Hello! It’s nice to meet you.
Executive Director & Founder
She/Her
Hillary Do
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Hillary is a Central High School alumnus (class of 272!) who graduated from Harvard in 2017 with a degree in Social Studies and Computer Science. She holds an MBA from Stanford Graduate School of Business, where she was a Leadership for Society Scholar. She has a background in civic technology, local government, community organizing, and business strategy. Most recently, she was a community organizer in Philly, building coalitions to make sure immigrant communities are counted in the census and working to increase voter turnout in historically disenfranchised communities. She dreams of a Philadelphia where every neighborhood thrives, led by the people living in them.
Deputy Executive Director
She/Her
Jude Husein
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Jude Husein is a passionate advocate for underserved communities. Born in Jerusalem and raised in North Philadelphia, she holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a master’s in Strategic Communication from La Salle University. A TEDx speaker and Pew Emerging Leaders Corps alum, Jude contributes to various civic and community initiatives focused on equity and representation.
She was named one of the 2025 Arab America Foundation 30 Under 30 and honored as Activist of the Year by The Philadelphia Citizen for her leadership in political advocacy, strategic planning, and grassroots organizing across the Commonwealth.
Program Manager
He/Him
Jalen Belgrave
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Jalen is a graduate from Elizabethtown College, where he received his B.A. in Legal Studies with minors in Communication, Data Analytics, and Economics. While at Elizabethtown, Jalen founded the Elizabethtown College Chapter of the NAACP along with the Social and Civic Leadership Academy, which helped motivate at-risk high school students to pursue a college education. He also developed a financial literacy program to help high students become connected with resources to plan their journey for college readiness and success. Jalen seeks to positively impact communities by empowering people of color to be agents of social change through peacemaking and social justice. Jalen also received his Masters in Social Policy at the University of Pennsylvania. He is excited to use his past experiences and interests to further the work being done at PhillyBOLT!
Youth Program Educator
She/her
Na’Lah Walker
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Na’Lah is a student at West Chester University, majoring in Early Grades Preparation and American Sign Language. She excels at building meaningful relationships with both youth and colleagues, which she believes is essential for a successful program. She also works with the non-profit Ordinarie Heroes as their Youth Leadership Coordinator, helping youth build leadership skills. She is eager to bring her skills and knowledge to lead BOLT’s youth program and contribute to the continued success of the organization in Philadelphia.
Youth Program Educator
She/Her
Sullena Staton
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Sullena, a Philadelphia native and Northeast High School alum, is a University of Pittsburgh graduate who competed in Division I track and field. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation Sciences, which she now uses to promote all-around healthy living.
She volunteers in Haiti, providing wellness education and resources to underserved communities. Most recently, she launched Rising Athletes Tumble Gym with the R.A.C.E. Foundation, focusing on youth empowerment through fitness and mentorship. As a dedicated community leader, Sullena continues to guide the next generation through Bolt's Youth Program, sharing her knowledge, skills, and life experiences to help others thrive.
Operations Associate
She/Her
Jennifer Lie
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Jennifer was born and raised in South Philly and stays deeply connected to her community through organizing local events that bring people together. Currently studying sonography, she’s passionate about creating spaces where Philly youth can learn, grow, and thrive. Jennifer hopes to use her skills and experiences to give back to the city that shaped her.
Accountant
She/Her
Janalyn Guo
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Janalyn is a CPA and the founder of Vested Gator, a consulting business that aims to make financial literacy and management accessible to nonprofits and small arts organizations, so that they can have the fiscal tools and skills they need to flourish. She loves working with artists and activists fighting for positive change in their communities. She lives in South Philly and enjoys writing, going to plays, and eating her way through Chinatown.
Program Intern
She/Her
Fatoumata Bamba
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Fatoumata is a sophomore at Haverford college, majoring in Neuroscience. Every summer in New York City, she has been a teacher assistant for her high school summer program (REAL KIDS). REAL KIDS is a summer school where K-8 youth are given the chance to learn, have fun and be creative with projects. With her experience working with children, she hopes to become a physician associate in the pediatric speciality.
Program Intern
She/Her
Norah Nijbroek
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Norah is a rising junior at Haverford College, majoring in Political Science. She hails from Alexandria, Virginia, where she started her work as a policy advocate, childcare provider, and youth program coordinator. Norah is a creative through and through, and enjoys bringing her artistic experience into the classroom; she is a trained classical vocalist, commissioned painter, muralist, and pianist. Her true passion, however, is working with young people and engaging in political activism. After completing her undergraduate degree, she hopes to earn her masters in Education with certification and begin teaching Social Studies to middle schoolers in Philadelphia Public Schools.
Program Intern (BOLT Alumni)
She/Her
Mecca Patterson-Guridy
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Mecca Patterson-Guridy (she/her) is an actress, poet, and student from North Philadelphia. A rising junior at Cheyney University, the nation’s first HBCU, she joined Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (Delta Tau Chapter) in Spring 2025. Mecca began at BOLT as a student fellow in 2023, served as a coach in 2024, and currently works as a summer intern. She believes, “A thriving Philly is one where Black and Brown children enjoy a safe, joyful childhood and access to exceptional education.”
