PGP Team Bios — The Petey Greene Program

Jeffrey Abramowitz, JD
Chief Executive Officer
jabramowitz@peteygreene.org

Jeffrey Abramowitz, J.D. was previously the Executive Director of Justice Partnerships and served as the Executive Director Reentry Services for JEVS Human Services as well as the Program Director of Looking Forward Philadelphia Reentry Program. Prior to his tenure at JEVS, Jeff was the Director of Workforce Development for the Community Learning Center and successfully completed a fellowship with Justleadership USA. Jeff proudly sits on the Executive Board of the Coalition on Adult Basic Education, COABE, where he serves as Secretary, and chairs the State Advocates for Adult Education Fellowship Program. Jeff was appointed to the Pennsylvania Reentry Council and serves as Chairman of the Employment Committee and Co-chairs the Reentry Committee for the PA Workforce Development Board. Jeff is the current Chair of the Philadelphia Reentry Coalition and was recently appointed to the Montgomery County Pennsylvania Public Defender’s Association Advisory Board. Jeff is a subject matter expert for the US Department of Education, is the Moderator for the US Department of Education LINCS (Literacy Information and Communication System, Resource Collection) Community of Practice on Correctional and Reentry Education, and has worked on the Integrated Education and Training (IET) in Corrections Project. Jeff is active on several Boards including the Petey Greene Advisory Board, Small Business Mentorship Initiative, and Eastern University Prison Education Project. Jeff lectures and speaks across the country on issues of workforce development, adult education, reentry, and criminal justice. Jeff is the producer and host of the award-winning weekly radio/television show “Looking Forward” on Philly Cam Radio WPPM 106.5FM and PhillyCam TV (Live Streaming; Xfinity 66/966; Fios TV 29/30; Roku; Apple TV), and Co-Host/Producer of the Behind Every Employer Podcast, and Producer for the Advocast Podcast.

Chiara Benetollo, Ph.D
Executive Director, The Puttkammer Center for Educational Justice and Equity
cbenetollo@peteygreene.org

Chiara is a literary scholar and educator with a passion for expanding access to high-quality education. As the Director of Program Development at PGP, she oversees the organization’s grantmaking strategy and generates funded expansion opportunities. She has also developed the PGP College Bridge Program and is responsible for its evaluation and implementation at scale. Prior to joining the PGP, Chiara completed her PhD in Comparative Literature at Princeton University, where she also served as the BA Academic and Personnel Coordinator at the Prison Teaching Initiative. In this capacity, she piloted the organization’s first set of BA-level courses, offered to incarcerated students across New Jersey through a partnership with Princeton and Rutgers University. Chiara has extensive experience teaching and designing courses on subjects ranging from Comparative Literature and Italian language to academic writing, having taught in several New Jersey correctional facilities as well as at Princeton University and Bryn Mawr College.

Darnell Burtin
Executive Director of Business Development & Philanthropy
dburtin@peteygreene.org

Darnell Burtin is the Executive Director of Business Development & Philanthropy at the Petey Greene Program. Darnell’s responsibilities include oversight & management for the organization’s philanthropy and business development practices.

A native of Chicago, Darnell is the son of a city of Chicago IT professional and an office worker turned stay at home mom. At an early age Darnell would often accompany his mom to the Salvation Army, where she worked as an office manager, to help serve food to the homeless in the Rockwell Garden Housing Projects. Excelling academically and athletically Darnell would be offered and accept a scholarship to attend Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, Illinois. He began his career as engineer, winning awards for technical sales and brand marketing in GPS technology at International Harvester before moving over to software sales & consulting at Hyperion-Oracle.

In 2002 Darnell moved into the philanthropy space, on the advice of a mentor, serving as the lead fundraiser on the successful 50 million-dollar Kroc Center Capital Campaign Project, Chicago. Since, Darnell has held titles such as Chief Growth Officer, SVP of Partnerships and Vice President of Development & Marketing. Darnell has been part of capital campaigns leadership teams that have raised north of $3 billion dollars.

