Abigail Ellis
Executive Director
Abigail Ellis joined the MENTOR Independence Region in 2015. She is responsible for setting the strategic direction, overseeing all operations, and garnering resources and support for MENTOR Independence Region. Since its inception, MENTOR IR has worked with nearly 1000 organizations to improve high-quality mentoring practices and impacting 270,000 youth and young adults in the greater Philadelphia area. In 2019 Ellis led the initiative’s expansion into Workplace Mentoring and School Relationship strategies. Prior to joining the MENTOR IR, Ellis led the Campaign for Mentoring at United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey, as well as efforts in data and outcomes and operational support. Ellis is also a 12 year veteran of Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Region, starting the first school-based mentoring program in 1999 and most recently supporting the organization in Research and Evaluation. Ellis is a graduate of Temple University School of Social Administration, earning her Masters in Social Work, and received a BA in Sociology from Penn State University. Ellis is also a proud Philadelphia Public School parent of two amazing kids.
Elizabeth Caldarola
Quality Assurance Manager
Elizabeth Caldarola is a nonprofit professional who has worked in the field of volunteer management for over two decades. She currently serves as the Manager of Quality Assurance and Review for MENTOR Independence Region, based in Philadelphia, PA. In this role, Elizabeth conducts audits on mentoring practitioner’s work, and provides staff development, coaching and training to enhance the quality of services provided. Prior to her work with MENTOR, she was the Director of Intake Services for Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Region, overseeing the recruitment, screening and enrollment efforts for the organization throughout seven counties in Southeastern Pennsylvania and Southern New Jersey. She has a BA from Gonzaga University and a Masters in Nonprofit Management from Eastern University, and has worked in homeless services and domestic violence and rape crisis education, in addition to her work with BBBS and MENTOR. She lives in Collingswood, NJ, with her husband and two daughters.
Adelaide Moschler
Manager, Learning and Development
Adelaide Moschler joined MENTOR Independence Region in 2015. She has worked for Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Region since 2013. Adelaide has worked in the learning and development field since 2009 and has worked in the nonprofit social services field since 2005. Adelaide served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Mali, West Africa from 2003 to 2005. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Appalachian State University in 2002. Adelaide was born and raised in the Southern United States and has been living and working in Philadelphia since 2007. In her role as Manager of Learning & Development, Adelaide is our Lead Trainer, building the capacity and quality of mentoring programs and increasing the quality of mentors in our region.
Calista Condo
Consultant
Calie provides technical assistance to mentoring organizations and facilitates training with MENTOR Independence Region. She specializes in volunteer enrollment and program marketing, virtual mentoring programs, and mentoring programming and policy. She is a South Jersey local and has worked in the Philadelphia region for many years. Since obtaining her degree from Rowan University as a first-generation college student, Calie has continuously grown more passionate about helping college students reach their goals, leading her to work in youth mentorship and higher education. She has worked with grassroots nonprofits, youth sports organizations, and mentorship organizations for over 10 years and is a volunteer mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence. Calie currently serves as the Senior Director of Student Engagement and Programming with Campus Philly.
Unique Saunders
Consultant
Unique Saunders has been a trainer and technical assistance provider with MENTOR Independence Region since 2016. She has served as a mentor in various programs for the last fifteen years and enjoys connecting with young people from all walks of life. Aside from training other mentors on mentoring best practices, Unique works as a school administrator assisting families through the Admissions process. Unique is active in her community and finds joy in meeting new people and is fascinated by their life stories. It is one of the things she loves most about her line of work. In her free time, she can be found reading, hiking, or spending time with friends.
Dorothy Yoder
Consultant
Dorothy has over 18 years of experience in non-profit anti-poverty and youth development programs in Oakland, CA and Philadelphia, PA. She currently is the Head of Partner Success at Urban Affairs Coalition in Philadelphia and worked for Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Region for nine years leading the Community-based Enrollment and Match department as the Senior Manager. At BBBS she co-facilitated the Mentoring and Racial Identity Workshop for mentors for four years. She also has experience at the Mayor’s Office of Education at the City of Philadelphia as a Manager for the Community Schools initiative, and has been a consultant/trainer for MENTOR and RCG Talent Solutions in workshop facilitation and talent acquisition efforts. Dorothy has a Master’s degree in Counseling and is a graduate of Penn State University.
Jennifer Dessus
Consultant
Jennifer has provided technical assistance and facilitated training for mentoring organizations with MENTOR Independence Region, since 2019. She is an accomplished program manager, educator, and researcher with 19 years of experience in the non-profit and educational sectors. Her work has focused on advancing positive youth development, educational equity, and access for all. As a higher education administrator, instructor, and mentor, Jennifer is passionate about guiding young people to discover their sense of belonging and supporting them in finding sustainable pathways beyond graduation. She holds a doctorate in Educational Leadership and Management from Drexel University.
