FButcher@lucany.org
(914) 828-0397
Faith Ann Butcher, a first-generation college graduate herself, brings extensive experience in expanding access and opportunity for underserved communities. She is a PhD candidate (ABD) in Organizational Leadership at Eastern University. Her research focuses on trust-building in virtual nonprofit partnerships.
Faith holds an MPA in Nonprofit Management from Marist University, She is a published researcher and presented at national conferences including ARNOVA and the International Leadership Association. Her work is driven by her commitment to removing barriers and creating pathways to opportunity for those who need it most.
aparada@lucany.org
(914)828-0400
Andrea is a proud first-generation Latina who firmly believes that education is the
foundation to opportunity and long-term success. With more than 25 years of
experience in the nonprofit sector, she is a trained clinical social worker with firsthand knowledge of the systemic barriers faced by young people from under-resourced communities.
Her career began in direct service, leading home-based family
interventions, providing family therapy for youth in crisis, and supporting dropout prevention initiatives, before transitioning into grant writing, and development. Throughout her work, Andrea strives to build relationships and has built sustainable funding strategies and community partnerships that expand access to education, mental
health, and family support services.
As Director of Development at LUCA, she is passionate about connecting mission-driven donors and funders to opportunities that empower first-generation students to enroll in college, persist, graduate, and emerge as
leaders in their communities. Raised in Southern California, Andrea has a bachelor’s in International Relations and Spanish Literature from the University of San Diego and a Masters in Clinical Social Work from Boston College.
cmaroney@lucany.org
(914) 863-1390
It was Cathy’s experience as a “first generation” college student that drew her to segue from a 25-year corporate career to teach writing and literature courses to students at Westchester Community College. These students exhibited diversity in age, skills set, and financial background, and displayed much motivation and commitment.
For the same reasons, Cathy was attracted to LUCA’s mission as one of its first volunteers and joined the team in July 2024. Her previous communications experience for global employers in financial services will serve the growth of LUCA’s corporate partnerships as these employers not only prompted business excellence but focused on community commitment, funding initiatives that increased the well-being of local communities.
She earned a BA in English from Fordham University and a MS from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, where she received the Newswomen’s Club of New York scholarship. She began her professional career as a reporter for United Press International, first in New York City and then in Miami. After four years in journalism, Cathy launched her corporate career as spokeswoman, advisor, manager and writer.
gbattaglia@lucany.org
(914) 828-0398
dtenesaca@lucany.org
(914) 828-0398
Originally from Ecuador, Doris is a proud first-generation graduate of Manhattanville University. She understands firsthand the importance of helping first-generation students unlock their full potential and is deeply committed to helping others share their stories, amplify their voices, and feel proud of who they are.
Doris was named a 2025 Wunderkind recipient, recognizing her leadership, creativity, and impact in communications. With a background in Client Care Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Communications Studies, she leverages social media as a powerful tool to ensure students and their families understand that attending college is not just a possibility—it is an achievable reality.
pjimenez@lucany.org
(914) 828-0340
Pamela Jimenez is a first generation college graduate with experience as a higher education leader with a strong background in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), bilingual program development, and student success initiatives. Her career began in mental health, working with Spanish-speaking and LGBTQ+ populations, where she deepened her commitment to serving marginalized communities.
Pam holds an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership with a Social Justice concentration from St. John Fisher College, a master’s in Mental Health Counseling from Pace University, and a bachelor’s in Sociology from the College of Mount Saint Vincent. A first-generation college graduate herself, Pam is driven by a mission to make higher education accessible, inclusive, and transformative for LUCA scholars. She is passionate about LUCA’s mission and looks forward to leading the programming team. Pam believes that teamwork is about creating an inclusive and fair workplace where teams feel safe, there is trust within the team and we can leverage our collective intelligence.
jmateo@lucany.org
(914) 828-0338
Jeannette is a proud first-generation Hispanic-American with a deep commitment to educational equity and community empowerment. She earned her B.S. in Marketing and Global Studies at Manhattan University and M.S. in Marketing Communications at Manhattanville University.
With a decade long career in corporate marketing and a passion for purpose-driven work, Jeannette brings expertise in multicultural strategy, partnerships, and youth engagement. She has also served as a marketing instructor and advisor in higher education and nonprofit spaces.
Her mission is to help open doors for the next generation of students navigating education and career readiness.
sdrinks@lucany.org
(914) 810-0852
Stephanie is a proud Mexican and first-generation Latina who grew up in Yonkers. Graduating from SUNY Plattsburgh with a degree in Communication Disorders and Sciences, she navigated the complexities of higher education as a trailblazer in her family. Currently pursuing her Master’s in Teaching English as a Secondary or Other Language, Stephanie is driven by her belief in education as a powerful tool for empowering the Latino community.
Inspired by her own journey, she is committed to ensuring that others have the support and resources needed to succeed in their educational pursuits. Stephanie’s passion for education and dedication to making a difference reflect her commitment to the LUCA mission.
cpuertahincapie@lucany.org
(914) 828-0401
klombert@lucany.org
(914) 828-0404
Kamilly Lombert is a first-generation Latina born in the Bronx and raised in White Plains. She is driven by a deep commitment to educational access, environmental advocacy, and social justice. Holding a B.A. in Environmental Studies from Hunter College, where she specialized in geospatial data and Earth science, Kami brings a data-driven approach to community impact.
She currently applies her skills to supporting first-generation college students, focusing on strategic outreach, data reporting and organization, and collaborating effectively with partners and staff to ensure excellent service delivery.
Kami is actively transitioning into an environmental policy role to implement data-informed solutions that create a cleaner, safer, and more equitable environment for all.
jdelvalle@lucany.org
(914) 828-0399
