Our Staff

Laura Dell
Cheif Operating Office

Laura served as Y.O.U.’s Director of Professional Development before becoming COO. In both roles, she is focused on building a strong bridge of leadership for Y.O.U.’s future. Laura also maintains a long-standing leadership development consulting practice. Her academic and professional experience includes organization development, executive coaching, teaching, and writing. She has lived in Evanston for over 25 years and likes to do crossword puzzles and fitness walking, but not at the same time.

laura.dell@youevanston.org
(847) 866-1200 ext. 240 

Shanan Egger
Chief Financial Officer

Shanan received a Bachelor of Arts in Accounting from Robert Morris College. Throughout his eighteen year career of progressive accounting experience, Shanan focuses primarily on internal control, policy, cost analysis, general ledger, budget preparation, audit, financial reporting, payroll, cash disbursements, and cash receipts. He currently works as the Y.O.U. Controller. Shanan enjoys sports and is an active member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons.

shanan.egger@youevanston.org
(847) 866-1200 ext. 229

Seth Green
Executive Director

Seth joined Y.O.U. as Executive Director in May of 2011 and he feels incredibly fortunate to work with such a talented and dedicated staff. Prior to Y.O.U., Seth led the Job Opportunity Investment Network, a social venture that moves vulnerable adults out of poverty and into long-term careers. He also founded Americans for Informed Democracy, an organization that empowers youth to tackle pressing social challenges through community-based action. Seth’s other work experience includes years as a consultant with McKinsey and Company, where he served such clients as the Gates Foundation and United Way, as well as time at the American Prospect, the Brookings Institution, and Lazard.       

Seth has presented on his work at the U.S. House, U.S. Senate, World Bank, and U.N., and he has been a guest on C-SPAN’s Washington Journal, the Montel Williams Show, CNN, Fox, and MSNBC. His efforts have been featured in hundreds of publications, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Christian Science Monitor, and Marie Claire. In 2005, he received the Search for Common Ground Award for International Understanding and, in 2008, Utne Reader named him one of 50 “Visionaries Who Are Changing Your World.”

A Marshall Scholar, Seth has a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University, master’s degrees from the London School of Economics and Oxford, and a law degree from Yale. He serves on the Evanston Mayor’s Safe Youth Task Force and is currently a participant in Leadership Evanston. He and his wife Caitlin Fitz, an assistant professor of history at Northwestern, have an adorable baby girl named Sojourner (who is pictured with him above).

seth.green@youevanston.org
847-866-1200 x 244

Marianne Moberly
Director of Development

Marianne has a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Planning from the University of Illinois and over 25 years of experience in non profit administration, municipal government, and fundraising. She has served as the Director of Development at Y.O.U. since September 2009. Marianne has a long history of community involvement, serving as the treasurer of the Woman's Club of Evanston, in volunteer leadership positions in the Evanston Public Schools, and as a participant in Leadership Evanston. She resides in Evanston with her husband Tom and three children. In her spare time she loves to read, cook, and quilt, and once rode a bicycle 700 miles in Italy.

marianne.moberly@youevanston.org
(847) 866-1200 ext. 231 

Tonya Patterson
Director of Human Resources

Tonya has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree from DePaul University. She has lived in the Chicago area since 1989. She has over ten years of experience in human resources in both for profit and non-profit settings. Tonya has been a volunteer at the Bottomless Closet, where she served as the co-chair of the Client Services Committee. Tonya began working at Y.O.U. as a volunteer and became a staff member in 2001. She enjoys spending time with her family and reading.

tonya.patternson@youevanston.org
(847) 866-1200 ext. 225

Leah Seligman
Director of Clinical and Child Welfare Programs

Leah received her bachelors of arts in Psychology at State University of New York, New Paltz College and her Master's of Arts in Counseling Psychology at Northwestern University. Leah has worked with youth since 2003 and has been with Y.O.U. since 2005. Leah is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Leah enjoys making Amigurumi (little crochet animals and toys) and spending time with her nephews and niece.

leah.seligman@youevanston.org
(847) 866-1201 ext. 321

Alecia Wartowski
Director of Youth Development Services

 Alecia has a bachelors degree from the University of Michigan, a Masters in Education from Harvard University and a law degree from the University of Wisconsin.  Before coming to Y.O.U, Alecia served as the Director of the Guardian ad litem for Minors program at Chicago Volunteer Legal Services for over 5 years and the Director of Family Law at Cabrini Green Legal Aid before that.  Before becoming an attorney Alecia managed youth programs serving low income girls in Boston.  She lives in Evanston with her husband, David, and their two children.

