Our Team

B.A. Peace and Conflict Studies, Colgate University 

Ashleandra (She/her/hers) joined the Breakthrough Greater Boston team in 2020. She has been in the education space in Boston for the past 3 years. She first served as a History Teacher at Roxbury Prep High School and then as Education Associate at Discovering Justice, where she coordinated and facilitated civically engaged field trips for K-8 students across Massachusetts. As the Manager of Student Services in Boston, she oversees all family engagement, student recruitment/ admissions, and student advocacy in the Boston area.

In her free time Ashleandra enjoys writing, reading books, buying plants and rewatching her favorite episodes of Bob’s Burgers.

Email: aopoku@btgbmail.org

B.A Human Development & Family Studies, Minor in Health Promotions, Michigan State University

M.A Health & Risk Communication with Minor in Non Profit & Fundraising, Michigan State University

Duke (he/him/his) joined the Breakthrough Greater Boston team in 2021. As Development Associate, Duke assists with donor stewardship activities, donor communications, and fundraising data management. Prior to his current role, Duke was the Diversity Program Specialist at Michigan State University where he oversaw recruitment, summer program development, and alumni relations.

In his free time, Duke enjoys reading, watching new television series, and playing dominoes.

Email: daugustin@btgbmail.org

B.A. Latin American and Latino Studies, Brandeis University

Gabi (she/her/hers) first got involved with Breakthrough Greater Boston as a Summer Teaching Fellow at the Somerville site in 2019. Being from Somerville, and not wanting to leave the Breakthrough family, she was excited to return as the Manager of Student Services in Somerville.  In this role, she oversees all student advocacy, family engagement, and recruitment and admissions work.

In her free time, Gabi loves hanging out with family, watching past performances from Dancing With the Stars on YouTube, and eating Brazilian desserts.

Email: grivero@btgbmail.org

Email: jstange@btgbmail.org

B.A. in Sociology and African American Studies, Harvard College 

Lex (she/her/hers) joined Breakthrough Greater Boston in 2020 as the High School Support and Marketing/Communications Fellow through the FAO Schwarz Fellowship Program. Lex splits her time between supporting students at our Somerville campus as they transition to high school and working on BTGB’s social media and website. Prior to Breakthrough, Lex spent several years working in college admissions recruiting students from racial minority groups and running an educational enrichment camp and after-school program for low-income students of color. 

In her free time, Lex enjoys reading, gardening, and community education and organizing. 

Email: lbrown@btgbmail.org

B.A. in American Literature, Middlebury College; M.A.T., Brown University

Paulina joined Breakthrough Greater Boston in 2014. As Senior Director of Middle School Programs, Paulina oversees Breakthrough’s academic programming for 7th and 8th grade students at our Cambridge and Dorchester campuses, ensuring that students develop a love for learning as well as the skills necessary to be successful in college and beyond. She also supports Breakthrough’s Teacher Training program, working to ensure our young teachers are prepared and inspired to enter the field of education. Prior to joining the Breakthrough Greater Boston team, Paulina worked as a director at Breakthrough Austin as well as a high school English teacher.

Paulina’s favorite Breakthrough memories often center around the amazing end of summer celebration event — the student work showcase, the testimonials, the cheers, the proud families and the clear bond between students and Teaching Fellows make it an unforgettable night each summer!

Email: pmurton@btgbmail.org

M.A.T. in Secondary Education, Emmanuel College, M. Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction, The University of Texas at Austin

Tiye first became involved with the Breakthrough Collaborative as a university field supervisor at Breakthrough Austin in the summer of 2018. Tiye has taught high school and university-level English and literacy courses in Boston, MA, Dublin, NH, and Austin, TX. There, she mentored, advised, and assessed teaching fellows during their first classroom experiences working with middle school students. Following that summer and after completing her graduate coursework, Tiye relocated home to Boston as an adjunct professor of English at Bunker Hill Community College and Emmanuel College. As the Boston campus Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Tiye oversees all aspects of teaching and learning for our middle school students over the summer and throughout the school year. She works closely with Teaching Fellows and Instructional Coaches to ensure that students receive high-quality curriculum and classroom instruction. Outside of the office, Tiye is the founder and global editor-in-chief of Feminessay, the premier writing, storytelling, and creative destination for Black women to share their literary works with a global audience. Tiye also serves on the Young Professionals Board for Scholar Athletes. Her free time is spent playing with her dog (Arthur), writing, reading, painting, and traveling to different places around the world.Email: tcort@btgbmail.org

