HARLEM |
NEWARK |
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 Michelle Cromer Receptionist/Custodian |
 Sasha Diamond-Lenow Academic Director Teams 1 & 6 |
 Leah Brown Executive Director |
 Corey Kabot Squash Director |
 Assumpta Galang Director of College Transitions |
 Tai Garcia Director of Academics Teams 4 & 5 |
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 James Garner Custodian |
 Monique Hendricks Receptionist/Office Manager |
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 Cici Matheny Director of College Preparation |
 Kush Mahan Squash Director Teams 1 & 6 |
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 Clair Oblamski Squash Director Teams 4 & 5 |
 Sareen Pearl Program Director |
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 George Polsky Founder & Executive Director |
 Alana Presslaff Academic Director Teams 2 & 3 |
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 Sage Ramadge Director of Strategic Development |
 Mark Rapisarda Squash Director Teams 2 & 3 |
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 Brad Young Director of Alumni Outreach |
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Harlem Staff Bios
Michelle Cromer
Receptionist/Custodian
Michelle has been maintaining the facilities at the SL Green StreetSquash Center since opening day in November 2008. Michelle is also a proud StreetSquash parent – her son Tariq Holland (’13) has been a StreetSquasher since the 7th grade.
Sasha Diamond-Lenow
Academic Director, Teams 1 & 6
Sasha graduated from Columbia University with an MSW in 2009 and is a licensed New York State Social Worker. She received her BS at Skidmore College in Social Work and Spanish. Sasha played 4 years of Varsity Softball, was captain for 2 years, and earned All-League academic and athletic honors. Sasha has worked at various youth development organizations in New York City including the Urban Dove, BuildOn, HarlemRBI, and Girls for Gender Equity.
Assumpta Galang
Director of College Transitions
Assumpta graduated from University of California, Berkeley with a BA in Psychology in 2003, and earned a Master’s in Public Health in 2008 from Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health. Before joining StreetSquash, Assumpta was the High School Program and College Prep Coordinator at the Lang Youth Medical Program at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. She also worked for as a health education program coordinator and reproductive health counselor at school-based health center in Oakland, California.
Tai Garcia
Director of Academics, Teams 4 & 5
Tai graduated from Providence College in 2005 with a BA in English and a minor in Art and Black Studies after completing a yearlong intensive fine arts program at Rhode Island School of Design. She is completing a Masters in School Counseling at Long Island University in May 2011. After working 2 years as a Case Manager for Catholic Charities in Brooklyn, NY she began working with Harlem youth as an art enrichment teacher at Future Leaders Institute and as an Academic Advisor with the Harlem Children’s Zone.
James Garner
Custodian
James is the stepfather of Nasean Catron (’14).
Monique Hendricks
Receptionist/Office Manager
Monique is the mother of Nasean Catron (’14) and has been very actively involved in StreetSquash and the Parent’s Board over the years.
Cici Matheny
Director of College Prep
Cici graduated from Brown University in 2009 with a BA in English Literature. For two summers she taught French kids at a camp run by the American School of Paris. Cici worked for a year as a tutor at StreetSquash before joining the staff as Academic Director in 2010.
Kush Mahan
Squash Director, Teams 1 & 6
Kush graduated from Bates College in 2010 with a BA in Psychology. He started freshmen year at the #3 spot for the Bates Squash Team and helped Bates achieve a Top 10 finish his Sophomore year. Kush played #1 throughout his Junior and Senior year, when he was also Co-Captain. Kush’s coaching experience includes working as Assistant Pro at the Pyramid Squash Club and coaching for a number of college squash camps.
Clair Oblamski
Squash Director, Teams 4 & 5
Clair graduated from Smith College in 2012. She played on the squash team for four years and served as the StreetSquash Summer Discovery program intern in 2011.
Sareen Pearl
Program Director
Sareen graduated from Boston University in 2006 with a BA in international relations and earned a master’s degree in education in risk and prevention from the Harvard Graduate School of Education in 2007. At BU, Sareen volunteered as a tutor and literacy coach with Tenacity, an academics and tennis program. She also interned with Peace First (formerly Peace Games), where she taught violence prevention and life skills education. Sareen served as a StreetSquash Academic Director from 2007-2010 and College Preparation Director from 2010-2012.
George Polsky
Founder & Executive Director
George received a BA in Spanish Literature from Harvard University, where he was a co-captain of the 3-time national champion varsity squash team and earned All-Ivy and All-American titles. After his 1992 graduation, George spent 4 years teaching Spanish in Seattle middle and high schools. He also played squash for the U.S. team in the 1997 Maccabiah games. George earned an MSW in 1999 from the NYU School of Social Work and is a certified social worker in the state of New York.
Alana Presslaff
Academic Director, Teams 2 & 3
Alana graduated from Columbia University in 2010 with a BA in Neuroscience and earned a Master’s degree in Secondary Education from Arizona State University in 2012. While at Columbia, she played varsity soccer and was Captain during her Junior year. Prior to joining StreetSquash, Alana was a Teach for America Corps Member in Phoenix, Arizona where she taught high school Biology, Anatomy, and Earth Science.
Sage Ramadge
Director of Strategic Development
Sage graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 1999 with a BA in International Relations. After a number of years working for a technology startup and volunteering as a squash coach and tutor, Sage joined StreetSquash as Academic Director and then Program Director. In addition to squash, Sage played club rugby with the Chicago Lions and Old Blue New York. Sage is an alumnus of Coro Leadership New York and Columbia Business School’s Institute for Not-for-Profit Management.
Mark Rapisarda
Squash Director, Teams 2 & 3
Mark graduated from Amherst College in 2008 with a BA in Political Science. He was co-captain on the Amherst team his Senior year and was selected to the All-NESCAC, All-Sportsmanship, and All-Academic Team. Since graduation Mark has worked as a paralegal, and as the Assistant Coach to the Amherst Men’s team (2010-2011 season). Mark has also volunteered with various youth development organizations in NYC including Project Reach Youth, Youth-at-Risk, and the EverybodyWins! Foundation.
Brad Young
Director of Alumni Outreach
Brad graduated from Denison University with a BA in History and Educational Studies. He went on to get a Masters in American Studies from Columbia. While at Denison, he competed on the varsity squash team and was also a student-teacher. While completing his masters, Brad joined StreetSquash as a part-time tutor, college prep and SAT teacher, and squash coach. He is excited about continuing to improve the quality of alumni programs and services.
Newark Staff Bios
Leah Brown
Executive Director
Leah received a BA in psychology and sociology from Wesleyan University in 1997 and a MA in student personnel (higher education) administration from Teachers College, Columbia University in 1998. She has extensive experience tutoring students at all levels from elementary through college, and has worked developing educational programs and curriculum for non-profit organizations. Leah was previously Program Director of StreetSquash Harlem.
Corey Kabot
Squash & Community Service Director
Corey graduated from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in 2012 with a BA in Media and Society. He served as co-captain of the squash team his senior year and played in the number 1 spot since his sophomore year. While at Hobart College, he was selected to the All-Academic Liberty League team. Corey’s coaching experience began with volunteering and coaching at the Motor City Squash Academy.