Our Team
Alice Berry: Associate Director of Development
Originally from Tucson, Arizona, Alice is a Philadelphia-based fundraiser, writer, and storyteller who comes to Yleana with experience in supporting youth development at nonprofits in Delaware and Southern New Jersey. She is passionate about college access and persistence, having spent 7 years working with high school seniors and college students across the United States and in China. She looks forward to supporting Yleana's critical mission and doing her part to closing the racial wealth gap.
Allison Pyo: Assistant Camp Director
Allison originally hails from Orange County, CA and is a high school special education teacher in the Bronx for the NYCDOE. She has a BA in Economics as well as Applied Psychology & Human Development from Boston College, and is currently obtaining her Adolescent Special Ed M.S.T. from Fordham University. She is passionate about the philosophy of education, critical thinking development in adolescents, and college/career readiness. In her spare time, she is reading, citibiking, and watching + analyzing film with her friends.
Alyssa has been professionally teaching/tutoring the SAT® exam since 2006 and the ACT since 2008. She also worked as an IEP tutor in the Bronx from 2006-2011, specializing in basic skills acquisition, where she got extensive experience working with students with diverse learning challenges. She has worked in both teaching and curriculum design and is currently active in both dimensions as Executive Director of both Socratic Summer Academy and the Yleana Leadership Academy. She holds an undergraduate degree, which she received magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, with Departmental High Honors, from Haverford College. She earned her masters degree in Voice and Opera Performance at the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, where she was Pi Kappa Lambda.
Alyssa Bowlby: Co-Founder And Executive Director
Ashley became a part of the Yleana family in 2016 as a Teacher/Counselor and loved the experience. From meeting new people to watching students gain confidence on the SAT to walking up that wonderful hill at Colgate, Ashley had a great time that summer. She had no idea at the time that Yleana would continue to be a part of her life over the next few years. She has come back to serve as a Follow-Up Program teacher, tutor, and teacher/trainer for virtual camp, and she is excited to now serve as Curriculum Director.
Ashley is from New York, but has lived in Boston the last few years after graduating from MIT. She has served as a classroom teacher, a private tutor, and various summer opportunities with students. Her love for learning keeps her busy as well, as she is also working to complete her Master's degree in Counseling. Ashley is happily married and just welcomed a baby girl in August. She loves cooking, spending time with family/friends, and reading her Bible.
Ashley Dela-Seshie: Curriculum Director
In her current role, Emily manages the website and application portal, runs statistical analyses, and helps ensure that Yleana runs smoothly. She’s passionate about using data to inform and improve Yleana’s programs. Some of the things Emily most appreciates about Yleana are being able to continually learn new things and the wide variety of activities she does throughout each day. Outside of work, she loves hiking and trying new foods, and hopes to perfect her sourdough bread recipe soon.
Emily Ball: Operations Director
Diamond became a part of the Yleana family in 2019 as a camper, and Yleana has been family since then! What started as a three-week program has turned into a deep partnership that has had a significant impact on her life! She is so excited to join the team as the Alum Success Coordinator, and she looks forward to engaging with the alumni, mentors, and partner organizations that make up Yleana's mentoring programs. Diamond hails from Baltimore City, MD, but currently lives in Northampton, MA, as a student at Smith College studying English and Education. She is also the President of the Iota Chapter of Delta Xi Phi Multicultural Sorority Inc. at UMass Amherst. Diamond loves listening to music, going for long drives, and reading a good book!
Diamond Jones: Alum Success Coordinator
Greg has been a math teacher in Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPSS) for 4 years. He transitioned into the Curriculum Developer role at Yleana where he can use his experience working with students to create meaningful experiences. Greg enjoys learning about how to help more BCPSS students get on the college and career track.
He has a B.S in Public Relations degree from the University of Miami and a M.S in Education from Johns Hopkins University. In his free time, Greg enjoys reading and writing poetry, exercising and cooking fun meals with friends!
Gregory O'Bannon: Curriculum Developer
Levar Leys is a Jamaican-born, Bronx native and die-hard Mets fan. With six years of experience in education and two years as a college counselor in the South Bronx, Levar has developed a strong background in mentoring and collegiate relations. While also harnessing project management and data analytics skills in his previous operational roles. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Buffalo State University and a Master's degree in Higher Education Administration , and is currently pursuing a Master's in Business Administration at Baruch. Levar's diverse expertise and passion for empowering students is what he's looking to bring as an asset to the Yleana Foundation, where he is dedicated to driving positive change in underserved communities through education. In his past time he enjoys traveling and reading dystopian novels.
Levar Leys: College Access Advisor
Melina Arcano: Development Associate
Melina has been working with students since 1995, and she most enjoys teaching kids in one-on-one private lessons. She loves learning new things and values all of the new knowledge and skills that working with Yleana has brought to her.
She has a Bachelor of Music degree in Flute Performance from Western Connecticut State University and a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Bridgeport. In her free time, Melina enjoys traveling and spending time making music with her husband. She loves cats, Pilates, reading, playing her ukulele, and being creative and crafty!
Rachel Arky: Chief of Development Staff/Education & Special Programs Manager
Rachel has been a test prep/academic tutor for the past ten years and has spent the last three years in higher education administration. She is passionate about working 1:1 with students, practicing strengths-based advising & mentoring, and increasing pathways to college for all students.
Rachel has a Graduate Certificate in Academic Advising from NACADA/KSU, a M.M. in Classical Voice from Manhattan School of Music, and a B.A. in Music from Barnard College, Columbia University. Outside of Yleana, she loves to spend time with family & friends, curl up with a good crossword puzzle, try to cook without making a total mess, and do CrossFit.
Rachel Blaustein: Administrative Coordinator
In this position, Rachel serves as a jack of all trades. She helps out numerous staff members with whatever they may need ranging from development needs, to organization, fundraising, website building, board/council coordination, and general emails and data entry. Rachel is passionate about working with non-profits and supporting youth development to make sure our next generation feels they have a voice.
Outside of Yleana, Rachel is a full-time professional opera singer. She is based in the DMV but travels the world on contract. In her free time, she enjoys teaching yoga (certified through Core Power Yoga), being outside, and playing with her dog. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Hofstra University and her Master’s degree from The Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, both degrees in Voice.
Semih handles all Yleana’s technological needs, updates, and strategy. Thanks to Semih, Yleana’s application process, design, and backend system make our programs run smoothly and seamlessly. A native of Turkey, Semih lives in New York City.
Semih Söğütlü: Chief Technology Officer
Sam LaGow: Assistant to the Executive Director & Development Coordinator
Sam is a lifelong New Yorker with a background in organized labor. A former union agitator, organizer, and steward, he is passionate about leveling the playing field for the historically marginalized and creating power and opportunity at the community level. In his free time, Sam is a diehard fan of the New York Mets and a deli sandwich connoisseur.