Darnell is a husband, father, coach, entrepreneur, fundraising executive and moderator. Born and raised in Chicago’s Austin neighborhood, Darnell’s firsthand experiences with hardship and community violence speak prominently to his involvement with youth sports, education, and community politics. While Darnell has been labeled “the success story” his path to success has, like so many others, been marred with hurdles and obstacles along the way… Because of those challenges Darnell finds purpose in giving back to the community through speaking, volunteering and moderating conversations about what Equity and Equality truly mean.

Darnell currently resides in Silver Spring, Maryland and is married to Anika Burtin Ph.D. and has three wonderful children.

Kaya Ceci
Regional Manager, Philadelphia
kceci@peteygreene.org

Kaya joined the Petey Greene Program as the Philadelphia Regional Manager with over a decade of experience supporting the educational and vocational goals of system-impacted youth around the country. Most recently, she managed federal workforce development grants across a network of community-based organizations providing reentry support to formerly incarcerated young adults.

A low-income scholarship kid turned licensed social worker, Kaya's journey to transmute her childhood trauma into medicine for herself and others was made possible by the opportunities granted through her education. Understanding the mechanisms by which poverty is manufactured, maintained, and criminalized in this country fueled her pursuit to form transformational relationships with families in the oppressive clutches of the child welfare and criminal legal systems. Through passionate advocacy, evidence-based clinical intervention, and trauma-informed program delivery for youth and practitioners alike, she has dedicated her career to disrupting cycles of intergenerational harm and uplifting hope, healing, and opportunity in their place.

As a lifelong learner, she believes in the liberatory potential of education to achieve this. She participates in DEIB workshops with the Culture of Respect, policy advocacy with the Abolitionist Law Center, and letter writing with the Compassionate Prison Project. These experiences and all those she stands to gain during her time at PGP will catalyze the transformational justice work she aims to do in Philly and beyond!

Colleen Daily
College Bridge Coordinator
cdaily@peteygreene.org

Colleen Daily joined the Petey Greene Program in February of 2024 as the College Bridge Coordinator. In this role, she supports volunteers and students at SCI Phoenix as they work to achieve their personal goals and the program’s fundamental mission. Since the abolishment of carceral systems will not happen quickly, Colleen’s goal in life is to find ways to decrease the damaging experience of being housed inside of carceral spaces. Through education, Colleen has found that students find an escape and a sense of freedom not found otherwise in the confines of prison.

Colleen is currently working toward her master’s in social work from Bryn Mawr College and expects to graduate in May of 2024. She has focused her time in her degree program on policy and advocacy, as well as some clinical experience as a therapist in Philadelphia schools. Colleen’s first experience inside of a prison was as a Teaching Assistant with Inside Out which solidified her thoughts on the necessity of providing services inside of carceral systems. Prior to joining the PGP, Colleen has worked in many different career fields and has spent several years in the military and several years as a Business Intelligence analyst providing executive level reporting and consulting. In her free time, she enjoys Olympic weightlifting and reading way too many books.

Nicole Delgadillo
Regional Manager, New York
Manager of Program Evaluation
ndelgadillo@peteygreene.org

Nicole joined the Petey Greene Greene Program in October 2021 as the Demonstration Program Manager, a new position in the organization, which focused on implementing and evaluating demonstration model programs in New York that are designed for scale. She assumed the Regional Manager role in January 2023 with an additional focus on evaluation both regionally and nationally. Nicole is passionate about applied interdisciplinary research and program evaluation that is participatory, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of students impacted by the criminal-legal system. Previously, Nicole was the Program Coordinator at the Center for Justice at Columbia University for three years, where she implemented educational programming and support programs for incarcerated and formerly incarcerated youth and adults in the New York City area. Nicole also facilitated arts-based educational workshops for young adults and adult women at Rikers Island for over two years with the Justice-in-Education Initiative and volunteers with the Parole Preparation Project. Nicole holds a master’s degree in criminological research with distinction from the University of Cambridge and a bachelor’s in Hispanic studies and psychology from Columbia University.

