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

A smiling woman with short blonde hair wearing glasses and a dark top, standing against a plain light-colored background.

  • Nehemie visits the RABC house once a week, 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 Founder and Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer of Restoratively Speaking. 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

  • Mary has been the house cook for over 10 years after a long career as a professional cook. Her early passion for cooking took her to the Culinary Institute in Hyde Park graduating in 1983. Most of her career has been in corporate food services including Marriott Food Services and Greenwich Hospital. At RABC, she is responsible for menu planning and shopping in addition to the food prep. She asks the Scholars for their favorite recipes from their families and likes to include those in her planning.                                           

    The Scholars are expected to help Mary with the food preparation on a rotating schedule. "I like the girls and it's really nice getting to know them on a more personal level when they help me in the kitchen."

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

Jacque Lang, Co-President & Recording Secretary

Karen Gerard, Co-President & Corresponding Secretary

Layne McCarthy, 1st Vice President

Laura Dobson, 2nd Vice President

Ira Gerard, Treasurer

Gerry Fish, Standards

Board of Directors

Nancy Brandon

Jessica Brooks

Michelle DiMicelli

Divya Dorairajan

Susan Ferguson

Jean Grevers

Tina Malhotra

Lisa Miraglia

Jennifer Sproule

Marlena Stout

Alysa Wakin

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?