s College of Advancing and Professional Studies. While studying at UMass Boston, she was a mentor, site leader, fundraising coordinator, and marketing coordinator for the school’s chapter of Strong Women, Strong Girls. She was designated as the public speaker for field trips, new mentor training in best practices, and as a panelist for their annual women’s panel on intersectional feminism. During this time, she also took on the role of Fundraising Manager for Ruff Tales Rescue, a foster-based dog rescue founded in Massachusetts, and still holds the position of Newsletter Coordinator. Currently, she works as the Social Innovation Lead at Warby Parker on the Seaport, partnering with local nonprofits to hold “Do Good” events, reaching out to offer donations, and setting up volunteer opportunities for the whole team to get involved in. Olivia has been passionate about service to others since she was 15 years old, stemming from early involvement in activities with her older brother, who has Down Syndrome. The cause areas she’s most passionate about are public education in underserved communities, LGBTQ+ rights, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, animal rescue, mentorship, and human rights as a whole. In her spare time, Olivia enjoys practicing piano, guitar, or the cajon, and she studies astrology and offers chart reading services for a fee.
2018-2020
Alysé Bigger is an alumna of Bates College where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, and of Tufts University where she received her Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership via the Institute for Nonprofit Practice.
Over the past nine years, Alysé has worked with small and national nonprofit organizations in direct service and administration roles. Her personal and professional work has focused on supporting access to great schools and programs that provide equitable educational outcomes for young people, and leading organizational efforts with a goal of developing socially responsible nonprofit leaders.
Alysé has volunteered with United Way as a grant reviewer, Mother Caroline Academy as a mentor, the YWCA of Boston as a facilitator, and BPS Code of Conduct Advisory Council. During the day, she is living her best life as a Program Manager for the Massachusetts Promise Fellowship, an AmeriCorps program created to decrease high drop-out rates across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for young people in grades 6-12.
Meghan Higgins is currently a member of the Resource Development team at Madison Park Development Corporation (MPDC), one of the nation’s first nonprofit developers of affordable housing. She holds a joint Master’s degree in Urban and Environmental Policy & Planning/Child Studies & Human Development from Tufts University. Prior to joining MPDC, Meghan was an Associate Consultant with Emerging Executive and the Development Officer at Our Restorative Justice, a nonprofit using restorative practices to disrupt the school-to-prison pipeline. Meghan is an AmeriCorps alum, serving from 2012-14 as a Team Leader with City Year Little Rock. As a graduate student, Meghan also worked at YouthBuild USA, focused on state and federal policy strategy around youth unemployment and criminal justice. A Pittsburgh native, Meghan is a passionate advocate for community-led development, equitable public education, and juvenile justice reform, with a particular interest in gender-responsive programs and policies.
Nyah Macklin is a dedicated and charismatic diversity and inclusion professional who has dedicated her life to creating and sustaining systems of education, government, and society that consistently re-examine and re-evaluate the ways these institutions perpetuate the exclusion of historically underrepresented communities. Nyah specializes in holistic and programmatic reform, drawing on her experience as a consultant to various institutions. She has analyzed, designed, and implemented policies centered on the empowerment of diverse, marginalized communities within these institutions, thereby strengthening their culture, operations, and revenue.
Prior to obtaining her degree in African and Afro-American Studies from Brandeis University, Nyah studied in the New Haven, CT public school system. It was here that she watched her fellow low-resource Black and Latin-x students struggle to excel in an educational environment where budget cuts left students with tattered and outdated textbooks, overcrowded classrooms, and frequent engagement with the school-to-prison pipeline. Her undergraduate studies and her background shaped her drive to re-examine policies that affect urban education, housing markets, and income inequality.
Nyah is a Breakthrough Collaborative alumna and teaching fellow alumna, the first Black woman in the history of Brandeis to serve as President of the University’s Student Government, one of four women of color to negotiate for the rights of 100 students of color during a 12-day crisis occupation. This effort resulted in a diversity and inclusion implementation plan for Brandeis University. She serves as Vice Chair on the board of the Black Alumni Network at Hopkins School, and is also a New Leader’s Council-Boston alumna, serving on the board as Co-Chair of Admissions. Currently, Nyah works as the Legislative Aide to a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives and is a proud Dorchester resident.
