Staff

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Hillary Kane is the Director for the Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development (PHENND). PHENND is a consortium of over 25 institutions of higher education in the Greater Philadelphia region that seeks to help campuses connect to their communities through mutually beneficial service and service-learning partnerships. Since Ms. Kane joined PHENND in 1999, the organization has increased its membership, developed new multi-university programs and partnerships, and become a leader in the field of service-learning. Under her leadership, PHENND has developed particular expertise in K-16 Partnerships, with an emphasis on college readiness and success. PHENND has partnered with the School District of Philadelphia for over 15 years on all of its GEAR UP grants as well as the K-16 VISTA project which places 20 full-time AmeriCorps VISTAs in public schools and District offices. PHENND also manages the Next Steps AmeriCorps program, which enrolls low-income college students as part-time AmeriCorps members. Last year, PHENND acquired PHENND Fellows, another full-time VISTA project that places members at nonprofit organizations for a variety of capacity-building projects. Hillary is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies. She is also member of the Greater Philadelphia Corporate Volunteer Council, is active in local politics, and is a proud School District parent.

Eden Kainer is the VISTA Program Manager at PHENND. Eden began with PHENND in 2012 as part of the planning team for the VISTA Community Partnerships project, helping build the systems and processes for recruiting, training and placing VISTAs in schools to serve as Community Partnerships Coordinators as well building relationships with hosting principals. Prior to PHENND, she served three years as a Parent and Community Ombudsman with the School District of Philadelphia, and is to this day an active Philadelphia public school parent. A graduate of Bryn Mawr College with a degree in sociology, Ms. Kainer also received a PhD in Musicology from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. For her dissertation, she examined the intersections of popular vocal performance with aural markers of race. Other interests include violin teaching and orchestral performance.

Janine Wright joined PHENND as the K-16 Partnerships Manager in the summer of 2020. Prior to PHENND she spent over twenty-five years in the nonprofit sector focused primarily on college access and success, community-based education and engagement and professional development. She served as the Assistant Director for Minority Recruitment at the University of Pennsylvania and was part of the inaugural staff of the Philadelphia Education Fund’s College Access Program (later serving twice as its director). Janine also managed the E3 Centers project at the Philadelphia Youth Network and directed the agency’s professional development initiatives for network members.

Janine received both her bachelor’s degree in communications and her master’s degree in urban education from Temple University. She is a proud Philadelphian who remains eternally convinced that the Eagles can do it again.

Kene is a Philadelphia-based program manager and development specialist dedicated to creating impactful youth programs that equip young people with essential skills and competencies. Passionate about technology and expanding STEAM career opportunities for underrepresented groups, he actively fosters partnerships with community-based youth technology organizations, businesses, and civic institutions.

Kene has played a pivotal role in developing programs that address gaps in the city’s K-12 education system. Notably, during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown in 2020, he helped to coordinate Philadelphia’s school district technology access centers, ensuring that many North Philadelphia families could continue their children’s education remotely. He is a proud Temple University alum and beyond his work in community development, Kene enjoys staying active outdoors. Whether playing pickup basketball, kickball, biking, grilling, or exploring the city on foot, he embraces any opportunity to engage with the outdoors.

Addie Boccuzzi joined PHENND as the Promise Corps Program Coordinator in August 2024. She first became involved with PHENND during her AmeriCorps term with the Next Steps Program, where she served as the Team Leader at Temple University. In that role, she offered individualized support to first-generation undergraduates as they completed 300 hours of service.

Originally from Tennessee, Addie moved to Philadelphia to attend Temple University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Global Studies and History. She is passionate about expanding education access, empowering young people, and coordinating service initiatives that build stronger communities. Addie is dedicated to supporting the efforts of AmeriCorps members and the students they serve in West Philadelphia.

