OUR 2021-2022 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
We are honored to be led by the following amazing and resourceful women.
Chinira Lovick
Board Co-President
Chinira is the Development Coordinator at Schenectady Community Ministries (SiCM). She first got involved with WGGS when she served as a panelist for the Pushout Documentary Event in 2021. She helped run a Girls' Circle as a Muse at the high school during the 2021-2022 school year.
Monique Wade
Board Co-President
Monique's first experience with WGGS was in a high school Girls' Circle. Later, she served as a Muse. After working as an EMT at Mohawk Ambulance Services, Monique took a position as one of two Peer Mediation Coordinators for SCSD middle schoolers. Monique explains, "I help students with conflict resolution and weighing their options aside from verbal or physical altercations. I think helping is worthwhile because I vowed to myself to be the person for others that I needed when I was their age. If I can be that shining light of guidance for others, I'm willing to do so."
Pam Carter
Immediate Past President
Pam was a previous Muse at Central Park Middle School and at Oneida Middle School. Pam is active at her church and in the community. She volunteers with the SICM Food Pantry, serves as a Board Member with Safe Inc. of Schenectady County and with the YWCA in Schenectady.
Cathy Lewis
Board Treasurer
Mary Lynn Olbrych
Board Secretary
Mary Lynn retired from NYS after working over 35 years as a computer programmer and business analyst. After retirement she became a mentor in the Promises Program at the Boys and Girls Club of Schenectady. A couple of years ago Mary Lynn got involved with WGGS as a volunteer for Girls Day Out, the Celebration Dinner and serves on the Fundraising Committee.
Laura LaFontaine
Program Coordinator
Laura began her journey with WGGS in 2014 as a volunteer. She later went on to become the WGGS Program Coordinator and continues to run Girls' Circles as a Muse. She is very passionate about working with and supporting the youth of Schenectady.
Jaleesce Brown
Board Member
Jaleesce joined the WGGS group as a Muse implementing the girls circle group for the 2013 school year. Jaleesce takes pride in participating in organizations that not only give back to the community but help to foster positive moments that young girls will hold dearly to them throughout their lives!
Teresa Casullo
Board Member
Known throughout the galaxy as the Condom Lady or more affectionately- Mamma Tre. Teresa “Tre” Casullo has been a staunch advocate for equality and reproductive rights for many years. Professionally, Tre has worked for the Utica YWCA and became an Americorps volunteer for 2 years. Tre is currently at Planned Parenthood of Greater New York for 24 years as an Educator and CAPP Director. She has served for 2 years on the Friends of Schenectady Child Advocacy Center as board president. Tre loves to camp, hike, ski, play music and belongs to a fencing club in Troy. She is extremely humbled to have been chosen to serve on the WGGS board and will uphold her responsibilities to the best of her capacity.
Lorenda Chisolm, Ed.D.
Board Member
A Buffalo native, Lorenda Chisolm, Ed.D. is the Assistant Superintendent for Teaching & Learning with the SCSD. Serving in her first year on the BOD with WGGS, she is a passionate urban educator who takes great pride in serving the students and families of Schenectady. Lorenda is an avid proponent of and advocate for socially just policies that impact women, specifically women and communities of color. She has been recognized as a Buffalo Business First 2015 ‘40 Under 40’ honoree and 2015 Women “Touching the World” awardee in honor of National Women’s History Month. She was also named as a 2014-2016 Jackson Scholar through the University Council for Educational Administration (UCEA) and has several scholarly publications focused on social justice school leadership and STEM. Finally, Lorenda is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the proud mother of a beautiful 22 year old daughter, Aziza.
Shane Cotto
Board Member
Cynthia Farmer
Board Member
Cynthia has served as a Muse and is very passionate about working with the youth of Schenectady. She believes strongly in serving her community and is very involved, serving as Treasurer: Schenectady NAACP Branch; Chairperson: Schenectady NAACP Branch Education Committee; Chairperson: Reactivation of the Schenectady NAACP Branch; Chairperson: Higher Education Services Corporation Affirmative Action Advisory Committee; Staff Representative: Higher Education Services Cooperation Bureau of Collection Control Advisory Committee; President of the BOD: Chocolate Thunder Marching & Dancing Band Youth Development Program, Inc.; Council Leader: Division 355 PEF.
Tjesa Jacobs
Board Member
Tjesa Jacobs is a Schenectady County native and proud mother of two. She recently earned her M.A. in Social and Public Policy and an Advanced Certificate in Community Advocacy. Tjesa is currently employed as a Health Educator/ Youth Advisor for Planned Parenthood. She's passionate about assisting her community and “sisters” in finding their voice, accomplishing their goals and being successful people.
Daniela Puorto
Board Member
Daniela is a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner who works with underserved & vulnerable populations at Whitney M. Young Jr Health Center. In her spare time she expresses her passion for climate change advocacy and education, especially in relation to its intersection of health. She is a member of the Zonta Club of Schenectady where she chairs the advocacy committee, along with District 2 advocacy chair, and the club’s Vice President, while also serving on the Zonta USA caucus as a representative for her district in Gender Equity Climate Action Caucus and promoting Zonta’s mission to “build a better world for women and girls.” Finally, she has intermittently volunteered to help WGGS since 2014, donates and volunteers for Schenectady Street Soldiers, and works to bring awareness to mental health and suicide prevention.