Christine Nguyen has been working with non-profits serving Asian American and immigrant families since 2009. Her experience includes youth leadership development, program management, event and volunteer management, fundraising, and communications. Christine currently serves as the Development and Communications Manager at Asian Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit that has been building affordable homes, empowering families, and strengthening communities for over 30 years. She is originally from Houston, Texas and received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Texas at Austin. Christine is the daughter of Vietnamese refugees and enjoys visiting art museums, competing in dragon boat races, and spending as much time outdoors as possible in the summer and fall.
Miriam is a Massachusetts native who has lived and worked both abroad and domestically, and currently finds herself back in the Boston area where she provides legal administrative support. Armed with a liberal arts degree with a gender focus on the social sciences and economics, she started her professional career as a business analyst primarily in the life sciences industry. Desiring to increase her impact beyond a company’s bottom line, Miriam obtained a Master’s degree in International Development and set about working with marginalized populations with an emphasis on unemployed, low-resource, working-class women, as well as young children and women vulnerable to exploitation and violence. Outside of work, Miriam continues to find opportunities to engage with women and children in her community. Additionally, Miriam enjoys making and eating desserts, traveling, watching and playing contact sports, reading, and being outdoors.
2017-2019
Abby Alexanian graduated from the Heller School for Social Policy and Management at Brandeis University with a Master’s in Public Policy and an MBA in Non-profit Management, and holds a BA in International Studies from Vassar College. While at the Heller School, Abby was awarded a fellowship by the Sillerman Center for the Advancement of Philanthropy and spent a summer working with The Boston Foundation conducting research to inform TBF’s strategic plan. She has more than five years of experience as a practitioner and researcher in the non-profit and public sectors, and her previous work has focused on providing crisis intervention services, reducing and preventing adversities in early childhood, violence prevention, and creating equitable, collaborative systems of support for children and families experiencing trauma, poverty, and housing instability. Abby is currently a manager at Root Cause, where she provides social impact consulting services to non-profit organizations.
Leigh Chandler graduated from Davidson College in May 2016 with a degree in English and Communication Studies. A South Carolina native, she moved to Boston shortly after graduating to pursue a job in non-profit development. She currently serves as the Senior Engagement Associate at YW Boston. She is responsible for assisting the development team with gift management, donor research, and cultivation of relationships with YW Boston’s audience through thoughtful communications. She is also the coordinator for YW Boston’s Young Professionals Network and serves on the organization’s Advocacy Committee. As a fellow, Leigh is excited to learn more about Boston-specific needs and solutions. In her free time, she enjoys reading, exploring Boston, and pretending she’s the next Top Chef.
Robin Miller works as a manager at Ceres, a sustainability nonprofit working with the most influential investors and companies to build leadership and drive solutions throughout the economy. Robin’s passions lie in the intersection of sustainability, community, and finance. This has led her on many work-life adventures including leading a trail crew in the Alaskan backcountry, cooking for over 300 people in the mountains of Southern California, and helping customers reach their financial goals as a banker at Citizens Bank. She holds a joint MBA/MS Environmental Science and Policy degree from Clark University and a Bachelor’s in Public Administration from Eastern Michigan University. Outside of work, Robin serves as the Events Co-chair for BASIC-Boston (Building a Sustainable Investment Community) and the Board President of Miranda’s Hearth, a community arts non-profit that builds community through creativity.
2017-2018
Shailean Hardy works as a Financial Coach at Compass Working Capital, a non-profit organization that provides financial education to persons living on a low income. Prior to moving to Boston, she worked as a Case Manager in Pennsylvania overseeing a program that aimed to reduce barriers to stable employment for persons receiving cash welfare. Shailean has a Master’s degree in Environment & Sustainable Development from University College London (UCL) in the UK. Upon completing her Master’s, she spent some time in her home country of Jamaica working at a human rights organization that focuses on legal reform and alleviating police misconduct. Shailean is dedicated to the financial empowerment of racial minorities, immigrants, and other populations who have systematically been disenfranchised from mainstream financial services. She is learning how to be an advocate for decreasing the racial wealth gap. Outside of work, Shailean started a project that provides financial education workshops and individual financial counseling to communities of color in the metro Boston area.