Lane Frazee is the PHENND Sustainability Coordinator. Prior to joining PHENND, she served two years as the Community Partnerships Coordinator for Walter B. Saul High School in Roxborough. She grew up in Oreland, Pennsylvania, and has lived in and around Montgomery and Philadelphia County for most of her life. Lane is a recent graduate with a B.A. in Peace Studies from Goucher College. Before PHENND, she has worked with an advocacy organization for incarcerated women and girls, and as a bartender at a local brewery.  She is interested in learning about relationships between communities and schools, and how she can help those connections grow stronger. She is especially excited to be working on sustainability because she enjoys gardening, food, and all things animals in her free time. In the future, Lane hopes to work towards building self-sustaining communities.

A lifetime resident of the East Oak Lane section of Philadelphia, Andrew studied Economics at The Wharton School, concentrating in Information Systems and Social Impact & Responsibility. Since 2020, Andrew has served in several K-12 tutoring roles, post-secondary college access and FAFSA coaching roles, as well as operations roles for programs that serve the West Philadelphia community. Outside of his VISTA service, Andrew continues to explore his passion for service in youth and community programming by working as a K-12 instructor for TEACH LLC. Andrew is most passionate about a career at the intersection of data and the social sector. Some of his active hobbies are tennis and hiking. His creative interests include cooking, listening to music, and assembling jigsaw puzzles to be framed as wall decor.

“Chambs, born and raised in North/Northeast Philadelphia, graduated with their Bachelors in Film and Media Arts at Temple University. Chambs is the Executive Director of Communications at Temple University’s Babel Poetry Collective, and is a FUTURE NOW Media Foundation alumni. In 2021, they were an Intake Specialist under the NCCC AmeriCorps program at Asociacion Puertorriquenos en Marcha, became a freelance videographer in 2022 under Embassy:Interactive, LLC, and after two year-long internships with the Girl Scouts of Eastern PA and Spring Point Partners, is back at AmeriCorps to be a PHENND VISTA Fellow at TTF Watershed.

Chambs is an artist at heart, spending most of their days consumed in poetry, film, music, and any community events that show up on their radar.

DOMINIQUE BROWN RASLEY is a dedicated social work professional, community advocate, and current President of the Association of Black Social Workers (ABSW) at West Chester University. With a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and hands-on experience in care management, Dominique has worked with diverse populations in shelters and community-based programs, addressing issues of housing insecurity, access to resources, and social justice. She is deeply committed to empowering underserved communities through service, advocacy, and education. From organizing local clean-ups and community drives, Dominique blends compassion with leadership to create lasting impact. She is especially passionate about advancing equity within the field of social work. Dominique aspires to further her education in law, bridging social work and legal advocacy to amplify her ability to fight for systemic change.

Originally from Bloomington, Indiana, Gabrielle is a recent graduate of Bryn Mawr College where she got her degree in Environmental Studies and Fine Arts. She is passionate about sustainable food production, environmental education, and environmental art. In her free time, Gabrielle enjoys knitting, playing her cello, reading, hiking, and painting. Gabrielle looks forward to working with Martha’s Community Farm this year and helping the organization to expand their volunteer network.

Henridell was born and raised in South Florida. She studied Criminology and minored in Technology and Society at Florida State University. She is currently pursuing a master’s in public administration with a focus on nonprofit management. Previously, Henridell served as a Forensic Care Coordinator and as a Business Operations Assistant. Through her PHENND placement, Henridell hopes to further develop her program coordination, community engagement, and program evaluation skills. In her free time, Henridell enjoys kayaking, crafts, spending time with her cat, Hatsuki, and trying out new cuisines.

Ilene was born and raised in Bucks County, PA. She studied Environmental Science and Policy with a concentration in Politics and Policy from the University of Maryland – College Park. Furthermore, Ilene is interested in law, communications, and marketing. This year, she will be working at the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia as the Sustainable Outreach and Engagement Fellow. While in school, she got the opportunity to study abroad on Semester at Sea, where she traveled to 10 different countries on a cruise ship! Beyond her education, she has worked at Rita’s Italian Ice for 7 years, and swam competitively for 9 years. In her free time, she loves to thrift, read, hike/workout, hangout with friends, travel, and try new foods!

