Our Team
Staff Members
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Cristhian Barcelos
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Jorge Chavez
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Sydnay Eckerling
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Valeria Garrido
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Cheryl Locastro
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Rosa Marisol Ramirez
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Board of Trustees
Jordan Fried, President
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Diana Agu, Vice President
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Jordan Fried retired from a 36-year career in the Telecommunications, Finance and Software Development Industries in October 2022. Jordan previously held positions across many different disciplines including roles in Product Management, Marketing, Sales and Service Operations, IT and Finance.
Jordan also has significant non-profit leadership experience as he serves at a Vice President of the Board of Temple B’nai Or in Morristown, NJ. In addition, Jordan serves as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for Children (CASA) for two teenage boys who are long-term in Foster Care through the CASA of Morris and Sussex Counties Fostering Futures Program. Jordan also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Business and Marketing at County College of Morris. Jordan received a BS in Economics from Cornell University and an MBA from the University of Buffalo School of Business. |
Diana studied Law & Criminology in London, but climbed the corporate ladder working in Project & Business management. She spent the last 15 years in various leadership positions in Technology and Financial Services and held varied roles such as Project Manager, Head of PMO, COO, Global Head of Strategy.
Diana has curated many programs for women, young people and professionals that focuse on career growth and business ownership in the market place and for entrepreneurs. She is a mentor, coach and speaker, she also actively works with the Google developers’ group (GDG) NYC chapter to curate and speak at some of their events. In 2021, Diana pivoted to healthcare where she manages Curain Healthcare Services. Diana supports various charitable initiatives and currently she serves as a board member for Horizon4hope, a nonprofit helping disabled persons in Nigeria, Jide Lawore Ministries (JLM), a ministry outreach focusing on missions and helping train Pastors globally. She is also the President of Morris County Special Education Parents Advisory Group (SEPAG) for the school district, and with joining LVAEP, she hopes to continue to support education and empowerment for others |
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Jamie Stieger, Treasurer
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Shay Radhakrishnan, Secretary
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With nearly two decades of experience in the business world, Jamie Stieger has always had one focus: helping to make people’s lives better. Jamie is currently the Director, Administration & Finance, Francois-Xavier Bagnoud Center at Rutgers University. Jamie advises the executive director and also coaches senior leaders at FXB, which is committed to improving the health of vulnerable women, children and families, including those affected by HIV.
She implemented training programs for healthcare providers to better improve HIV care in the United States. Jamie also developed a 24-hour crisis response program for victims of sexual assault. Prior to that, she provided crisis counseling and referrals to parents of children with disabilities. Jamie’s humanitarian efforts are a complement to our dedicated board. Jamie earned a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Public Health from Rutgers and a Bachelor of Arts and Social Work from the University of New Hampshire. |
Shay Radhakrishnan, an accomplished IT Business Analyst based in Bloomfield, NJ, has been lending her expertise to JetBlue since 2022, following her graduation with a degree in Management Information Systems from North Dakota State University in 2020.
Shay's professional journey reflects not only her technical prowess but also her commitment to community service. She actively contributes her analytical skills to FFEN, aiding in improving food bank efficiency, and has served as Vice President at Andersen Corporation South Asian ERN, where she played a pivotal role in community engagement initiatives. Known for her dynamic approach, Shay thrives on challenges, tackling them with creativity and adaptability. Her dedication to continuous learning and pursuit of excellence are evident in both her professional and personal endeavors. Outside of work, Shay enjoys Pilates, cherishes moments with her cat, and indulges her passion for exploration through travel. |
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Maritza Chang
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Kathleen Mollica
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Maritza Chang, born in Peru, made a transformative journey to the United States in August 2015 with her husband and two daughters. As the third of four siblings, Maritza began her career as a clinical child psychologist, specializing in autism and Asperger's syndrome. With diplomas in play therapy and family therapy, she obtained certification in positive discipline, becoming a parent and classroom educator.