2016-2018
Jennifer Angarita graduated from Yale University and has a Master’s in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS). At HKS, she served as a Sheila C. Johnson Fellow at the Center for Public Leadership and is currently working as a fellow with the Ash Center for Innovation and Governance. Her background is in partnership building, policy development, and advocacy for underserved and financially vulnerable communities. As a first generation immigrant, she has a deeply rooted interest in immigration policy. After a stint at the Harvard I-lab, she’s looking to hone in on the intersection of innovation, social impact, and urban policy in Boston.
Jennifer Chesnulovitch currently works as an Employment Specialist at the International Institute of New England (IINE), a non-profit organization that assists refugees and immigrants in becoming productive and engaged members of the Greater Lowell, Boston, and Manchester, NH communities. Before working for IINE, Jennifer received a Master’s in International Relations at the Institut Barcelona d’Estudis Internacionals (IBEI) in Barcelona, Spain. Organizing IBEI’s first student-run conference “Borderlands: What It Means To Be A State” led Jennifer to discover her interest in working with vulnerable populations, specifically refugees and immigrants. Outside of work, Jennifer is completing her thesis, examining how to create richer career paths and US workforce integration for foreign educated immigrants.
Alice Crutcher graduated from Princeton University and the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is currently the Development Associate at Opportunity Nation, a bipartisan, national campaign comprised of more than 350 cross-sector organizations working together to expand economic mobility and close the opportunity gap in America. While earning her Master’s at Harvard, she interned in the School of Education’s Office of Development and Alumni Relations and at More Than Words, a nonprofit that provides job training for youth in Boston. Before graduate school, Alice spent two years in Washington, DC working for the law firm Mintz Levin and their government relations affiliate ML Strategies. She also spent time as an intern with the U.S. Department of Education and the Office of the Governor of New Jersey.
Bridget Dunn graduated from Wellesley College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Peace and Justice Studies, concentrating on gender and economic justice. While at Wellesley, she interned at the Consortium for Gender, Security, and Human Rights, researching security issues focused on violence against women in ethnic conflicts. Later, she interned with Social Accountability International, assisting with implementing safe and fair working conditions in factories around the world. In 2015, Bridget planned and presented in the panel discussion “Students Generating Peace Activism: Opportunities and Barriers in Academia and Beyond” at the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom’s Centennial Conference in The Hague. She now works in software product management. In her free time, Bridget enjoys volunteering, learning to code, and gardening.
Amanda Hill received a BA in Studio Art and Philosophy from Smith College. She also holds an MS in Nonprofit Management from The New School. Since entering the non-profit sector after college, philanthropy has been an interest for Amanda. Intertwined with that interest is her devotion to the arts. Her passion for the field originates from her own art making practices and their influence on her life. Amanda is focused on increasing the awareness and the accessibility of the arts. She advocates for the support of creative expression at large and takes a special interest in a community’s ability to make and experience art. Some of her accomplishments include painting murals in Philadelphia, designing and building a 300 square-foot performance art space, and developing and producing various festivals including an annual Mural Festival in Lynn, MA.
Esther Howe graduated from Grinnell College and has studied, traveled, and lived in Egypt, Morocco, and Jordan. After managing a psycho-social program combating violence against women in Amman, Jordan, Esther returned to Boston to pursue higher education in mental health services while continuing to work in the non-profit sector. Currently, Esther is a Development Associate at Boston Education, Skills & Training (BEST), a workforce development non-profit focused on the hospitality industry. Esther is interested in the intersection of gender, culture, and mental health, as well as poverty alleviation through workforce development. Outside of work Esther volunteers as a hotline counselor at the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center and hones her rock climbing technique.
