The Steppingstone staff is a dedicated group of professionals who are committed to carrying out the Foundation's mission.

Executive Management

Michael Danziger, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, received his Ed.M. from Harvard University where he developed collaborative teaching programs at public schools in Brookline, Massachusetts. Prior to Steppingstone, he taught both middle- and upper-school English and coached several sports at St. Mark's School and Harvard School. He is a graduate of Oxford University and Yale College, where he participated in the New Haven Big Brother Program. 617-423-6300 ext. 223

Kelly Glew, President and Chief Operating Officer, received her B.A. in English from Colby College and her M.A. in English at University College London. Kelly joined the Steppingstone staff as Director of Development in 1992. Prior to Steppingstone, she worked in the development office at Dana Hall
School. 617-423-6300 ext. 222

Yully Cha, Executive Vice President of Programs, received her B.A. in English from Hamilton College and MBA from Babson College. Yully joined Steppingstone as a Fellow in 1999. Prior to coming to Steppingstone, she was an Assistant Dean of Admissions at Hamilton. 617-423-6300 ext. 227

Program Staff

Kristin Arcangeli, Assistant Director of Counseling Services, received her BA in English from The College of the Holy Cross and her MA in Clinical Mental Health and School Counseling from Lesley University. Prior to joining Steppingstone, she worked in a therapeutic program at Arlington High School. 617-423-6300 ext. 283

Kevin Bergin, Program Assistant, College Success Academy, graduated from Connecticut College with a B.A. in International Relations, and has spent time both studying and working in Madrid, Spain. Before joining
Steppingstone, Kevin worked on behavior and support programs at a special education school in East Hartford, Connecticut.

Angela Bouchard, L.I.C.S.W., Senior Director of Support Services, holds an MSW from Boston College and has worked with the Massachusetts School Age Coalition and Luce Elementary School in Canton. She received her B.A. In Psychology from the University of Southern Maine. 617-423-6300 ext. 248

Genesis Bracho, Program Assistant, worked at Upham's Corner Health Center before coming to Steppingstone. Genesis is the mother of Samuel, a Steppingstone Scholar who attends St. Sebastian’s. 617-423-6300 ext. 241

Sarah Conrad, Vice President, The Steppingstone Academy, received her B.A. from the University of Virginia and a joint M.A. in Urban Policy and Planning and Child Development from Tufts. Sarah has worked at the Cushing Academy and the Bottom Line. 617-423-6300 ext. 244

Bernice Fedestin, Support Services Associate, holds a BA from Brown University in Education & Public Policy. Prior to joining Steppingstone, Bernice worked as an Associate Teacher with Prospect Hill Academy's Upper School Campus. Bernice has experience teaching middle school students with the Breakthrough Collaborative in Atlanta, GA and coordinated a college preparatory enrichment program with the Boston Area Health Education Center. 617-423-6300 ext. 247

Josh Fischel, Preparation and Placement Associate, majored in American Studies at Amherst College and earned a master's degree in public policy from the University of Michigan. Josh has five years of independent school teaching experience, including three in the English department at St. Mark's School. He also spent eleven summers as a counselor and division head at an overnight camp in New Hampshire. 617-423-6300 ext. 280

Dana Fitchett, Preparation and Placement Associate, majored in Urban Studies at Vassar College. She comes to Steppingstone after working at Concord Academy and MATCH Public Charter High School, and remains involved at the latter. Her roles have varied extensively as she has tutored numerous academic subjects, served as a teaching assistant for English Language Arts, taught modern dance, and worked in administrative roles. She is also a choreographer, and occasionally shows work in and around Boston.

Sarah Giannetta, Evaluation Associate, received her BA in Sociology from Regis College and her MA in Applied Sociology from The University of Massachusetts Boston. Before joining Steppingstone, Sarah spent two years at Span, Inc. where she worked as a case manager assisting men and women who have been in prison. 617-423-6300 ext. 254

Steadman Graves, Volunteeer Coordinator, worked for City Year, a nonprofit organization before coming to Steppingstone. At City Year he worked with the corporate sponsors of City Year to engage their employees in large-scale community service projects throughout the United States. He also worked with elementary to middle school age urban youth, mentoring and tutoring them and providing them the resources they needed in order for them to be successful. Steadman is currently finishing up his degree in Multidisciplinary Studies at Cambridge College. 617-423-6300 ext. 240

Alicia Horwitz, Program Associate, College Success Academy, graduated from Wesleyan University with a B.A. in Psychology and Women’s Studies and received her Master’s in Education from Harvard University’s Risk and Prevention Program. She also holds an elementary teaching license from Wheelock College. Prior to joining Steppingstone, Alicia spent 8 years as a classroom teacher, first as a 5th and 6th grade teacher at the Atrium School, and most recently, as a 6th grade Math and Science teacher at the Young Achievers Science and Mathematics Pilot School in Boston.

