Our Team - Homeless Children's Education Fund

Homeless Children’s Education Fund employs a dynamic team of dedicated and compassionate individuals who are committed to supporting and caring for our students and their families in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Our team members have extensive experience working with the homeless population and are proud of our impact on the community. We are committed to creating systemic change to prevent youth homelessness and support those at risk.

The team meets the students where they are – in parks, on porches, in libraries – to provide the support needed to maintain their education. We also advocate for policies that support affordable housing, health care, and other basic necessities that help our students thrive.

AJ Jefferson

President and Chief Executive Officer

Bio

AJ Jefferson is a CEO, keynote speaker, and trusted leadership voice for moments when things feel heavy, uncertain, or in motion. She helps leaders navigate complexity without losing their humanity, their values, or their sense of self.

AJ serves as President and CEO of the Homeless Children’s Education Fund, where she has led the organization through a season of bold growth and deep reflection. Under her leadership, the organization expanded from a $1M to a $3M operation in just three years, more than tripled its student reach, strengthened staff and board capacity, and built a foundation for long-term sustainability, all while staying rooted in mission and care.

Her leadership philosophy is shaped by both executive responsibility and lived experience. AJ speaks honestly about power, pressure, and purpose, not as abstract ideas, but as daily realities leaders must carry. That honesty is what makes her voice resonate across sectors and industries.

On stage, AJ blends poetic storytelling with practical leadership frameworks. Her sessions are warm, real, and grounded. Leaders leave with language, clarity, and tools they can apply immediately, whether they are leading teams, shaping culture, or navigating change.

AJ is frequently invited to speak for corporate ERGs, executive leadership cohorts, universities, foundations, and social impact organizations. Her work has been featured nationally on Good Morning America and The Kelly Clarkson Show, and her leadership has been recognized with honors, including the Pittsburgh Business Times C Suite Award, the Girl Scouts of Western Pennsylvania Woman of Distinction Award, and the Cribs for Kids Laura Ditka Award for Advocacy and Service.

AJ is a graduate of Seton Hill University and a 2023 alum of Carnegie Mellon University’s Executive Leadership Institute. She remains deeply committed to developing leaders who understand that courage, care, and clarity are not soft skills. They are essential.

Kaitlyn Nykwest

Vice President of Operations

Bio

Kait Nykwest is Vice President of Operations at HCEF. In this role, she serves in a senior leadership capacity, working closely with the organization’s board of trustees and committees to provide strategic insight and support the organization’s overall governance.

Kait has more than 10 years of direct service experience in education with a focus on supporting students facing housing instability. Along with HCEF staff, she helped create and develop the mobile learning program to expand services to students and families experiencing homelessness outside shelters and housing agencies.

She Identified and developed a comprehensive data management system for HCEF’s programs, successfully integrating it into everyday data collection and reporting processes while providing ongoing support and training to staff.

Kait earned a Bachelor’s degree in English, a certificate in Children’s Literature from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master’s degree in Teaching from the University of Pittsburgh School of Education.

A K-6 certified teacher, Kait received the Be There Award from the United Way and the Linda A. Dickerson Award, a recognition of those who improve the lives of youth facing homelessness. She enjoys photography, playing guitar and creating art for local indie films.

Collyn O'Donnell

Controller

Bio

As Homeless Children’s Education Fund’s (HCEF) inaugural Controller, Collyn ensures accurate financial reporting, drives cost-saving initiatives, and collaborates with the CEO to optimize revenue recognition and plan for the organization’s strategic fiscal future. She also works closely with each HCEF team member to maintain transparency in revenue and payables.

Collyn brings nearly 10 years of professional accounting experience to HCEF. Her expertise includes financial reporting, budgeting, revenue recognition, and managing timely payables. She is committed to using these skills to support critical business decisions and strengthen HCEF’s overall financial health. By ensuring financial stability, she enables the HCEF staff to focus its resources and expertise on serving students and families experiencing homelessness.

Recently retired from her board position with Northside Food Pantry Advisors, she served as treasurer and coordinated the Northview Heights Produce Distribution Program. She remains active in her community, serving on the Neighbor’s Committee at East Liberty Presbyterian Church (ELPC) and volunteering at ELPC’s Chapel Market, providing clothing and essentials to those in need.

Collyn earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting and computer information systems from Washington & Jefferson College.

In her spare time, she enjoys puzzling, knitting, restoring her rowhouse on Pittsburgh’s North Side, and farming with her family on their historic farmstead in Washington County.

Brian Knight

Director of Community Engagement

Bio

As the Director of Community for HCEF, Brian Knight is responsible for recruiting, training and coordinating volunteers for all programs, fundraising efforts and administrative needs. He performs community outreach and drives the organization’s policy and systems advocacy to improve the lives of students experiencing homelessness.

Brian also manages the Homeless Education Network (HEN), an interagency collaborative group working to improve educational opportunities for the students served.

Prior to joining HCEF, he taught English as a second language in Incheon, South Korea, briefly served as a corporate recruiter in Charlotte, North Carolina, and worked in a local fundraising office.

