Meet Our Staff

Executive Director

  • Sarah brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success. Sarah has held various leadership positions at large non-profit organizations. Most recently, she was the Development and Outreach Manager for Ann’s Place, Inc in Danbury, responsible for all of their large-scale annual fundraising events. Prior to that she was the Campaign Development Specialist for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in Austin, Texas where she oversaw logistics, timelines, budgets and other operational elements for their fundraising campaigns.

    “I look forward to working alongside the Board of Directors to continue the important work of empowering young women of color through education and mentorship. Together, we will build on the strong foundation already in place, and I am eager to contribute to the growth and success of RABC's mission.”

    Sarah has a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas in Austin and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado.

A woman with long dark hair, smiling, sitting on a beige couch in a room with blinds covering a window.

Resident Director

  • As Resident Director, Marquise supervises the daily operation of the house and all aspects of student life. She provides social guidance and support to the RABC Scholars by establishing and maintaining high standards of conduct and achievement in accordance with the RABC Board of Directors.

    Marquise previously served as the Assistant Resident Director for RABC from Spring of 2020 - Spring of 2022. In addition to her position as Resident Director, she is also a third grade school teacher in Danbury, where she has been teaching third grade for almost seven years. In her spare time, Marquise likes to sing, write, draw and bake. She is a jack of all trades who loves anything that allows her to be creative. 

A smiling woman with curly blonde hair sitting in front of a bookshelf filled with books, with framed photo, decorative orange letters, and a metal container on the shelf behind her.

Resident Academic Director

  • Mayzie works with the Resident Director to ensure the highest academic standards, oversees evening study hall and assists with the everyday life of the scholars. She also maintains relationships with the RABC Academic Advisor Co-Chairs, Ridgefield High School staff, scholar’s families, and the RABC Board. She likes “building relationships and helping teenagers through their high school years.”

    Originally from Alaska, Mayzie earned a Bachelor's Degree and Masters of Arts in Teaching from Colgate University. She is a 9th and 10th grade English teacher at Ridgefield High School.

Social Worker

  • Nehemie visits the RABC house monthly, enjoying dinner with the girls and then engaging with the scholars through group discussions and activities, and also providing one-on-one support. She also provides all adult volunteers and staff with DEI training, highlighting our commitment to building an inclusive and supportive community. 

    Nehemie is the Co-Founder, Chief Creative Officer, and Psychotherapist of North Star Partners. She has over a decade of experience working with nonprofits that focus on the intersection of racial equity, academia, and the social-emotional well-being of youth and families of color. Nehemie has a Master’s in Social Work from New York University,  and BA in Psychology from University of Vermont.

Cook

  • Hello!  I’m Sherry Tyrrell and I’ve been holding down the kitchen at Veterans Park for the past 15 years, keeping my littles laughing and well-fed. In the summer, I cook for the Danbury Westerners, a collegiate summer baseball league—so I’m no stranger to long days, big appetites, and fast-paced kitchens. 

    I’m a single mom to my 28-year-old son and share my home with a 9-year-old pittie who firmly believes she is the boss! When I’m not cooking, I love getting lost in a good book, watching my guilty pleasure Murder She Wrote, hiking with Blüe, soaking up the sun at the beach, or catching concerts and baseball games. Let’s go Yankees and Westerners!

    I’m beyond excited to cook for the girls and get them in the kitchen with me—sharing laughs, learning new skills, and making great food together.

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors brings diverse professional and personal experiences together in service of our mission. They provide financial oversight, strategic planning, volunteer leadership, and deep community connection — all to ensure the success and wellbeing of our scholars.

Executive Board Officers

Jessica Brooks- President

Layne McCarthy, 1st Vice President

Meredith Renda, 1st Vice President

Ira Gerard, Treasurer

Susan Ferguson, Recording Secretary

Michelle DiMicelli- Corresponding Secretary

Board of Directors

Nancy Brandon

Divya Dorairajan

Karen Gerard

Joanna Hils

Kathleen Murdock

Lisa Miraglia

Janie Nneji

Marlena Stout

We are currently accepting applications for new members of our Board of Directors.

Please email our Executive Director, Sarah Streif, for more information.

Get in Touch

Interested in volunteering on a committee or learning more about Board service?