Meet Our Salvadori Staff!

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Trenton is originally from California and graduated with a BA in Theater from the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. In addition, he holds a Masters of Teaching from Pace University and a Masters of Educational Leadership from the College of Saint Rose.

With 17 years of experience in NYC schools, Trenton’s career started as a middle school teacher and Director of Operations for schools in Harlem before transitioning into district leadership. Through 9 years in NYC Public Schools Office of Arts and Special Projects, Trenton led hiring, operations, policy, grants, development of instructional resources, and teacher professional development for NYC’s arts teachers.

DEPUTY DIRECTOR

Malika Khalsa joined the Salvadori Center as the Education Director in 2017; leading a team of 11 Educators who develop curricula and deliver Salvadori's collaborative, hands-on, and project-based in-school STEAM residencies and after-school programs. In 2023, Malika was promoted to Deputy Director. Before joining Salvadori, Malika was a Senior Program Director at City Year New York, a Child Protection Specialist with NYC Administration for Children's Services, and a Pre-K Teacher at 82nd Street Academics. Malika graduated from St. John's University with a BS in Childhood Education.

FINANCIAL OFFICER

Mei-Ling joined the Salvadori Center in the summer of 2014. Prior to the Salvadori Center, she has worked as Accounting Manager, Controller and Business Manager for private and not-for-profit organizations. Mei-Ling has a BA in Accounting from San Francisco University in California, completed Finance Management and Budget courses at Bernard Baruch College; and Computer Database Program Courses at Columbia University in New York City.

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Originally from North Carolina, Erika Myers Hyde holds a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a minor in African American History and Dramatic Arts from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She brings over a decade of experience in nonprofit fundraising, strategic planning, and project management. Erika has successfully led development teams, improved donor engagement, and streamlined fundraising operations in various organizations. She is passionate about advancing arts education by creating opportunities for underserved communities. In her free time, Erika loves to travel, enjoy a good meal, and indulge in TV, movies, and theater.

SENIOR STEAM EDUCATOR

Emiliano was born and raised in Mexico City, and moved to New York to study at City College. He received a BS in Architecture in 2004 and joined Gensler as a job captain where he helped design retail stores including Apple, Victoria’s Secret, and Gap. While teaching at the Guggenheim museum and interning at the Museum of Modern Art, Emiliano became interested in education and the arts. In 2009 he joined Organizacion Tepeyac, a non-profit organization that provides after school programs, adult education, and immigrant advocacy for Mexicans in New York.

SENIOR STEAM EDUCATOR

Juliana grew up in London, UK where she graduated with a BA Honors in Interior Design at Kingston University. She moved to Hong Kong designing interiors for Ronald Lu & Partners and this experience led to becoming Senior Designer for Goudie Associates designing the expansion offices for Credit Suisse HK. Settling in New York, between working on interior projects for Lowery Design, she taught Urban Design programs for the Brooklyn Center of Urban Environment. Juliana pursued her interest in how children learn through project-based learning especially during active parent volunteerism at NEST+M, one of the first K-12 grade seamless public schools in NYC. and concurrently trained with the DOE as an active parent advocate for the School Based Support Team. Juliana holds a Certificate in TEFL, Diplome de Langue Francais and Danielson’s Competencies. In 2009 she joined the Salvadori Center where she has been writing and developing curricula, leading professional development, mentoring and teaching across all five boroughs as Senior Educator. Juliana enjoys playing tennis with her local community and spending time with her rescue dog.

SENIOR STEAM EDUCATOR

Lauren has joined Salvadori as an Educator in 2017 and is responsible for writing curriculum, developing in person and remote professional development for teachers and facilitating project-based learning lessons to students across the five boroughs. Lauren graduated from Hartwick College in 2011 and obtained a BA in Sociology and her NYS teaching certificate (K-6th grade). In May 2017, she graduated from SUNY Albany and completed her MS in Curriculum Development and Instructional Technology. Prior to the Salvadori Center, Lauren worked in public schools for several years and taught math and science after school programs. Lauren loves science so much that she developed, wrote curriculum and presented successful hands on art and science programs to students at libraries throughout Suffolk and Nassau Counties of Long Island.

