YouthBuild’s staff is composed of committed educators, administrators, counselors, vocational instructors and AmeriCorps members. We are a diverse team of professionals, united in our high standards and commitment to serving the best interests of the students.
No matter their role at the school, every employee at YouthBuild plays a part in creating a safe and positive educational environment where amazing transformations can take place.
YouthBuild Philly has been named a Top Workplace in Philadelphia for six years running. Click here to see available positions at YouthBuild Philly.
Got a question for us? Fill out our contact form and we’ll direct your inquiry to the right person.
Administration
Scott Emerick, Executive Director
Eva Lexie, Executive Assistant
Michael Imperato, Talent & Organizational Projects Director
Program Administration
Brian Leffler, Program Director
Justine Philyaw, Program Operations Director
Colleen Counihan, Program Operations Coordinator
Robin Walker, Learning Exchange Director
Madison Dorschutz, Education Success Project Leader
Holly Fitzpatrick, Recruitment Specialist, Temporary
Amber Hamilton, Recruitment Project Leader, VISTA
Sahar Siddiqi, Data in Education Success Project Leader, VISTA
Operations
Adesanya Karade, Chief Financial and Operating Officer
Bill Baig, Network Administrator
Joshua Neilson, IT Help Desk Specialist
Priscilla Tennant, Human Resources Director
Annette Ortiz Molina, Office Manager/HR Coordinator
Alexander Rocke, Sr. Financial Analyst
Jenna Dougherty, Jr. Financial Analyst
Francis Giordano, IT Academic Intern
Development
Meredith Molloy, Chief Development Officer
Ted Molloy, Individual Giving Coordinator
Nikkia Moss, Communications & Development Associate
Paul Luong, Grants and Data Manager
Hallie Fischer, PYN Grant Coordinator
Tanza Pugliese, AmeriCorps Grant Coordinator
Eric Shapiro, DOL Grant Coordinator/Systems Analyst
Chaneil Scott, Development Project Leader, VISTA
Academic Education
Sarah Burgess, Director of Curriculum & Instruction
Jody Cohen, Language Arts Teacher
Willa Deitch, Language Arts Teacher
Erika Starr Celley, Mathematics Teacher
Rebekah Dommel, Mathematics Teacher
Christina Neilson, Mathematics Teacher
Anthony Smith, Social Studies Teacher
Postsecondary Career Development
Justin Lockley, Interim Director Of Career & Alumni Success
Latosha Morris, Career Coordinator
Zurrell Toney, Career Coordinator
Orneno Wright, Career Coordinator
Jennifer Rivers, Interim Director of Career Partnerships & Postsecondary Initiatives
Shawn Murray, Career Partnerships Manager
Jackie Giovanniello, Career Training Coordinator
Ricky Strickler, Career Training Coordinator
Michael Noel, Postsecondary Impact Coordinator
Specialized Services
Frederick Bader, School Psychologist, Compliance Coordinator
David Rivoire, Special Education Coordinator
Richard Chalme, Special Education Teacher
Ashlee Hipp, Special Education Teacher
Erin Young, Special Education Teacher
Isabella Aponte, Behavioral Specialist
Nina Mercado, Instructional Aide, Temporary
Counseling
Cheryl Thomas, Counselor, Consultant
Student Life & AmeriCorps
Ameen Akbar, Director of Student Life
Zuri Stone, Assistant Director of Student Life
AmeriCorps
Andrew Dalke, Community Projects Coordinator
Amanda Hulse, Community Projects Coordinator
Natasha Keele, Community Projects Coordinator
Jasmine Newton, Community Projects Coordinator
Student Success
Ana Dopazo, Director of Student Success
Doris Spears, Interim Director of Student Success
Charla Hill, Student Success Manager
Frank Redmond, Student Success Manager
Patricia Rozier, Student Success Manager
Vocational Education
Building Trades
George Jenkins, Building Trades Instructor
Ronald Payton, Youth Development Specialist
Business Administration /Customer Service
Melissa Jackson-Schmidt, Business Administration Scholars Coordinator
Gary Morris, AmeriCorps Customer Service & Technology Coordinator
Josh Harding, AmeriCorps Customer Service & Technology Coordinator
Michelle Severino, AmeriCorps Customer Service & Technology Coordinator
Business Administration /Customer Service
Jennifer Schifano, Barista Instructor
Healthcare
Nakesha Moore, Healthcare Coordinator
Brenda Alfaro, Healthcare Program Officer
