Team Bios
Jason Alleyne
Chief Program Officer
Jason Alleyne joins exalt as the Chief Program Officer and is responsible for the oversight, strategic leadership, and development of exalt’s program department, as well spearheading the organization’s scaling strategies. Jason comes to exalt with over 15 years of leadership experience in various youth development organizations around New York City, including Harlem Children’s Zone, DREAM, and Friends of the Children. Most recently, Jason served as the Director of Brooklyn Programs at the HOPE Program, where he oversaw the organization’s various Brooklyn based workforce development programs, and successfully led the organization’s expansion initiative into the Bronx of their Brooklyn based services. Jason holds a BA in History and Africana Studies from Drew University, and an MA in Educational Leadership, Policy, and Advocacy from NYU Steinhardt.
ANDREA FEDUZI
CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Andrea joins exalt as the Chief Operating Officer and is responsible for overseeing its daily operations and for developing and implementing a roadmap to enable the organization and its staff to grow sustainably and responsibly to increase its impact and advance its mission.
Andrea brings to exalt over 15 years of not-for-profit management. She was Director of Operations & Fund Development at Directions for our Youth, where she developed a passion and commitment for the advancement of youth and gained 7 years of youth development experience. She then transitioned to Public Health Solutions, where she managed grants and contract administration, monitoring, and evaluation for a $75+ million portfolio of public health programs and initiatives funded by the NYC Department of Health. In her last role as Senior Director of the HIV Care & Treatment Unit, she served as the programmatic liaison to the NYC HIV Planning Council and successfully led efforts to redesign and optimize work processes across her department. Andrea holds a double BA from Queens College in Political Science and Cultural Anthropology, and an MA in International Affairs with a concentration in Socio-Economic Development from the New School University.
KatE Spaulding
Chief Strategy Officer
Kate Spaulding is thrilled to join exalt as the Chief Strategy Officer and is responsible for advancing and implementing the organization’s strategic initiatives, sustainable growth, and long-term goals. Kate has over 15 years’ strategy and policy experience in City government, the majority with the New York City Department of Probation (DOP). Kate served as DOP’s Special Advisor to the Commissioner and Director of Intergovernmental & Legislative Affairs, where she managed Commissioner initiatives, strategic partnerships, elected official relationships, and the legislative portfolio. Kate is most proud of, and thankful for, her time at DOP working on developing and implementing a holistic case management system and securing over $1M for innovative programming for people on probation and their communities.
Kate is also an Adjunct Professor at the Harry Van Arsdale School for Labor Studies, part of SUNY Empire State University, where she teaches IBEW Union Local 3 electrician apprentices economics and policy for the Labor movement.
Kate holds two BAs in Urban Studies & Political Philosophy from the University of Pittsburgh and a MS in City and Regional Planning from Pratt Institute. Kate’s twin sister (and best friend), Liz, appointed Kate to her other best job to date: being Auntie to her niece, Leila.
Joelle Servais
Chief Development Officer
Joelle Servais is exalt’s Chief Development Officer and is responsible for the overall strategy and oversight of exalt’s fundraising efforts.
Joelle brings 25 years of nonprofit experience to the team, having previously served as the Executive Director of the Morris Educational Foundation and the Development and Communications Director at The Liberty Fund, NYC’s first city-wide charitable bail fund. She also held posts including the Director of Development at DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne, NJ, and the Director of Foundation and Corporate Giving at The Boys' Club of New York. She holds a BA in English with a Pre-med concentration from Columbia University.
ALEX GRIFFITH
Senior Director of Programs & Court Partnerships
As Director of Court Partnerships and Strategy, Alex manages and develops exalt’s relationships with stakeholders in New York City’s Justice System and supervises court and program staff. Alex developed his passion for youth justice through professional experiences across three organizations including the Black Male Initiative at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Alex joined exalt in 2013 as a Program Coordinator after a 1-year fellowship through the Pinkerton Fellowship Initiative. He credits exalt’s unique youth development approach for exciting his hopes for a truly transformative youth-justice system after witnessing its highly structured educational internship program result in transformative and behavioral shifts in young people and life-changing criminal justice system outcomes.