Norma Dhanaraj_DC_Regional Manager_RGB.jpg

Norma Dhanaraj, MSW
Regional Manager, Washington D.C.
ndhanaraj@peteygreene.org

Norma Dhanaraj has been engaged in racial equity work for over ten years through program development, counseling, and community organizing. Norma grew up in Wheaton, Maryland, as the daughter of immigrants from India. She learned from an early age the impact that the combination of poverty, colonialism, a home with domestic violence, and lack of access to a strong education had on her mother. She also learned about the effects that these issues had on her own upbringing. This fueled Norma’s passion for equity work, leading her to serve teenage survivors of commercial sexual exploitation in New York City and go on to serve in the Office of the Mayor in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Norma is excited to now be working in the community where she grew up as Regional Manager for The Petey Greene Program in Washington, D.C.. Norma enjoys visual arts, travel, exploring vegetarian recipes, and sharing office space with her pet rabbit Mirabel. She holds a master’s degree in social work from Fordham University.

Eli Diamant
Division Manager, Pittsburgh
ediamant@peteygreene.org

Eli Diamant is an educator and artist from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of Pittsburgh Public Schools and received his BA in Philosophy and Ethics from Dickinson College, where his studies focused on the ethics and politics of carceral systems. He greatly values the intersectionality of community, art, and education, and hopes to bring them all together to help individuals help themselves. He began his career as a manager of teaching assistants in the EdTech sector before becoming a teaching artist and welding instructor at the Industrial Arts Workshop. In addition to his work at The Petey Greene Program, he works with students ages 13-65, teaching them how to weld and understand the components of creating metal sculptures. Eli also runs a sculpture business, creating unique metal art for clients in the Pittsburgh area.

Sondra Fiorella
Division Manager, Washington D.C.
sfiorella@peteygreene.org

Sondra Fiorella transitioned into the role of Division Manager in April of 2024 after joining the Petey Greene Program in July of 2023 as the Volunteer Coordinator. In her role as Division Manager, Sondra supports volunteer tutors in the DC region and coordinates with carceral facilities to ensure the success of programming. As a former PGP volunteer, Sondra is passionate about serving our incarcerated population and working towards eliminating the structural barriers they face. Originally from Philadelphia, Sondra moved to D.C. to study at George Washington University, where she received her bachelor’s degree in Human Services and Social Justice and Criminal Justice. Prior to joining The PGP, Sondra served as an AmeriCorps VISTA Member where she designed and executed educational programs in DCPS schools with the goal to provide students with fair and equitable education. During her free time, Sondra loves to explore new restaurants, try out new recipes and cookbooks, and crafts of all varieties.

Fiona Flynn
Division Manager, Philadelphia
fflynn@peteygreene.org

Fiona stepped into the role of Philadelphia Division Manager in 2023 after spending her AmeriCorps service year as a Volunteer Coordinator for the region. But that is not where her journey with PGP began, as her most notable experience in her undergrad years at Haverford College was carpooling every week with her roomate to tutor at SCI Chester! Her experience tutoring with PGP ignited her passion for education justice, which is why she is so excited to help support PGP’s programs in Philadelphia-area jails, prisons, and reentry programs through recruiting, placing, and supporting volunteer tutors throughout the city.

Fiona brings a strong history of nonprofit work to the PGP, having worked previously with “The RELIEF Foundation” as their head of marketing, and “Girls INC. Philadelphia” as a program facilitator.

Fiona graduated from Haverford College in 2022 where she majored in Anthropology and Health Studies. While at Haverford, she competed on the women’s basketball team and captained the track and field team. As a South Jersey native, Fiona is a lover of all things Philly sports, she is constantly looking for new book and playlist recommendations, and is very excited to be continuing her journey with the Petey Greene Program.

