Meet our BOOST global street team of advocates and champions.

Sheryl Blessing, Youth Services Recreation Supervisor (she/her/hers)
Metro Parks Tacoma, Tacoma, WA

Sheryl Blessing is a parks and recreation professional who has over 21 years of youth development experience. She specializes in youth engagement for her role as a youth minister at her local parish and staff management as a recreation supervisor for Parks Tacoma. Sheryl is committed to developing teams who ensures young people have a safe, welcoming, and fun space and environment. Advocating for youth voices and youth leadership skills development are main focuses for her as she recognizes young people are the up-and-coming leaders of today and tomorrow.

Kaitlin Brown, North Middle and Central High School Site Coordinator (she/her/hers)
Black Hills Special Services Cooperative, Rapid City, SD

Kaitlin is a Coordinator with the 21st Century OST Programs at North Middle and Central High School. She has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from the University of Wyoming. Her passion for OST stemmed from helping students, watching them grow, and letting them practice skills in a safe environment away from judgment. She serves on the South Dakota School Age Care Alliance board, helping connect other SD OST programs to quality training and networking opportunities.

Richmond Brown, Director of After School Care (he/him/his)
Scoot Education, Los Angeles, CA

Richmond is a native of Charleston, SC, now in Los Angeles, CA, continuing 17 years of dedication, commitment, and service in leadership in the Expanded Learning and Afterschool (OST) Field. Upon arriving to Los Angeles, CA, Richmond immediately hit the ground running, serving the students and communities supporting ELOP, ASES, and 21st CCLC programs as an Associate Director of programs overseeing multi-school district partnerships. He now serves as the Director of After School Care with Scoot Education. 

Rachel Bryant, Youth Evolvement Program Manager (she/her/hers)
Brightpoint JAG, Fort Wayne, IN

Rachel has lived and worked in the Allen County area all her life. She graduated from IPFW with a Bachelor’s in Sociology. Having a heart for those in need, Rachel began working with youth, in 2005. Rachel manages both the JAG and Focus Forward youth programs at Brightpoint. She volunteers as a mentor for young mothers with Journey Between Mothers and is a Lunch Buddy with Big Brothers Big Sisters. However, her favorite roles lie in her home where she is wife to Zeke, and mother to her four children, Demetrius, Jordan, Jay and Zeal and bonus daughter Aleana.

 

Robyn Burley, Director of Global Partnerships (she/her/hers)
Forward Education, Kitchener, Ontario, Canada

 

Robyn Burley is the Director of Global Partnerships at Forward Education, where she helps deliver innovative STEM hardware, software, and training to in-school and out-of-school programs around the world. With a background in marketing and strategic partnerships, Robyn works to expand access to hands-on, real-world learning experiences. She’s passionate about building collaborative relationships that empower educators and organizations to inspire the next generation of changemakers.

 

Nancy Coddington, Founder, Creative Director (she/her/hers)
SciComm Solutions, Brooktondale, NY

 

Nancy Scales-Coddington is a science communicator, PBS education contributor, and founder of SciComm Solutions and STEM Socialite. With 25 years in out-of-school time, she leads national trainings and creates hands-on STEM programs that blend science, fashion, and wearable technology. Nancy is passionate about building STEM identity, amplifying youth voice, and making STEM fun, creative, and inclusive for all learners.

 

Gabriela Delgado, Director, Student Services and Programs (she/her/hers)
San Diego County Office of Education, Chula Vista, CA

Gabriela has served in education for over 22 years. She currently serves as a Senior Manager for the San Diego County Office of Education. She is well-versed in trauma-informed practices; group facilitation; restorative practices; student engagement; and grant development/management. Gabriela has an MA in Education/Counseling from Point Loma Nazarene University and a Master of Public Administration with from San Diego State University. She is the co-host of the 2 Counselors & a Mic podcast, which features stories of everyday people changing the world. She enjoys traveling with her husband and playing catch with their dog, Chiquita.

Susie Estrada, School Improvement Program and Special Education Parent Engagement Specialist (she/her/hers)
Utah State Board of Education, Salt Lake City, UT

Susie Estrada currently lives in Salt Lake City, UT, and works as a Family & Community Engagement Specialist at the Utah State Board of Education. Previously, Susie has worked as a Program Director, Coordinator, and Preschool Teacher. Susie first moved to Utah in 2014 from the San Fernando Valley in California. Susie graduated from California State University of Northridge with a Bachelors and then went on to receive two masters from the University of Utah in Public Administration and Education, Culture, and Society.

Nathan Houston, Founder/CEO (he/him/his)

IAMIMPACT, Sacramento, CA

Nathan Houston is the visionary Founder of #iAmImpact. Nathan is dedicated to helping individuals unlock their full potential. Over 20 years of experience in Expanded Learning Programs across Sacramento and California, Nathan has a proven track record of serving diverse communities. Nathan's collaborative efforts with the California Afterschool Network and the California Department of Education's Expanded Learning Division have significantly enhanced the quality of youth programs statewide. Nathan is renowned for conducting impactful trainings, workshops, and seminars focused on Expanded Learning Program Quality Standards, Restorative Justice, Social Emotional Learning (SEL), and After-School Education & Safety (ASES) grant compliance. His hands-on experience as a former Site Coordinator fuels his understanding of the transformative power of after-school programs.

Sheila James, Manager (she/her/hers)
Teen Science Cafe Network /STEM Next Opportunity Fund, Columbus, OH

For 25+ years, Sheila passionately supports OST programming. As a director, STEM Specialist, and Professional Development Trainer, she makes a significant impact. Her leadership enhances site experiences nationwide, including Central Ohio. Sheila, a Master STEM Trainer and instructor in mental health and first aid, equips program staff with tools for success. Through delivering best practices and staying updated on afterschool trends, she actively promotes youth learning and social development.

