Staff & Board

Nikki (she/her) brings an extensive background in the social sector in NYC, with a focus on K-16 education. She started her career as an admissions officer at Barnard College and from there, spent time as a 7th-grade social studies teacher in East New York, a senior leader at the New York City Department of Education, and then at Teach For America. The majority of her career was spent at One Goal, a national college access and success organization where she served first as the founding Executive Director of the New York region and then as the first Chief Regional Operations Officer, overseeing six regions across the country. Nikki joins Breakthrough New York from NYC KIDS Rise where she served as the first-ever Head of Development.

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.

Anita (she/her) is interested in helping students see their most indomitable selves in the classroom and beyond. From education programs in national and international contexts, Anita has built and led curricula that challenges the status quo and invites students to use creativity when addressing community needs. She is motivated to ensure students have the support and information they need to thrive in diverse educational contexts. Anita received her Bachelor of Science in psychology from Yale University.

As a former NYC English teacher for six years, a Breakthrough Teaching Fellow, a Breakthrough Instructional Coach, and a product of the New York City public school system; James is an educator who believes in providing high-quality educational opportunities for urban youth. James was born and raised in the Bronx and has lived there his entire life. James strives for excellence and implements these high standards for students and the people he leads. James hopes that his educational background, being a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and a future graduate of Teachers College at Columbia University, can serve as a model to young people (especially those of similar socio-economic backgrounds). Fun facts: James also loves Yu-Gi-Oh!, music, and speaking French.

Scott (he/him) has spent the last decade guiding students through the college admissions process and advising them once they arrive on campuses. With stops at Macalester College, the University of Minnesota, NYU, The New School, CUNY, and various college access nonprofits (including as a seasonal staff member of BTNY), he has assisted thousands of students, and their families, cultivate post-secondary education goals—and accomplish them—through deeper understanding of the systems/practices underlying both the high school and college side of the admissions journey. As a first-generation student himself with degrees from Macalester College and NYU, he is eager to grow alongside, and learn from, the BTNY community in building college access strategies grounded in humility, multiculturalism, empathy, and passion for social mobility. 

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.

Sofia has loved education since she was very young. She believes education is more than a tool to overcome ignorance and circumstance — it is freedom itself. She graduated from Fordham University in 2022 with a degree in philosophy and creative writing. While in college, she started mentoring. She mentored in BTNY’s high school program for 5 years and formed deep connections in the community. She further developed her understanding of the higher education landscape by working in Let’s Get Ready’s college program. Sofia is very happy to be College Coordinator because she gets to continue working with her long-time mentees, as well as all of the BTNY college students and the lovely BTNY team!

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.