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

Mo Gardner

Communications Coordinator
 mgardner@518elevated.org

Board of Directors

Terry Kremer
Chair

Amy Grabek
Vice Chair

Alexandria Carver
Secretary

Fareeza Islam Hanif
Treasurer

Members-at-Large
Kaweeda Adams
Jenyce Moses Aondona
Greg Barcomb
Dayonna Bowles
Sarah Burns
Emelia Carlino
Jeffrey Cohn
Katie Fleming
Ross Goodman, Esq.
LeVar Holmes
Jennifer Miller, Ed.D.
Seah Ogden, Ph.D.
Amy Papandrea
Eric Scaringe
Michael Walsh, Ed.D.
Chyresse Wells

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

*deceased

Advisory Directors
Ronald G. Dunn, Esq.
Joseph Hochreiter
Hon. Carmella Mantello
Hon. Gary McCarthy
Ryan Meikle
Hon. Kathy M. Sheehan

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.

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

Mo Gardner

Board of Directors

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Peter Lewis Gabak

Tamara M. McCallum

Mo Gardner