Meet the Team

  • Liz Corsini, MPH

    FOUNDING PARTNER

    Liz has served in executive leadership positions for government and non-profit organizations, and on community and international boards. She holds a Master of Public Health with 30 plus years working with youth, women, and families across multi-disciplinary systems where advancing equity and justice has been central to her work. Liz has expertise in leadership development, board development and governance, talent retention, change management, strategic planning, operations, fundraising & grant writing, program development and implementation, community engagement, and advocacy. She is a skilled trainer, facilitator, and speaker with expertise in gender violence, anti-bias and workplace justice, and trauma-informed resilience-oriented equity focused systems. She works with C-suite leadership teams, governing boards, educational systems, nonprofit organizations, foundations, municipalities, and corporations. Liz believes that leaders have a responsibility to lead with integrity, and by a set of values and strategies that are well informed, transparent, measurable, intentional, and aligned with a well-defined mission and system of accountability. Liz@thecollabforchange.org

  • Mariam Gerges, LCSW

    FOUNDING PARTNER

    Mariam has served in leadership positions for more than 15 years where increasing access to quality mental health services for marginalized communities has been central to her work in the United States and in Egypt. She is a licensed clinical social worker and a skilled trainer and speaker with expertise in gender violence, human trafficking, trauma informed resilience-oriented care, healthy youth development, toxic masculinity, program development and implementation, community engagement, supervision, and equity and justice in the workplace. Mariam works with education systems, health and human service organizations, foundations, corporations, government and municipalities, and other organizations seeking to optimize impact and transformational progress. Fluent in Arabic, Mariam serves her community in Egypt, as well as the Egyptian community in the states through trainings, workshops, and mental health supports. Mariam has provided frontline trauma support to ISIS terrorist-stricken areas as well as village prevention education on FGM and intimate partner violence. Mariam@thecollabforchange.org

  • Lynne Algrant, MA

    Lynne has served in executive leadership positions for academic institutions, non-profit organizations, government entities and on statewide and community governing boards. Lynne is the Chief Resource & Development Officer at Greater Bergen Community Action (GBCA) where equity and justice are central to Lynne’s work. Lynne has spearheaded several initiatives aimed at increasing access to health and other services for communities at greatest risk for poor health outcomes. She Co-Chaired the NJ Covid Vaccine Equity Team and spearheaded the development of the Unity Health Partnership, a comprehensive health and wellness center for uninsured and underinsured communities. Lynne is an experienced consultant, trainer, and speaker with expertise in effective leadership, board governance, program development and implementation, equity and justice in the workplace, community engagement, trauma informed resilience-oriented equity focused approaches, strategic planning and implementation, health equity, and advocacy. Lynne works with academic institutions, human service organizations, boards, foundations, corporations, and government entities.

  • Nicole Arias

    Executive Coordinator

    Nicole is our detail-oriented, highly effective, and responsive Executive Coordinator with 10 plus years working for non-profit organizations and corporations. Nicole oversees the administrative functions and business operations for the Collaborative with a commitment to advancing practices that promote equity in our workplace. Nicole is fluent in Spanish and can be reached by email nicole@thecollabforchange.org.

  • Caroline Corsini, MA

    Caroline has worked in the education and health and wellness field for more than 15 years. She holds a Master’s in Special Education, worked for several years in the public school system in Massachusetts, and now combines her love of teaching with her passion for healing the mind and body. Caroline is a certified health and wellness coach, holistic nutritionist, yoga instructor, and reiki practitioner. An expert in health and wellness practices that promote both personal and professional health, Caroline supports the development and implementation of employee health and wellness practices leading to productive workplaces and greater employee retention. Caroline works with leaders, education systems, health and human service organizations, and corporations. Caroline’s approach to equity and justice in the workplace prioritizes strategies that foster physically and psychologically safe work environments.

  • Sue Gelsey

    Sue has served in executive leadership positions for more than 25 years where justice-focused community advancement has been central to her work. Sue is the Chief Engagement Officer at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades and the Founder/Director of Community Calls, a community-wide coalition of faith-based and community-based organizations dedicated to strengthening relationships, advancing learning, disrupting tensions, and creating community change. Sue is an expert, facilitator, and skilled public speaker on effective teams, strength-based management, employee development and engagement, strategic planning and implementation, community engagement, advocacy, and change management. Sue works with leadership teams, governing boards, non-profit and faith-based organizations, and corporations. As an alumnus of the Mandel Executive Leadership Program and the Shalom Hartman Institute’s Black-Jewish Leadership Initiative, Sue is dedicated to advancing equity and justice in the workplace and in the broader community.

