Our Team

STAFF

Ann Durham, Executive Director
With PASA since 2014, Ann Durham has served as the Executive Director since July 2021. Taking a partnership-minded approach, Ann views PASA’s intermediary role as one that is meant to amplify and support youth-driven organizations throughout Providence. Ann’s previous work at PASA includes the expansion of professional development for OST professionals and leading PASA’s work on the developmental evaluation of the Every Hour Counts Measurement Framework.  Ann regularly supports OST intermediaries throughout the country as they look to develop and strengthen their systems-level approach to youth programming. Ann holds a B.A. in English from Skidmore College and an Ed.M. in Sociology and Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.

 

Alexander Bezek,  Deputy Director        
Alexander is a native of the Greater Boston area, an alumni of Providence College where he studied Sociology and Black Studies, then later received his Graduate Degree in Counseling. Alexander has over a decades worth of experience in the Youth Development Field; he has experience designing curriculum, facilitating programs, and organizational management and leadership. He is a huge advocate of community development and providing underserved and unprivileged youth with high quality programming, resources and mentorship.

 

Tyrone Gaye, Director of High School Initiatives
Tyrone oversees the operations and manages the staff of all high school programming. Following a BA In Sociology from The University of Rhode Island, Tyrone has worked many years with at risk youth in Rhode Island. Tyrone gained his passion for youth development while working at The Ocean Tides School in Narragansett, Rhode Island. Most recently Tyrone served as a Director at Turning the Corner Youth Abuse Reactive Treatment Facility.

Lora Doerfer, Director of Middle School Initiatives
Lora oversees the operations and manages the staff of all middle school programming. She worked with Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center serving Boston Public Schools for the last seven years in a variety of roles, most recently as the Director of Discovery Expeditions and Professional Development. She has a Psychology Degree and Leadership Minor from the University of Maryland and has been involved with youth and student enrichment programs for the last 12 years.

 

Renee Lafond, Operations and Administration Manager
Renee oversees office operations and administration, including human resources, program, and finance functions of the organization, as well as supports the executive and development departments. Previously, Renee served as PASA’s People Operations Manager. With PASA, she moves in to her 11th year in the youth development field. Renee holds a BA in General Theatre from Rhode Island College and an Ed.M. in Theatre Education from Emerson College

 

James Walker, AfterZone Site Manager, Nathan Bishop Middle School
James oversees AfterZone operations at Nathan Bishop Middle School.  James previously served as the Learning and Development Manager at City Year Providence.  James gained his passion for youth development while working as an Americorps member at City Year. James has a BA in Sociology from Providence College.

 

Dana DeMaire, Hub Site Coordinator, Hope High School
Dana oversees HUB Operations at Hope High School. She has a Youth Development Major, a Psychology Minor, alongside a Certification in Non-Profit Studies and a Concentration in Social Emotional Learning from Rhode Island College. Dana has been working for PASA and within the YDEV Field in different capacities for the past 7 years.

 

Gautam Sarin, Director of Finance
Gautam comes to PASA with a background in the finance and startup industries, and he is excited to make the shift to the mission-driven nonprofit sector. At PASA, he will support community and youth focused organizations. “I was lucky enough to have access to after-school programs in my youth, and those experiences helped me with my development and shaped me into who I am today. PASA’s mission to expand and improve after-school learning opportunities for the youth of Providence resonates me personally. I am proud to be part of a team that is dedicated to serving our local community.”

 

Marlene Mathon, AfterZone Site Coordinator, Esek Hopkins Middle School
Marlene oversees AfterZone operations at Esek Hopkins Middle School. She started at PASA as an Assistant Site Coordinator at DelSesto Middle School and has transitioned into a full time role with Esek Hopkins. Marlene earned her degree in Sociology with a minor in Latin American and Caribbean Studies from the University of Vermont.

 

Laura Goldstein, Director of Quality Initiatives 
Laura has spent the last decade working in arts and after school education throughout Rhode Island’s urban core. Her primary career focus has been on building empathetic and equitable education systems that allow for holistic youth development. She holds a B.A. in Theatre and Dance Studies from Wheaton College in Massachusetts, an M.Ed. in Integrated Teaching Through the Arts from Lesley University, and an M.A. in Urban Education Policy from Brown University.

 

Itza Serrano, Senior Data Manager 
Itza oversees data management, reporting, and submission. Previously, Itza served as PASA’s Quality and Assessment AmeriCorps VISTA and later as the Data and Operations Coordinator. She has a BA from Holy Cross in Psychology with a minor in Gender Studies and a Masters from URI in Human Development and Family Studies with a focus on data analysis.

 

Izzy Okunlola, Hub Site Coordinator, JSEC/360 Middle School
Izzy oversees HUB operations at the Juanita Sanchez Education Complex and 360 High School. He has over 10 years of experience working with youth and non-profits across the country. He is a Nigerian migrant who is also a Providence native. Izzy obtained a BA in Philosophy from DePauw University.

 

Dunston Payne, All Course Network (ACN) Coordinator

Priscila Mayol, AfterZone Site Coordinator, Gilbert Stuart Middle School

Emily Bisordi, AfterZone Site Coordinator, DelSesto Middle School

 


Board of Directors

PASA’s Board of Directors, chaired by Providence Mayor Brett Smiley, is a dynamic group of public officials, private sector leaders, and community partners. Our board members bring with them a diverse array of expertise and passions, and each are deeply committed to the role that after-school and expanded learning programs play in creating positive outcomes for youth.

Brett Smiley, Mayor, City of Providence, PASA Board Chair
Justin Reid, VP, Strategy & Corporate Development, AmerisourceBergen, PASA Board Vice-Chair
Benjamin Appleyard, Communications Manager, Bank of America
Rachel Colaice, Health & Wellness Coordinator, Providence Parks Department
OPEN, Chief of Police, Providence Police Department
Jayne Donegan, Executive Counsel, Textron
Margaret “Peggy” Farrell, Partner, Hinckley Allen & Snyder LLP
Carol Grant, Commissioner, Office of Energy Resources
Henry C. Hodge Jr., CEO, HCH Enterprises, LLC
Benjamin McGuire, Esq., Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, PASA Finance Chair
Ayana Melvan, Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships, Mission Programs, Mystic Aquarium
Javier Montanez, Superintendent of Providence Schools, Providence Public School District
Genesis Sanchez Tavarez, Commercial Litigation Associate, Proskauer Rose LLP
Benjamin T. Scungio, Office Manager, Sales Associate RI & MA, Mott & Chace Sotheby’s International Realty
Nicole Verdi, Head of Government Affairs & Policy, New England Orsted Americas