Tatiana Joyce is a Boston native who graduated from Tufts University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Study and Human Development. She was inspired to focus her studies on children and family health after her time as a youth participant, an alumna, a seasonal staff member, and currently the donor relations associate at Crossroads – a youth empowerment non-profit that serves under-resourced and high potential youth of MA in an effort to help them become socially responsible leaders, economically independent citizens, and emotionally connected adults. Outside of work, Tatiana enjoys hiking, taking trips to Duxbury beach, and volunteering at the Standish Humane Society (they only house cats, but she thinks dogs are acceptable). She currently resides in Duxbury.
Crystal Murphy graduated from Pine Manor College with a BA in Psychology. She is currently a family liaison for the Family Independence Initiative Boston. In this role, she is responsible for collecting families’ stories and data about personal growth and adversity along with overseeing the Movement Building Fellowship and other special projects. In her prior role, Crystal worked for the Boston Public School system as a Registration Specialist ensuring quality customer service and information. Crystal is passionate about children and families’ wealth, health, and education, and volunteers with non-profits to support economic mobility for children and families in Haiti. Crystal currently resides in Dorchester and loves to explore nature and science with her two daughters.
Cassandra Trujillo believes that everyone has inherent value and deserves equitable access to opportunities. She holds an EdM in Education Policy and Management from Harvard and a Bachelor of Arts in English from Yale. After 7 years in education and nonprofit work, as a mentor at Summer Search Boston and a teacher in the San Francisco Bay Area, she recently began a career in marketing at Wayfair. She cares passionately about all forms of social justice, and is especially interested in the challenge of meeting the social, emotional, and cognitive needs of gifted students from low-income backgrounds. She is honored to be part of TPC and support social justice organizations working to make the world a better place.
2015-2017
Jeannette Andre serves as the Associate Director for The Lenny Zakim Fund where she manages the Fund’s grantmaking processes and coordinates trainings for its grantees. Since 2009, Jeannette has held a variety of positions in the philanthropic sector that has allowed her to criss-cross the country — from interning in Washington, DC at the Philanthropy Roundtable to serving as an Americorps VISTA and VISTA coordinator at Social Venture Partners in Seattle, Washington. Jeannette received her bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in asian studies from the University of Florida. In her free time, Jeannette volunteers with the Australian Cattle Dog Rescue Association by helping to manage their web presence and fostering dogs. Jeannette lives in Jamaica Plain with her fiancée and their two dogs.
Veronica Martinez is a member of the Board of the Multicultural Arts Center. Veronica joined the Massachusetts Democratic Party as Executive Director in February 2017. She previously served as an aide to CNN Senior Political Analyst David Gergen and former Governor Deval Patrick. Veronica has also worked on a number of campaigns including those of Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senator Ed Markey, and Congressman John Spratt of South Carolina. A South Carolina native, Veronica came to Massachusetts by way of Wellesley College and now calls Cambridge her home.
Britney Masse has been passionately volunteering and working for mission-driven non-profit organizations for over 15 years. Throughout the years, Britney has served in many different roles with a range of responsibilities, including fundraising, program development, marketing and communications, and volunteer recruitment. Britney has traveled to over 25 countries of varying stages of economic development, contrasting political systems, and diverse religious and cultural values which led her to her current position in the field of international education. In her current role as Student Opportunities and Social Media Coordinator for the Center for International Programs and Partnerships at Wheelock College, Britney’s responsibilities include collaborating with faculty to coordinate international service-learning and travel-learn experiences, advising students on study abroad programs, and working with partner organizations to develop international internship opportunities. Britney also currently serves as an Ambassador to Foot2Afrika, a certified Tanzanian NGO working to address issues facing vulnerable groups in the Kilimanjaro region by creating sustainable, community-led solutions through education, economic initiatives, and on-ground aid. Britney holds a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership, a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and a Certificate in Community-Based Human Services. At TPC, she looks forward to serving on various committees, learning from—and serving with—like-minded individuals in the Boston area, and encouraging other young women to become involved and reshape philanthropy through collective giving.
