MEET OUR TEAM

DID YOU KNOW?

53% of TE’s adult program staff are former Teen Empowerment participants.

The Center for Teen Empowerment, Inc. (TE) is BIPOC-led, with a staff that authentically fosters strong, sustainable, and trusting relationships with Black and Brown community youth. Staff includes 31 full-time and 9 part-time adults and 150 youth employees, currently working in three cities.

Our team receives training in the following categories:

  • Best practices in youth development

  • Culturally responsive trauma-informed care

  • Racial and social justice

  • Mental health first aid

  • Process and practices for implementing TE’s model

Staff

Boston Team

Visions for the Future Team

  • THOMAS KOONCE

    Director of Reentry, Violence and Prevention

    thomas@teenempowerment.org

  • NIA KISER

    Outreach Specialist of Reentry, Violence and Prevention

    nia@teenempowerment.org

Somerville Team

Rochester Team

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

ROCHESTER ADVISORY BOARD

GEORGE BEVIS, Chair

MONICA ZENO-MARTIN, Vice Chair
Executive Director, Parenting Journey

PAUL RUSSO, Treasurer
Chief Operating Officer, Single Family Office

JOHN CONNOLLY
President, Wedgwood-Crane and Connolly

RICK DEJESUS-RUEFF, Ed.D.
Vice President Emeritus, St. John Fisher University

DONNA HARRIS, PH.D.
Associate Principal/Chief Diversity Officer, Center for Governmental Research

FRENIA HUNTER
Division Chief of Training, MBTA; Former TE Youth Organizer

JUMAANE KENDRICK
Deputy Director, Mission Safe; Former TE Youth Organizer

JESSICA PUTERMAN
Senior Audit Manager, KPMG LLP

ANDRE STARK
COO of the Bay State Banner

SOYEON CARUSO
Private Client Manager, Bank of America

JEFFREY CLARK
Financial Services Industry Executive

NAFISAH CLAY
Founder & Mental Health Counselor at Nafisah Clay, LMHC

RICK DEJESUS-RUEFF, ED.D.
Retired Vice President, Student Affairs & Diversity Initiatives, St. John Fisher College

LAUREN GALLINA
Marketing Director, Gallina Development

JONATHON HAND
Vice President, Invictus Electrical

DONNA HARRIS, PH.D.
Associate Principal/Chief Diversity Officer, Center for Governmental Research

AJA LOVE
Youth Training and Workshop Specialist, RochesterWorks

KATHY NIXON
Retired Director, Friends & Foundation of Rochester Public Library

RAQUEL WALKER
Health Educator Associate & LMT