Megan Wells Jamieson, Director of Scholars and Families, holds a Master of Philosophy in Educational Research from Cambridge University and received her B.A. in Comparative Literature at Smith College. Prior to joining Steppingstone as a Fellow in 2005, she spent a year in Germany as a Fulbright Scholar. Megan has also worked as an afterschool classroom lead teacher and was an instructor at Exploration at Yale University and American Youth Foundation. 617-423-6300 ext. 225

Melanie Kay, Senior Preparation and Placement Associate, received her B.A. in Education and Human Development from Boston College. Prior to joining Steppingstone, Melanie worked as a third grade teacher in a Boston Public School. She has worked or volunteered in several Boston Public Schools as well as schools in Spain and South Africa. 617-423-6300 ext. 232

Matt Kessler, Assistant Director of Admission & Placement, received his B.A. in Classical Civilizations and History from Boston University. Matt first joined Steppingstone in 2006 as an intern and then faculty member. He has also worked as a youth facilitator for Project Adventure, Inc. based in Beverly, MA. 617-423-6300 ext. 230

Miriam Leshin, Teaching and Learning Fellow, received her BA in African American Studies from Wesleyan University. Miriam spent two summers teaching middle school students in Atlanta, first with Breakthrough Collaborative and then at a public summer school. Prior to working at Steppingstone, she served as Writing Center Coordinator at Newton South High School. Miriam first joined Steppingstone as an intern in February of 2011. 617-423-6300

Nicole Lipson, Curriculum Manager, received her B.A. in English from Cornell University and her M.A. in Education from Columbia University. Prior to joining The Steppingstone Foundation, Nicole was the English Department Chair at Beaver Country Day school, where she also taught 11th and 12th grade English. 617-423-6300 x281

Candice McCray, Preparation and Placement Associate, majored in Africana Studies at Pomona College and received her M.A. in teaching from Tufts University, with a concentration in middle and high school English/Language Arts. Prior to joining Steppingstone, Candice interned at Fenway Pilot High School, teaching Foundations of Literacy, and spent two summers teaching middle school students with Breakthrough Cambridge. 617-423-6300 ext. 243

Katie McEvoy, Counseling Associate, received her B.A. in English from Catholic University in Washington, D.C. and her M.S.W. from Boston College Graduate School of Social Work. She joined Steppingstone in 2009 as a counseling intern, continuing into the summer of 2010. Before returning to Steppingstone in June 2011, she interned at Stonehill College: Counseling & Testing Center providing therapeutic services for young adults. 617-423-6300 ext. 245

Luz Angelica Mederos, Senior Support Services Associate, received her BA in Business Administration from Northeastern University. Prior to joining Steppingstone, Luz Angelica volunteered at Bottom Line and NU's Legacy 2000, as a Peer Mentor providing one-on-one support to new students at Northeastern University. 617-423-6300 ext. 272

Lucia Milla, Support Services Associate, is the sister of Megumi Milla, Steppingstone class of 06’. Lucia received her B.A. in Political Science from Wellesley College. Before joining Steppingstone, she served as an administrative assistant and mentor coordinator for the Boston Higher Education Resource Center. Prior to working in Support Services, she served as a Community Outreach and Admission Assistant for the program. 617-423-6300 ext. 279

Thanh Nguyen, Support Services Associate, is a graduate of the John D. O'Bryant and University of Massachusetts where he graduated with a BA in English.  Prior to joining the Steppingstone Foundation, Thanh was a Youth Counselor at the Vietnamese-American Civic Association. 617-423-6300 ext. 258

Matt Ohlheiser, Preparation and Placement Fellow, received his B.A. from Bates College in American History. While attending Bates, Matt spent two summers at Steppingstone as an intern, first with The Steppingstone Academy, then with the College Success Academy. He also spent two years as an intern with the Volunteer Lawyers Project in Lewiston, ME, which provides free family legal services to low-income clients across the entire state. 617-423-6300 ext. 229

Elizabeth Parfit, Admission Associate, graduated from Dartmouth College with a B.A. In Comparative Literature. Prior to joining Steppingstone, Elizabeth worked at the Director of Admission at The Advent School in Boston. She has taught elementary school in Boston as well as English as a Second Language in the Marshall Islands and Botswana.617-423-6300 ext. 246

Audra Peek, Admission Associate, is a graduate of St. Paul’s School and received a BA in Anthropology from the University of Virginia. Prior to joining Steppingstone, Audra worked at Excel Academy Charter School in East Boston and also served as an independent high school admissions advisor. 617-423-6300 ext. 233

Helen Russell, Director, College Success Academy, graduated from Boston College with a B.A. in psychology and received her M.Ed from Harvard University. Prior to joining Steppingstone, Helen spent 11 years working in the Boston Public Schools, most recently as the Director of Communications and Program Development at Boston Arts Academy. 617-423-6300 ext. 234

Nina Sheff, Senior Support Services Associate, received her B.A. in Spanish from Union College. Prior to joining Steppingstone, Nina tutored students with learning disabilities at an international school in Costa Rica, and most recently worked as an Assistant Director of Admissions at School Year Abroad. 617-423-6300 ext. 256