Melissa Carpenter
Community Schools Manager

Missy is a native of Northern California, but has lived in many places, including her time as a teacher and student in Guatemala (her heart's true home). She moved to Chicago after completing her graduate studies at the University of Washington in Seattle. Her Masters of Education is in Curriculum & Instruction, with a focus on Language, Literacy, and Culture, and she has a deep passion for building relationships between families, communities, and schools. She is an active member of Teachers for Social Justice as part of the Popular Education committee, and spends her spare time in the company of dear friends and family. Missy also loves to travel with her partner, Paul

Marla Mazzenga
Business Manager

Marla is the Business Manager at Y.O.U. She handles the business affairs and assists with financial reporting in collaboration with the Controller. Marla received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Welfare from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Previously she worked for the Cook County Legal Assistance Foundation in Evanston as a paralegal and as a volunteer. Marla has a passion for live music, enjoys all styles of music and has attended over 100 Ravinia shows.

marla.mazzenga@youevanston.org
(847) 866-1200 ext. 224

Leslie Warner
Grants Manager/Development Associate

Leslie is a graduate of Knox College and has been involved in development and fundraising, both professionally and as a community volunteer, for over 20 years. She was a research associate for Northwestern University’s Office of Development & Alumni Relations for several years before taking on multiple volunteer roles at Oakton and Chute schools, Evanston Scholastic Chess, Childcare Network of Evanston, the Oakton Historic District Association, and the Evanston Dance Ensemble. Leslie has lived in Evanston for over 25 years and enjoys gardening, bicycling, running, travel, and following the Joffrey Ballet and Chicago Blackhawks.

leslie.warner@youevanston.org
(847) 866-1200 ext. 242

 Concepcion Benitez
Mentor Y.O.U.th Case Manager

Coni graduated from Loyola University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She has been working with Y.O.U since her sophomore year in college and currently serves as a Case Manager for the Mentor Y.O.U.th program.  She works primarily with youth and families from Nichols, Chute and ETHS Y.O.U. sites. Coni is a sucker for movies, loves drawing and has extensive knowledge on entertainment trivia.

concepcion.benitez@youevanston.org
847.866.1201 x 331

Ethan Choi
 Mentor Y.O.U.th Project Coordinator

Ethan is a native of Portland, Oregon and relocated to Chicago for graduate school. He graduated from DePaul University’s School of Public Service with a Master of Public Administration. He served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Bulgaria, working on English education and capacity building. Ethan enjoys traveling the globe, outdoor activities, and watching good movies.

ethan.choi@youevanston.org
(847)866.1201 ext. 323

Santrice Russell-Martin
Mentor Y.O.U.th Volunteer Coordinator
Nichols and Chute Middle School and ETHS

Santrice is a graduate of Florida A & M University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Management. Prior to her role as the Mentor Y.O.U.th Volunteer Coordinator, she was the Sr. Health Initiatives Representative of the American Cancer Society, in which she implemented well over 500 community and corporate health education programs and developed and managed an award winning volunteer management system. Santrice is currently preparing to obtain dual Master Degrees in Business Administration and Public Health.

santrice.russellmartin@youevanston.org
(847) 866-1201 ext. 330

Zochilt Suarez
Youth Development Worker
Chute Middle School

Zochilt received a Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Loyola University Chicago. She worked at Y.O.U. Nichols Site as a work study student throughout her undergraduate career. During her senior year she was asked to be the part time worker for Y.O.U Nichols site and is now currently a Full time Youth Development worker at the Chute site. Zochilt enjoys dancing, watching comedy movies, playing tennis and collecting Hello Kitty items.

zochilt.suarez@youevanston.org
(847) 866-1201 ext. 322

Bukky Adeyinka
Site Coordinator
Evanston Township High School

Bukky Adeyinka has a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Psychology from Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Growing up, she volunteered and worked for after school programs, where her passion for serving youth and their communities first developed. She furthered her commitment to working with youth through her graduate training at The Family Institute at Northwestern University, where she received a Master’s of Science degree in Marriage and Family Therapy. Bukky enjoys working with youth in their communities—including their schools, peer groups, and families. In her free time, she likes to take dance classes and play soccer. 

