Our Team

Our teams diverse experience contributes to a dynamic and robust organization
ready to meet the needs of the students, families and communities we serve.

Peter Lewis Gabak

Executive Director
 pgabak@518elevated.org

Tamara M. McCallum

Director of Programs
 tmccallum@518elevated.org

Bree Hassell

Assistant Director of Programs
bhassell@518elevated.org

Mo Gardner

Director of Donor Engagement & Communications
 mgardner@518elevated.org

Board of Directors

Terry Kremer
Chair

Alexandria Carver
Vice Chair

Amy Grabek
Secretary

Fareeza Islam Hanif
Treasurer

Members-at-Large
Kaweeda Adams
Jenyce Moses Aondona
Greg Barcomb
Dayonna Bowles
Emelia Carlino
Katie Fleming
Dan Fogarty
Cassandra Fortney
Ross Goodman, Esq.
LeVar Holmes
Seah Ogden, Ph.D.
Zulaika Rodriguez
Eric Scaringe
Mark Spiers
Thomasina Thomas
Michael Walsh, Ed.D.
Chyresse Wells

Emeritus Board Members
Kevin Bottini, CPA
Charles B. Buchanan, Chair Emeritus*
Jeffrey Cohn
Geraldine Golub
Kevin Reilly
F. Michael Zovistoski, CPA, CFP

*deceased

Peter Lewis Gabak

Executive Director

 pgabak@518elevated.org

Originally a CNY native, Gabak relocated to the Capital District in 2019. He is pleased to join the 518ElevatED team as the organization’s next executive director; Gabak will begin his duties at the end of April. Gabak brings over 30 years in philanthropic and external relationship management to 518ElevatED; he has robust experience with senior leadership roles in multiple nonprofits in Upstate New York.

Prior to coming to 518ElevatED, Gabak worked at Union College and the Museum of Innovation and Science. In his spare time, Gabak is adjunct faculty at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) where he teaches art history with a focus on Flemish Renaissance and Baroque art – a position he’s held since 2008.

Gabak was also part of the inaugural planning team that launched IlluminoCity in 2021 – a seasonal lighting experience in downtown Schenectady. He currently volunteers his time on the board of Gallery 5 Schenectady – a new nonprofit that provides the Capital District with pop-up art exhibits that feature local artists. Gabak lives in Schenectady with his family.

Tamara M. McCallum

Director of Programs

tmccallum@518elevated.org

Tamara McCallum is a proud native of Mount Vernon, NY. She is a first-generation college graduate, and the daughter of Jamaican immigrants. Tamara has over a decade of experience in education and nonprofit management - starting at her former high school - Mt. Vernon High School, and most recently as an Adjunct Lecturer in Multicultural Studies and Liberal Arts at Siena College. She has spent her career creating and leading equity centered postsecondary access and success programs for middle and high school students in Westchester County, NYC, and the NYS capital region. She received her BA in Liberal Studies from SUNY Purchase College as a non-traditional adult student while working full time and raising a family. Tamara is most passionate about community building, equitable access to higher education, teaching self-advocacy, and anti-perfectionism work through the lens of self-care and crafting. Tamara lives in Troy, NY with her three amazing children Tristyn, Adonis, and August.

Bree Hassell

Assistant Director of Programs

 bhassell@518elevated.org

Bree Hassell graduated from Albany Leadership in 2014, and since then has been making a positive impact in the Capital Region. After high school, Bree attended Skidmore College in Saratoga, NY. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work. Bree’s undergraduate education coupled with professional experience in youth development created her true passion. Her passion lies in fostering healthy, vibrant communities through social-emotional learning and creative expression. Whether she is organizing a mural project, facilitating discussions about healthy communities, or simply connecting people to each other, her goal is always the same—helping everyone feel seen, heard, and inspired.

Mo Gardner

Communications Coordinator

 mgardner @518elevated.org

Having lived in Philadelphia, where he spent time volunteering while pursuing his studies, Mo became passionate about community enrichment and making a difference in people's lives. He is an ardent supporter of the arts. Mo currently resides in the Capital Region, where he is working towards his bachelor's in English. He is proud to be part of an organization that helps students succeed.

Formerly Capital Region Sponsor-A-Scholar

Our Team

Peter Lewis Gabak

Tamara M. McCallum

Bree Hassell

Mo Gardner

Board of Directors

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Peter Lewis Gabak

Tamara M. McCallum

Bree Hassell

Mo Gardner