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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 obtained a MA in 1999 from the NYU School of Social Work and is a certified social worker in the state of New York.

Leah Brown
Program 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.

Sage Ramadge
Director of Strategic Development
Sage graduated from Johns Hopkins University in 1999 with a BA in International Relations. He was a volunteer squash coach and tutor before joining the staff as Academic Director in 2002, and also served as Program Director. Prior to StreetSquash, Sage was a Project Manager at a Chicago-based web development company. In addition to squash, Sage played club rugby for 5 years with the Chicago Lions and Old Blue New York, and plays soccer on the Lower East Side. Sage is a member of Coro Leadership New York XX.

Jessica Lovaas
Director of Alumni Outreach
Jessica graduated from Williams College in 2006 with a BA in Political Science. After earning a Master of Science in Anthropology from Oxford University, Jessica worked for the NYC Department of Correction expanding educational programming on Rikers Island. She then worked for two years as a College Counselor at the Harlem Children’s Zone. Jessica is committed to helping youth not only get in to college but succeed once they are there.

Sareen Pearl
Director of College Prep Programs
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.

Christian Henze
Director of Squash, Teams 6 & 7
Christian graduated from Williams College in 2010 with a BA in Political Science. Beginning at number 10 spot his freshman year, Christian continually climbed the ladder throughout his career at Williams, finishing at the number 3 position and serving as co-captain his senior year. The Williams squash team finished in the top 10 nationally in each of his four years, peaking at number 6 in 2007. His coaching expertise includes working at college squash camps in past summers, as well as volunteering at the StreetSquash Summer Discovery program in 2009.

Tai Garcia
Director of Academics, Teams 6 & 7
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. Tai has been dedicated to working with inner-city youth for 5 years, making sure they believe in their personal and academic potential.

Tony Maruca
Squash Director, Teams 1, 2 & 3
Tony graduated from Williams College in 2008 with a BA in studio art and economics. During his senior season, he served as co-captain of a squad of over-achievers that finished 7th nationally. Additionally, he was an Academic All-American and a member of the “All-Sportsmanship” team for his conference. He built his coaching experience over several summers at college squash camps and working with kids from the Williamstown, MA area.

Sasha Diamond-Lenow
Academic Director, Teams 1, 2 & 3
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 and played 4 years of Varsity Softball, acting as captain for 2 years, and and earning all-league academic and athletic honors as a catcher. Sasha has worked at various youth development organizations in New York City including the Urban Dove, BuildOn, HarlemRBI, and Girls for Gender Equity.

Cici Matheny
Academic Director, Teams 4 & 5
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. She worked for a year as a part-time tutor at StreetSquash before joining the staff as Academic Director in 2010.

Katie Siegel
Senior Squash Director Teams 4 & 5
Katie graduated from Vassar College in 2006 with a BA in Africana studies and political science. While at Vassar, Katie was a member of the women’s squash team, and volunteered with KidzSquash, Poughkeepsie’s urban squash program. A New York City Teaching Fellow, Katie taught elementary school in Brownsville, Brooklyn for two years and has a MA in education from Brooklyn College. In 2007-08 she was also a volunteer squash coach at StreetSquash.

Susie Lewis
Director of Operations
Susie received her BA in Political Science and French from Wellesley College in 1990 and then headed to Prague where she taught English for a year. Before moving to New York City in February 2000, she worked as a Broadcast Producer and Business Affairs Manager for various advertising agencies in Atlanta and Boston.