In 2016, Alex took on a Senior Teacher role which provided several opportunities to work collaboratively with Supreme Court justices, assistant district attorneys, defense counsels, and community-based organizations to reduce sentences and acquire youthful offender (YO) treatment for exalt youth. As exalt embarked on its strategic scaling campaign and assist with the implementation of the New York Raise the Age legislation, Alex took on the Director of Court Partnership role to further increase exalt’s visibility and partnerships across courts in the 5 boroughs. Alex holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from John Jay College of Criminal Justice and Executive Education from Columbia Business School.
MARCELO NIGRI
Senior Director of Finance
Marcelo Nigri was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where he obtained an associate degree in Information Technology from ORT Institute of Technology and a bachelor's degree in Accounting from Rio de Janeiro State University, with honors from the Accounting Regional Council of that State. He has more than 20 years of experience in the field of finance. Marcelo started his career as an Auditor in a Big Four accounting firm for four years and then worked as a Consultant and/or Controller for several other companies and organizations, particularly nonprofit organizations over the last 10 years. Marcelo joined exalt in May 2016 and has established strong financial management and planning systems. Implementing these structures helped the organization win the Nonprofit Excellence Award for the second-best nonprofit of the year 2020, with notable financial management strength, transparency, and accountability, among other key areas.
KESHAD (IFE) ADENIYI
Director of Education and Curriculum Development
Keshad Adeniyi is a visionary with a heart for education, advocacy, and activism. In addition to academia, he believes that artistic mediums such as poetry, rap, and visual art, are instrumental in educating people who come from various walks of life. Born in Los Angeles, Keshad grew up at the intersection of South Central and Watts, California inside of a household impacted and informed by the implications rendered by both the Crack crisis and the Carceral State. Both parents, while they were loving, suffered a great deal from addiction. And being that he is a 1st generation Nigerian, immigration made his upbringing with poverty nuanced. Keshad’s love for art grew out of his need to understand, and teleport to different places, places his favorite artist took him with both their lyrics and insight. Since 2012 Keshad has used his art to not only build community but to engage in critical discourse concerning the Black plight in upwards of 12 prisons/jails both domestically and internationally. California, New York, Washington DC, Uganda, Africa, and London, England are some of the places his work has taken him. It was Keshad’s interest in Art, activism, and history that inspired him to add education/academia to his mission.
In 2018 Keshad graduated from NYU’s American Studies Program. There he researched Branding and its implications on race. His research used the stories of Angela Davis, Assata Shakur, and Dolly as markers for historic moments in the United States where the state leveraged different branding methods to help aid in the capturing of black bodies deemed "out of place.” He is currently completing his Ph.D. in History at Howard University where he is researching the implications Civil War impressment methods had on the carceral elements that come into fruition at the start of the Reconstruction Era.
RAFELINA CONTRERAS
Director of PROGRAMs
Rafelina Contreras is pleased to be exalt’s Program Manager Rafelina graduated from Rutgers University with a double major in Psychology and Sociology and a minor in Criminology. Prior to joining exalt, Rafelina was a Case Manager for the Aegis Domestic Violence Program at an emergency crisis shelter. Through a Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) approach, she promoted safety, support, and empowerment to positively impact the lives of domestic violence survivors and their children in both an individual and group setting. Through offering crisis intervention and emotional support to survivors of domestic violence, Rafelina found a passion to help the youth struggling with the many challenges they were experiencing. She is determined to help transform the lives of youth at exalt through cultivating their leadership skills and promoting self-sufficiency.
Ricardo Carrion
Director of Workforce Development & Career Advancement
Ricardo is excited to join exalt as the Director of Workforce Development & Career Advancement. In his role, Ricardo will leverage his extensive experience in Youth & Workforce Development to develop strategic partnerships to facilitate transformative internship experiences for exalt youth.