Courtney Silva received her Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Georgetown University and her Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Finance from Providence College. Currently, she works with Slalom Boston as an Organizational Effectiveness Consultant, where she leads organizations through challenging, ambiguous changes. Courtney is grateful that Slalom has a local model, as it allows her to remain active in her community. In particular, Courtney cares deeply about The Children’s Room, which offers caring support for grieving children, teens, and families. She has been involved with this non-profit organization in various capacities throughout her life. In her free time, Courtney enjoys planning her next trip, practicing barre and yoga, and exploring Boston.
Stephanie Tafur received a full-tuition scholarship through the Posse Foundation to Hamilton College where she unearthed her passion for social justice and diversity work. She holds a Bachelor’s in Africana Studies, and a Master’s in Latin American and Caribbean Studies from New York University. As a Program Associate at Summer Search, a national youth development non-profit organization, she mentors a caseload of 35 high school students from the Greater Boston area. She is excited to continue her passion for issues of diversity and was selected to co-design and co-lead the Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity Initiatives at Summer Search Boston. Prior to Summer Search, Stephanie worked at the Posse Foundation to secure the next generation of future leaders for six top colleges and universities. Working at Posse was also a way for her to give back to an organization and community that has impacted her life. Outside of work, Stephanie is an active sister of her sorority, Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc. and enjoys building sisterhood and programming with other alumnae to empower communities of color in and around Boston.
2014-2016
Jesse Coakley is the Philanthropy Associate at Hemenway & Barnes, working with family philanthropies, individuals, and other donors on the design and implementation of giving programs. Prior to joining Hemenway & Barnes, Jesse worked for nine years in fundraising and communications at nonprofit organizations including the Boston Private Industry Council, the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, and Crittenton Services of Greater Washington. Jesse graduated from Boston College with a Bachelor’s in International Studies. She is a TPC board member and also co-chairs the Young Philanthropist Initiative.
Jihye Gyde helps non-profits and funders make mission-centric, data-informed decisions. As an associate at Nonprofit Finance Fund (NFF), she has facilitated workshops and led consulting engagements with organizations in the advocacy, arts, community development, and human services sectors, while also supporting institutional knowledge management. Prior to NFF, she explored the role and impact of institutions through her work with the US Attorney’s Office, German Institute for Political Education, Department of Human Services, and Chamber of Commerce. Jihye holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government from Harvard. She volunteers as a Case Mediator in the Massachusetts District Court system.
Nwando Obele Nwando Obele has more than eight years of cross-sector experience in evaluation, project management, and program outcome analysis at non-profits dedicated to the educational and economic empowerment of young people. At present, Nwando is the Data Manager at Father Bill’s & MainSpring, a regional organization that helps people who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness, achieve self-sufficiency. Nwando also has worked as the Program Evaluation Manager at Harbor Communities Overcoming Violence, a community organization that provides support services to low-income survivors of domestic violence, and at YouthBuild USA, where she was the Operations and Analysis Manager. Nwando received her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Mount Holyoke College, and was a New Sector Alliance Social Entrepreneurship Fellow, a competitive year-long fellowship that places young professionals in high impact non-profits. At TPC, Nwando serves on the Grants Review and Membership committees.
Zahra Ohldin works as a School Liaison at The Family Nurturing Center (a TPC Grantee), where she provides case management and short term support for families through resource recommendations, facilitates dialogues between DCF, schools, and community-based service providers, and participates in community outreach. She has also participated in many nonprofit endeavors throughout Boston, Chicago, and internationally in Cuba, Honduras, and Argentina. Zahra is particularly interested in the intersectionality between self awareness/self-concept/identity, equity, and access to opportunity within an academic and economic context. At TPC, Zahra is a member of the Grants Review and Membership committees.
Wendy Pernal has maintained a passion for social justice, community-based programming, and philanthropy since high school. Throughout her education, Wendy has been deeply involved in non-profit work and is a proud member of organizations on both the West and East Coast. Currently, Wendy works for the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and is stationed in Los Angeles, CA. Her work focuses on disenfranchised populations, such as individuals struggling with homelessness and substance use. Outside of work, Wendy volunteers her time to support agencies searching for solutions to end homelessness in Los Angeles. Although she now lives on the other side of the country, she fondly remembers her time with TPC and living in East Boston.