B.A. in Psychology, Washington University in St. Louis, M.A. in Child and Adolescent Development, Tufts University

Amee joined Breakthrough Greater Boston in 2009. As the Senior Director of High School Programs, Amee oversees all aspects of BTGB’s 9th-12th grade work at our Cambridge and Dorchester campuses to ensure that all students receive the support and resources needed to help them apply for — and be ready for — college. Prior to joining Breakthrough, Amee was an Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Washington University in St. Louis.

Amee has amassed quite a few favorite memories during her time at Breakthrough — everything from seeing student alums return to Breakthrough as Teaching Fellows to indulging her love for trivia by playing Jeopardy after school with Breakthrough high school students (and staff).Email: anaik@btgbmail.org

B.S. in Elementary and Special Education, Boston College; M.Ed., Harvard Graduate School of Education

Elissa first joined Breakthrough Greater Boston as a Board Member, working actively on the Strategic Planning and Program Committees. She became the Executive Director in 2009 and has since set the vision and guided Breakthrough’s strategic growth into Boston and Somerville. Prior to joining Breakthrough, Elissa was the first Director of the Wellington Management Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting education programs for low-income youth, including some of the affiliate sites of the Breakthrough Collaborative. Elissa has broad experience in the field of education and has also worked with nonprofits focused on foster care, adoption and domestic violence. Elissa began her career as a third grade teacher at the Neighborhood House Charter School in Dorchester, MA and has taught in a variety of settings.

When not busy at Breakthrough, Elissa spends time with family and friends, enjoys food of all kinds, and volunteers regularly. Her favorite Breakthrough memory is watching our inaugural class of students in Boston fall in love with the Breakthrough traditions, culture, and spirit.

Email: espelman@btgbmail.org

B.A. in Sociology and Black Studies, Amherst College

Jalencia joined the BTGB team in 2020, after previously serving as a Teaching Fellow in the summers of 2016 and 2017 and as a Support Services Advisor at The Steppingstone Foundation. Jalencia is excited to reconnect with former students who are now high schoolers and to continue to support them on their path to college. As the High School Program Manager, Jalencia oversees all programming, supports, and services for 9th-12th grade students and their families at the Boston campus. 

Outside of Breakthrough, Jalencia enjoys spending time with friends and family, reading, listening to podcasts and music, and watching comedy.

Email: jwade@btgbmail.org

Email: kfernandez@btgbmail.org

Email: mpicher@btgbmail.org

B.A. in Anthropology and Global Health, Northwestern University

Serena joined Breakthrough Greater Boston in 2020 as a FAO Schwarz Fellow. As the College Success and Alumni Support Fellow Serena works with recent graduates to provide support at the college level and promote engagement amongst the student and teacher alumni community. Before she came to Breakthrough she supported college leaders from 40 schools across the country as a Leadership Development Intern at QuestBridge and supported college freshman as a Peer Adviser at Northwestern.

Outside of work, Serena spends her time reading celebrity memoirs and trying to cook through her newest cookbook.

Email: ssalgado@btgbmail.org

B.A. in Ethnic Studies and Spanish & Portuguese, Vanderbilt University; M.S. in Education, Johns Hopkins University

Valerie (she/her/hers) joined the Breakthrough Greater Boston team in 2019. As the Director of Student Services in Cambridge, she oversees all recruitment and admissions, student advocacy, and family engagement work. Prior to Breakthrough, Valerie taught high school in Atlanta for a few years before moving back home to Boston and working with Teach For America and Boston Public Schools.

Outside of the office, she serves as the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Boston City Singers, is a member of the Jamaica Plain Neighborhood Council, and is the Vice-Chair of The Collective-Massachusetts, a group that serves educators of color in Massachusetts. Her free time is spent reading as much YA as possible!Email: vcoimbra@btgbmail.org