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Meet Our Team
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Nia Jacobs
Executive Director
Nia Jacobs is an equity-focused leader and strategist with over 20 years of experience working in the education sector. A Boston native, Nia earned her Bachelor of Arts from Columbia University and her Masters in Education from Harvard University. Most recently, Nia worked as the Director of Equity, Belonging, and Community Life at Charles River School, and prior to that role, she was the Academic Dean at Dana Hall School. She has served as a trustee for the Boston Renaissance Charter School and currently serves as a Site Council member for the Medfield Public School system. After a long career in schools, Nia is excited to expand her reach to a greater number of students and families and to support the bright futures of talented Brookline students.
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Rocky Cotard
Director of Elementary & Middle School Programs
Rocky Cotard spent the earlier part of his life in Haiti before moving to the United States at seven years old. In Haiti, education, although costly, was given a lot of importance granting some a lot more flexibility. In the U.S., Rocky learned that education did not have to be a mundane, rigorous routine, but rather could be a vehicle to follow his interests and passions. Realizing this, Rocky took on his academics and started his creative journey at Boston Arts Academy. Eventually, Rocky was accepted to Lesley University College of Art and Design with a full scholarship to major in Illustration. Graduating in 2018, Rocky started working for Lesley admissions, recruiting students that mirrored his own story. Working with such a resilient population gave Rocky a passion for inspiring young people. At Steps to Success, Rocky continues the work of creating pathways for young people to pursue their potential.
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Tony Wells
Director of High School Programs & Career and College Success Initiative
Tony Wells is the Director of High School Programs & Career and College Success Initiative. Tony earned his Bachelors of Science in Sociology and M.Ed. in Community Counseling from Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, Georgia. Most recently, Tony served as the Freshman Services and Academic Coach at Mount Ida College within the Learning Circle Program. Tony has worked with middle school through post-secondary students for more than 15 years. He has extensive experience working with first-generation and/or low-income students within the TRIO, Educational Talent Search and Upward Bound programs.
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Meredith Baez
Assistant Director of Elementary & Middle School Programs
Meredith Baez Guzman was born and raised in Boston and earned her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education at UMass Boston. Prior to working at Steps Meredith had teaching experience for kindergarten and first grade here in Boston. She then moved into an Assistant Dean of Operations role where she handled both operations and dean assistance. Meredith will be working alongside Rocky as the Assistant Director of Elementary and Middle School Programs. Meredith is excited to continue her work with Steps to Success to ensure that students are on their path to success with the right support in place!
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Ella Beyer
College Success Initiative Advisor
Ella Beyer grew up in Massachusetts on the North Shore and earned her Bachelor of Arts in English and Creative Writing from the University of Toronto. After graduating she moved to Philadelphia where she worked as a high school advisor and program manager and developed her passion for mentorship and education equity. She is excited to be back in Boston as a part of the Steps team, and looks forward to supporting and advocating for her students as they begin the transition to adulthood.
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Kaitlin Chin
Assistant Director of College Success Initiative
Kaitlin Chin grew up in southeastern Connecticut and earned her Bachelor of Arts in English, Bachelor of Science in Secondary English Education, and Master of Arts in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Connecticut as a first-generation college student. Prior to working at Steps, she taught middle and high school English/Language Arts in Connecticut, Michigan, and Massachusetts. Kaitlin enjoys helping Steps college students navigate the challenges they face during a critical time in their lives
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Emi Espinosa
Operations Associate
Emi Espinosa was raised in Connecticut, then went to school in Massachusetts where they studied Creative Writing and Literature. After graduating in 2018, they decided to continue living in Massachusetts and looked for work in the Boston area, where they have lived for the past four years with their partner, with plans to put down roots in the Commonwealth. Most recently, Emi worked at the Museum of Science Boston, where they found a love of non-profit education. Emi brings diverse experience from working, interning, and volunteering to Steps and is excited to organize a team space and work with the public to strengthen community equity. They look forward to working with a skilled team on the common goal of educational equity for Brookline's students.
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Destaunia Perry
High School Pathways Manager
Destaunia "Destiny" Perry is a youth development professional with a passion for furthering equity for marginalized communities. Born and raised in Dorchester, Destaunia earned her Bachelor's in Business Management at University of Lynchburg in Virginia. After graduation, she returned home and worked as a Post-Secondary Success Coordinator at Crossroads. At Steps to Success, Destaunia hopes to continue to curate equitable opportunities for young people to leverage themselves a better future.
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Kai Rasheed-Rosenfield
Family Engagement Coordinator
Kai Rosenfield was born and raised in Massachusetts, and lived in Washington, DC and Houston, Texas before moving back to the Boston area in 2016. They earned their Bachelor's degree in French, Spanish, and Justice & Peace Studies, and a graduate certificate in Aging & Applied Thanatology. Prior to joining the Steps team, they worked as an administrative professional providing tuition assistance for healthcare workers. They are passionate about access to safe and affordable housing, youth leadership, and liberatory education, and look forward to building community with Brookline parents and families.
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Colin Yap is a West Coast transplant, having spent his early life in the San Francisco Bay Area before making his home in the Northeast. He is immensely grateful for the communities and opportunities he has found in the Boston area and is excited to join the passionate, equity-oriented team at Steps. He earned a BS in Chemistry from Yale University and has experience working as a STEM educator in various settings, including at the Boston Museum of Science. He is excited to support and publicize the work Steps does to support the educational journey of Brookline students.
Colin Yap
Development and Communications Associate
Lawrence/Pierce TEAM
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Cathy Wang
After Hours University (AHU) Assistant Group Leader
LINCOLN Team
After Hours University (AHU)
Group Leader
Nia McConnico
After Hours University (AHU)
Assistant Group Leader
Teen Advantage (TA)
Group Leader
Florida Ruffin Ridley TEAM
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Kelly Beresko
After Hours University (AHU)
Assistant Group Leader
Neyemie D.
Teen Advantage (TA)
Assistant Group Leader
Interested in Joining Our Team? Check out our open positionS
Meet Our Board
Officers
Rachel Goodman, Chair
Julie Burkley, Vice Chair
Judy Katz, Treasurer
Lesly Suriel Guerrero*, Secretary
At-Large Community Members
Candy Altman
Emy Takinami*
Jason Harris
Judy Levenson
Steven Swanger
Ex Officio/Designated Members
Michael Alperin
Sophia Celeste Vos*
Avery Harrington*
Liaisons
Linus J. Guillory, Jr., Ph.D.
Helen Charlupski
* = Steps Alum