Before stepping into his current position, Ricardo served as the Manager of Transitional Employment at the Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services (CASES) in Harlem, where he designed and implemented job readiness training and transitional employment initiatives for court-involved youth. He also served as Program Director for YouthBuild Queens where he managed an integrated High School Equivalency and skilled trades training program at Pomonok Houses in Queens.
Ricardo holds a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from SUNY Purchase. Originally from the Bronx, he is passionate about Youth Development and is committed to creating impactful opportunities for those he serves. In his spare time, Ricardo enjoys writing, making films and going on walks with his wife and dog.
DENISE ORTIZ
Director of Operations
Denise is pleased to be exalt’s Director of Operations since May 2022. As exalt’s Director of Operations she is responsible for ensuring the organization is running optimally and that employees are working as efficiently as possible with ongoing support. Her main goal is to support all levels of exalt while striving for excellence to ensure young people are being served as needed.
Denise graduated with a Masters in Public Administration from South University in 2011 and a Masters in Social Work from Fordham University in 2017. Prior to joining exalt, Denise worked in several areas in the non-profit sector (micro, mezzo, and macro levels) with several years in contract management, 15+ years in career and professional development, program development, program/systems management, and systems/service implementation.
Denise is passionate about making a difference in the criminal justice sector and offering positive self-promotion and growth-based ammunition to those who are currently or previously court involved. Outside of exalt, Denise is an Adjunct Professor at Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Service. In her free time, she enjoys singing in her church choir, spending time with close friends and family, and writing.
Ultimately, Denise plans to pursue further research on creating opportunities for formerly incarcerated women and earn a Ph.D. in Social Work.
LUISA BASIC
ALUMNI MANAGER
Luisa is exalt’s Alumni Manager. She has 15+ years of experience in the field, having worked with thousands of young people across Australia, Africa and the United States in the areas of healthcare, education and employment. Luisa holds a bachelor's degree in Social Science, Development Studies & Culture Change, and a Master of Public & Social Policy from Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia. Luisa is a scholarship recipient of the Columbia Business School Developing Leaders Program, November 2022.
Alana Acevedo
Program Coordinator
Alana Acevedo is pleased to begin her journey as a Program Coordinator at exalt this summer 2024. As a Program Coordinator, Alana will be supporting and managing our students through their journey at exalt. Her role at exalt is not just as a coordinator, but also as a part of a huge support team for our students. Alana graduated with an associate's degree in liberal arts in 2022 and is currently working on her bachelor's in psychology. Before exalt, Alana worked as a Paraprofessional in the DOE and as a Behavior Therapist for an independent company named CBS supports, where she discovered her passion for helping students become the best versions of themselves. Here at exalt we have a support system that not only allows Alana to aid our students with their involvement in the criminal justice system, but also build the confidence that students need to succeed in their goals after exalt. As a New Yorker Alana can relate to many of the challenges our students have faced. Attending and later working at the New York city department of education has helped Alana realize how critical the work done at exalt is for our youth's future. exalt has paved the path for students' lives to change and for Alana, so that she helps change the lives of our future leaders for the better.
YULE ADAMS JR.
Internship Coordinator
Yule Adams Jr. is pleased to be exalt’s Internship Coordinator. As the Internship Coordinator, Yule strategically seeks out and builds new partnerships to help advance the mission of exalt. Prior to joining exalt, Yule has a long history in education and community building at organizations such as The Brooklyn Botanical Garden, The New York Transit Museum, Community Counseling and Mediation and Cortico. In these roles he has utilized a combination of unique teaching styles, community outreach and project management skills to achieve his goals. Throughout his career, Yule found a passion for youth education and relationship building. Making a lasting impact on youth has been his passion. His hobbies include film making, media production and gaming. Yule's professional goals include building out exalt’s employment component to better serve the youth of NYC and creating media that focuses on telling the stories of the youth exalt serves.