Reginald Gaines, MLER
Regional Manager, New Jersey
rgaines@peteygreene.org

Reginald Gaines has served 10+ years as a success advocate working to neutralize socio-economic disparities amongst underserved and unfairly treated populations. Having experienced poverty and incarceration firsthand, Reginald was determined to change the outcome of the future for himself and his family through education, behavior modification, and professional development. Realizing he could be of assistance to many others facing similar challenges he fought to overcome, he sought several opportunities to share the wealth of knowledge and experience he attained along the way.

While pursuing a degree at Rutgers University post-release, Reginald began volunteering with AmeriCorps at the Jewish Renaissance Foundation, a community action agency in Middlesex County where he now sits on the board of trustees. It was there that he began helping justice impacted youth by supporting successful educational & vocational outcomes. Once those service terms concluded, he persisted in volunteer work as an alumnus. Reginald has been involved in community projects and civic leadership encompassing outreach, community action, mentorship, focus groups, justice reform-centered cultural competency trainings, and public forums.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management, Reginald joined the NJSTEP team at Rutgers and spent years as a counselor & institutional liaison for students pursuing transformative higher education at multiple carceral facilities and halfway houses across New Jersey. Now a Master of Labor & Employment Relations, and an expert in the field of higher education in prison programming, Reginald joins the Petey Greene Program as the Regional Manager in New Jersey where he oversees the delivery and expansion of quality academic support in prison and reentry.

Sarah HIrshorn
Communications Manager
shirshorn@peteygreene.org

Sarah joins the Petey Greene Program as the Communications Manager. Through this role, she promotes the work of the PGP, the stories of our students and vision for systemic change with external audiences and relevant stakeholders. Sarah graduated from Georgetown University with majors in Government and Justice and Peace Studies with a concentration in Criminal Justice Reform. While at Georgetown, she had the unique experience of taking courses for credit with incarcerated students at the DC Jail through the Georgetown Prison Scholars Program and has since felt a commitment to and interest in prison education and ensuring access to quality opportunities for all incarcerated learners. She joins the PGP with experience at other leading nonprofit organizations in the space, such as The Fortune Society and The Osborne Association. Although she is a New York City native, she is a passionate fan of the Philadelphia Eagles and enjoys baking and exploring all of NYC’s food offerings in her free time.

Een Jabriel
Division Manager, New Jersey
ejabriel@peteygreene.org

Een is one of Petey Greene’s most tenured staff members, currently working out of our Mother Branch in New Jersey. He is responsible for recruiting, training and coordinating potential and active volunteer tutors throughout the State of New Jersey. His position allows him to oversee our university partnerships, which include Princeton, Montclair and Rutgers University to name a few. Een is also responsible for maintaining our partnership with the NJ Department of Corrections.

He has been able to benefit firsthand from the opportunities that both Prison and Reentry Education has presented to him. Not only was Een selected as part of one of the first cohorts to be accepted at Rutgers University through NJ STEP, he was also a Co-founder of The MountainView Project Student Organization. After studying Criminology Een would go on to receive his Bachelor's Degree in 2016 from Rutgers despite the many obstacles that challenged this accomplishment.

Een has been an active speaker on several university campuses focusing both on the potential for Prison and Reentry Education as well as combating the stigma associated with currently and formerly incarcerated Individuals.

Anna Kraft
Development Manager
akraft@peteygreene.org

Since her early teenage years, Anna has always been incredibly passionate about service and community outreach. Raised by two parents both heavily involved in service, both working with youth in communities around Boston & the Greater Boston area, Anna’s upbringing was characterized always by a significant emphasis on service. Her interest in the criminal justice system has led her to work with other non-profits focused on reentry for both justice-impacted youth and formerly incarcerated individuals, such as Momentum Advisory Collective, along with interning for the former Suffolk County District Attorney in 2019. In addition, Anna has worked extensively with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Boston, helping during the summer while also offering academic support to youth members of the clubs.

