Staff & Board

Beth (she/hers) brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in both the higher education and nonprofit sectors. She spent 11 years at the TEAK Fellowship, a college access and success nonprofit in New York City that helps bright and motivated students from low-income families. Prior to joining TEAK, Beth worked in Admissions at Dartmouth College. She earned her BA from Dartmouth, her Master’s degree in Education from Harvard, and a Master’s degree in School Counseling from Long Island University.

Shawna (she/hers) is a seasoned fundraising professional with more than decade of demonstrated success in raising millions for universities, healthcare facilities, and other non-profit organizations. Her experience includes leading staff during organizational change, non-profit board development, and capital campaigns. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Maryland and is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). 

Paola (she/her) has recently worked with City Year New York as a volunteer member and then a Team Leader. She started her career by working in the UConn Collegiate Awareness and Preparation Program (ConnCAP), a program she herself was in during high school. She earned her BS in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Connecticut. She looks forward to building relationships with students, their families, and her peers to better serve Breakthrough New York in meeting its mission.

Daisy (she/her/ella) graduated from Brooklyn College with her B.A in Psychology and minors in Children Youth Studies and Thanatology. Daisy comes from a background in community advocacy. She has always had a passion for empowering and advocating for marginalized groups. She aims to bring awareness to students and families about all the different types of resources and services that are available for students. She is looking forward to connecting families Breakthrough New York and all that it offers! 

Destany (she/her) earned her BA in Global Affairs at George Mason University. It was during this time that she was a Teaching Fellow at Breakthrough Greater Boston and fell in love with her experience helping students reach their full potential. Destany returns as Breakthrough New York’s High School Placement Manager and is looking forward to helping students and families explore their high school options and find the right fit.

Over the last ten years, Ahladini (she/her) has been a tutor, teacher, and mentor to students ranging from preschool to college. She seeks to challenge and empower students in a way that ultimately transforms the way they see and think about themselves and their place in the world. Through patience and humor, Ahladini works to create comfortable reciprocal relationships with her students in order to foster well-rounded growth and learning. Ahladini received her bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Politics from Occidental College.

Margaret (she/hers) comes to Breakthrough with a background in social work. She completed both her bachelors and masters in social work at Fordham University where she focused on educational equity and support for young people. She is passionate about holistic mentorship and approaches to education that recognize learners for everything they bring to a space. She looks forward to connecting with students, families, and mentors as 9th graders transition into high school.

Jonathan (he/him) is a college advisor with over 3 years of experience helping students access and persist in college. He graduated from CUNY Hunter College and initially pursued a career in civics education before shifting focus into postsecondary access. His goal is to help as many students as possible access a quality education in a manner that highlights their individual journeys. Jonathan joined Breakthrough New York to expand his ability to support students through the college access process.

Joshua (he/him) has been passionate about education since he was five years old, when he “helped” his mother teach preschool students. Since then, Joshua’s interest in education merged with his dedication to justice-oriented practices as he gained leadership experience while managing a youth empowerment program. As a team member at Breakthrough, Joshua is most excited to connect with students while building community through compassion, humor, and authenticity. Joshua received a B.A. in Government & Education from Cornell University before earning a M.A. in Education Policy from Stanford University.

Jomar (he/him) has had a passion for working within the education space ever since his SYEP internship at a childcare center back in the summer of 2012. After graduating college, Jomar continued his work in after school programs throughout the city. He eventually joined the Breakthrough community as the Manhattan Program Manager in 2019, where he continued engaging with students and their families on their academic journeys. He is excited to step into the role of Talent Acquisition Director to recruit and cultivate the talent that surrounds Breakthrough’s students. He is currently earning his MPA in Policy Analysis from CUNY Baruch College.

Max (he/him) is a recent college graduate with a passion for educational equity and community-driven social justice initiatives. He has previously worked in fundraising for nonprofits dedicated to refugee empowerment, emergency response, and food insecurity. He earned his BA from Brown University in Education Studies and International & Public Affairs in May of 2023. He is excited to utilize his experience in fundraising and education to support the external relations team and Breakthrough New York’s mission.