PROGRAM LOGISTICS COORDINATOR

Marie has lived in NYC since 2015 and is currently settled in Brooklyn. She holds a Bachelors in Art History and Fine Arts, with a minor in Mathematics from The George Washington University. Marie also has a Masters in Museum Education from City College. Before joining the Salvadori Center, Marie worked as first an Educator and then Education Coordinator at the New York Transit Museum. During her free time, Marie enjoys traveling, reading fantasy books, and crafting art for her Etsy shop and for friends.

SOCIAL MEDIA & CONTENT DESIGNER

Jessica moved to New York City in the summer of 2018 to become a success coach for underserved students as an AmeriCorps Member at City Year. Jessica has a vast range of experience in marketing, public relations, and communications, in fields as varied as dentistry, public health, and education. In 2018, she graduated with a Bachelors of Art in Communication and Marketing from the University of Toledo. During her free time, Jessica enjoys traveling, painting, scrapbooking, and spending time in the park. She is creative, has a passion for giving, and is delighted to be part of the Salvadori Center.

GRANTS & DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR

Kelly is a Queens native, and joined the Salvadori Center in mid-2022. She holds a B.A. in English Literature with a minor in Art History from City College. Prior to joining Salvadori Center, Kelly provided her skills in writing, research, development, and fundraising to non-profits such as the Financial Women’s Association of New York, A Precious Child in Broomfield, CO, and Jamel Gaines Creative Outlet in Brooklyn. In her free time, Kelly enjoys volunteering, attending animation screenings in the city, and reading new books.

STEAM EDUCATOR

Nina moved to NYC from Moscow, Russia in 2003. She graduated from Fordham University in 2013 with a B.A. in International Studies and Anthropology. Before joining the Salvadori Center, Nina led tours, family workshops and school programs at the Prospect Park Zoo, the American Museum of Natural History, New York Transit Museum, Lower East Side Tenement Museum and Brooklyn Historical Society. In her free time she creates mosaics and collages.

STEAM EDUCATOR

Theresa is from Pennsylvania and studied early childhood education. Prior to working for Salvadori, Theresa worked for nonprofit organizations providing monthly nutrition education in multiple schools for classrooms for grades Kindergarten through 9th grade, putting together creative nutrition game shows for school assemblies and also participating in a variety of community nutrition programs. Theresa was also a coordinator for Kids Café, an afterschool program that provided assistance with homework, nutritious dinner and fun activities for over 190 children. Theresa is passionate about making a difference by encouraging and motivating others. In her free time, she volunteers as a head coach for mini cheerleading and loves spending time with her friends and family.

SENIOR STEAM EDUCATOR

Born and raised in New Jersey, Madhvi moved to New York City in 2014 to pursue her undergraduate degree in biology. After completing her degree in 2018, she joined a graduate degree program at LIU - Brooklyn. While studying she taught STEM classes to high school students. She graduated with an MsEd in adolescent education, with a concentration in biology education, and joined Salvadori as a STEAM Educator in 2021. During her free time, Madhvi loves spending time with her family, baking cupcakes, and crafting.

PART-TIME STEAM EDUCATOR

Elizabeth is from New Jersey and joined the Salvadori Center as an educator in June of 2022. She is currently studying for a B.A. degree in psychology with a minor in urban teaching at Barnard College of Columbia University. Elizabeth’s love of learning and passion for teaching started at an early age because she is the oldest of three younger siblings and often helped them with their homework. When she is not taking classes, Elizabeth volunteers as a student teacher for Community Impact at Columbia University and Reading Partners. In her free time, she enjoys going on nature walks with her dog, crocheting, art, and traveling.

