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.

Tamara M. McCallum

Executive Director

 tmccallum@518elevated.org

Adonis Richards

Assistant Director of Programs – Postsecondary & Workforce Development

arichards@518elevated.org

Carina R. Diaz

Assistant Director of Programs – Secondary Education

cdiaz@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

Tamara M. McCallum

Executive Director

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.

Adonis Richards

Assistant Director of Programs - Postsecondary & Workforce Development

arichards@518elevated.org

Adonis Richards is the inaugural Poet Laureate of Schenectady, New York, and the Assistant Director of Programs for Post-Secondary and Workforce Development at 518ElevatED. An Afro-Latino poet, writer, and DEIB specialist, Adonis has dedicated his career across the Capital Region to youth empowerment, restorative practices, and community care. He leads workforce readiness initiatives, employer engagement, and career coaching to connect young adults with long-term opportunities. Adonis holds a B.A. in Political Science and an M.S. in Education, Technology, and Leadership from SUNY Potsdam, and is currently a doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership (Ed.D. expected 2027). A passionate storyteller and advocate for men’s mental health, he aims to launch Lucid Writers, a creative publishing firm and social justice organization.

Carina R. Diaz

Assistant Director of Programs - Secondary Education

cdiaz@518elevated.org

Carina R. Diaz is a dynamic leader and trauma-informed child advocate dedicated to building resilient, equitable support systems for youth. As the Assistant Director of Programs for Secondary Education at 518 ElevatED, Carina channels her identity as a proud NYC-born "Soul Latina" (Black American and Boricua) into driving fresh perspective, energy, and growth into the organization’s historic mission. Drawing from an extensive healthcare background managing critical care pathways and high-stakes crisis intervention, Carina integrates systemic care, trauma-informed practice, and holistic healing—including mediation and yoga—into youth development. She leads secondary education initiatives aimed at expanding opportunities for high schoolers and young adults, securing vital resources, and ensuring Capital Region students have an unwavering foundation to succeed.

Mo Gardner

Director of Donor Engagement & Communications

 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

Tamara M. McCallum

Adonis Richards

Carina R. Diaz

Mo Gardner

Board of Directors

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Tamara M. McCallum

Adonis Richards

Carina R. Diaz

Mo Gardner