Janet Smith, Senior Director of Evaluation, received a B.A. from the College of the Holy Cross, M.P.S. from Cornell University, and Ph.D. from Boston College. Janet consulted to organizations such as Boston Public Schools and the Rennie Center for Education Research and Policy, focusing on programs for underserved youth and adults. 617-423-6300 ext. 231

Jane Ventrone, Director of Teaching and Learning, received her B.A. in Psychology from Boston College and her M.S. in elementary education from Saint Joseph's University. Prior to joining The Steppingstone Foundation, Jane taught 7th grade Language Arts as a Teach for America corps member in Philadelphia. 617-423-6300 ext. 242

Matt Waldman, Director of College Services, received his Ed.M in Higher Education from Harvard University and a B.S. in Journalism from Ohio University. Before joining Steppingstone, Matt worked as a college advisor, summer camp director, and college access coordinator with the Ohio Appalachian Center for Higher Education. 617-423-6300 ext. 261

National Partnership for Educational Access

Karin Elliott, Executive Director, National Partnership for Educational Access, has her MSW from Boston College and her Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. Prior to joining Steppingstone, Karin was the Executive Director of Summerbridge Cambridge and led the training and technical assistance program at Horizons for Homeless Children. 617-423-6300 ext. 284

Cate Gardner, Assistant Director, National Partnership for Educational Access, received her B.A. in History and Political Science from Middlebury College, an M.A. in Education Policy and Leadership from Stanford University, and an Ed.D. in Education Policy and Leadership from Vanderbilt University. Prior to joining Steppingstone, Cate worked at the National Center on Performance Incentives, a U.S. Department of Education funded research and development center at Vanderbilt University. 617-423-6300 ext. 263

Carrie Tate, Member Services Associate, National Partnership for Educational Access, earned a B.A. in American Studies from Dickinson College. Prior to joining Steppingstone, Carrie worked as the Career Developer in the employment and social services center of a Community Action Agency, Norwalk Economic Opportunity Now, Inc., in Norwalk, CT. She also completed a year of service with AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps. 617-423-6300 ext. 228

Administrative and Development Staff

Lee Englert, Director of Communications, graduated from Brown University, majoring in Comparative Literature, and then Fordham University Law School. After practicing law for nine years, Lee served as Executive Director of The Plymouth Rock Foundation and Program Director of The Stone Foundation. 617-423-6300 ext. 249

Kanku Kabongo, Office Coordinator, graduated from Tufts University with a B.A. in Economics. Before joining Steppingstone, she worked at Action for Boston Community Development, and most recently Tufts University. 617-423-6300 ext. 221

Sufia Jamal, Publications Manager, received her B.A. from University of Massachusetts, Boston, and her MBA from Bentley College. She worked previously at City Year Boston and at The National Conference for Community and justice. 617-423-6300 ext. 224

Tanya Joukov, Finance and Benefits Manager, received her BA at Mt. Holyoke College in Russian Literature and Language. She owned and managed a Kumon math center and is a long-time treasurer for a children’s non-profit organization. 617-423-6300 ext. 253

Rosemary Lavery, Communications Associate, holds a B.A. in Media Arts and Design from James Madison University and her M.S. in Public Relations from Boston University. Her work in the academic field includes graduate assistantships for BU professors and for the BU College of Communication alumni relations office. She previously managed public relations for IHRSA, a health club membership association. 617-423-6300 ext.237

Ivette Manrique, Manager of Human Resources, holds a B.S. degree from the University of Puerto Rico and a Master's in Management from Cambridge College. Ivette brings over 15 years of HR management experience in nonprofits. Most recently she worked at a charter school management organization that also operated preschool and afterschool programs. 617-423-6300 ext.239

Alison (Scheier) Levy, Assistant Director of Development, received her BA in English from Union College. Before joining Steppingstone Alison worked at the Westin Copley Hotel as an Executive Meeting Specialist. She also worked for four summers as an instructor for AccesSportAmerica, a non-profit organization teaching high challenge adaptive water sports to children and adults with disabilities. 617-423-6300 ext. 226

Kerry Tavernese, Director of Finance & Administration, graduated from Bentley College with a B.S. in Accountancy. Before joining Steppingstone, she worked at Lynn Community Health Center, Cambridge Health Alliance, and most recently at North Shore Community Health, Inc. as the Finance Director. 617-423-6300 ext. 264.

Miguel Urena, Information Technology Manager, graduated from Bunker Hill Community College with a degree in Information Technology. He has over 20 years of experience in Technology. He worked previously at The WIC Nutrition Program as Field Tech. and Help Desk Manager. 617-423-6300 ext. 277

Kate Wood, Director, Individual Giving, joined Steppingstone after serving as the Vice President of Development at Jumpstart, a national early education organization. Kate began her career in marketing at Fidelity Investments and received her B.A. in English from Union College. Kate is a member of the Circle Board at the Copley Society and a member of the Emerging Leaders Board of The Massachusetts Women’s Forum. 617-423-6300 ext. 238