STEAM EDUCATOR

Melissa Rios recently joined Salvadori as an educator. She was born and raised in the Northeast Bronx and prior to the pandemic, spent fifteen years living in Pike County, Pennsylvania. She has a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education and English Language Arts from the School of Education at Hunter College. In addition, she has a master’s degree in Education with a concentration in Administration from Concordia University. Prior to that, she was the director of training and development for Snapology of Manhattan and Long Island City under the non-profit, The Afterschool Collective. Melissa has also directed a preschool and parish programs in Pennsylvania, worked for Youth Advocate Programs servicing young individuals with clinical disorders and delinquency issues and was a classroom teacher for five years. She is an active leader in her parish community, volunteers at The Bronx Zoo, loves spending time with her family, sci-fi, reading, writing, working on puzzles and bird watching.

STEAM EDUCATOR

Glenn Rauch joined the Salvadori Center as an educator in October 2022. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from the University at Albany and a Master of Education from Lehman College. Before entering the field of education, Glenn worked as a fundraising coordinator, directing the New York regional office for one of the largest and most effective environmental activism groups in the world. During this role he led successful fundraising teams in New York City, Chicago, Denver, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Seattle, Boston, and more. He is also a skilled actor and writer. He has written over fifty short plays for production, has extensive experience in sketch and improv comedy, and has performed Shakespeare on both coasts. He loves science fiction, games of skill, and stories about old-timey con men.

STEAM EDUCATOR

Originally from California, Sarah joined Salvadori as an educator in April 2024. She received a bachelor’s in history from the University of California, San Diego, and uses her knowledge of social systems and their impacts to inform her work with young people. Before joining Salvadori, Sarah ran the afterschool program at a New York City transitional housing shelter. When not at work, Sarah can be found with her nose in a book or watching the latest professional tennis match.

STEAM EDUCATOR

Jasmynn joined the Salvadori Center as an Educator in June 2023 . She grew up in Deale, Maryland and has two Bachelors degrees in Fine Arts and Art Education from Towson University. Prior to working at Salvadori, Jasmynn has taught art at multiple schools in Baltimore and spent time as a museum educator at the American Visionary Art Museum. In addition, she has taught art in England, Italy and multiple states along the East Coast to a variety of age groups. During Jasmynn’s free time she loves going to concerts, watching movies and traveling. Her passions include painting, drawing and exploring new places. She hopes to bring her passion for the arts to Salvadori's STEAM curriculum.

STEAM EDUCATOR

Matthew joined Salvadori as a STEAM Educator in July 2024. He graduated from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Secondary Science Education. Prior to working at Salvadori, Matthew served as an AmeriCorps member in Sitka, Alaska with a focus on academic support for middle school students. Matthew has also spent time as a museum educator at the Cade Museum in Gainesville, Florida, where he worked with a wide range of age groups. In his free time, Matthew enjoys reading, running, spending time with friends, and drawing plants.

STEAM EDUCATOR

As a bilingual educator with a Bachelor of Architecture and a Master’s in Urban Design from the New York Institute of Technology, Mario brings over eight years of college-level teaching experience and a diverse portfolio of architecture and urban planning projects, spanning from concept to execution. Mario believes that approaching life with a childlike mindset nourishes the soul, bringing joy and fulfillment. “It’s about embracing curiosity and finding the extraordinary in the ordinary." Additionally, he engages in cross-disciplinary research that merges historical analysis with design to explore urban transformations in New York City.

MATERIALS & SUPPLIES PREPARATOR

Emma moved to New York City in June of 2024, and joined Salvadori in September 2024. She has a liberal arts degree in Art History and Performing Arts from Sarah Lawrence College, with a focus in puppetry, costuming, medieval history, and literature. She has previously worked for several other non-profit organizations including The Ethel Walker School, where she volunteered as a guest teacher instructing middle and high school students in medieval artwork, and led hands-on projects inspired by the subject material. At Horizons, she helped teach theatre to students in K-6th grades. Lastly, she worked as a summer intern at The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, hand-making bricks, and taught museum visitors about the pre-industrial practice. In her free time, Emma enjoys learning new, historically inspired crafts, playing video games, and sewing.