Young Education Professionals-New York City
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Leadership Team
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Joseph Verardo, President
Joseph's work includes promoting educational opportunities and advocating for the betterment of education across the United States. He is currently Assistant Head of College Engagement at JerseySTEM and a capitol hill engagement consultant. Joseph works on building pipelines with universities to advance STEM opportunities for underserved student populations. Joseph served as an appointee on a committee at the United States Department of Education. While on the committee, Joe successfully proposed policies advancing the interests of students and educators. Joseph previously served as Vice President & COO and Director of Finance & CFO of the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students, and as a trustee on the Stony Brook Council at Stony Brook University. While with the NAGPS Joseph advocated for higher education to Congress and the executive branch, and organized national conferences focused on leadership development and legislative affairs. At Stony Brook University Joseph worked on initiatives aimed at increasing financial opportunities, enhancing student life and student representation in university affairs. Joseph plans to use his experience in coalition building to expand the YEP NYC network as Partnerships Chair on the Board.
Joseph's work includes promoting educational opportunities and advocating for the betterment of education across the United States. He is currently Assistant Head of College Engagement at JerseySTEM and a capitol hill engagement consultant. Joseph works on building pipelines with universities to advance STEM opportunities for underserved student populations. Joseph served as an appointee on a committee at the United States Department of Education. While on the committee, Joe successfully proposed policies advancing the interests of students and educators. Joseph previously served as Vice President & COO and Director of Finance & CFO of the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students, and as a trustee on the Stony Brook Council at Stony Brook University. While with the NAGPS Joseph advocated for higher education to Congress and the executive branch, and organized national conferences focused on leadership development and legislative affairs. At Stony Brook University Joseph worked on initiatives aimed at increasing financial opportunities, enhancing student life and student representation in university affairs. Joseph plans to use his experience in coalition building to expand the YEP NYC network as Partnerships Chair on the Board.
Emily Behan, Events and Operations Co-Chair
After graduating from Denison University in Ohio, Emily moved to New York City and worked in both school operations and as the Dean of Students at Success Academy. She then became the founding Director of Family and Community Engagement at Coney Island Prep charter school, a small community charter school in Brooklyn in 2014, establishing a family department and helping bridge the gap between the school and community. In the spring of 2017, she became the Dean of College at Coney Island Prep High School, managing the college department and helping to ensure that 100% of CIPHS graduates have at least one college acceptance. Emily believes in the power of higher education to close the achievement gap and enjoys working with families, scholars and communities to show that college is possible for anyone.
After graduating from Denison University in Ohio, Emily moved to New York City and worked in both school operations and as the Dean of Students at Success Academy. She then became the founding Director of Family and Community Engagement at Coney Island Prep charter school, a small community charter school in Brooklyn in 2014, establishing a family department and helping bridge the gap between the school and community. In the spring of 2017, she became the Dean of College at Coney Island Prep High School, managing the college department and helping to ensure that 100% of CIPHS graduates have at least one college acceptance. Emily believes in the power of higher education to close the achievement gap and enjoys working with families, scholars and communities to show that college is possible for anyone.
Anthony Molden, Events and Operations Co-Chair
Anthony is an Ohio native that has over 10 years’ experience in the creative industry and began his first entrepreneurial endeavor as a DJ when he was 21, while also earning his bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership in 2011. He then went on to join the Air Force Reserve in 2013 to help him grow personally and finance his Master’s in Business Administration (MBA), which he earned in 2016, which then lead him to become a business consultant, instructing small scale startups for a non-profit in 2017 and become an adjunct professor for business at Columbus College of Art & Design. It was there, he developed a passion to help young people grow personally and professionally as he plans to always extend a helping hand. He recently migrated to NYC in 2019, where he now works for a non-profit in the Public Relations space and working on the side on his own endeavor called, “uCollabit.”
Anthony is an Ohio native that has over 10 years’ experience in the creative industry and began his first entrepreneurial endeavor as a DJ when he was 21, while also earning his bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership in 2011. He then went on to join the Air Force Reserve in 2013 to help him grow personally and finance his Master’s in Business Administration (MBA), which he earned in 2016, which then lead him to become a business consultant, instructing small scale startups for a non-profit in 2017 and become an adjunct professor for business at Columbus College of Art & Design. It was there, he developed a passion to help young people grow personally and professionally as he plans to always extend a helping hand. He recently migrated to NYC in 2019, where he now works for a non-profit in the Public Relations space and working on the side on his own endeavor called, “uCollabit.”
Dwight Williams, Communications and Marketing Co-Chair
Dwight S. Williams is driven by his commitment to educational equity, economic empowerment, and the advancement of opportunity for communities of color. Dwight currently works as a 5th-grade lead math teacher at an Uncommon Charter School in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn and has served as a mentor teacher and instructional coach. Previously, Dwight worked as an Academic and Career Manager at Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation in Washington Heights where he managed the educational and early-career outcomes of inner-city youth. Dwight earned his B.S. in Computer Science and Mathematics from Andrews University and a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) from Relay Graduate School of Education. He enjoys playing basketball, soccer, and cricket, and adrenaline-inducing activities such as skydiving, bungee jumping, and zip-lining.
Dwight S. Williams is driven by his commitment to educational equity, economic empowerment, and the advancement of opportunity for communities of color. Dwight currently works as a 5th-grade lead math teacher at an Uncommon Charter School in Bedford Stuyvesant, Brooklyn and has served as a mentor teacher and instructional coach. Previously, Dwight worked as an Academic and Career Manager at Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation in Washington Heights where he managed the educational and early-career outcomes of inner-city youth. Dwight earned his B.S. in Computer Science and Mathematics from Andrews University and a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) from Relay Graduate School of Education. He enjoys playing basketball, soccer, and cricket, and adrenaline-inducing activities such as skydiving, bungee jumping, and zip-lining.
Raiesa Ali, Communications and Marketing Co-Chair
As a previous first generation student, Raiesa is extremely passionate about education and themes surrounding youth empowerment, educational equity, and inclusivity of under-resourced students of color. She currently works as a Graduate Associate with Cause Effective, a nonprofit growth partner that collaborates with mission-driven leaders to achieve equitable social change. Previously, Raiesa worked as a Teaching Assistant at P.S. 125 in Harlem, New York and consulted for the Human Rights Education and Training Division at the United Nations, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Raiesa earned a Master’s degree from Columbia University in Human Rights and Humanitarian Policy and a Bachelor’s degree from Florida International University in International Relations. In her free time, she enjoys writing, salsa dancing, and doodling in her bullet journal.
As a previous first generation student, Raiesa is extremely passionate about education and themes surrounding youth empowerment, educational equity, and inclusivity of under-resourced students of color. She currently works as a Graduate Associate with Cause Effective, a nonprofit growth partner that collaborates with mission-driven leaders to achieve equitable social change. Previously, Raiesa worked as a Teaching Assistant at P.S. 125 in Harlem, New York and consulted for the Human Rights Education and Training Division at the United Nations, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.
Raiesa earned a Master’s degree from Columbia University in Human Rights and Humanitarian Policy and a Bachelor’s degree from Florida International University in International Relations. In her free time, she enjoys writing, salsa dancing, and doodling in her bullet journal.