ERNEST BUTTS
Senior Program Coordinator
Ernest Butts is excited to have joined exalt as a Program Coordinator. Ernest graduated from John Jay of Criminal Justice with a bachelor’s degree in Public Administration in 2020. Prior to joining exalt, Ernest worked for The Posse Foundation as a Program Coordinator where he developed and maintained a scholarship network of 900 nominators from New York City high schools and community-based organizations. Now, Ernest is embarking on a new journey in being the Program Coordinator for exalt. Ernest looks forward to helping court-involved youth see beyond their neighborhood, environment and past—instead he wants to help guide students to their future and their own goals.
Megan Carmona
Program Coordinator
Megan Carmona is one of exalt’s Program Coordinators as of May 2023. As a Program Coordinator, she is the first point of contact upon a young person’s journey in exalt. Megan works closely with young people at exalt to help identify and achieve their personal and professional goals during the core program.
A graduate from John Jay College of Criminal Justice with a bachelor’s degree in Criminology and a minor in Gender Studies, Megan was born and raised in the South Bronx, where her long-standing engagements with early mentorship have greatly influenced her mission to continue providing services and restorative practices to youth for 9+ years. Prior to exalt, Megan worked as a Junior Case Manager for Bronx Family Housing, serving Women and Children in the shelter system. She also worked as an Assistant Teacher/Facilitator in DYCD programs in the Washington Heights community, serving the children and families of Kindergarten through 4th grade.
Megan’s experience has equipped her with the skillset needed to provide the proper care and understanding for the communities she serves through problem solving, managing major projects, leading large groups and resolving conflict. Megan looks forward to contributing long lasting changes for Black and Latinx youth, and other members of our communities.
MELINDA COSME
Education Advocate
Melinda is thrilled to join exalt as an Education Advocate. She holds a B.S in Human Services Management from the University of Phoenix and has over 16 years of experience in the education and human services fields. Having worked in Title 1 Schools since 2006, Melinda has a genuine commitment to the success of all people, but most specifically young people. Prior to joining exalt, Melinda was a middle school teacher in Osceola County Schools in Kissimmee, FL. She taught 6th-8th grade art, AVID, and Spanish. Melinda served as Dept. Chair, Grade Level Chair, PLC Lead and was 2019’s Teacher of the Year at Westside K-8 school. Melinda also has experience in non-profit management, quality assurance & quality improvement, youth development, and standardized testing.
Marianne De Padua
Alumni Coordinator
Marianne De Padua is pleased to be exalt’s Alumni Coordinator. In her role, she supports graduate internships, outreach, and leading professional development workshops for the Alumni community. She is thrilled to contribute to the professional growth of exalt’s youth.
Prior to joining exalt, Marianne was the Assistant Manager of Professional Learning at the New-York Historical Society. She created and led culturally responsive pedagogy workshops for k-12 teachers throughout the United States. Her accomplishments include serving as the project associate for both the Women & the American Story Ambassadors program, a national teaching training initiative aimed to integrate diverse women’s history in social studies curricula, and for the National Endowment for the Humanities Summer Institute for School Teachers. From 2021-2023, Marianne advocated for the larger museum education field as Trustee-at-Large on the board of the New York City Museum Educators Roundtable.
Marianne graduated with honors from Rutgers University - New Brunswick and received a Bachelor of Arts in journalism and media studies. She spent her childhood in the Philippines, Philadelphia, and a small suburb in southern New Jersey with her family.
Tianesha Drayton
Senior Teacher
Tianesha is excited to join exalt as a Youth Educator / Group Facilitator. Tianesha attended CUNY’s School of Professional Studies for a degree in Sociology, and is also a graduate of exalt’s program. Prior to joining exalt, Tianesha worked as the Policy & Youth Program Coordinator at Youth Represent. She is experienced in program facilitation and management, youth leadership development, and event planning and hosting.
Tianesha is a Brooklyn native driven and fueled by a love for all things that promote a healthy and strong sense of community well-being. She is an admirer of gritty spoken word and other art expressions in the form of literature, cinematography, and her son’s thrilling comic books.