  • Diana Gerges, Ed.D

    With 15 years of dedicated experience in the field of education, Diana has a deep passion for transforming communities through education and inclusion. She holds a Master’s in Educational Leadership, and a Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis with a concentration in Special Education. She also holds a Doctorate in Higher Education furthering her commitment to advancing justice in academic and community settings which has been central to her work. She has combined her dedication and expertise in education with her passion for health, wellness, and healing. As a certified mindfulness coach and a restorative practices facilitator, Diana uses trauma-informed decision making to guide her work. Diana works with teams to create inclusive and innovative environments, fostering growth and development, through establishing a shared mission, and fair measures of accountability. Diana is a skilled facilitator, trainer and public speaker who works with academic institutions, non-profit organizations, C-suite leadership teams, foundations, and corporations.

  • Tashiera Howard, Ph.D

    Tashiera has served in executive and program leadership positions for non-profit organizations for more than 20 years. She holds two master’s degrees in Mental Health Counseling and Philosophy and a Ph.D. in General Psychology. Her passion for sustainability and community empowerment has driven her to spearhead numerous initiatives that have transformed lives and communities. Tashiera has expertise in organizational change management, leadership development, strategic planning, program development and implementation, evidence-based practices, community engagement, advocacy, and advancing equity and justice in the workplace. She has spearheaded multiple efforts to increase access to high quality mental health and social services for vulnerable populations, building effective systems with key performance indicators and accountability. Tashiera is a skilled facilitator and public speaker with expertise in trauma-informed resilience-oriented care, mental health, family systems and services, and staff development. Tashiera works with C-suite leadership teams, governing boards, non-profit organizations, municipalities, educational systems, and corporations.

  • Laura Satterfield-Mathieu, Ed.D

    Laura is an educational and community leader with more than 20 years of experience advancing justice and equity in the New Jersey public education system. She holds an Ed.D degree in K-12 School Administration and currently serves as the Assistant Principal at the Janis E. Dismus Middle School in Englewood NJ. Laura has initiated and led the integration of restorative justice, social-emotional learning, and mindfulness practices in multi-faceted educational settings. She is committed to fostering a healthy school culture and climate, valuing the health and wellness of all educators. Laura has expertise in educational policy, instruction, educational assessments, school structure, and transformative school culture. She is a trained facilitator and public speaker who works with leadership teams, governing boards, non-profit organizations, and foundations. Laura believes that quality education for all students is central to achieving societal equality.

  • Rev. Sanetta Ponton, J.D., M.Div.

    Sanetta has served in executive leadership positions for over 15 years where she has promoted equity and justice in non-profit and faith-based organizations through transformative practices and strategic engagement. She holds a JD and a Masters of Divinity and currently serves as the Executive Director of Metro Community Center and as the Associate Pastor of Justice, Advocacy and Compassion for Metro Community Church. Sanetta is a skilled facilitator, public speaker, and trainer with expertise in leadership development, healthy youth development, program development and planning, equity and justice, community engagement, advocacy, and organizational change management. Sanetta works with academic institutions, leadership teams, youth, governing boards, organizations, foundations, and corporations. Sanetta is an ordained Christian minister working across denominations and faith traditions and is especially adept at helping faith organizations work with government agencies, private businesses, and nonprofit organizations. She believes that organizations can make great impact while also maintaining equity, integrity, and professionalism.

  • Davia Velenzuela

    Davia has served in leadership positions for government and non-profit organizations for more than 25 years where she has worked with diverse communities across multi-faceted systems. Davia is the Director of Human Resources and Administration for the Bergen Family Center in Englewood NJ where she leads the development and implementation of practices that promote equity in talent recruitment and retention strategies, employee engagement and advancement, and staff health and wellness. Davia has expertise in leadership coaching, HR practices, employee recruitment and retention strategies, professional development, building organizational operating systems, and change management. Davia has led the development and integration of well-defined strategies and practices that value diversity, while fostering work environments that support professional development and growth. Davia works with Leaders, C-suite teams, non-profit organizations, and governing boards.

Corporations

Foundations

We Work With

Governing Boards & Advisory Groups

Government Agencies- State, County, Municipalities

Non-Profit Organizations

Schools and School Districts

Early Learning Centers