Our Team

Amanda is a Project Manager for the Work-Based Learning Labs team, where she supports HERE to HERE Network High Schools in building robust internship programs and fostering a school culture of career readiness. Additionally, Amanda manages ImBlaze opportunities and assists in CDOS initiatives, advisory design, and thought-partnership with in-school work-based learning coordinators.

Prior to joining HERE to HERE, Amanda worked as an Internship Coordinator at DreamYard Preparatory, a HERE to HERE Network School. During her time at DreamYard Prep, Amanda co-facilitated senior advisory classes, oversaw a paid internship program, and led the rollout of school-based SYEP at the school. Previously, Amanda worked at The Osborne Association, a non-profit supporting those affected by the criminal justice system, where she coordinated a career readiness program for young adults with court contact. While obtaining her MSW from Adelphi University Amanda completed a two-year internship with the NYC Department of Corrections, facilitating job readiness classes and providing counseling to incarcerated men and women on Rikers Island. Amanda holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from SUNY Geneseo and is a Licensed Social Worker.

Jennifer Cortez is Project Director, Placements, in the Work-Based Learning Labs team. Jennifer is responsible for developing and leading our day-to-day work to support and build access to high-quality work-based learning opportunities for HERE to HERE’s high school network and CUNY students. Within this role, Jennifer provides coaching and technical assistance for schools actively developing relationships with employers and community-based organizations.

Prior to working at HERE to HERE, Jennifer was an Operations Manager for Key Collegiate Charter School, where she supported the school with virtual reopening plans during the Covid pandemic. Prior to this role, she was a Manager of Operations, Youth Career Pathways, at Per Scholas—an organization that provides infrastructure IT training. During her time at Per Scholas, Jennifer designed and launched the ‘Pathfinders’ ambassador program, which supports high school students through the Per Scholas’ technology training admissions process. Jennifer graduated from SUNY Purchase College with a bachelor of arts in Journalism and earned a master of science degree in Nonprofit Leadership from Fordham University.

Sherrisse is the Operations Manager for HERE to HERE. Sherrisse supports of the day-to-day forward-facing and back-end operations at HERE to HERE. She also manages the logistics of all HERE to HERE events and supports the Hub office in creating a welcoming space for young adults, partners, and staff.

Prior to this role Sherrisse was an Operations Manager at NYHRE, where she spearheaded operations, human resources, IT, and facilities strategy. Sherrisse holds a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a co-concentration in Human Services from The City College of New York. She holds certifications in project management, business finance, and non-profit management.

Apurva Mehrotra serves as HERE to HERE’s Director of Research & Analytics, leading HERE to HERE’s efforts to identify and collect data on key metrics related to work-based learning, systemize quantitative and qualitative data collection to support continuous improvement and impact, analyze research and data, and produce reports and other written materials that support HERE to HERE’s systems-change and policy agenda.

Prior to joining HERE to HERE, Apurva was the Director of Research and Data Analysis at Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York (CCC), a nonprofit child advocacy organization, where he led the production of various print and web-based products – including CCC’s biennial Keeping Track of New York City’s Children data book and multiple community needs assessments – and oversaw the maintenance a series of online data visualization tools. Prior to CCC, Apurva spent over four years at the Community Service Society of New York (CSS) contributing research, data analysis, and writing to a variety of advocacy efforts. Apurva’s work at CSS contributed to the passage of a New York City law requiring paid sick time, an increase in the minimum wage for tipped workers, and state funding for a program supporting foster youth in college. Apurva has a Bachelor’s from New York University and an MPA from Baruch College.

Abja leads the Work-Based Learning Labs team (WBLL), leading HERE to HERE’s work to integrate work-based learning into school curriculum and design across New York City, starting in the Bronx. Abja works with internal and external stakeholders to advance work-based learning at scale, including developing strong relationships as a trusted advisor to education, community-based organizations, and government partners.

Prior to her role at H2H, Abja was Deputy Director at The Education Trust – New York, where she partnered with organizations across New York State to advocate for the elimination of gaps in equity and opportunity that prevent students from succeeding. Prior to The Education Trust – New York, Abja was Project Director at Advocates for Children of New York where she led policy advocacy on behalf of immigrant students, English Language Learners, students with disabilities, and over-age under-credited youth in New York City public schools. She also led the Coalition for Multiple Pathways to a Diploma, a statewide coalition that successfully advocated for changes to New York high school graduation requirements. Abja graduated from Brown University with a bachelor’s in Economics and International Relations and earned her J.D from Yale Law School.

