Our Vision
A future where every high school student has the power, preparation, and opportunity to thrive in college and career.
Our Mission
Futures Ignite partners with schools to propel bold college and career futures for every student.
CORE VALUES
Youth Leadership
We believe leadership is for everyone. Every young person has the potential to lead—and we create the opportunities and support for all students, not just a select few, to build confidence, use their voice, and shape their futures.
Community
We recognize that student success is deeply connected to community health and environment. We build authentic, mutually beneficial partnerships that strengthen both our students’ outcomes and the communities they are part of—while supporting young people as experts who understand, research, and take action on the environmental and public health issues shaping their lives.
Equity
We work to dismantle inequities in the NYC public school system rooted in systemic racial and socioeconomic segregation—ensuring all students have access to the opportunities, guidance, and support they need to succeed.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kristin Ohnstad, Co-Chair
Vice President, Talent, Grow Therapy
Yemisi Yoosuf, Co-Chair
Senior Consultant, Financial Services Industry
Sergio Abramovich
CEO, Scala Learning
Brian Burt
Principal, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Jennifer Cho
Chief Customer Officer, Creator IQ
Agnes Mentre
Film Producer
Aravind Mohan
Director, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Sonaliz Morel-Baker
Chief Development Officer, Girls Leadership,
Elaine Rocha
Senior Vice President & Global Chief Investment Officer, AIG
Sarah J. Dahlgren
Partner Risk and Resilience Practice, McKinsey & Company
Vanessa Rivera
Associate Director International Philanthropy
STAFF
Denisse Alvarez
she/her
Sr. Manager, Postsecondary Pathways & Alumni Strategy
Denisse Alvarez is a results-oriented professional with a strong background in higher education, K-12 college and career readiness and nonprofit leadership. With over 10 years of experience, she is passionate about using data-driven strategies to enact positive change and drive meaningful outcomes. In her previous roles, she has successfully tackled challenges related to low engagement, creating sustainable systems and increasing inactive participation among at-risk and first to fifth-year college-aged cohorts. By leveraging her expertise and employing innovative approaches they were able to receive remarkable results. Denisse has also worked in the school admissions realm where she was able to serve over 100, K-8 students and their families in the New York City school admissions process. Her ability to advocate, educate and provide resources in 5 different languages for families to apply to schools that are deemed best fit for each student has been an asset to her work.
Mary Barnard
She/Her
Alumni Coordinator
Mary Barnard is Futures Ignite’s Alumni Coordinator, bringing five years of experience in college success and alumni support. She is passionate about helping students, particularly first-generation college students, navigate the transition to college, overcome challenges, and successfully reach graduation. Mary finds joy in guiding students through pivotal moments in their college journeys and empowering them to thrive.
Molly Delano
she/her
Executive Director
Molly is an educator, youth advocate and nonprofit manager. Molly’s background includes leadership positions at Global Kids, Hostos Community College, and the YMCA of Greater NY. In addition, she has worked as a consultant for a range of youth organizations, developing curriculum and providing training for educators. Molly’s expertise includes creating and leading innovative youth leadership programs, facilitating community partnerships to strengthen college access and persistence with first generation students and facilitating staff professional development and capacity building initiatives. Most recently, Molly was the Director of Government Initiatives and Special Projects at the Youth Development Institute. Molly holds a BA from Sarah Lawrence College, an MPA, with a concentration in public policy, from the Baruch School of Public Affairs, where she was a United Way Senior Fellow, and nonprofit leadership credentials from the Columbia Business School.
