Be part of a flexible online experience for changemakers across New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware. Discover your path, learn at your own pace, and take the next step.
Take a short quiz to uncover your best-fit path—organizing, advocacy, policy, elected leadership, and more.
Watch quick videos and stories from local LEE members creating real change—on your schedule.
Welcome to the Northeast Pathway Exploration featuring leaders and opportunities throughout New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
The experience you'll find on this page is a digital version of the in-person action summits LEE holds across the country. We designed this space specifically for members like you — leaders who want the impact and momentum of a summit but need the flexibility of a digital format. After hearing from many of you that a full Saturday away from home isn't always feasible, our team translated that core experience into this accessible, self-paced platform.
There are two main components to this exploration:
Discover Your Path: Take a short quiz to find the civic leadership trajectory that best fits your unique interests and strengths.
See the Movement in Action: Watch a series of short videos featuring LEE members who live in your community and are creating change right now through organizing, advocacy, policy, and elected leadership.
We've designed this experience to fit your life so that you can better serve your community. I invite you to dive into these pathways today to discover how your individual leadership strengthens our shared work across the Northeast.
Once you've explored these resources, I would love to hear what resonated with you. My team and I are here to help you navigate your next steps — whether that's refining your leadership plan or connecting with local opportunities.
In partnership,
Marcus Ceniceros
VP, Member Engagement
Schedule a one-on-one conversation with Marcus to discuss your pathway and explore opportunities.
Book 1:1 with Marcus
Read about LEE members who live in your community and are creating change through organizing, advocacy, policy, elected leadership, and more.
Hamish MacPhail is the Deputy Director of ConnCAN, a statewide policy and advocacy organization, focused on educational equity for the kids in Connecticut. In his role, he has supported educator certification and diversity initiatives, increased education aid for Connecticut's highest need districts, and launched Connecticut's High-Dosage Tutoring program. Prior to ConnCAN, Hamish served as the Manager of Grants and Evaluation for the ZOOM Foundation. He started his career in education as a kindergarten teacher in New Haven. He lives in Higganum, CT with his wife, Ashley, and two sons, Theo (5) and Finley (3). In his free time he is building a cabin in his backyard for weekend guests and family!
Portia Jones is a Director of Special Services at Achievement First, consultant, and coach with 20 years' experience in education. She has previously served as a special education teacher and Dean of Special Services. Portia is currently a doctoral candidate at Lehman College in Organizational Leadership. She holds a B.A. from Barnard College and an M.S.Ed from Bank Street College. A New York native and Teach for America alum, she advocates for social justice and inclusive practices serving staff and students in underserved communities through DEIB practices and research, with experience in Chicago, Boston, London, and Kenya. In her spare time, she enjoys travel, visiting cultural institutions, and NYC pizza.
Peter serves as the Deputy Director of Engagement at the RISE Network. In his eighth school year with RISE, Peter now works on RISE's Engagement Team. Peter leads the design and development of the Grade 9 Focus Network, through which 20+ schools across the Northeast work in community on strengthening culture, systems, and practices around the 8th-to-9th grade transition. Peter holds a B.A. in political science from The College of the Holy Cross, and a M. Ed. from Boston University.
Lee Robbins is a multi-passionate public interest attorney, facilitator, and attorney well-being advocate. With a public sector career spanning 15+ years, she has worked for the last decade in nonprofit and government legal spaces. She relishes opening the door for others who are interested in finding careers with purpose and a life of meaning. To that end, she has served as a supervisor and mentor for new attorneys and students, has facilitated dozens of workshops, and has created a pro bono initiative for private sector attorneys hoping to make change in the nonprofit world. Most recently, she has served as a public service internship recruiter, an attorney well-being facilitator, and a lecturer focused on helping early-career attorneys find their "why."
Alana M. Burman serves as the Director of Policy, Intergovernmental Affairs, and Mediation (PIM) for the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission. Burman comes to this role with a wealth of social justice and social equity experience centered around mediation, community relations, and policymaking. Burman's educational accomplishments include a Bachelors of the Arts in Printmaking and Drawing, summa cum laude, obtained from Rutgers University. She also holds a Masters in Developmental and Abnormal Psychology from Rutgers University, magna cum laude. Additionally, Burman holds a Certificate in State and Local Government from the Eagleton Institute of Government and Politics.
Olivia Stitilis has spent the past decade working in public education, city and state government and electoral politics. She started her career as a middle school English teacher in Baltimore and most recently served as the National Organizing Desk for the Harris for President campaign. She has held leadership roles at DC Public Schools, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and worked on many national and state political campaigns around the country between 2016-2020. She loves to spend time at her local public library, be outdoors and do pilates.
Born in the Bronx, New York, to a family with roots in Ecuador and Puerto Rico, Chris has firsthand experience navigating the challenges faced by individuals from diverse backgrounds in predominantly white institutions. Throughout his career, Chris has served as a member and consultant for various progressive and social justice organizations. As an Executive Committee Person within the NAACP, he designed creative recruitment strategies that brought in large numbers of young, diverse activists to make an impact on their local communities. In his role as a Teach For America Corp member, Chris advocated for educational equity and sharpened his educational leadership skills in Philadelphia schools.
Diana Pasculli is the Executive Director of Communications at the New Jersey Department of Education and serves on the Lawrence Township Board of Education. A former middle school teacher, she has spent over a decade leading projects across the Department to help ensure every student has access to a high-quality education. On the school board, she is proud of the community's effort to pass a referendum expanding opportunities for students and the broader community. Diana loves spending time with her husband and two children and believes schools improve when students, families, and educators have a voice in shaping them and work together for lasting progress.
Brianna Twofoot has committed her career to building the power of organized people to ensure justice and equity, particularly for BIPOC, women and girls. Currently she is the Interim Vice President of Organizing, Elections and Campaigns at Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Planned Parenthood Action Fund and Planned Parenthood Votes. In her role, she supports organizing, advocacy and electoral work at the federal level and across 50 states through organizing, campaigns and elections.
Click on the leadership paths below to expand and watch videos from LEE members sharing their experiences and insights.
Welcome to Pathbuilders HQ! We've curated a few videos from your fellow Pathbuilders for you to watch. Once you've watched them all, (click here) to let us know what you're taking away from this experience.
Welcome to Amplifiers HQ! We've curated a few videos from your fellow Amplifiers for you to watch. Once you've watched them all, (click here) to let us know what you're taking away from this experience.
Welcome to Shapers HQ! We've curated a few videos from your fellow Shapers for you to watch. Once you've watched them all, (click here) to let us know what you're taking away from this experience.
Welcome to Mobilizers HQ! We've curated a few videos from your fellow Mobilizers for you to watch. Once you've watched them all, (click here) to let us know what you're taking away from this experience.
(202) 734-3716
800 N. King Street,
Suite 304 – 4181,
Wilmington, Delaware 19801