Ikeia Miller is the Team Lead for High School Partnerships on the Work-Based Learning Labs team, where she is responsible for supporting HERE to HERE Network high schools in developing work-based learning initiatives and engaging potential new high school partners. Additionally, Ikeia oversees high school knowledge management, identifying emerging opportunities and issues around curriculum, professional development, and other key components of work-based learning.

Prior to her work at HERE to HERE Ikeia was a Project Manager for the Administration, Leadership, and Technology department at NYU Steinhardt. Ikeia received her master’s in Educational Leadership, Politics, and Advocacy at NYU. During her time at NYU, she worked as a tutor in a Lower Manhattan middle school; an intern for United Way, where she developed programming; and a consulting intern for the Edwin Gould Foundation. Prior to this Ikeia served as an AmeriCorps member within City Year. Ikeia graduated from the University of South Carolina where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Experimental Psychology with a minor in Women and Gender Studies.

Ann Nuñez is the Administrative Assistant on the Work-Based Learning Labs team at HERE to HERE. Ann works closely with the Work-Based Learning Labs team to support daily activities, scheduled events, and prospective initiatives. Prior to her role at HERE to HERE, Ann worked as a Compliance Analyst at MMC Securities and Executive Assistant at Morgan Stanley. Ann received her associate’s in Mathematics from LaGuardia Community College and has continued studies with a focus on Business Administration at Lehman College.

Joshua is Director of the HERE to HERE Hub and Student Voice, working closely with key partners and local community-based organizations to develop and organize programming aligned with the HERE to HERE values and framework, while leading the organization’s effort to lift and highlight the student experience – keeping young people at the center HERE to HERE’s mission.

Bronx born and raised, Joshua Poyer has been working with young people for well over a decade. Prior to his work at HERE to HERE, Joshua served as a Youth Developer at Children’s Aid Society and Assistant Director for Roberto Clemente Campus. During this time, Joshua developed a successful Youth Advocacy Curriculum for middle schools’ students to share their voices on social issues such as animal cruelty, cyber bullying and police brutality. Joshua extended his youth empowerment work through the EXCEL program at Fannie Lou Hamer Freedom High School, a college readiness initiative which connected students with internships, scholarships and job placement. He also created the school’s Student Government Association which birthed the Peace Block Party, an award winning, annual student-led event that promotes anti-gun/gang violence through community engagement and activity. Joshua Poyer received a bachelor’s degree from City College in Psychology. In high school, Joshua worked in an after school program at his local community center where he learned the importance of supporting, playing with, tutoring and providing a safe haven for young students.

Tuere is the Executive Assistant to the Founding CEO at HERE to HERE, where she manages calendars, liaises between staff as well as key external partners and stakeholders, and assists with events coordination as a part of the operations team. She also sits on the Diversity and Inclusion working group at HERE to HERE, which helps to shape the organization’s culture and thinking around social justice and racial equity. Tuere has over ten years of experience in similar roles within the nonprofit sector, including positions at Harlem Children’s Zone, where she also served as Director of Special Events, and later at the Surdna Foundation. Tuere holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Alondra Rodriguez is a Project Manager for the Work-Based Learning Labs team, where she is responsible for developing strategies to implement and expand work-based learning in schools, specifically during ninth and tenth grade when career exploration is critical. Alondra also works on a number of HERE to HERE Student Voice projects, including the Student Ambassador Program, which aims to actively engage young people as actors in creating and advocating for beneficial education and workforce practices.

Prior to working for HERE to HERE, Alondra was a Regional Program Director for Emblem Health, where she provided educational programs and activities for senior centers throughout Queens, NY. Alondra graduated from Manhattanville College where she earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies with a minor in Theatre. Alondra is a graduate of The Met—a Big Picture High School in Providence, RI. At The Met, she was able to experience and learn about the value of real-world learning and she hopes to share her experience with students in the Bronx.

Emily Roese is Project Analyst and Communications point person at HERE to HERE. Emily works across the organization to help tell the story of HERE to HERE, and communicate externally why this work matters. By engaging the voices of staff, students, employers, educators, and other stakeholders, Emily seeks to showcase how collaboration is key to creating a more equitable job economy and communities that thrive.

