C O R E T E A M

  • BIO: Dorcas oversees program quality, case management, and alumni support, focusing on career planning and personal growth. She brings over seven years of expertise in crisis intervention and youth development.

    FUN FACT: Dorcas is a fan of horror movies, psychological thrillers, and historical dramas. Oh, and if there’s chocolate around, consider it her ultimate weakness!

    dorcas@fiver.org

Director of Youth Development

  • BIO: Jesus joined the core team in 2022 after four summers at Camp Fiver. He designs in-person and virtual programs for all Fivers and leads paid opportunities that help teens build leadership skills and gain work experience.

    FUN FACT: Jesus went to Japan and became friends with a capybara!

    jesus@fiver.org

Senior Program Associate

  • BIO: A licensed social worker and former Camp Director for sixteen years, Mary now brings insight from nearly two decades at Fiver to overseeing strategic planning + program evaluation & design.

    FUN FACT: Mary enjoys watching just about any sporting event, especially when a Philadelphia team is playing, and spending time outdoors with her son and daughter. She dislikes bats but has a soft spot for dinosaurs.

    mary@fiver.org

Deputy Executive Director

  • BIO: Joe has over two decades of experience in facilities maintenance and is based in Central New York, where he oversees the maintenance of our Camp Fiver property.

    FUN FACT: Joe has two dogs, a golden retriever and a yellow labrador.

    joe@fiver.org

Facilities & Grounds Director

  • BIO:‍ ‍Melissa is a seasoned fundraiser with more than 18 years of experience advancing youth-centered missions. She volunteers with the NYC Chapter of Association of Fundraising Professionals, where she co-chairs the Professional Advancement Committee, & serves on the Audit/IDEA Committees.

    FUN FACT: A proud Brooklyn native, she now lives in the Bronx with her husband, Cecilio, and daughter, Lively. She enjoys music, travel, and writing.

    melissa@fiver.org

Senior Director of Development

  • BIO: Kaya, a Fiver alum, began as a seasonal camp counselor in 2017 and joined the full-time team in 2023. She manages family events, camp hiring, and behind-the-scenes operations to ensure a smooth transition to into camp season.

    FUN FACT: While visiting Jamaica, Kaya took an unforgettable ride on horseback through the ocean!

    kaya@fiver.org

Camp Manager (Seasonal Camp Director)

  • BIO: Omar oversees Fiver’s grant portfolio and marketing efforts, driving revenue growth & strategic visibility to advance Fiver’s mission. He brings over five years of experience building the capacity of impactful community initiatives & youth programs.

    FUN FACT: A good dancehall/reggaeton playlist gets Omar through the day, and travel keeps him excited for what’s next.

    omar@fiver.org

Development Manager

  • BIO: Christie began as a seasonal camp staff member and currently serves as executive director providing strategic vision, operational leadership, and resource development. She also serves as president of the board of the American Camp Association, NY & NJ.

    FUN FACT: Christie is a mother of twins, enjoys exploring nature, and is a long-suffering NY Jets fan.

    christie@fiver.org

Executive Director

  • BIO: Mabel, a proud Session 2 alum, oversees operations, participant enrollment, and strategic partnerships, bringing deep youth development experience and commitment to collaborative systems that strengthen community & our programs.

    FUN FACT: Mabel's life goal is to visit all 50 states before she turns 50 years old (she's got a long way to go)!

    mabel@fiver.org

Senior Operations Manager

  • BIO: Aislee leads year-round program planning and execution at Fiver, drawing on over a decade of experience in youth development and an MA in Youth Studies. Aislee is also a proud Fiver alum, having graduated from the program in 2014.

    FUN FACT: Aislee was accidentally in a Beyoncé music video once.

    aislee@fiver.org

Senior Program Manager

  • BIO: Jessica brings over seven years of nonprofit development operations experience. She leads Fiver’s CRM and data strategy, building strong, sustainable systems that support fundraising and long-term impact for young people.

    FUN FACT: Jessica loves creating handmade pieces and exploring new video games in her downtime.


    jessica@fiver.org

Development Associate

  • BIO:  Anthony guides participants through their educational journeys, providing comprehensive support for academic transitions, from navigating middle school changes to applying for high schools and colleges.

    FUN FACT: Anthony practices graphic design on his spare time and is a New York Knicks fan!

    anthony@fiver.org

Program Associate

  • BIO: Helen works to foster a supportive environment that promotes personal and professional growth. She holds degrees in Mass Communications and HR Management and began at Fiver as a recruitment specialist.

    FUN FACT: Helen enjoys playing with her son, wildlife photography, and updating the wiki page of her latest binge-watch. She also has two rabbits, Francis and Lillian.

    helen@fiver.org

Human Resources Manager

S U P P O R T S T A F F

Elena Buchsbaum

Program & Operations Associate

Valerie Lopez ‘22

Camp Operations Assistant

Jessica Delgado

Human Resources Assistant

Roberto Vasquez Perez ‘16

Coach (Program Associate)

Ashley Godinez

Coach (Program Associate)

Jamai Williams

Development Assistant

I N T E R N S

Paige Edwards

Coach (MSW Intern)

Daniel Fabian

Development Intern (BPA Intern)

Apoorva Saravanan

Coach (MSW Intern)

Zoe Psihos

Coach (MSW Intern)

Jon Luc Zentner

Events & Partnerships Intern (BPA Intern)

C O N S U L T A N T S

Ruth Githumbi

Grants Consultant

Liliana Marques

Benefit Consultant

Rachel Sangalang

Grants Consultant

Interested in joining our team? Check out our employment page for more information.

Our boards and committees play a key role in our impact and execution—explore our Boards & Committees page to learn more.