Melissa Friedman is Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Epic Theatre Ensemble, where she has spent over 20 years advancing theatre as a vehicle for youth development and civic engagement. An accomplished actor, director, playwright, and teaching artist, she previously worked with BAM, Roundabout, and Theatre for a New Audience.

Jessica Lizzio is the Director of Medical Engagement at Reach Out and Read of Greater New York, where she leads partnerships with more than 230 pediatric clinics and hospitals to integrate early literacy into routine care. She oversees training, quality assurance, and equitable access to culturally and linguistically responsive books for families.

Mawia Khogali, PhD, is Director of Research and Evaluation at The Fresh Air Fund, where she leads organization-wide efforts to align data, strategy, and program excellence in service of stronger outcomes for young people. She partners with senior leaders and program teams to build systems that translate mission into practice and elevate youth voice in decision-making.

Dr. Lynda Kennedy is Vice President of Education & Evaluation at the Intrepid Museum, bringing over 30 years of experience in museum education and public scholarship. She has held leadership roles at the Lower East Side Tenement Museum, Museum of the Moving Image, and New York Public Library, and has served as adjunct faculty at Hunter College and FIT.

Andrew Roitstein is an arts leader, bassist, arranger, and educator dedicated to expanding access to high-quality music education. He serves as Director of Education and Community Engagement at Orchestra of St. Luke’s, where he leads free school concerts, a youth orchestra serving NYC public school students, and a mentorship-based workforce development program for emerging musicians.

Eddie Fitzgerald most recently served as Senior Program Manager at the New York City Urban Debate League, the nation’s largest urban debate league, supporting more than 4,000 students in accessing the transformative power of debate. With over 20 years of experience, Eddie is deeply committed to helping young people find and express their voice as effective advocates.

Meredith Dean, LCAT, RDT/BCT, ICADC is Chief Operating Officer at Drive Change and a seasoned executive, creative arts therapist, and educator with over 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience. She has worked extensively with justice-involved youth, incarcerated individuals, survivors of violence, and adults navigating substance use and mental health challenges.

Sasha Chait is Executive Development Officer at BioBus, where she has led fundraising, government relations, and communications since 2015. She architected the strategy and systems that more than quadrupled annual operating revenue and supported organizational growth from nine to over 30 staff.

Thanh Bui is the Chief Program Officer of Youth Programs at Grand Street Settlement, where she leads strategy and operations across 26 sites serving youth and families in Manhattan and Brooklyn. With more than 20 years of experience in youth development, she oversees multi-site programming, supervises senior leaders, and manages contracts and budgets exceeding $11 million annually.

Janell Bartley (she/her) is Chief of People and Operations and a first-generation college graduate and proud Afro-Latina from Panama, raised in Brooklyn, New York. With more than 20 years of nonprofit experience in mentoring and after-school enrichment, she has advanced through multiple leadership roles while helping organizations stay aligned with their mission and values.

Dorcas Amoah is a nonprofit leader with over a decade of experience in youth development, crisis intervention, and community empowerment. As Director of Youth Development at the Fiver Children’s Foundation, she oversees education, career, and family support programming serving more than 400 youth and 700 alumni across New York City and central New York.

Victor O. Olds is Chief Legal Officer of Good Shepherd Services, where he oversees legal strategy, litigation, and organizational risk management. Previously, he served in a mayoral appointment as New York City’s Chief Procurement Officer and Director of the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services (MOCS), following several years as the agency’s General Counsel.

Latasha Wright, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, received her Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology from NYU Langone Medical Center. She continued her scientific training at Johns Hopkins University and Weill Cornell Medical Center. She has co-authored numerous publications and presented her work at international and national conferences.

Rebecca Williams-Fishburne joined The Alex House Project {TAHP} in 2017 as the Director of Programs. The Alex House Project {TAHP} is a non-profit organization based in Brooklyn that serves expectant and parenting moms aged 25 years and under.

In 2022, Rebecca was promoted to the position of Deputy Director and, in this role, oversees the planning, development, and services for the participants.

Theory Thompson is the Chief Program Officer (CPO) of Education and Vocation Programs for Good Shepherd Services (GSS) and has been with the organization for 17 years. In addition to serving as the CPO for GSS, he is also one of the co-chairs of the Bronx Opportunity Network (BON), which is a collaborative partnership of seven Bronx community-based organizations that aims to increase CUNY college access and persistence for young adults in the Bronx.