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

Rochester Team

Somerville 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

JEFFREY CLARK
Financial Services Industry Executive

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

DR. WANDA COOPER
Director of Institute for Civic and Community Engagement, St. John Fisher University

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

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

RAQUEL WALKER
Health Educator Associate & LMT