Prior to her role at HERE to HERE, Emily worked at Restless Books, an independent, nonprofit publisher devoted to championing essential voices from around the world, and sharing stories that actively disrupt linguistic and cultural borders. Emily received her bachelor’s from New York University, completing an interdisciplinary study in psychology, language, and affect.

Victoria Shire is Vice President, Administration and External Affairs for HERE to HERE with strategic oversight of finance, human resources, operations, communications, and fundraising. In this role she ensures the organization’s optimal operating capacity can be realized and all staff are fully equipped with the tools and resources they need to excel in their roles and in the field.

Victoria Shire has over 20 years of experience mobilizing public, private and philanthropic investments to advance community, neighborhood and organizational development. Victoria was most recently Chief Program Officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters of NYC, where she was responsible for a portfolio of mentoring, education, volunteer engagement and family support programs serving 5,000 youth annually. Prior to this, Victoria held progressively senior leadership roles at Enterprise Community Partners, a national housing organization, covering program design and implementation, policy, fundraising, communications, strategic planning, change management, and operations. Her programmatic areas of expertise centered on the connection between affordable housing and housing-based service models for those at risk of, or exiting, homelessness. Victoria holds a bachelor’s degree from Wittenberg University in Philosophy and a master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from New York University.

Working in various roles and types of organizations, Abby Jo Sigal has been committed to revitalizing New York City neighborhoods for over 25 years to better serve local residents. As the Founding CEO of HERE to HERE, Abby leads a diverse team committed to aligning with key stakeholders around the goal of career success for NYC students, demonstrating best practice, and translating that best practice into systems change. She is also the Executive Director of The James and Judith K. Dimon Foundation, one of the founding organizations of HERE to HERE along with Dreamyard and Big Picture Learning. Abby has extensive experience in community development, public/private partnerships, impact investing and working with community-based organizations.

Prior to HERE to HERE and the Dimon Foundation, Abby was the Senior Vice President of Innovation at Enterprise Community Partners, a national housing organization, and provided leadership across the organization for strategy, new product development, knowledge management, and impact investing. Prior to that role, she ran the Enterprise NY market, deploying $200 million annually in equity, debt, and grants; developing and implementing programs; and policy. Early in her career, she oversaw the design and development of the New York City’s Hudson River Park along the West Side and launched its first Summer Youth Program. Abby holds a bachelor’s degree from Yale in Philosophy and master’s degrees from UC-Berkeley in Business Administration and City & Regional Planning.

Brandon is the Director, 9-16 Education Partnerships, on the Work-Based Learning Labs teams at HERE to HERE. Within this role, Brandon supports HERE to HERE’s high school and CUNY partners in their efforts to expand and enhance work-based learning.

For the past decade, Brandon has worked to improve education outcomes for young people through strategy, innovation, and leadership. Prior to his role at HERE to HERE, Brandon held an extended tenure in education, working at varying levels within New York City’s Department of Education (NYCDOE)—from Chief of Staff for the First Deputy Chancellor to Senior Director of Organizational Effectiveness. Most recently, he was the NYCDOE Interim Acting Director of My Brother’s Keeper. Brandon has also served Boston Public Schools as Director of Network Academics, oversaw its Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Programs, and as a High School History Teacher. Throughout his career, Brandon has positioned himself as a thought leader, strategist, and advocate for quality alliances and partnerships that drive positive outcomes for young people. Brandon received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and master’s in Education from Boston College.

Lazar Treschan is the Vice President for Policy and Impact at HERE to HERE, where he leads the organization’s efforts to document and disseminate the lessons from its demonstration projects, produces original research to further build the case for expanded work-based learning and career pathways, and conducts advocacy toward the adoption of those policies at a broader scale in high schools, postsecondary programs, and employers.

Lazar has spent the last 12 years as the Director of Youth Policy at the Community Service Society of New York (CSS), where he conducted research and led advocacy efforts in a range of areas to improve outcomes of low-income young people in New York City. Lazar’s work at CSS included successful efforts to better link public youth employment and education programming; reforms of the high school equivalency system; changes to work requirements for youth on public assistance. Lazar has also published and spoken publicly on topics including school integration; selective high school and college admissions; how to support young people in the labor market; and issues facing young people of Latinx backgrounds. Prior to CSS, Lazar worked in policy and planning positions at New Visions for Public Schools, the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, and Abt Associates. He has taught master’s-level courses at New York University, The New School, and Brooklyn College. Lazar has a master’s Degree in Public Policy from Harvard University and is a graduate of NYC public schools.