Anna first became a member of the Petey Greene Program family as a tutor in the Fall 2021 and continued volunteering through her senior year of college into the Summer 2022. After graduation, she became a NYC Civic Corp Fellow and served as the New York Region’s Volunteer Coordinator. Following the completion of her service term, she was given the opportunity to join PGP as a member of the Development team working as the Development Manager, responsible for securing new, renewed, or increased funding from individuals through online giving, direct mail, digital campaigns, and special events. Anna graduated in 2022 with a BA in History with a concentration in American Studies from Columbia University and hopes to pursue a secondary degree in the future.

Born and raised in Boston, Anna is passionate about all things New England (especially apple picking). When she is not watching the NFL or NBA, she is typically exploring NYC with friends or back home spending time with her mother, father, sister, and pets!

Timothy Lawrence
NYC Service Corps Community Fellow
tlawrence@peteygreene.org

Timothy Lawrence (he/him) is an AmeriCorps fellow with the Petey Greene New York regional office. Originally from Chicago, he moved to New York in 2022 to study at the NYU Gallatin School of Individualized Studies. There, as a scholar in the university’s service-oriented MLK Honors Program, Tim has been able to direct an interdisciplinary background towards work with nonprofits in the city — which include ETCNY, the Edgecombe Community Garden, as well as The Bowery Mission.

Tim loves film and photography and as he continues his work in the nonprofit sector, he also hopes to use these interests to be a voice for change. When he’s not running around with a camera, Tim is always looking for cheap eats recommendations (all of which he will inevitably compare to his hometown’s vastly superior options). He enjoys playing volleyball, finding new music, and going on scenic walks.

Azure Mauche
Division Manager, Massachusetts and Rhode Island
amauche@peteygreene.org

Azure Mauche joined the Petey Greene Program in 2023 as a Division Manager in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In this role, she manages and builds university and program partnerships and is responsible for training and coordinating volunteer tutors. Prior to joining the PGP, she worked at Read to a Child, an organization focused on improving literacy skills and supporting socio-emotional well-being in students from under-resourced communities. Azure built her recent graduate studies around evidenced-based literacy practices, cross-sector collaboration, and exploring how we can ensure incarcerated youth receive the quality education they deserve. She approaches her work at the Petey Greene Program with the belief that one-to-one supportive tutoring relationships are an essential ingredient for building accessible pathways to well-being, educational attainment, and social mobility for all students. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Boston University and a master’s degree in human development and education with a concentration in literacy and languages from Harvard University.

IMG_3733%25281%2529.jpg

Nina Mitukiewicz, MSW
Division Manager, Massachusetts and Rhode Island
nmitukiewicz@peteygreene.org

Nina Mitukiewicz joined The Petey Greene Program in July 2021 as the Division Manager in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. In this position, Nina manages university and program partnerships, oversees volunteers in the region, and facilitates trainings for volunteers both regionally and nationally. Nina has been interested in the criminal-legal system and prison reform for quite a few years and explored that interest through internships at the Massachusetts Bail Fund and the Boston College Law School. Prior to starting their current position, Nina worked at Doc Wayne Youth Services, which provides sports-based mental health group therapy for youth in the Boston area. Nina earned a bachelor's degree in psychology and women's studies from Clark University and a master's in macro social work from Boston College. They enjoy reading, cooking, and spending time with friends and family, including their wife and their pet cat.

