Our Staff

New York City Outward Bound Management Team:

Richard Stopol, President
Appointed to his position in 1989, Mr. Stopol is responsible for fund raising, program planning and the overall leadership of New York City Outward Bound.  He previously served as a program director at the Fund for the City of New York, specializing in issues affecting children and youth. An attorney, Mr. Stopol earned a JD from New York University’s School of Law. He graduated summa cum laude from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and is a trained facilitator and a published writer.


William Abelow, Deputy Director for Operations
Mr. Abelow has multiple responsibilities for operations, programs and special projects. Previously, he was a founding member of the NYC Outward Bound Board of Directors. He is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and received a JD from Columbia University School of Law. For more than two decades, Mr. Abelow was CEO and counsel of the League of Voluntary Hospitals and Homes of New York. He also practiced law with the firm of Weil, Gotshal and Manges.

Ann Morris, Chief Financial Officer
Ann Morris oversees all financial matters of NYC Outward Bound. Previously she worked at the New York City Board of Education, where she designed the School Leadership Team Initiative and led its implementation throughout the City school system. Ms. Morris has worked in a variety of public and non-profit organizations, serving as budget officer for the Open Society Institute/Soros Foundation and as assistant commissioner for budget and finance for New York City’s Department of Homeless Services. She earned a BA from Brown University and a Masters in Public Administration from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service.

Jillian Rubio, Director of Program Services
Ms. Rubio's  responsibilities include hiring, training, evaluation and development of staff working in NYC Outward Bound’s field-based programs. She also works to ensure that all field programs are delivered safely and conform to Outward Bound safety standards and protocols. Ms. Rubio currently serves on the Board of the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE). Previously, she served as the Director of the Prospect Park Audubon Center in Brooklyn, New York. After the BP Oil Disaster in the Gulf, Jillian served as the Director of the Volunteer Response Center for the National Audubon Society. She was responsible for connecting with the groundswell of over 35,000 people from across the nation who offered to help with restoration efforts along the Gulf Coast. She holds a BS in Natural Resource Management from the University of Arizona and a MPA in Public Policy and Nonprofit Management from the NYU Wagner School of Public Service.
 
Kim Rutherford, Director of Human Resources
Ms. Rutherford is the Human Resource strategy leader responsible for developing and executing high impact approaches to attract, retain, support and develop a talented and diverse pool of qualified, committed and enthusiastic individuals to work at NYC Outward Bound and at its network schools.  Prior to joining NYC Outward Bound, Ms. Rutherford spent 20 years working as a Human Capital Consultant, specializing in Leadership Development, Talent Development, Organizational Effectiveness, Organizational Development and Career Management.  She holds a BA from Temple University, and an MBA from NYIT.

Suzanne Tillman , Field Director for Expeditionary Learning™ Outward Bound Programs
Ms. Tillman manages all Expeditionary Learning programs in New York City and serves as liaison to the NYC Department of Education’s Office of New Schools. Prior to joining NYC Outward Bound’s staff, Ms. Tillman served as Director of Organization and Leadership Development at the New York Citywide School to Work Alliance, supporting principals and school leadership teams in implementing their strategic plans, building effective school/business partnerships and designing school curriculum.  She has also worked for the NYC Partnership and Chamber of Commerce as Senior Director of Education Programs where she directed initiatives related to education and workforce development.


Paola Vita, Director of Development and External Relations
Ms. Vita has worked with NYC Outward Bound since 1989 in various capacities. Her experience in education, counseling, and youth development is extensive. Prior to assuming her current post, she served as director of marketing for two years and development director for five, responsible for raising annual operating funds. As well, she launched and completed NYC Outward Bound’s first capital campaign. Earlier Ms. Vita worked as an educational specialist, alumni coordinator and instructor at George Washington High School, and was a course director and instructor for youth courses, teacher and staff training. She graduated from Brown University and received a M.Ed. in counseling and education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.

 

Our Staff:

Administration and Finance

Staci Langdon

Jennifer Hezel

Luis Muniz

Rayanna Smith

Development and External Relations

Carol Carpenter

Beth Gerbe

Expeditionary Learning

Carol Foresta

James Rice

Margaret Riordan

Laura Shapiro

Rebecca Tatistcheff

Katherine Miller-Bains

Program Services Team

Badari Ambatti

Maya Choy-Sutton

Paul Darden

Eric Fine

Erica Fine

Shannon Gilmore

Todd Goodman

Jeffrey Grinnell

Douglas (Deke) Harris

Trevor Harris

Ismery Lora

Stephanie Maltarich

Christian Narvaez

Lora Nelson

Luz Del Alba Nunez

Maren Olson

Jeff Phillippe

Ricardo (Ricky) Reid

Jessica Ruiz

Ali Sadiq

Betty Schlicht

Mwenye Seville

Sebastian Shaw

Kevin Shon

Shelby Thomas

Sterling Wharton

Elizabeth Wilkins

Tyron Young

Marko Yurachek

Technology

Janet Redondo