Isaiah Wright is a dedicated and creative professional with a strong passion for teaching, storytelling, and technology. A recent graduate, he is committed to making a positive impact by sharing knowledge, uplifting others, and building meaningful connections. With experience in project development, social media strategy, and user-centered design, Isaiah thrives at the intersection of education and technology.

He has worked on projects ranging from web development and interface design to outreach and recruitment strategies, demonstrating both technical skills and an ability to engage communities. Isaiah brings a thoughtful and supportive approach to collaboration, guided by empathy, clear communication, and a genuine passion for helping others grow.

Outside of work, Isaiah is a creative thinker with interests in writing, psychology, and exploring how stories—whether in literature, games, or media—reflect human growth and resilience. His long-term goal is to combine his love for teaching and technology to inspire and empower future generations.

Jacob Saltzman was born and raised in New Jersey and received a bachelor of Liberal Arts degree for Global Studies at Temple University. He has years of community service and empowerment experience having served in multiple volunteer and service based organizations in the Burlington and Philadelphia counties. Having worked as a sales associate and security guard, he is excited to make the pivot to community empowerment and hopes to gain a greater understanding of the Philadelphia education system and its potential to impact student’s lives. He is excited to assist Building 21 in its partnership program with the goal of helping students achieve their occupational dreams.

James Flanagan is an AmeriCorps VISTA with Woods Services, where he works to advance healthcare access for people with disabilities. Born and raised in New York, James studied economics with a minor in business analytics at The Ohio State University before completing a postbaccalaureate premedical program at The City College of New York. During that time, he worked in a neuroscience research lab studying dopamine in songbirds to better understand speech development and delays.

Outside of academics, James is passionate about service and accessibility. He teaches climbers with disabilities through the Adaptive Climbing Group, combining his love for nature with his commitment to inclusion.

Jay was born in Chester, PA, and raised in Philadelphia. After an extensive early career in youth empowerment and civic education, Jay joined the City’s Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity as the AmeriCorps Financial Empowerment Services VISTA in 2023. They moved on to the Biden-Harris and Harris-Walz campaigns in 2024, and later returned to the Greater Philadelphia area to continue to serve youth and communities in need. Jay now serves as the Community Programs Developer VISTA at the La Salle Nonprofit Center. In their spare time, Jay enjoys music, soccer, and spending time with loved ones.

John Carr graduated from Lewis & Clark College with a double major in Biology and Studio Art. He has worked in labs and is moving towards community development. He has since worked with several volunteer organizations around Philadelphia to better immerse himself in the needs of the community. He is excited to engage with the PRISE program and the possibilities in developing the community it may offer.

I am a dedicated social worker pursuing my MSW at West Chester University with a passion for equity, advocacy, and community empowerment. My work focuses on supporting underserved urban communities, with particular interests in social justice, mental health, and research as tools for systemic change. I am committed to addressing barriers to care, promoting accessible mental health resources, and contributing to broader conversations around equity and social change. Outside of my studies, I enjoy traveling and cultural exploration, which enrich my perspective and strengthen my commitment to empathy, resilience, and advocacy.

Lauren is an AmeriCorps VISTA serving the Philadelphia School District as the Sustainability Coordinator. She received her Bachelors in Environmental Geography with a Masters Cert in GIS. She has always had a passion and sense of responsibility for the environment. Through this position, she hopes to gain insight as well as continue furthering the sustainability efforts to improve the City and the lives of its residents.