Emma Morrissey_PHL_Regional Manager_RGB.jpg

Emma Morrissey
Director of Curriculum and Training
emorrissey@peteygreene.org

Emma Morrissey (she/her) joined the Petey Greene Program in 2019 as the Regional Manager in Philadelphia. In November 2021, she was appointed Director of Curriculum and Training, a new position for the PGP. In this role, Emma applies her experience managing tutoring programs, and her studies in adult learning theory and curriculum design, to ensure the quality of tutoring across all the PGP’s programs. She is responsible for supporting PGP staff, tutors, and students through ongoing training, as well as supporting the development of new pre-collegiate tutoring programs through original curriculum design. Prior to joining the PGP, Emma’s work included tutoring adult and high school students, designing and teaching classes for adult learners, and writing lesson plans and textbooks. As a graduate student, Emma focused her studies on instructional design, adult learning, and the criminal legal system. While an undergraduate student, she worked with the Grinnell College Liberal Arts in Prison Program as a tutor and program coordinator. Emma holds a bachelor’s degree in English and history from Grinnell College, a TESOL certification, and a master’s degree in education from Harvard University.

Kelly Ortiz
Volunteer Coordinator, NYC Civic Corps
kortiz@peteygreene.org

Kelly Ortiz is honored to serve as the New York City Civic Corps Volunteer Coordinator. She is thrilled to share her passion for education and community engagement with the PGP community. Kelly's journey in the world of volunteer coordination began with a deep-rooted belief in the power of collective action. Over the years, she has had the honor of working with both volunteers and nonprofits.

Her commitment to making a positive impact on her community has driven her to collaborate with various organizations and volunteer over the years. Notably, Kelly has contributed her expertise and passions to organizations such as GoodWill Industries ACT Team and The Center for Family Life in Sunset Park and leveraging their combined strengths to address some of the most pressing issues facing our city. From organizing large-scale volunteer events to developing tailored programs matching individuals with key causes, Kelly has been committed to creating spaces where everyone can contribute their skills, time, and passion to build a better, more inclusive New York City. Kelly's work goes beyond just logistics; it’s about fostering connection and nurturing a spirit of civic engagement. She firmly believes that each act of service, no matter how small, ripples out to create positive waves of transformation.

When she’s not working, Kelly enjoys exploring the city's diverse neighborhoods, savoring its culinary delights, or relaxing in its parks. You can often find her delving into the power of knowledge through reading, attending educational seminars, or engaging in thought-provoking conversations. Kelly firmly believes in education as a catalyst for personal and societal change, and is proud to be part of an organization that shares this vision. She is always eager to meet new people, so please feel free to reach out if you share her passion for service, education, community engagement, or criminal justice reform, or simply just want to connect!

Rosemary Parish_NJ_Operations_RGB.jpg

Rosemary Parish
Director of Alumni Engagement
rparish@peteygreene.org

Rosemary Parish has spent her career working in the nonprofit sector supporting education-based organizations. She has served as a development professional at the Waldorf School of Princeton, The Jointure of Somerset County NJ, and on the development committee of the San Francisco Waldorf School. As the Director of Physician Continuing Education Programming at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston, she wrote and produced accredited medical television programs and patient education programs, for the UT- Health Science -TV Network. She wrote and produced the first educational television programs about the AIDS crisis, which aired on KQED in San Francisco in the 1980s. In 2012, Rosemary founded the Princeton chapter of the Campaign to End the New Jim Crow, a consciousness-raising organization that advocates for bail and parole reform, “ban the box” legislation, and limiting the use of solitary confinement in New Jersey facilities. She holds a bachelor of science degree from The University of Pennsylvania.

Lynwood Patrick
Director of Finance and Administration
l patrick@peteygreene.org

As Director of Finance and Administration, Lynwood oversees the financial and administrative operations of the organization. Specifically, Finance, Human Resources, Facilities, and Contract Management. Lynwood works closely with the CEO, the Board of Directors, Contracted Accounting Firms, and the Contracted Human Resources, to complete these tasks. Lynwood joined the The Petey Greene Program team in February 2023 after 25 years of experience in the nonprofit, private and public sectors. Lynwood received his Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Central Connecticut State University and his MBA from Western New England University.

Derek Pieper
Director of Grants
dpieper@peteygreene.org

Derek Pieper joined the Petey Greene Program as the Director of Grants in 2024, providing broad expertise in grant writing and development work to the organization. He brings over a decade of experience, having successfully held various development positions and raising millions of dollars to support impactful non-profit missions.

