Our Team
Committed to guiding, experienced in leading, and dedicated to empowering youth.
Office Staff
At Project Avary, we believe in showing up — for young people, their families, and their futures. Our team brings deep expertise in youth development, program implementation, and lived experience with parental incarceration. 25% of our full-time office staff are former Project Avary participants, and every member of our team is dedicated to bringing our mission to life each and every day.
Ambrosia, Phoummathep-Winspear
Executive Director
Portia Taylor
Finance & Operations Manager
Amy DeLeon
Director of Development & Communications
Megan Nordin
Events & Communications Coordinator
Teresa Collins
Director of Program Development & Training
Kellene VanBrackle
Program Director
Claudia Muñoz
Program Director
Ahtziri Rivera
Program Manager
Shaun Warren
Program Manager
Julio Sandoval
Program Coordinator
Kele Nitoto
Program Coordinator
Chris Conte
Program Coordinator
Michelle Carcamo
Program Coordinator
Eli Fox
Outreach Manager
Karinne Dadigan
Outreach Specialist
Natasha Blakely-Berteloot
Training & Engagement Specialist
Mentor Team
Counselors and youth leaders who show up to support, guide, and inspire.
Our Mentor Team is made up of Junior Counselors, seasonal staff, and trained leaders who work directly with young people during outings, retreats, and support groups. Many of them grew up in Project Avary and now guide the next generation through healing, leadership development, and personal growth.
80%
of our Mentor Team are Junior Counselors and former Project Avary participants, and 90% have experienced parental incarceration.
Their lived experience and deep understanding create a space where younger participants feel truly seen, heard, and supported.
This intergenerational model ensures that every young person in Project Avary has role models who understand their journey and mentors who walk alongside them as they build confidence, resilience, and leadership skills.
Board of Directors
Committed to our vision, our Board of Directors helps guide Project Avary, ensuring we continue to grow and serve children of incarcerated parents with lasting impact.
Debra Radford
Chair
Karen Bovarnick
Secretary
Kira Gaber
Treasurer
Lena Beasley
Steve Bundy
Adam Garcia
Amy Craig
Fiona Lam
Barbara Saunders
William Terrell
Advisory Board
Our Advisory Board brings expertise in child well-being, mental health, law, and healthcare to strengthen Project Avary’s impact. Comprised of lawyers, doctors, therapists, and advocates, they provide valuable insight to help guide our work and support the youth we serve.
Brenda Barnette
Mary Burke, M.D.
Mirabai Bush
Stan Casper
Cynthia Colvin
Miles Ehrlich
Jack Friedman
Joel Gilbert
Wavy Gravy
Tom Huntington
Barbara Kalmanson
Genoveva La Placa
Cliff Palefsky
Chair Emeritus
Michelle Pepitone, MD Camp Doctor
Danny Rifkin
Founder
Jahanara Romney
John Rosenberg, MD Camp Doctor
Maria Schell Hassid
Dylan Sears
Elizabeth Simpson
Arthur Wachtel
*Read Project Avary’s statement on diversity and inclusion here.