Meet the A4TD Team

Crystal is a lifelong resident of New York’s Capital Region and a graduate of SUNY’s Empire State College, where she completed her Bachelor of Science in Human Services. Crystal is a Capital Region Chamber of Commerce Leadership Tech Valley Class of 2019 alumni. Throughout her career she has been recognized for her professional and educational commitments by the Network for Youth Success and SUNY’s Empire State College.

Crystal has made a lifelong commitment to creating opportunities for individuals to achieve their goals. Before joining A4TD,  Crystal facilitated various programs that supported youth and families in achieving their maximum potential, in both the non-profit and government sector. One of her roles included starting a non-profit that provided teens and young adults access to science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics programming.

As a leader and professional, Crystal believes the best way to invest in the future of our communities, is to support individuals in improving their quality of life. During her time off you can find Crystal rock climbing, curled up with a good book, assisting her local feline foster agency, or exploring the outdoors with her teenage daughter. 

Chris has a long history of helping people in need to find work. For over 20-years Chris has focused on helping the poor, homeless, veterans and the vulnerable to overcome barriers and find success with their careers. Chris has lived in Syracuse for the last 30 years and raised his two kids there. When Chris isn’t working he enjoys DIY projects and cooking.

Charlene is passionate about supporting people to accomplish their livelihood aspirations while building more equitable, inclusive, and thriving communities.  Prior to Charlene’s role with A4TD, she has worked with non-profits serving refugee farmers in New Hampshire and community health projects in Ecuador.  A proud Rochester, NY resident, Charlene enjoys exploring in and around her city- whether that’s hiking a new trail with her dog, cooking with whatever is in abundance at the farmers market, or simply finding the best coffee in town!

Michelle has a degree in Culinary Arts and has worked in various roles in the food industry- from line cook to manager, manufacturing, operations and restaurant ownership. As an employer she has built her passion for recruiting, training, building teams and successful results. In her free time you can catch her at the lake with a mystery novel or working out at the local gym. But her true love is her rescue coonhound named Jim!

For the last 20 years Lupe served in the US Army. He enjoyed his time traveling around the world but has decided to establish roots in New York’s North Country. Lupe appreciates spending time outside with his family enjoying the great New York weather.

Rashanda is a Connecticut resident who has worked in the nonprofit community in Fairfield County as a Program Coordinator for several years. Rashanda has a strong sense of devotion to nonprofit organizations, and a deep appreciation for how nonprofits improve the quality of life for our people and community. Rashanda enjoys interior decorating, arts & crafts, family outings, traveling and participating in community events.

Marlene has over 25 years of experience working as an Administrator in the Not-for-profit human services community, with an emphasis on building strong partnerships and impactful programs. Marlene enjoys networking, grant writing and the opportunity to advocate for those most in need. An advocate for Public Media Marlene serves on the Board of Trustees for her local PBS station and Chair’s their Education Advisory Committee. When not working Marlene tries to get out into nature to hike, garden, and capture the experience through photography and painting.

Larry is a life-long Vermonter, he earned a Bachelor’s degree at Southern Vermont College in Bennington. As a Regional Coordinator Larry likes to put his love for his home state to work helping older Vermonters move ahead with their career goals. Larry is a father to a beautiful seven year old daughter and a semi-professional musician in his spare time.

Harry has been in the field of workforce development his entire career working for the Maine Department of Labor, Maine Department of Health & Human Services  and most recently for the Central/Western Maine Workforce Development Board.  His passion has always been working with and helping people achieve their goals and make a positive impact on their lives.  He and his wife Nancy have been married for 42 wonderful years and they are the proud parents of a beautiful daughter, Stacy and equally proud grandparents of their handsome grandson, Cade. He takes advantage of Maine’s diverse seasons by skiing, biking, golfing, walking & hiking and hanging out at the seashore during the short summers eating the occasional lobster.