Derek’s professional journey started in the for-profit sector, most recently in mortgage finance. However, driven by a desire for a more meaningful and purpose-driven career, he transitioned to the non-profit sector after earning a master’s degree in social work.

Passionate about making a positive impact, Derek is drawn to the Petey Greene Program’s dedication to aiding marginalized populations. He is enthusiastic to collaborate with like-minded individuals dedicated to advancing Petey Greene Program’s important cause.

Residing in Chicago, Derek holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities and an M.S.W. with a Leadership and Development in Social Services (LDSS)/Philanthropy focus from Loyola University-Chicago. In his leisure time, he enjoys seeing live music, exploring new restaurants, and immersing himself in the rich art and cultural offerings in the area.

Raymond Rodriguez
Division Manager, Washington D.C.
rrodriguez@peteygreene.org

Raymond "Ray" Rodriguez, DC's Division Manager of the Petey Greene Program, is a dedicated professional with 10+ years of specialized experience working with at-risk populations while encouraging self-direction. His focus over the recent years has been juvenile/prison reform as well as education reform inside of secured settings. In addition, he is eager to gain state-level experience at shaping systems and policies and would love to contribute to existing initiatives, help design and build new efforts while supporting the PGP team wherever he is needed. Developing extensive experience working with youth offenders has helped him become a strong troubleshooter in intense and demanding environments.

Ray holds an Associates degree in General Studies from Howard Community College, a Bachelor's degree in Public Health from the University of Maryland and will obtain his Master's degree in Public Policy & Administration from the University of Maryland by December 2023.

Charla Saunders
Executive Assistant
csaunders@peteygreene.org

Charla is a strategist, community organizer, and producer who serves as the Executive Assistant of the Petey Greene Greene Program. She believes that no human being is beyond reach and deserving of dignity and respect. This has remained a common theme as she has worked alongside leadership teams in the nonprofit sector for over 10 years to provide data-based research and programming solutions for justice-impacted individuals and families. Charla's passion and experience range from mental health and social services to education and fine arts. She has worked as a Program Coordinator and Instructor in both the Educational and Media sphere to design and implement tutoring services, life skills groups, and community resources for children and families throughout the Tri-State Area. Charla holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Rutgers University and a Bachelor’s Degree with distinction from Seton Hall University.

Heashot_Emma+Sindelar.jpg

Emma Sindelar
Executive Director of Operations
esindelar@peteygreene.org

Emma Sindelar joined the Petey Greene Program in 2016 as the Regional Manager in Philadelphia. Since then and after relocating to Denver, Emma has served in various roles in the organization including Director of Program Operations, Interim Executive Director, and currently Executive Director of Operations. In this current role, Emma oversees all PGP programming and is responsible for standardizing programmatic operating procedures and data management practices, as well as developing and implementing staff support practices, across all PGP regions and programs.

Prior to her time at the PGP, Emma's work focused on ensuring student access to high-quality educational opportunities in various roles and elementary school settings. Emma holds a bachelor's degree in political science and French from Swarthmore College and a Master of Public Administration, with a specialization in non-profit management, from the University of Colorado Denver.

Sherika Stewart
Division Manager, New York
sstewart@peteygreene.org

Sherika is a highly skilled human services professional with over a decade of experience in transformative justice, ranging from Rehabilitation through the Arts workshops to Cure Violence initiatives. Her career includes roles at notable organizations such as Rehabilitation Through the Arts, the Robert N. Davoren Center at Rikers Island, and the Research Foundation of The City University of New York. Sherika's expertise lies in operations, strategic planning, and project management, where she has significantly impacted communities affected by systemic disparities. She integrates her technical proficiency with a deep commitment to fostering upward mobility and community unity, underpinned by values like personal freedom, civic friendship, and cooperation.