Program Intern (BOLT Alumni)
Shawn A. Mays
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Being from Philly and an Alumni of Science Leadership Academy. I’ve always prided myself in being from this great city. As it has taught me so much about being more than just a man, but also a graceful and caring person. I look to be a better leader every single day and envoke change not just in Philly but to wherever I go. The change I see in Philly starts with programs like Bolt as it has crafted into a much more effective leader through it’s phenomenal program and I look to do the same!
Special Projects Intern (BOLT Alumni)
She/Her
Andrea Lie
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Andrea is a student at Swarthmore College studying Engineering and Computer Science. She was born and raised in South Philly where she joined BOLT during a city wide discussion with city representatives about what mattered to the youth. She hopes to carry this drive and value throughout her career.
Program Intern (BOLT Alumni)
She/Her
Sayda Adiba
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Sayda Adiba (she/her) is a Health Sciences major at Drexel University with hopes of becoming a pediatric physician assistant. Born and raised in West Philly, she joined BOLT in 2023 and found a space to grow as a leader and advocate. Through BOLT, Sayda deepened her commitment to youth voice and community empowerment. She hopes to share her experiences with others and inspire more young people to get involved in shaping the future of their city.
Our Board of Directors
Danielle LaGuerre
Trusts and Estates Associate
Bank of America
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Danielle LaGuerre was born and raised in Philadelphia by her amazing parents who migrated from Haiti. She is a proud product of the Philadelphia Public School System. Some of her best years in the public school system were spent at the only high school for girls, Girls High. She attended East Stroudsburg University on a full academic scholarship, obtaining a B.S in Political Science and it’s where she discovered her love for philanthropy and volunteering. She has a J.D from Western Michigan University Cooley Law School, graduating with the Leadership Achievement Award. She also has a Tax LLM/Estate Planning Certificate from Temple University Beasley School of Law. She is currently an AVP, Wealth Strategies Associate for Bank of America’s Wealth Strategies Group. In addition to BOLT, Danielle is involved with Philly VIP and the Elder Justice & Civil Resource Center handling pro bono cases for members of her community.
Pedro Rodriguez
Community Organizer
Various
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Pedro is a lifetime community organizer who most recently served as Director of Partnerships for the Mayor’s “Philly Counts” (census completion) initiative
Mike Lee
Executive Director
American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania
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Mike Lee is the ACLU of Pennsylvania as executive director. A born and raised Philadelphian, Mike is a proud alumni of Central High School (259). He served for six years in the administration of Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner, as director of government affairs, supervisor of adult diversion, and chief of staff. Mike founded and served as executive director of Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity, a nonprofit legal aid firm that helps change the narrative around criminal records through direct legal service, advocacy, and education. In his early years practicing law, he specialized in criminal defense and had a number of clients who had been prosecuted during the Occupy protests. Mike was also a regular legal observer, including during the G20 protests in Pittsburgh in 2009.
Mike is a graduate of George Washington University with a degree in communications and was part of the inaugural class at the Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law in 2006.
Ngan Tran
Director of Multicultural Affairs City of Philadelphia
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Ngan Tran serves as the Director of Multicultural Affairs for the Office of Immigrant Affairs in the City of Philadelphia. She is experienced in Operations and Non-profit management and graduated with a Bachelor's degree focused in Political Science and Sociology from Lehigh University.
Puja Upadhyay
Attorney
Richards, Layton & Finger, P.A.
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Puja is a lifelong Philadelphian and Central High School alumnus (272). She has a background in health policy, public health, and public interest law. Puja is interested in improving the social determinants of health for underserved communities. Today, she does employment law and commercial litigation.
Reuben Jones
Executive Director
Frontline Dads
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Reuben is the founder of Frontline Dads which provides mentoring, leadership development and comprehensive support to “at-risk” youth, single fathers, and formerly incarcerated citizens.
T. Leslie O'Rourke
VP Acquisition Marketing Strategy JP Morgan Chase
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T. Leslie O'Rourke, a Philadelphia resident and native of Indianapolis, IN, is a dynamic professional with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Indiana University and a Master of Business Administration from Wilmington University. With over 12 years in the financial services industry, Leslie is an adept marketer and relationship manager. Her passion is to serve the community, something that was cultivated since adolescence. In addition to BOLT, Leslie is a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and the National Coalition of 100 Black Women, PA Chapter.
Chrystina Cappello
Senior Manager
Deloitte & Touche LLP
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Chrystina made Philadelphia home in 2006 to attend Drexel University and study architectural engineering. After college, she pursued consulting with a focus on construction and has since found her passion working with federal grant funding. She has had many hobbies through the years including blogging, singing, and hosting parties, all tied together by her love of community building.
Lily Reynolds
Director of Federal Infrastructure Strategy
City of Philadelphia
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Lily Reynolds, currently serves as the Director of Federal Infrastructure Strategy for the City of Philadelphia. In this role since 2022, she leads the City’s coordinated response to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aiming to invest over $1 billion in Philadelphia over five years. Lily’s leadership ensures that public works projects result in equitable outcomes for Philadelphians, especially increased economic opportunity for workers and businesses. Lily and her husband have called Philadelphia home since 2019 and are expecting their first baby in early 2025.