Kira Galbraith
Court Liaison
Kira Galbraith is pleased to begin her journey as exalt’s Court Liaison for Brooklyn and Queens in fall 2024. Our Court Liaisons are responsible for helping our participants prepare for their court dates during the duration of their time at the program. Kira is looking forward to increasing exalt’s impact across the criminal justice system as she continues to fight for the rights and voices of youth. Prior to joining exalt, Kira served as an Ella Baker Trainer with The Children’s Defense Fund. There, she discovered her passion for youth advocacy and development. Kira graduated from The George Washington University with her bachelor’s in human services and social justice and a minor in Spanish. Kira aspires to continue her educational path by getting her doctorate in social work. At her core, Kira is a youth advocate who is dedicated to elevating expectations for youth.
Brittney George
Program Coordinator
Brittney George is thrilled to have joined exalt in July 2024 as a Program Coordinator. As a Program Coordinator, it is her duty and responsibility to not only create but also manage a transformative experience for our young people. Brittney graduated from NYC College of Technology with a BA in Hospitality Management. Prior to joining exalt, Brittney spent her last 9 years at Nordstrom where she not only honed her passion for genuinely helping others but developed the skillset to grow and develop individuals of all age groups. Professionally, Brittney would like to continue her commitment to developing emotionally intelligent people who see beyond what their communities serve. She is interested in becoming a licensed therapist so that she can give back to her community whilst raising awareness surrounding mental health. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and connecting with nature through photography.
Tyler Gooding
Administrative & Program AssistanT
Tyler is delighted to join the exalt team as the Administrative & Program Assistant. A Queens native, he earned his Associate of Arts in International Studies from LaGuardia Community College. Tyler's passion for empowering youth took root early on as a Peer Mentor with the Black Male Empowerment Cooperative, where he helped guide first generation college students toward academic success and professional development.
Tyler brings a wealth of experience from his most recent time at The Center for Alternative Sentencing and Employment Services (CASES), having served as both an Assistant to the Senior Director and a Program Assistant. In these roles, he excelled at project coordination, compliance, scheduling, financial management, participant intake, and providing technical support to staff. In his free time, Tyler enjoys watching movies, reading fantasy books and exploring all that New York City has to offer.
TERREL HARRIS
Senior TEACHER
Terrel Harris is pleased to be exalt’s Lead Teacher. He looks forward to reigniting students’ interest in learning. Terrel looks forward to helping them realize who they want to be and not a product of their environment.
He graduated from The College at Brockport with a bachelor’s in criminal justice and sociology. Prior to joining exalt, Terrel Harris was an elementary school teacher, after school coach, and football coach. I am efficient in peace keeping circles, and conflict resolution. He found a passion for criminal justice reform after seeing how it affected those around him. Outside of the classroom he enjoyed playing and watching sports. He also enjoys writing music and poetry. Professionally he would like to teach at a college or university.
SHALISIA-EARTH HYMAN
Senior TEACHER
Shalisia-Earth Hyman is honored to join exalt as a Lead Teacher. In this role she’s empowered to guide young people to see themselves as worthy. She attended Cheyney University of Pennsylvania where she majored in Psychology. Prior to joining exalt she served as an educator, and a community builder. She is passionate about creating safe spaces for young people and equipping them with the tools needed to both take up space and exist freely within systems designed without them in mind. In 2013 Shalisia-Earth created The Builders Circle, a community organization founded to support, heal, and honor the minds and hearts of inner-city youth through mentorship. Additionally, she facilitated and organized workshops that catered to the personal, social, and emotional health of the youth. Shalisia-Earth is also an entrepreneur and spends her free time connecting with nature as a tool for spiritual healing, inspiration, and love.
