SITSTAYREAD STAFF
Jamie Crockett,
Program Director
Jamie is a seasoned public school English teacher who spent summers helping youth in disadvantaged environments develop stronger reading skills. Working at SitStayRead fuels her passion for storytelling, teaching, student agency, and dogs, and vice versa!
DEIRDRE HARRISON CFRE,
INTERIM Executive Director
Deirdre brings over 25 years of diversified philanthropic and nonprofit leadership experience. She leads and supports staff, collaborates with the board on the organization’s strategic goals, drives fundraising initiatives, and cultivates SSR’s commitment to equity, inclusion, access, belonging, and justice. She has a rescue cat named Oona, who is not yet a dog-lover, but will share a warm lap with a good book. She is the storyteller in children’s literacy band The Lucky Trikes in her free time.
Cynthia Marroquin,
Program Manager
A Chicago native with a passion for helping the city’s youth develop their leadership skills, Cynthia is integral to the design and evolution of SSR’s curricula. She co-created our initial bilingual curriculum, and supports the Program Director in the reviewing and revising curricula across all developmental levels, K- 3rd Grade, and gives input on the ongoing development of bilingual curricula and volunteer training, evaluation and feedback.
lexsie hernÁndez,
volunteer PROGRAM MANAGER
Lexsie is a first-generation college graduate from the University of Illinois at Chicago. With a degree in Psychology combined with Pre-Veterinary track studies. She has a passion for human and animal well-being and activism for both. Lexsie leads recruitment, orientation, training and certification of volunteer book buddies and certified reading assistance dog teams. She wants to hear from you!
Briana Mclean, community liaison
Briana McLean holds an M.S. in Early Childhood Education and has over 13 years of experience working within the world of early learning as a classroom educator, coach of new teachers, children’s author, curriculum developer, and program developer. Her current work is rooted in expanding access to joyful literacy programs that center and celebrate the lived experience of students and families. Briana believes community learning spaces hold the power to be transformative and is thrilled to be a part of the SSR team. Check out Bri’s first book, Too Fly Not to Fly.
Zarai Zaragoza, BILINGUAL Program + COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
Zarai grew up in Pilsen, Chicago, one of the neighborhoods SitStayRead serves. She brings her passion for creativity and years of teaching arts to our team. “Art brings people together and provides a space to share unique stories. I love making learning fun and helping others feel seen and heard.” In 2024 ,Zarai took on an expanded role leading bilingual program and communications design and delivery, including input into bilingual volunteer program development.
ian belknap, grants manager
SitStayRead's development function is bolstered by writer, educator and long time national literary scene fixture, Ian Belknap, also known as founder of Write Club. Ian brings years of grant writing and review expertise to SitStayRead, as well as a deep knowledge of Chicago's educational landscape and enrichment programming for youth.
Selena clark, operations coordinator
An experienced bookseller, events assistant and organizer, Selena thrives in people and experience centric roles. At SitStayRead she supports our operational and fundraising capacity, helping optimize the flow of information across systems and between people, and foster a culture of transparency, belonging and recognition. She is a passionate advocate for arts (and literacy) as expression and reflection of culture, movements, and politics.
Crystal phillips-pierce, event planner
Crystal (she/ella) is Sit Stay Read’s consultant for its two signature events: Walkapalooza and Bark ‘N Ball. These annual events are important sources of revenue for the organization. CEO of CP Event Design + Production, Crystal is an award-winning, event producer and marketing strategist with over 20 years of experience. Bark 'N Ball is one of her favorite events to produce.
SITSTAYREAD BOARD 2023-24
Luciano DeNisco CPA, President
Associate Director - Business Performance Improvement, Protiviti
Joshua Nelson, Vice President
Global Program Manager, DEI & Special Projects, Motorola Solutions
Kevin Kinnamon, Treasurer
Audit Senior Manager, KPMG
Dina Nelson-Gonzalez
Vice President, Omni Sales, NielsenIQ
Christina Ho PMP
Senior Project Manager, Comed ~ An Exelon Company
Sarah Inciong
VP Strategy, Innovation & Transformation, Allstate
Qiana McNary, HR Chair
Senior Talent Acquisition Partner, Bezos Academy
Ann Scholhamer, Past President
Director of Operations, Chicago Reader
Priyam Shah
Cyber, Risk & Regulatory, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Andrew Shapiro, Development Chair
Founder, .Community