After earning her BA in Psychology from Mt. Aloysious College, Jess worked in management in the food service industry where she developed a passion for recruiting and training. She is also a proud “soccer mom” of a dog-loving family with two boys. She enjoys crafting, spending time with family, and watching the Steelers!

Sean is a talented professional project director, with a history of experience in training and management. He is a lifelong student of theology and philosophy, and a proud father of two. He is also a bagel expert, and can rate any bagel on a scale from 0-10 in 5 different categories.

Throughout her career, Louise has always found ways to help those in need. Her work in north central Pennsylvania helps job seekers and nonprofit entities on a daily basis. Stop by a bluegrass or country music festival, and you might catch her!

Kate is a former public school teacher with a Masters in literature and writing from Binghamton University. She has gained a wide variety of skills and experience in her 10 years educating students and training colleagues. Need a clever, engaging presentation? She’s your gal. She loves to experiment and try new things, especially in pursuit of expanding her trivia knowledge. Full of energy and whimsy, she loves painting, cooking, and spending time socializing with friends, family, and her fluffy cats.

Crystal comes with a 13 year background in education working with children with disabilities. In 2008 she won the Golden Apple Award in special education (only 3 recipients a year) Crystal is a mother of two. Crystal volunteered for 13 years with the Northern Greyhound, she is passionate about dogs. Crystal enjoys walking her dogs, plant collecting and fossil hunting.

Lynn has worked in human services for many years, as a program manager for mental health services, and now as a key member of our Data Team. She lives in updates NY, is a mom of 3 kids and 2 rescue dogs!

Kathy is a finance and administrative professional who with lots of experience in payroll and file maintenance. She is an animal lover, and a longtime member of the Vermont State Guard where she currently holds the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Melita is a training and coaching professional with a passion for helping people. She has a B.A. from UVM and a JD from George Washington University. She lives in northern Vermont with her husband and their crazy pug, Chloe.

Jon is a bilingual, passionate educator and IT professional with extensive experience in teaching, software development, and user support. He has a master’s degree in teaching, and has particular expertise in virtual training technology. He is active in Toastmasters, and has won awards for public speaking. He makes large vats of Spanish hot chocolate at work, and refuses to give his coworkers the recipe.

Justin spent many years building teams to achieve and exceed the demanding goals of the retail industry. He has extensive knowledge of database management and IT systems administration. He enjoys skateboarding with his son and makes great turkey tacos.

Rick is a “math guy” with extensive background in project and operations management, and training program design & delivery. He has particular strengths in relationship building with both for-profit and nonprofit community partners. He is a member of many professional organizations including the Project Management Institute, the American Society on Aging and the Association for Talent Development. He’s a certified Project Management Professional (PMP), a dog lover, an apple crisp aficionado, and can recite pi to ~100 digits.

John has professional background in both for-profit and nonprofit administration and operations. His bachelor’s degree is in Finance and Commerce from Rider University and he has extensive expertise in grant, fiscal, and program management. He is a firefighter, a first responder, a father of two, and an accomplished horseman.

Thomas has been an executive-level manager for many years, and has extensive background in staff training, organizational expansion, industry partnership building, and workforce development. He earned his Master’s of Science in Administration and Management from St. Michael’s College, and is a Certified Professional Trainer with the American Society of Training and Development. He retains membership in many professional organizations including the American Society on Aging and the Association for Talent Development. He is a veteran of the U.S. Navy.

Pat’s background is in theatre management and teaching. She transitioned out of teaching to help kids who had dropped out of school transition into stable employment. Then in 1983, there was a growing number of school-to-work programs being developed, so she changed her focus and began to work with the other end of the age spectrum; unemployed workers age 55+, helping them to enter or re-enter the workforce. This is when she founded A4TD (originally known as Vermont Associates for Training and Development)! A4TD was awarded its first federal grant in 1983 to administer the SCSEP and has continued to successfully operate this program ever since. Pat is one of the longest tenured SCSEP advocates in the country. Her Master’s of Science in Administration is from St. Michael’s College, and outside of work Pat loves photography and travelling.