SARAH IMMANUEL
ASSISTANT ACCOUNTANT
Sarah Immanuel joined exalt in October 2021 as Accountant Assistant working with the Director of Finance in keeping the financial management of the organization sound, while maintaining the system integration. She holds a master’s degree in Economics from City College of New York and BA Accounting from Helwan University in Egypt. All through her prior years of experience as a professional, she went through challenging diverse tasks earning practical skills. She has become adept in flexible planning, organizing, controlling, keeping track, and handling ambiguity in a rapidly changing world setting. Mastering all competencies needed while enabling decision-making, effective communication skills have allowed her to innovate and grow sustainably.
Paul Jackson
Office Manager
Paul Jackson joined exalt in October 2022 as Office Manager. Paul graduated from New York University as a double major in Dramatic Writing and Psychology. Prior to joining exalt, he worked in the Publishing industry in various positions, including Production at Penguin Random House. During that time, he also did volunteer fundraising for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Paul then transitioned to the non-profit world, working with the team at NIA Community Services Network as an Administrative Assistant until later being promoted to Personnel Specialist. His duties at NIA were strongly focused on staffing the organization’s after-school programs across schools in Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. In his current role, Paul’s goals are to keep the office running smoothly, and to make sure that all exalt employees feel as supported as possible in their work.
Sparkle Joyner
Lead Teacher
Sparkle Joyner is pleased to be exalt‘s Lead Teacher, where she will be leading youth through a rigorous and culturally relevant curriculum designed to help students persist in their education, become employable, and avoid further contact with the criminal justice system. Sparkle graduated from Middlebury College with a bachelor’s degree in sociology/anthropology and has been working as a youth development professional for over 10 years. Prior to joining exalt, Sparkle worked at the Madison Square Boys and Girls Club facilitating drug and alcohol prevention programs for youth and their families.
Sparkle’s skills include program management, public speaking, and written communication. Sparkle found her passion working with court-involved youth, while she also enjoys reading and taking care of her dog named Prince. Her professional goals include pursuing a master's degree in education and making the biggest impact possible while at exalt.
IKIM POWELL
ALUMNI PARTNERSHIPS AND LIAISON
Ikim Powell is an ambassador for maximizing one’s educational and personal progression. Formerly, he was a participant of exalt and is a recent college graduate of CUNY - College of Staten Island, where he graduated magna cum laude with a degree in English: Writing and African Diaspora Studies. During his undergraduate term, he studied abroad, partaking in the subjects of British Children’s Literature in London, England; Ethnobotany and Pedology in Morocco, Africa; Art and Design in Beijing, Guangzhou, and Sichuan, China. He has worked as a mentor and tutor in NYCDOE and CUNY, and later worked with adults as an Instructor at the CUNY Continuing Education and Professional Development Center helping them improve their literacy and GED/TASC certifications. His goal is to help young people maximize their potential and ultimately dictate their destiny.
DAVID RAMOS
Grants Manager
David Ramos is excited to be exalt’s Grants Manager. In his role, he is responsible for researching new funding opportunities and developing grant proposals to obtain support for exalt’s programs. He graduated in 2016 from Lehman College with a B.A. in English. Prior to joining exalt, he worked as a Grants Specialist for Eva’s Village, which is an organization that provides social services for individuals suffering from hunger, poverty, homelessness, and addiction. He also previously worked for the Mount Sinai Health System as a Development Associate. He is passionate about using his professional skills to uplift individuals and assist them in achieving success. His hobbies include watching films and sports and spending quality time with his family.
Ashley Rucker
Lead Teacher
Ashley Rucker founded TherapART to promote the positive effects of art therapy after struggling with the anguish of a sibling suffering from drug addiction and incarceration.
A gifted dancer and passionate creative, she formed her unique method using meditation, dynamic movement, and creative play as an alternative to traditional therapy. The results and breakthroughs were incomparable.
Doubling down on how effective it was on adults, she’s been paying it forward from the beginning. Focusing on youths significantly affected by the criminal justice system, helping them to work through the release of emotional barriers that limit their future lives.
A trained yoga teacher and graduate of the Institute of Transformative Mentoring (ITM) at The New School, she has facilitated TherapART workshops and ceremonies both nationally and internationally. Ashley has called New York home since 2011.