Upon moving to the U.S., Maritza faced the challenge of language proficiency. Determined to integrate and help her daughters integrate fully, she studied English with Literacy Volunteers of America and embraced learning through TV, audiobooks, and reading. Currently, Maritza thrives as a full-time Bilingual Library Assistant at the Bloomfield Library, passionately contributing to bilingual story hours, Spanish Book Club, adult Craft workshops, and monthly movie displays, embodying resilience and dedication in her pursuit of success in her new home. |
Kathy Mollica is an active tutor and a trainer of tutors for LVA, an organization to which she has belonged and contributed to for more than 20 years Kathy is a career librarian. She retired as the director of the Passaic Public Library and once worked as the library's assistant director. In her retirement, she works part-time as a reference librarian for the Hawthorne Public Library, where she also heads the literacy program for LVA. Kathy is president of the Zonta Club of Passaic/Clifton, an organization that is active in community affairs. She earned a master's degree in library science from Pratt Institute in New York City.
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Shonda Moore
Teacher, Irvington Board of Education
Shonda Moore is an experienced educator with over 20 years dedicated to promoting literacy and student success.
A lifelong lover of reading, Shonda pursued a career in English Language Arts, inspiring young learners in both Orange, Newark and Irvington Public Schools. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts with a minor in English and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership. Throughout her career, Shonda has demonstrated a commitment to promoting literacy and enhancing educational outcomes for her students.
In addition to her classroom work, Shonda has contributed to educational programs at Kaplan and Uceda Institute, supporting literacy and language development for diverse learners.
As a board member for the Literacy Volunteers of America, Essex & Passaic Counties, Shonda aims to leverage her extensive background in education to support and enhance literacy initiatives in the community, helping individuals achieve their full potential through reading and learning.
A lifelong lover of reading, Shonda pursued a career in English Language Arts, inspiring young learners in both Orange, Newark and Irvington Public Schools. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts with a minor in English and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership. Throughout her career, Shonda has demonstrated a commitment to promoting literacy and enhancing educational outcomes for her students.
In addition to her classroom work, Shonda has contributed to educational programs at Kaplan and Uceda Institute, supporting literacy and language development for diverse learners.
As a board member for the Literacy Volunteers of America, Essex & Passaic Counties, Shonda aims to leverage her extensive background in education to support and enhance literacy initiatives in the community, helping individuals achieve their full potential through reading and learning.
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Harsh Parikh
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Sally E. Rice
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Harsh Parikh is a Vice President at PGIM Investments (Prudential Financial, Inc.) Prior to PGIM, he was Vice President, Portfolio Manager and Strategist at BNY Mellon Investment Management. He also worked for GMAC RFC and Countrywide Capital Markets in portfolio management and fixed income research respectively. Harsh earned his advanced business degrees from the University of Southern California and the prestigious EDHEC Business School in France. Harsh did his undergraduate studies in Computer Engineering at Gujarat University, India.
Harsh brings his expertise to the Literacy Volunteers of America board as a result of his passion to give back to the community in which he lives and works. He enjoys providing investment advice and business development plans to help grow organizations. Harsh, passionate about education, says he thoroughly enjoys teaching languages as well |
Sally Rice is the Past President of the Board of Trustees of Literacy Volunteers of America, Essex & Passaic Counties, Inc. She has been a leader in literacy for almost four decades, first as Supervising Librarian and Coordinator of Adult Services for the East Orange Public Library and now as a retiree since 2006. Sally became active in literacy as the library’s representative to the Essex Literacy Consortium in the 1980’s. Through this work, she was invited to become a member of the Board of Directors of LVA Essex County. She continued her board service when the Essex and Newark LVA organizations merged in late 1993. Sally served as President from 1995-2006 and again from 2009 to 2022. She served as Board Secretary from 2007-2008. Other volunteer leadership positions include her work as a founding member and the first President of the Government Documents Association of New Jersey. Sally served on the Bernie L. Edmonson Community Education Center Advisory Council in East Orange and on several committees for the New Jersey Library Association. Sally earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the American University in Washington, D.C. and a Master’s of Library Science from Rutgers University. She is also an active board member for her local public library Friends organization.