Lianna attended Stockton University as a Sustainability Major with a Concentration in Management. She has a passion for fine arts, culinary arts, and systems change. Using her restaurant experience and education on sustainability, Lianna aims to work with Montgomery County Community College’s culinary program and Wellness Center to reduce food waste and alleviate hunger on campus. She will do this by educating the community about sustainability topics, making meals from excess ingredients produced by the culinary program, and then supplying those meals to the Wellness Center’s food pantry that is accessible to students of MontCo. She aims to build systems that will ensure the continuity of sustainable practices at MontCo after she’s gone. She also looks forward to experimenting with sustainable food packaging solutions

Maxim was born and raised in Northeast Philadelphia. He studied at the University of Pennsylvania, where he majored in Political Science, Russian and Eastern European Studies, and Middle Eastern Studies. Recently, he earned his MA from the University of Helsinki specializing in Russian Studies. His thesis centered on the topic of Ukrainian visual culture and national historiography and their relationships with the legacies of Ukrainian independence fighters. Maxim began volunteering at Mitzvah Circle originally, where he learned about an opportunity connected to PHENND which focused on expanding the organization’s efforts to build and develop youth engagement with volunteering opportunities. During his downtime, Maxim loves reading about political economy, playing tennis, learning languages, hiking in old-growth forests, and volunteering with local organizations.

Mikaela was born and raised in Appalachian central Pennsylvania. She studied sociology and criminology at The Pennsylvania State University and West Virginia University where she earned her Ph.D. in 2022. She specializes in systemic injustice, equity-based research, and actionable insight consultation. She has led projects examining rural political identity, dialogic conflict, collateral consequences to incarceration, and has provided expert testimony on racial impacts of proposed State legislation. She served in WVU’s first Social Justice Research Fellowship cohort, supported labor rights in rural WV with the Office of Budget and Policy, and co-founded WVU’s graduate student union. She is passionate about connecting others, solving complex problems, and being an advocate.

Hi, I’m Quenzel Matthewson from Philadelphia, currently working towards a Bachelor’s degree in Human Services. I’ve taken this position to work with youth, as I believe they are the key to shaping our future. Outside of my academic and professional pursuits, I’m passionate about boxing and anything cardio, which keeps me energized and focused. Excited to combine my interests and skills to make a positive impact!

And here’s a little joke to kick things off: Why did the scarecrow become a successful neurosurgeon? Because he was outstanding in his field!

Originally from West Philadelphia, Sakinah Bibi is a dedicated advocate for youth and families, currently serving her community as a VISTA at KIPP Philadelphia Public Charter Schools. She is a Master of Social Work student at West Chester University, where she is also pursuing a Certificate in School Social Work to further her commitment to supporting students in educational settings while also being president of Phi Alpha social work honor society.

Sakinah began her academic journey at the Community College of Philadelphia, where she earned an Associate’s degree in Behavioral Health and Human Services. She recently completed her Bachelor’s in Social Work at West Chester University, graduating summa cum laude as a first-generation college graduate.

Inspired by the social workers who supported her and her family, Sakinah is passionate about giving back and ensuring students—especially those in under-resourced communities—have access to the care and support they need to thrive. Her journey into social work is rooted in lived experience, compassion, and a drive to build strong school-family-community partnerships.

Taylor is a recent graduate from the University of Delaware where she earned a bachelors of science degree in wildlife ecology and conservation. Before serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA, Taylor served as an AmeriCorps member with the Oklahoma Conservation Corps in Oklahoma City. She also worked at the Philadelphia Zoo as an Education Interpreter. Taylor is passionate about species and resource conservation, environmental education, and community engagement. She is excited to return to the Philadelphia Zoo in the VISTA capacity and looks forward to helping communities around the zoo.

Xose has recently received her B.A. in Geography and Theater at Colgate University. During her time at Colgate, she participated in University Theater, worked for the ALANA Cultural Center as an InterGroup Dialogue Intern, was a core member of Sisters of the Round Table (SORT), and also directed Zooman and the Sign by Charles Fuller for her senior project. She has previously interned for New York City’s Department of Transportation and New York State Homes and Community Renewal. In her free time, Xose loves to knit, read, explore Philly, and hopes to work in Urban Planning. She’s so excited to be a part of this cohort of the PHENND VISTA Program!