Tiffany Santos
Lead Teacher
Tiffany Santos is enthusiastic to join exalt as a Lead Teacher. She is looking forward to utilizing exalt’s pedagogical model combined with her personal vision of the future of the restorative justice landscape. Before joining exalt, Tiffany had the honor to mentor and counsel New York City’s youth from the Department of Probation to the Department of Education. Tiffany currently studies Public Affairs at Baruch College. She aims to continue working in the youth development field, ushering young adults into an empowered beginning in their personal and professional careers. In their free time Tiffany enjoys spending time at home painting, eating good food, and indulging in a horror film or two!
IBRAHIM SIDDIQ
LEAD TEACHER
Ibrahim is pleased to be one of exalt's Lead Teachers. He teaches the core components of exalt’s educational program including skills in employability, educational engagement and Justice system avoidance. Ibrahim has worked for various ATI Programs and facilitated creative writing and literacy workshops in facilities such as Rikers’ Island, Horizons and Children’s Village. In addition to teaching, Ibrahim is an artist and community organizer that uses his art as a vehicle for activism and social change. Every individual has the potential to achieve greatness and I wish to serve as a light for that potential. Just as when you walk into a dark room and flip a switch, the light does not create those objects but merely makes you aware of its presence. My goal is to shine a light on our youth's potential.
Nasiyr Thomas
Lead Teacher
Nasiyr Thomas is a Lead Teacher at exalt. Excited to be in this role leading young people towards their most autonomous future, Nasiyr uses his passion for human service to teach exalt's youth, daily.
Being a youth advocate in several capacities over the last 15 years (afterschool tutor, waiver service provider, teaching artist) and a performing artist for the last 10 years, Nasiyr has learned that serving people as a performer and as an educator require similar sensitivities and understandings of the roles we play in our communities. Nasiyr takes pride in the role he plays supporting youth in the same city he grew up in.
BRANDON TUCKER
SALESFORCE AND DATA MANAGER
Brandon Tucker joined the exalt team as a Court Liaison in November 2020. Due to his strong commitment to contributing to the growth of exalt, he has been promoted to Salesforce and Data Manager. Brandon is a true born and raised New Yorker. As a dedicated community activist and entrepreneur, he is excited to bring his talents and skillset to the world of Youth Justice. Growing up in NYC the phrase “Each One Teach One” was one that molded Brandon into the leader he is today. By utilizing skillsets such as Circle Keeping and Restorative Justice practices Brandon has demonstrated an ability to relate to the youth served and to continue to inspire growth. Passionate about the elevation and advancement of Black and Brown communities, Brandon has worked alongside local politicians, community board leaders, and religious institutions to bring about effective community change. When not in the office Brandon enjoys traveling, culinary experiences, photography, and cycling.
LIAM WAMBA
Court Liaison
Liam Wamba is exalt’s Court Liaison for Brooklyn. Our Court Liaisons are responsible for helping our participants prepare for their court dates during the duration of their time at the program. Previously a program coordinator, Liam is uniquely positioned to educate the courtroom on our unique approach to youth development. He began as an intern at exalt in 2022 after graduating from the New School with his bachelor’s in Anthropology. Liam is looking to further expand exalt’s relationships across the justice system, while deepening his knowledge about the courtroom and law.
Justin Withers
Program Coordinator
Justin Withers is pleased to be one of exalt’s Program Coordinators. He will work closely with students to ensure they’re meeting their goals of criminal justice avoidance, educational investment and job readiness. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Rutgers University and since graduating has worked at various organizations throughout NYC focusing on the development and transformation of youth in under-severed communities. Though originally from the south side of Chicago, Justin spent his high school years living in Brooklyn and is very accustomed to inner-city life and the challenges it places on our youth. He is a social justice advocate and community leader striving to make lasting changes to the systems of oppression that exist in our country. Justin is excited to continue these pursuits at exalt and dedicated to positively affecting the lives of each student he encounters.