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Trainers
Mary Kao
Mary Kao joined LVA Essex & Passaic Counties as a tutor in 2001 and is one of our longest serving volunteers. An artist and teacher of origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, she became a trainer in 2007 and has since turned hundreds of volunteers into eager tutors, using her unique style of teaching with easily obtainable pictures and paper art. Mary grew up in India, speaks several languages, and grew passionate about literacy and education after observing obstacles faced by her mother, who was discouraged from attending school as a child in China. Mary was named NJALL “Teacher of the Year” in 2018 and LVA “Educator of the Year” in 2014. She earned a bachelor’s degree in interior design from Washington State University.
Cheryl Locastro Cheryl Locastro is the head of Children’s Services at the Bloomfield Public Library and an instructor in the English for Speakers of Other Languages program offered by Literacy Volunteers of America, Essex & Passaic Counties, and the Maplewood Memorial Library.
She has a passion for working with students and has gained valuable experience over the years as an art teacher and education specialist at public schools in Bergen and Passaic Counties, as well as at Montclair State University where she taught art history and criticism to middle school students enrolled in a gifted and talented program. She possesses enviable outreach skills and is credited with creating, strengthening, and maintaining lasting partnerships between her employers and the communities that they serve. Cheryl currently supervises and manages all workers in the Bloomfield Public Library’s Children’s Department where she also creates and oversees programs for children from birth to age 12, including the library’s arts and crafts programs and the Storytime program, a local favorite. Cheryl earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in art education from Rowan University, a master’s in art history from Montclair State University, and a master’s of library and information science from San Jose State University. |
Mary O’Connor Mary O’Connor is a trainer, a tutor of multiple students, our tutor support specialist, and a lead workshop presenter at LVA Essex & Passaic Counties. In a 43-year career in education, she worked as an English teacher in the New York City school system, a religious studies teacher at several New Jersey Catholic high schools, and an assistant principal and principal at Marylawn of the Oranges Academy in South Orange. She retired in 2008. She became an LVA tutor in 2010 and a trainer in 2013. Mary was named NJALL “Teacher of the Year” in 2014 and has also won LVA’s “Educator of the Year” award. Mary earned a bachelor’s degree at St. John’s University and a master’s degree at Seton Hall University.
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Darnelle Richardson
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Carolyn Van Doren
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Darnelle Richardson has been a leader in adult education for almost 30 years. She has been a Master Trainer with Literacy Volunteers of New Jersey since 2005 and has recently joined LVA Essex & Passaic Counties’ roster of tutor trainers.
Darnelle ‘s studies in education and business led to her current position at the Jersey City Public Library Literacy Program where she wears many hats. Darnelle is Program Coordinator, Tutor Trainer and Instructor. She leads a team of staff and volunteers to achieve the best possible outcomes for the diverse population of students her organization serves. Along with working with basic literacy and ESL students in improving their speaking, reading, writing, and comprehension of English, Darnelle also finds time to teach Public Speaking classes. Darnelle has been a member of Toastmasters International, Jersey City since 2005. She received the Distinguished Toastmaster award in 2013, the organization’s highest educational/leadership honor. |
A retired human resources manager who has recruited and hired more than 100 technical employees for IT and engineering jobs, Carolyn Van Doren is both an LVA literacy tutor and a trainer of basic literacy and ESOL tutors. She joined the organization as a volunteer in 2008. Carolyn is the former vice-president of the Girl Scouts of Essex County and also served as a national delegate, a board member and the chairperson of several committees for the organization. In her management career, Carolyn specialized in finding positions for displaced workers, negotiating with labor unions, arbitration, and employee grievance procedures and policies. She is a contributing writer for the Minority Interchange Newsletter. Carolyn received a bachelor’s degree in Economics and a master’s degree in Industrial Relations from Rutgers University and a master’s degree in Counselling from Upsala College.
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