Our Team

Amanda is a Real World Learning Advisor for the HERE to HERE 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 Director, Real World Learning Opportunities, on the HERE to HERE 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.

Quinton is a Real World Learning Advisor on the HERE to HERE team, partnering with HERE to HERE’s high school and CUNY partners to further embed and enhance work-based learning opportunities for students in The Bronx and NYC. He brings a wealth of experience contributing to a range of innovative approaches to workforce development and advocacy for systemic and educational policy change to improve outcomes for students across the country. Previous to HERE to HERE, Quinton worked for CareerWise Colorado, the nation’s first modern youth apprenticeship program, where he leveraged market data and industry expertise to highlight sustainable career paths, credentialing and certifications, and emerging markets to support the development of potential new occupations. Most recently, he worked for the Boston Private Industry Council where he supported students, schools, and community-based organizations to implement and facilitate internship opportunities and professional skills development. Quinton has B.A. in International Affairs and Political Science from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Joshua is Director, Youth Voice and the HERE to HERE Hub, 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.

Victoria Shire is Interim CEO for HERE to HERE. She previously served as Vice President, Administration and External Affairs for HERE to HERE with strategic oversight of finance, human resources, operations, communications, and fundraising for five years. In this role she ensured 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.

Brandon is Program Director, on the HERE to HERE team. 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.

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.

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.

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 led 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 was 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.