Staff Bios

Erica Ahdoot

Executive Director
Erica joined the GO Project in September 2010. She came to GO with extensive experience with youth and family educational and mental health services in youth development settings. Beginning with Groundwork in 2003, Erica worked to develop the Family Resource Center, which now employs five full time social workers and provides placement for up to twelve interns who work within Groundwork’s core programs to support academic, social, and emotional development of students and families.  This collaborative approach to after-school programming was also integrated in Erica’s work in developing and launching the core programs at Groundwork- Single Stop, Groundwork for Youth and Groundwork for Success.  Erica served as both the Associate Executive Director and Interim Executive Director at Groundwork, successfully managing a founder transition.  Prior to Groundwork, Erica was a family systems therapist with the Adolescent Portable Therapy program at the Vera Institute of Justice.  She provided individual and family-based mental health counseling for youth involved in the New York State juvenile justice system. Erica also worked with Partnership with Children, a New York school-based program, where she partnered with schools and families to implement comprehensive intervention plans for children ages 6-12 with academic and emotional needs.  Erica holds a BA in Psychology from the University of Virginia and an MS from Columbia University School of Social Work.  She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New York State.

Jessica Cuevas

Program Manager
Jessica Cuevas joined the GO Project staff as a Program Manager in June 2011.  She is a seasoned non-profit professional, with several years of experience serving underserved communities in New York City.  She provided management oversight to youth-centered organizations including Inwood House and Harlem Children’s Zone, and developed a strong foundation in non-profit administration and program design.   During her tenure with Inwood House, she mentored and counseled at-risk teenagers and developed a zeal for youth development.  Her passion led her to Harlem Children’s Zone, where she served as the Education Coordinator for the Employment and Technology Center for 3 years.  Guiding hundreds of students through the portals of the college application process, Jessica developed comprehensive programming that embodied a holistic approach to youth development – one that creates a learning culture to academically, socially and financially prepare young adults for college and beyond.  She graduated from St. John’s University with a Bachelor of Arts in English and is currently pursuing a Masters Degree in Urban Policy and Management at the New School.

Diana Gasperoni

Director of Social Services, 6-8
Diana joined GO in September 2006 as the GO Project's second, part-time social worker and was promoted to full time Director of Social Services in July 2008. Diana held previous positions with Teen Choice, the Greenwich House Counseling Center, and Grand Street Settlement, and maintains a private practice. Diana possesses a Master of Social Work from New York University School of Social Work, a BS in Psychology from Salem State College, and completed a one-year program at the Center for Modern Psychoanalysis. Diana also teaches yoga.

Theresa Grimmig

Finance Manager
Theresa joined the GO Project in September 2009. She is new to the non profit sector, arriving at GO after a long career as Director of Fixed Income and as a Short Term Money Market Specialist at UBS Investment Bank. Terry has a daughter attending school in NYC and lives in lower Manhattan.

Jori Howard

Program Manager
Jori joined the GO Project in June 2007 as a teaching assistantand went on to be an Assistant Site Manager. Jori began as the Program Manager in June 2010. Jori also worked as the Mentoring Coordinator for GO Connect during the 2010-2011 GO School year. Jori has held previous positions as a Staff Developer for Fit 4 Life NYC, and Personal Trainer and Curriculum Developer for the Police Athletic League through the Carol M. White Physical Education Program Grant. Jori possesses a dual degree in Political Science and Theology from St. John’s University, 2005, and an MS in Physical Education Exercise Science with teaching certification in PE grades K-12.

Ji Young Park

Director of Programs
Ji Young Park joined the GO Project team in December 2011 with over 10 years of experience as an educator, program developer and manager. Ji Young began her career as a fourth grade teacher, preparing students for statewide exams through experiential learning techniques. During her time as a teacher she also founded and directed the Theater & Arts Afterschool program that helped students to increase their self-esteem and develop social awareness. Following her work as a fourth grade teacher, she was a K-1 Lead teacher at the Dorothy Day Program in Harlem. In October of 2004, Ji Young joined Groundwork, Inc. to launch an extended day program with The United Federation of Teachers Elementary Charter School in East New York, which grew to serve over 340 students and where she managed over 50 full and part-time staff members. In early 2011, she transitioned into the international education arena by working as a curriculum developer and facilitator in Thailand. While in Thailand she also founded an ESL project-based afterschool and summer camp that aimed to provide a creative and whole language approach to learning called O.W.L. (Opening the Wonders of Learning). Ji Young earned her BA in Sociology at CUNY of Queens College in 2001. In 2010 she was awarded the Emerging Leaders of Education Scholarship to attend Columbia University's business school for her Masters certification in nonprofit management. She also received Master of Arts in Education certification from Build-a-Bridge Foundation in 2009.

Yuriko Matsuda

Director of Social Services, K-5

Yuriko joined the GO Project in June, 2011.  She previously held the position of Senior Family Resource Coordinator at Groundwork, Inc., where she oversaw and managed  mental health services at two after-school program sites. She also co-managed the MSW internship program as an Education Coordinator and co-facilitated various staff trainings/workshops for after-school program staff. Yuriko received a BAS in General Studies and Educational Psychology from Kyushu University, Japan after spending a year abroad at the University of Bristol, UK. Yuriko also holds an MSW from Columbia University School of Social Work.  Yuriko is a native of Southern Japan, a Licensed Social Worker and a Registered Play Therapist.

Olivia Nunez

Volunteer Manager
Olivia joined the GO Project in September 2007 as the GO Project's Program Analyst. Olivia held previous positions with Cravath, Swaine and Moore LLP, The Committee on the Administration of Justice, The Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and The Legal Aid Society. Olivia possesses a BA in Political Science from Dartmouth College, Cum Laude, 2005, and an MA with Distinction in Comparative Ethnic Conflict from Queen's University Belfast. Olivia speaks Spanish fluently.

Malika Reid

Development Associate
Malika joined the GO  Project in October 2011 as the Development Associate. Most recently, Malika was employed as the Communications Associate at Groundwork Inc. where she was responsible for creating and implementing an interactive marketing strategy to increase their brand visibility. Prior to that, she worked as the Marketing and Communications Coordinator at New York Restoration Project where she supported all aspects of their communications department. She has also worked at the Young Survival Coalition, Oasis Children Services, Hip-Hop Association, and Engagement 101 magazine. Malika holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Florida International University. She  is fluent in the language of digital media and is an amateur photographer.

Callie Siegel

Development Director
Callie joined GO in October 2006 as the Development Director. Callie held previous positions with Community Resource Exchange, Lawyers for Children and Massachusetts Citizens for Children. In addition, Callie spent five summers working at the GO Project as an assistant teacher from 1998-2002. Callie received a BA in Child Development from Tufts University, Magna Cum Laude, 2004. She has completed advanced coursework at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College and has recently completed the Middle Management Program at Columbia University's Institute for Not-for-Profit Management.

 

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