Lynne Sullivan
Regional Manager, Massachusetts and Rhode Island
lsullivan@peteygreene.org

Lynne Sullivan has been involved in the criminal justice system and prison education for over 15 years. She was valedictorian of the class of 2009 at the Boston University Prison Education Program, where she graduated with a bachelor’s of science in sociology. As the Regional Manager for the Petey Greene Program in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, Lynne oversees academic support in several correctional facilities, community correctional centers, youth centers, and reentry programs. Lynne is an advocate for system-impacted people, and especially for ensuring that they have access to high-quality education. Lynne serves as the PGP liaison to the Tufts Prison Initiative at Tisch College and is a co-creator and mentor for the Tufts Educational Reentry Network (MyTERN), where she provides academic support and mentorship to formerly incarcerated students. Lynne is a member of the Advisory Boards for MyTERN and the Rescue Mission of Trenton, she speaks frequently on behalf of Partakers Inc., a nonprofit that supports prison education programs in Massachusetts, and she is a member of Stones Associates, a speaker’s bureau for formerly incarcerated people. As an activist, Lynne brings the perspective and voice of system-impacted people to several published articles and books. She hopes to reduce recidivism, create steps to reentry and education, and strengthen communities as a whole. Lynne is a firm believer that education is the key to ending mass incarceration, one student at a time, a belief she summarizes this way: “Education gives a person options, the option to choose different paths in life, the option to be who they never thought they could be.” A first-generation college graduate, Lynne earned a master’s of science in criminal justice from Boston University in 2021.

Meg Tavares_Operations Manager_RGB.jpg

Meg Tavares
Development and Operations Coordinator
mtavares@peteygreene.org

Meg Tavares joined the Petey Greene Program in 2013 as a Volunteer Coordinator in New Jersey and transitioned to the Development team in 2017. She currently supports development and operations at the national office. Meg has been directly involved in prison education since 2009. Her professional experience has been dedicated primarily to academic and nonprofit organizations with a brief adventure in international event planning. She’s a mom of three girls who loves to play the ukulele, quilt, and read.

Meg earned a bachelor of science in environmental economics from West Virginia University, and over 23 graduate credits towards a M.ED. in Elementary Education at The College of New Jersey.

Margaretta “Margy” Wilcox
Director of Regions
mwilcox@peteygreene.org

Margaretta “Margy” Wilcox (she/her) joined the Petey Greene Program in July of 2023 as the Director of Regions. In this role Margy provides support to and oversee the programmatic work of the PGP Regional Managers. Prior to joining the PGP, Margy worked on programmatic and organizational development and growth for a variety of organizations that focused on community violence intervention, adult education, and workforce development. This experience was on national and local to Philadelphia levels.

Margy holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Clark University and a master’s degree in urban education from Temple University.

Robert Wright
Division Manager, New York
rwright@peteygreene.org

Robert Wright combines his experience with incarceration, academics, and research to develop informed opinions about social injustice, mass incarceration, and prison reform. Incarcerated at only 18 he achieved his Associates and went on to complete his bachelor’s degree at Mercy College. Upon his release he both attended and worked at Columbia University’s Center for Justice as a research assistant and Teacher’s Aid to Professor Geraldine Downey. In that role he has participated in a number of panel discussions and events addressing social injustice and the importance of higher education in prison. He mentored undergraduate students and contributed to the educational curriculums for programs serving youth and adults involved with or at risk of involvement with the criminal justice system. Robert has worked on and researched a number of articles examining the effects of trauma and punitive practices on urban communities. He is an avid writer who has been published on the Center for Justice and the Marshall Project’s website. Finding Peace and Briefly, Freedom While Attending My Grandfathers Funeral, Getting Out Of Prison Meant Leaving Dear Friends Behind.

Today Robert has acquired real estate and inspires to provide housing and professional development for formerly incarcerated men and women. He is also the Chief Executive Officer of his own Transportation company where he provides on-the-job training, professional development and mentoring for his drivers, business partners and peers.