2013-2015
Caitlyn Clarke received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington University in International and Area Studies and Political Science, and her Master’s from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University. She currently works in the Risk Assurance practice at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLC (“PwC”) focusing on internal audit, compliance, and risk management solutions for clients in various sectors. Prior to that, Caitlyn spent seven years working at State Street. Caitlyn has been a member of TPC since 2012 and has been both a Captain and Finance Lead of a Grants Review team and a member of the Young Philanthropist Initiatives Committee. Caitlyn was Co-Chair of the Young Philanthropist Conference Subcommittee, a member of the Education & Engagement Programs, Membership, and Finance & Audit committees. Caitlyn has been volunteering with the Louisiana Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership seminar for 14 years as a Junior Counselor, Facilitator, and Speaker. She is also a member of PwC’s Women’s Inclusion Network and Black Inclusion Network, the Budget and Finance Chair and Duke Black Alumni Rep for the Duke Boston Regional Board, the Vice President of the Young Professionals Board of the Massachusetts Women’s Political Caucus (“MWPC”), a member of the MWPC Political Action Committee, a member of the VRLC’s Shining Star Gala Committee, and a 2017 Emerge Massachusetts Fellow.
Kerlyne Jean grew up in Hyde Park where she spent the majority of her adolescence working and volunteering at the Menino YMCA. Born from Haitian parents with strong ties to the community, she was exposed to philanthropy at a very young age. KJ graduated from Bryn Mawr College, where she studied Anthropology and Biology, as a POSSE scholar. After graduating, she engulfed herself in her passion pursuing a career in the health and life sciences industry. KJ recently returned to school to complete a dual degree MBA/MPH in Global Health Management at Boston University, where she was able to travel the world helping expand mobile clinics in Guatemala, develop Ebola monitoring devices, and provide health management solutions for India’s growing population. At TPC, she’s held a variety of roles on the Member Engagement Committee, Grants Team, and Young Philanthropists Initiative, to name a few. As a health strategy and operations consultant, she continues to fill her free time with leisure travel exploring cultures and food while continuing to help in her community on the Board of the Menino YMCA.
Rocio Martinez graduated from Bentley University, where she majored in Global and Business Studies. She is from the Dominican Republic, and has had the opportunity to live, work, and study in five different countries; this has given her an appreciation and love for different cultures and people. Her experiences abroad have informed her daily practice, and developed her deeply rooted interest in the empowerment, enrichment, and education of women and people of color. Rocio currently works in the Human Resources Department at Hill Holliday, one of the top creative marketing agencies in the country, where she focuses on diversity issues. Prior to that, Rocio was a Diversity Sourcing Consultant at State Street Corporation. Rocio lives in Jamaica Plains with her husband, Jason.
Sheila Moore is dedicated to the empowerment and enrichment of women. Passionate about philanthropy, Sheila is the co-founder of Educated Ladies Empowered to Change, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, committed to empowering women to grow personally and professionally. Sheila also serves on the Boston Regional Board for Strong Women, Strong Girls, Inc., and has received the 2013 YMCA Achievers Award and the 2010 South Shore Stars Emerging Leaders 40 under 40 Award. Sheila holds a Master of Science in Leadership with a concentration in Human Resources from Northeastern University and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Virginia State University.
Marta E. Pagán-Ortiz has been engaged in philanthropy most of her life, most recently with the Big Sister Association of Greater Boston and the Iko Poran program in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. She holds a MS in Counseling Psychology from Northeastern University. At Northeastern, she was a Research Fellow at the Institute on Urban Health Research & Practice, a department that focuses on understanding the social and environmental conditions of urban living in order to inform public health intervention strategies and policies. Her interests include the development of health technologies, mental health services in community-based settings, and interventions to reduce disparities in health and education. At TPC, she has enjoyed a leadership role as a Team Captain on the Grants Review committee, and also serves on the Marketing & Communications and Education & Engagement Programs committees, and is currently a co-chair of the Young Philanthropist Initiative. Originally from Puerto Rico, Marta now lives in East Boston with her husband, Dan Preiser – where she often daydreams about travel destinations and frets over Ph.D applications.