Emeric Mazibuko
Youth Development Worker
Evanston Township High School

Emeric Mazibuko was born and raised in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. He studied Early Childhood Development at the University of Port Elizabeth for two years. After coming to the U.S., he received a Bachelor’s Degree in Sound Contracting and Acoustics with a minor in Cultural Studies from Columbia College Chicago. Emeric is a passionate and self-taught professional photographer, having worked in this field for almost 12 years. He hasworked with various youth groups in the Chicagoland area on a volunteer basis and the work he has done with these youth, and the desire to do more, is what brought him to Y.O.U. He believes that every child has potential latent within them, and art is one of the many tools we have at our disposal to tap into this potential.

emeric.mazibuko@youevanston.org
(847) 424-7734

Melody Rose
Youth & Family Counselor
Evanston Township High School

Melody earned Bachelor’s degrees in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Indiana University. After participating in Teach for America and providing clinical support to children and families through a community mental health center, she obtained a Master's Degree in Social Work. Melody currently works as the ETHS Site Coordinator for Y.O.U. She loves music (singing, playing, and listening), volleyball, and vegan cooking.

melody.rose@youevanston.org
(847) 424-7932

Gordon Francis
Youth Development Worker
Nichols Middle School

Gordon is a graduate of E.T.H.S. (Class of 1999). Gordon comes to Y.O.U. through Public Allies Chicago's Emerging Black Male Leaders (EMBL) Project.  The EMBL Project participants are young African-American men who have demonstrated emerging leadership qualities; they support nonprofit organizations by serving for ten months as youth workers and building leadership development skills among local teens. He is also enrolled at Oakton Community College pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education. One thing some people don't know about Gordon is that he is a huge hockey fan. Go Hawks!

gordon.francis@youevanston.org

Katharine Graves
Site Coordinator
Nichols Middle School

Katharine received her BA from Columbia College Chicago. While completing her internship with Family Focus Evanston, her passion for working with children was rekindled. Through her son’s involvement with the Y.O.U. program at Washington school, she became familiar with the goals, ideals and practices of the program. She is currently the Site Coordinator at Nichols and hopes to continue to impact and inspire the youth. With a degree in fiction writing, Katharine continues to work on her writing and hopes to complete her novel.

katharine.graves@youevanston.org
(847) 866-1200 ext. 228

Hussein Napoleon-Ally
Youth Development Worker II
Oakton Elementary School

Hussein received his undergraduate degree in psychology from Northern Illinois University. While attending NIU, he interned with the Joliet Youth and Family Services and Joliet Juvenile Correctional Facility. He also worked for University of Southern California as an RA for their Summer and Special Programs camps. Hussein currently works as a Y.O.U. Youth Development Worker at the Oakton site. He loves music, trying new food, and traveling.

hussein.ally@youevanston.org
(847) 866-1200 ext. 246

Shaunita Bowen
Site Coordinator
Oakton Elementary School

Shaunita received a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Community Based Service Learning from DePaul University. She is a graduate of the University of Chicago where she received a Master’s Degree in Social Service Administration. She has extensive experience working with youth development, planning and advocacy. Along with facilitation and planning, she has experience providing direct clinical service to adolescents and families. She enjoys dancing (ballet, jazz and hip hop), theatre and Broadway musicals.

shaunita.bowen@youevanston.org
(847) 866-1201 ext. 327

Leslie Rice
Youth Development Worker
Oakton Elementary School

Leslie was born and raised in Evanston, IL and graduated from Loyola University with a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy. She has been involved in University of Illinois’ Principal’s Scholars Program teaching mathematics to 5th through 8th graders in Chicago Public Schools. She also currently works at Northwestern University’s Saturday Enrichment Program for pre-K and kindergartners. In her spare time, Leslie likes to travel, write, and attempt to cook.

leslie.rice@youevanston.org
(847) 866-1201 ext. 325

Nicole Jones
Site Coordinator
Washington Elementary School

Nicole attended Western Illinois University for her degree in Education. She served as the Program Specialist/Asst Director for central Evanston Child Care Center for 2 years and has been working with children of all ages for over 9 years and counting. Nicole assumed the role of Site Coordinator in August 2011, after working as a Youth Development Worker for two years.  She is a dedicated wife and mother to her husband Angelo and daughters Amber and Jade. She is also a member of Phi Sigma Sigma.

nicole.jones@youevanston.org 
(847) 866-1200 ext. 246

Crystle Dino
Youth Development Worker
Washington Elementary School

Crystle, a Chicago native, graduated as a POSSE Scholar from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Science in Art.  She has interned with the Asian American Institute and the Indo-American Center where she gained experience in advocacy, community building, and youth programming.  Crystle continues to develop herself as a youth arts facilitator, cultural worker, and visual and performance artist.  She is passionate about making art in the service of revolution by reflecting the inner spirit of the people.  She has performed at community centers, universities, and the underground dance scene and has collaborated in creative processes that facilitate transformation, liberation, and social justice throughout Chicago’s communities.  Witnessing and participating in positive transformation through creative self-expression is what inspires her to do work with youth, and she hopes to pass these forms down as a tool for healing and self empowerment.   

crystle.dino@youevanston.org 
(847) 866-1200 ext. 227