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.

Brittany Ortiz, Director of Middle School Initiatives
Brittany oversees the operations and manages the staff of all middle schools programming. She has over a decade of experience in youth development. Early in her career she took on frontline roles as a Camp Counselor, Group Leader and Educational Coordinator. While continuing to develop her professional focus within the nonprofit industry she joined the PASA team in 2017 and thrived as a Site Coordinator and Site Manager. Brittany holds a BA in Psychology from Rhode Island College and an MS in Child and Adolescent Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University.

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.

Renee Lafond, People Operations Manager
Renee oversees the operation and management of the AmeriCorps program and supports with the recruitment and training of the assistant site coordinators. With PASA, she moves in to her 9th 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 Coordinator, 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.

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.

Airine Alves , AfterZone Site Coordinator, DelSesto Middle School
Airine oversees AfterZone operations at DelSesto Middle School. She was born in Cape Verde and came to the USA in 5th grade, which allows her to identify with the youth and families at DelSesto. Prior to PASA, she worked with DelSesto as an Art Implementation Fellow for Turnaround Arts Providence. She has a B.S in Business Management and a minor in Studio Art from Rhode Island College. Airine is an Artist, with a love for painting and photography.

Kaila Acheson , Expanded Learning Coordinator
Kaila oversees Expanded Learning Opportunities. Prior to joining PASA, she worked for The College Advising Corps, partnered with the AmeriCorps serving students at Charles E Shea High School in Pawtucket as a College Advisor. She has a bachelors degree in Political Science and Public Administration from Rhode Island College and is passionate about Public Education.

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 6 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.”

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, Data and Operations Coordinator
Itza oversees data collecting, reporting, and submission including provider paperwork. She has a BA from Holy Cross and a Masters from URI in Human Development and Family Studies. She is a graduate of Classical High School and is bilingual in Spanish.

Tyler Lewis, Development Manager
Tyler engages the community as Development Manager by creating compelling outreach to current and prospective donors, while working closely with staff to learn and report about current and future initiatives in Providence’s middle and high schools. Tyler has a BA in French Language and Literature from the University of Rhode Island, but she prefers to communicate PASA’s mission in the universal language of youth empowerment and enrichment.

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