Alma Flores
They/Them
Lead Postsecondary Pathways Counselor at INTA
Alma Flores is a Lead Postsecondary Pathways Counselor passionate about youth empowerment, education and creating greater access to opportunity for underserved communities. Born in Mexico and raised in Washington Heights, Alma brings both professional & personal experience, and a strong commitment to community into their work with students and families. Alma has earned their bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Hunter College, with a focus in Africana, Puerto Rican and Latino Studies, and is currently pursuing their Master of Social Work at Lehman College. Alma has worked in New York City public schools as part of CUNY K-16 Initiatives’ College and Career Advising Fellows program, supporting students through the transition from high school into college, careers, and other postsecondary pathways. Their commitment to this work continues at Futures Ignite, where Alma strives to bridge the gap between equity and education through intentional, student-centered work that makes postsecondary information, resources and opportunities more accessible to students and families. They also bring knowledge of immigration policy and community resources, recognizing the importance of understanding the broader systems that can intersect and ultimately shape a student’s educational journey. Alma is dedicated to advocating alongside families and school communities, and creating spaces where every young person can feel supported, informed and
Amrika Francisco
she/her
Chief Director of Programs
Amrika Francisco is a proud first-generation Indo-Trinidadian who grew up in Washington Heights and graduated from WHEELS. She holds a bachelor’s degree with Honors in World Politics from Hamilton College and was awarded the Bristol Fellowship, which allowed her to study youth development strategies across six countries. With over a decade of experience in college access and workforce development, she specializes in program design, youth engagement, and community partnerships. In her role as Chief Director of Programs at Futures Ignite, Amrika is committed to building innovative pathways that empower young people to explore, launch, and persist in their college, career, and leadership journeys. She brings both lived experience and a strategic mindset, grounded in her belief in the transformative power of young people and community.
Victor Medina
he/him
Environmental Leadership Programs Manager
Victor Medina joins Futures Ignite with extensive experience designing and leading youth-centered environmental and leadership programs. A Washington Heights native, his conservation journey began at the High School for Environmental Studies, where hands-on internships and cleanups sparked his passion for environmental work. Most recently, as Director of Green Jobs at Groundwork Hudson Valley, Victor developed and managed programs that empowered young people to tackle conservation challenges in their communities. He launched and led the Green Team program, which provided Yonkers high school students with their first paid environmental jobs, combining hands-on conservation projects with leadership and teamwork development. Notably, he oversaw a riparian habitat restoration along the Saw Mill River, partnering with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to strengthen ecosystems and community engagement. Victor’s personal and professional journey has fueled his deep commitment to Environmental Justice and Access, a passion he now brings to Futures Ignite.
Lauren Peckler
She/Her
Lead Postsecondary Pathways Counselor at JBA
Lauren Peckler is a postsecondary counseling professional who brings a holistic, inclusive approach to advising and program management across K-12 schools, colleges, and nonprofits. For over 14 years, she has managed college and career programming, guiding first-generation, marginalized, and non-traditional students through the college admissions process and into their postsecondary programs — with a particular commitment to students who have historically been underserved. She is passionate about demystifying the college admissions process, building the school and community partnerships that connect students to meaningful opportunities, and guiding students to explore their interests and build the self-advocacy skills to own their path!
Elizabeth Sumpter
she/her
Sr. Director of Development
Elizabeth Sumpter (She/Her/Hers) is a first generation Haitian-American who joined Futures Ignite as a Development Director in Fall 2023. She is a passionate individual that is committed to empowering the youth and advocating that all children should have equitable access and opportunity to thrive. She has a long history in Board management and fundraising for nonprofits over the past several years. Liz is eager to support students across northern Manhattan through strong fiscal support. Elizabeth received her B.A. in Sociology from SUNY Albany and her Masters of Public Administration from Long Island University (Brooklyn). Outside of work, Elizabeth enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Erika Rivera
she/her
Executive & Development Assistant
Erika Rivera is a proud daughter of immigrant Ecuadorian roots, born and raised in Queens, New York. A first-generation college student, Erika began her academic journey at CUNY John Jay College before transferring to Suffolk County Community College, where she earned her associate’s degree. She is currently completing her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Christian Counseling at Liberty University. Erika brings a rich blend of experience in education, nonprofit operations, and ministry. She began her career as a camp and after-school counselor at Good Shepherd Services and later taught art at a private Christian academy, where she developed curriculum for children ages 2 through Kindergarten—integrating classroom learning with creative expression. She has held various administrative roles and steadily worked her way up to executive-level support positions. Her early experiences in both education and ministry shaped her commitment to serving communities with compassion, care, and purpose—values that continue to guide her work in nonprofit settings. In her current role at Futures Ignite, Erika provides critical support across teams and departments, contributing to smooth operations and mission-aligned development efforts. Outside of work, Erika is a proud mom of two. She enjoys cooking, baking, and exploring the DMV area, which she and her family have called home for the past 13 years.