As Marketing Coordinator at SEAT Center, Emma supports the organization’s mission by connecting young people and community members through marketing communications. She leads community-based event efforts, builds relationships with community organizations, and develops outreach strategies that expand access to SEAT’s programs. Emma also manages print and digital communications, including social media, outreach campaigns, our website, and merchandise to strengthen SEAT’s visibility and engagement. Through creativity, collaboration, and community partnership, she helps make SEAT’s programs more visible, accessible, and responsive to the communities we serve.
As an Outreach Specialist with SEAT Center in Albany and Schenectady, Craig connects young adults and community members with career training opportunities, personal growth workshops, and supportive wraparound services. They build strong relationships with community organizations to increase awareness of SEAT Center’s programs and resources. Through this role, Craig collaborates with community partners to create pathways to employment, education, and long-term success, while helping underserved populations access resources that improve their quality of life.
“Be you. No one else can.” Craig Reid
Savannah Spears serves as Fiscal Grants Coordinator at SEAT Center, where she supports grant management, compliance, and financial reporting. She brings a background in nonprofit leadership, program administration, and strategic operations, with experience advancing mission-driven organizations. Savannah is currently a Ph.D. candidate specializing in Nonprofit Leadership, with research focused on family engagement and nonprofit organizations supporting students with disabilities. As a military family, the Spears family has lived all over the world, but only recently relocated to New York from Florida with her husband and children. She enjoys being outdoors, reading, volunteer work, watching her kids play sports, and going into the city for shopping and Yankees games!
Geneva McPherson is the Associate Director of Career Services. She completed her Master’s degree in Social Work at Saint Rose in 2018 to start a career in school social work. After spending some time in nonprofits and school social work since 2015, Geneva decided to pivot into Career Services in 2025 joining SEAT Center to support young people on their journey to personal and career growth.
Yireh Pino has been with SEAT Center since 2015 moving from Student to Vista Volunteer through AmeriCorps, Program Alumni, and now to a staff member working with our Crisis Intervention and Prevention team. With encouragement and guidance from her instructors, other students and colleagues, Yireh navigated through difficult times to achieve her academic, professional, and personal goals. Yireh’s career aspirations aligned with her passion to give back to the organization that had become her home. In the role of Crisis Intervention Specialist, she works to help other students find the same sense of community and support that she found during her time as a student and have all that they need to enter the workforce with resources and confidence. Yireh’s journey is a testament to the power of finding family and community in unexpected places, supporting the same company and environment that has given her so much.
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Patrick is committed to empowering students to thrive in their future careers and become agents of change in their communities. With thirty years of experience as both a teacher and administrator, he has developed a robust framework for fostering academic success while nurturing the personal and professional growth of each student. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from UAlbany and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration from SUNY Brockport, Patrick blends analytical insight with strategic educational leadership. His passion for student-focused initiatives has driven him to cultivate inclusive environments that promote collaboration, critical thinking, and innovation. He believes that education transcends traditional classroom boundaries, equipping students with the skills and confidence necessary to navigate the complexities of the modern workplace. Patrick’s leadership philosophy is encapsulated in the powerful words of Barack Obama: “We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We are the change we seek.” This mantra serves as a guiding principle for his work, inspiring both students and educators to embrace their roles as change-makers and champions of progress. He also resonates with the sentiment of education reformer Alia Wong, who said, “Passion and community are the heartbeats of effective education,” emphasizing the vital role that enthusiasm and collective support play in student success. Outside of his professional endeavors, Patrick cherishes meaningful moments with his family, including his wife, grandchildren, and their beloved dog, Ruby.
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Athena Fitch brought her outstanding organizational skills to SEAT Center in December 2022 – first as a Program Specialist. Now Athena serves as Operations Liaison where she uses those skills to ensure compliant collection and reporting of data f for specific grants and funding streams, tracks student attendance and facilitates stipend payments. Athena grew up in Troy and earned an associate degree from Hudson Valley Community College before earning her bachelor’s from the University at Albany. She is proud that her work ethic landed her a promotion at SEAT Center where she is learning more about data and funding. Athena works with SEAT Center because she strives “to be the person I needed when I was a growing youth for the next growing youth.” When she’s not wrangling data, she is happiest doing “anything in nature, dancing, writing poetry and trying new foods.
Raven Bryant joined us as a VISTA for one year before accepting the role as our front desk specialist. She is our first impression, providing a fabulous, friendly and knowledgeable welcome to SEAT Center for students, potential students, staff and visitors alike, whether at our front door or on the phone. A native of Brooklyn, Raven resides in Schenectady. She is certified in CPR and personal care and is a licensed cosmetologist who enjoys spreading joy in her work. Raven chose to join SEAT Center as an employee because she sought help from SEAT Center as a student and “they showed me everything. I’m truly grateful and want to pass it along to others