Ingrid Oliva Aispuro, Expanded Learning Personnel Liaison (she/her/hers)
Porterville Unified School District, Porterville, CA

Ingrid Aispuro is a passionate leader in Expanded Learning, serving as the Program Liaison for Porterville Unified School District's Expanded Learning Program. With over 5 years in OST, Ingrid brings strong communication, positivity, and a deep commitment to equity, CQI, and team culture. She’s dedicated to growing herself and those around her while uplifting the Expanded Learning field.

Eric Rowles, CEO (he/him/his)
Leading To Change, Huntersville, NC

Eric Rowles is a nationally recognized trainer, speaker, and consultant who has worked with over 200,000 youth, adults, administrators, professionals, and policymakers within the past 20 years. His presentations are legendary - by combining the energy and innovation of a master trainer, while at the same time reaching each of us through his stories, research, and on-the-ground strategies. One part inspirational speaker and published author, one part DJ, and two parts community organizer and parent of 2 daughters, Eric runs a customized consulting and facilitation practice that, through a network of over 20 dynamic and diversely talented trainers, works with for-profit and non-profit organizations to achieve progressive and dynamic change. Additionally, Eric is the founder and current Director of the North Carolina Youth Giving Network – a statewide association of over 1100 youth philanthropists that have granted over $400,000 to North Carolina communities since 2005.

Eric’s previous experience includes his work as Senior Director of Training with the Youth Leadership Institute where he designed a national training institute that provided over 1,000 days of training in five years to community organizations and coalitions throughout the country. Prior to his work with YLI, Eric was the Director of Leadership Development at Rutgers University (NJ), managed his own touring educational theater organization, Leadership Through Motivation Productions, was the Director of International Youth Summer Abroad programs, and spent five years as a substance abuse prevention coordinator in Southern California.

Additionally, Eric through his double bachelors and Master of Science degrees in Ethnic Studies and Educational Leadership, he has served as a faculty member at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte as well as Rutgers University (NJ) and has over a decade of innovative and cutting edge classroom instruction and facilitation experience. Eric has also been a volunteer trainer and partner for a wide range of social change agencies and organizations including the National Conference on Community and Justice, College Leadership Diversity Conference, and Teaching Tolerance Curriculum Instruction.

In addition to his training experience, Eric has also been a professional DJ and worked with artists throughout the entertainment industry, including Gwen Stefani, Billy Joel, Notorious B.I.G., Cypress Hill, Tribe Called Quest, The Fugees, Boyz II Men, Third Eye Blind, The Roots, George Clinton & Parliament, Henry Rollins, Radiohead, Smashmouth, Weezer, Edward James Olmos, Sinbad, George Lopez, Margaret Cho, and Maya Angelou.

Jill Sisco, After School Coordinator, K-6th Grade (she/her/hers)
Atlanta Speech School, Atlanta, GA

Jill Sisco is the After School Coordinator for K-6th Grade at the Atlanta Speech School, as well as a Creator, Manager, and Inspirational Coach! I have held several positions at the Atlanta Speech School since starting in 2008: after school enrichment teacher, summer camp manager, substitute teacher specialist, and after school coordinator. Always learning and growing both professionally and personally, I have worked with hundreds of children and staff. I hold a Master's degree in Therapeutic Recreation and a Bachelor's in Psychology.

Dr. Sonia Toledo, President & CEO (she/her/hers)
Dignity of Children, New York, NY

Dr. Sonia Toledo is a writer, speaker, researcher and social entrepreneur passionate about training educators in self-directed student learning and teaching youth social entrepreneurship. She is the founder & CEO of Dignity of Children, a global professional learning community designed to support forward-thinking educators in bringing positive change to education through training and complete K through 12 PBL curriculums. Dr. Toledo is a creator of iDEAS Empowered by Youth, an innovative teacher training program that equips educators with everything they need to help their youth thrive.

Audacious Wilson, Director of Programs (she/her/hers)
Girls Inc. of the Island City, Alameda, CA

A visionary Director of Programs, Audacious Wilson leads with strategic leadership, innovative thinking, and an unwavering dedication to driving impactful initiatives. With over two decades of experience in program development and leadership, she consistently transforms ideas into measurable outcomes that serve students, organizations, and stakeholders alike. Audacious excels at building collaborative teams, streamlining processes, and aligning program goals with larger organizational missions.

Interested in becoming an ambassador?

We are offering the opportunity to become a BOOST Ambassador. Our Ambassadors serve as a street team of advocates who spread the word about BOOST Conferences, online trainings, PD opportunities, and other initiatives in the field. Becoming a BOOST Ambassador will challenge and inspire you to build capacity in the after school, expanded learning, and in and out-of-school time fields. You are acting not only as a representative of your organization, but also on behalf of BOOST Collaborative.

Join the interest list here.

We are committed to diversity and to equal opportunity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, height, weight, physical or mental ability (including HIV status), veteran status, military obligations, or marital status. At BOOST and in all BOOST-related activities and events, we affirm the sexual orientation and gender identity of each individual and aim to create LGBTQ-inclusive and affirming environments and learning opportunities. This policy applies to hiring, internal promotions, training opportunities, advancement opportunities, and terminations. This policy also applies to all employees, Leadership Team members, volunteers, clients, and contractors who present/speak/exhibit at or sponsor BOOST-related activities and events.

Ambassador Program Contact

Deanna Underwood, Ambassador Program Manager
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