Staff
Eric Thompson, Executive Director
617-849-8512 ericthompson[at]evkids.org
Education: Bachelor's degree from Harvard University and JD from Northeastern University School of Law
Fun Fact: Eric is a tennis weekend warrior.
Lauren Ravello, Program Director
(617) 792-4494 laurenravello[at]evkids.org
Education: Bachelor's degree and M.Ed from University of Massachusetts Boston, and MSW from Boston College
Fun Fact: Lauren has competed in amateur dance competitions.
Valerie Basnight, Director of Giving
(617) 297-7590 | valeriebasnight[at]evkids.org
Education : Bachelor's Degree from Simmons College, Certified in Nonprofit Management & Organizational Development
Fun Fact : Val is a Delta Sigma Theta debutante and she used to compete in dressage horseback riding
Scott Pyzik, Associate Director for Tutor Engagement, Tutor Chaplain
617-862-9411 scottpyzik[at]evkids.org
Education: Bachelor's degree from St. Joseph's University and Master's in Theology and Ministry from Boston College
Fun Fact: Scott can clap with his feet!
Jennifer Bufithis-Hurie, Associate Program Director
617-379-1592 jenniferbufithishurie[at]evkids.org
Education: Bachelor's degree from Beloit College
Fun Fact: Jenn likes to practice parkour around the streets of Boston in her free time.
Ashley Clavel, Associate Director for College Success, College Success Advisor
617-394-8374 ashleyclavel[at]evkids.org
Education: Bachelor's degree from Stonehill College and MS in Human Services: Higher Education from Northeastern University
Fun Fact: Ashley loves to make her own pasta.
Kara Brennan, Tutor Chaplain
617-297-7039 karabrennan[at]evkids.org
Education: Bachelor's degree from the University of Notre Dame and Masters in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education
Fun Fact: Kara enjoys hiking and kayaking with her dog.
Jackie Davis, Education Advocate, Harbor Point
617-294-9356 Jackiedavis[at]evkids.org
Education: Bachelor's degree from Brigham Young University
Fun Fact: Jackie loves to travel and has visited eleven countries outside of the United States.
Dede Evans, College Success Advisor
617-286-4622 dedeevans[at]evkids.org
Education: Bachelor’s Degree from Mars Hill University.
Fun Fact: Halloween is my favorite holiday.
Maria Henao, Educational Advocate, Dewitt Center
617-297-7069 mariafhenao[at]evkids.org
Education: Bachelor's degree from Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana in Medellin, Colombia and Graduate Certificate in Cross-Cultural Communication from Northeastern University
Fun Fact: Maria loves hiking, especially in the mountains, where she enjoys photographing mushrooms.
Tess Miller, Education Advocate, EVkids Online
617-446-3588 tessmiller[at]evkids.org
Education: Bachelor's degree from the University of Pittsburg and MA in Counseling and Global Mental Health from William James College
Fun Fact: Tess enjoys spending time on and around the water.
Dana Morgenstein, Development Manager
617-297-7162 dana[at]evkids.org
Education: Bachelor's degree from Boston University
Fun Fact: Dana paints pet portraits, including cats, dogs, and even lizards!
Ale Perez, Education Advocate, Saint Teresa
617-297-7042 aleperez[at]evkids.org
Education: Currently studying for a bachelor’s degree in children and family studies at Merrimack College.
Fun Fact: I’ve only ever had 1 favorite color and it’s always been red.
Joan Philippe, Site Director, Mother Caroline Academy
617-329-9671 joanphilippe[at]evkids.org
Education: Bachelor’s degree from Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra, Santiago Dominican Republic
Fun Fact: Joan is learning Portuguese, and watches series and movies on Netflix to practice her listening.
Shaun Slusarski, Tutor Chaplain
617-862-9417 shaunslusarski[at]evkids.org
Education: Bachelor's degree from Boston College, MTS from Notre Dame, current PhD candidate in Theological Ethics at Boston College
Fun Fact: Shaun has a major coffee addiction that runs into his ice cream preferences. His favorite ice cream flavor is Coffee Coffee.
Jessica Smith, Site Director, Harbor Point, Camp Co-Director
617-294-9679 jessicasmith[at]evkids.org
Education: Bachelor’s degree from BYU-Hawai’i and MA in Peace Education from the UN Mandated University for Peace
Fun Fact: Jessica loves learning about and experiencing other cultures, especially through food and art.
Kiara Velez, Site Director, St. Teresa Church
617-297-7461 kiaravelez[at]evkids.org
Education: Bachelor’s degree from the University of South Florida
Fun Fact: Kiara is passionate about creative writing, watching films, traveling, and nature.