HERE to HERE is a network of high schools, post-secondary programs, community colleges, CBOs and employers who are pioneering multiple pathways to family-sustaining careers, beginning in the South Bronx with in-school teens and young adults.

For over 30 years, Judy has focused on cost-effective, cross-sector, scaled solutions to help young people overcome the challenges poverty imposes on their lives, learning, and futures. In 1994, she helped establish the National Center for Community Schools (NCCS) with the Children’s Aid Society. Since 1994, NCCS has assisted in the establishment of over 15,000 community schools. In 2000, she co-founded The Campaign to Expand Community Schools in Chicago. A $50 million public-private partnership, the Campaign successfully transformed approximately 20% of Chicago public schools into Community Schools, with enhanced programming for students and parents, including extended hours and on-site health care. Prior to founding HERE to HERE, Judy helped develop South Bronx Rising Together, a network of program providers and community stakeholders focused on supporting the lifelong success of families and youth in the community.

Judy began her career in consulting at Booz Allen Hamilton Inc. and later in financial services at Shearson Lehman/ American Express. She holds a bachelor’s from Tulane University, a master’s in psychology from Catholic University and an M.B.A. from Harvard University. Her previous and current board memberships include: The Children’s Aid Society, Families and Work Institute, The Center for Arts Education, The Institute on Education and Government at Columbia University, National Center for Children in Poverty (Columbia University), The Chicago Public Education Fund, The Harvard Graduate School of Education Visiting Committee, The School of Social Service Administration Visiting Committee (University of Chicago), Trinity College Board of Visitors (Duke University), Board of Advisors Harvard Business School, The Latin School of Chicago, Ballet Hispanico, and After-School Matters.

Jason Duchin is the Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of the DreamYard Project, the largest Arts and Education nonprofit in the Bronx, NY. DreamYard uses the arts to inspire youth, public schools, and communities. DreamYard programs develop artistic voice, nurture young people’s desire to make change and cultivate the skills necessary to reach positive goals. The DreamYard Project is a key educator partner in HERE to HERE’s mission to ensure equity and ultimately professional opportunities for Bronx youth. Jason graduated from Duke University and attended semesters at UC Berkeley and Hebrew University. Before starting DreamYard in 1994, Jason worked as a journalist, a community organizer, and an actor. In an ongoing effort to ensure that all Americans have equal access to the arts Jason has served on numerous arts and education panels and committees, including President Clinton’s Fulbright Commission on the Arts, The Chancellor’s Arts Education Task Force, The MacArthur Foundation’s Learning Lab and Libraries initiative, the Department of Cultural Affairs and the New York State Council for the Arts.

Tim Lord is the Co-Founder and Co-Executive Director of the DreamYard Project, Inc., a Bronx-based arts and social justice pedagogy organization. DreamYard works with over 10,000 young people annually in 55 public schools K-12th Grade, including the DreamYard Prep High School, and at the DreamYard Art Center. DreamYard is a founding partner, with Big Picture Learning and the Jamie and Judy Dimon Foundation, in HERE to HERE, a Bronx-based non-profit that links employers, educators and diverse community stakeholders in concerted action to enhance career pathways for young people in low-income neighborhoods.

Tim is a Pahara-Aspen Institute Fellow in the Winter 2019 Cohort, and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network. He has taught workshops with the Mississippi Whole Schools Initiative and the New Hampshire Statewide Educators’ Conference and served on the New York City Task Force on Quality Arts Education. Tim was a 1993 echoing green fellow. Prior to founding DreamYard, he was an actor and director in New York City and was a company member at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, from where he received a master of fine arts degree. He earned his undergraduate degree in Political Science, graduating summa cum laude, from Brown University.

A proud native New Yorker, Carlos Moreno is a passionate educational leader committed to supporting school and district leaders who are creating high-quality, non-traditional schools. He is a Co-Executive Director for Big Picture Learning, a nonprofit organization that, since 1995, has developed over 150 such schools in the United States and throughout the world.

As Big Picture’s Co-Executive Director, Carlos is the visionary for all U.S. school and district-wide programs. Carlos leads a national team of regional directors, designs and leads Big Picture’s several annual conferences, and coordinates leadership development and support services for school and district leaders and works with scores of non-Big Picture schools that wish to incorporate elements of the Big PictureLearning design. He also leads the Deeper Learning Equity Fellowship in partnership
with the Internationals Network for Public Schools.