Brian grew up on a farm in rural Virginia before coming to Pittsburgh to study at the University of Pittsburgh, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in English and Philosophy. In his spare time, he likes to read, bike, hoard board games and play music for his cats.

Terrel Williams

Teen Outreach Manager

Bio

Terrel Williams is the Teen Outreach Manager for Homeless Children’s Education Fund. As an educator and advocate for youth, Terrel helps HCEF’s older teens and young adults achieve academic success and transition into adulthood safely.

A graduate from Carlow University, Terrel received a Bachelor’s degree in Theology/Theological Studies and a Master’s degree in Secondary Education and Teaching.

With more than five years of experience working in school and social service settings, Terrel understands the critical needs of youth experiencing homelessness.

When he’s not building bridges for communities, Terrel loves spending time with his wife and children and writing poetry.

Neal Donovan

K-8 Program Manager

Bio

Neal Donovan is the K-8 Program Manager at Homeless Children’s Education Fund. In his role, he oversees all K-8 initiatives, including Mobile Learning, Family Engagement, Afterschool and Summer programs, and Enrichment workshops. He manages the daily operations of the Afterschool and Summer Programs, providing tutoring and literacy development in local shelters.

With more than five years of experience in nonprofit and community service, Neal is passionate about serving his community by providing resources and opportunities to those in need. He finds joy in working with HCEF’s students and is inspired by their energy for education and personal growth.

Neal graduated from Jaunita College, earning a Bachelor’s degree in Language and Linguistic Studies. His journey to Pittsburgh began with a service year as an afterschool teacher through KEYS AmeriCorps, and he has been dedicated to the local community and nonprofit work ever since. In his free time, Neal enjoys cooking, playing board games, and competing in ultimate frisbee.

Alizé Strickland

Family Engagement Coordinator

Bio

As the Family Engagement Coordinator for the Kindergarten through Eighth-grade program, Alizé Strickland brings her passion for working with families to help them discover the tools needed to thrive and succeed to Homeless Children’s Education Fund. She initiates the intake process to enroll students in HCEF’s programs and connects families to community resources.

Alizé cultivates partnerships with HCEF’s school and shelter partners, ensuring all family’s needs are met. She also maintains relationships with three Pittsburgh Public Schools and three Pittsburgh Charter schools, providing educational services to students.

She enjoys engaging with families in HCEF’s Mobile Learning Program while coordinating several events each year. And, Alizé tripled school referrals for tutoring services in the program.

A graduate of Carlow University with a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work, she continues to advocate for those facing adversity and help them uncover their strengths and voices to make a change. When she is not spending quality time with her dogs, Alizé enjoys gardening and exploring Pittsburgh’s food scene.

Renna Brown

STEAM Education Support Coordinator

Bio

Renna L. Brown is the STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math) Education Support Coordinator for Homeless Children’s Education Fund’s (HCEF) Mobile Learning Program. In this role, she is committed to supporting students experiencing homelessness by introducing them to real-world STEAM concepts through student-centered inquiry and experiential learning activities. This initiative directly addresses educational equity for students in grades K-8.

A key component of the program involves delivering educational support to students and their families through personalized tutoring sessions led by skilled and passionate HCEF instructors and volunteers.

A proud Pittsburgh native, Renna earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from South Carolina State University and a Master of Teaching degree from Chatham University. She has 15 years of experience in education, with a strong focus on math, science, STEAM, talented and gifted education, and curriculum development. She has had the privilege of working in several school districts, including Pittsburgh Public, Charlotte Mecklenburg, and Prince George County Public Schools. Additionally, she has eight years of experience in the nonprofit education sector, specifically in programming and development.

When she is not advocating for the education and psychosocial equity of children, Renna enjoys dancing, traveling, listening to music, reading, and spending quality time with her family and friends.

Madeline Phillips

Education Support Coordinator

Bio

As the Education Support Coordinator for the Mobile Learning Program, Madeline Phillips (she/her) coordinated K-8 instructors to deliver quality education to students experiencing homelessness. Madeline and her instructors aim to bridge the learning gap that arises when students experience unstable housing. Madeline’s goal is for students to feel heard, respected, and welcomed no matter where they are, and for herself and her instructors to always deepen their teaching practice.

Madeline first became involved in homeless services by working at the Abby Kelley Foster House in Worcester, Massachusetts, while studying English Literature and German Studies at Clark University. She taught English in Greifswald, Germany, on a Fulbright Scholarship in 2017 and returned to Clark to obtain her Master’s in Teaching in 2018. She is a proud Pittsburgh native and is honored to support people in her home city.

In her free time, Madeline enjoys reading, writing short stories, going for walks, yoga and performing with her sketch comedy troupe, Comedy The Gathering.

Cherelle Ford

Teen Outreach Coordinator

Bio

As the Teen Outreach Coordinator at Homeless Children’s Education Fund, Cherelle Ford focuses her advocacy and efforts on older youth and young adults, creating upward mobility in their adult life.

With more than a decade of experience supporting disadvantaged youth, she is passionate about helping young adults achieve their fullest potential and offer positive mentorship.

She received a Bachelor’s in Education from Carlow University. When she’s not forging pathways for our students, Cherelle loves spending time traveling with her husband and children.

Demetrius Moye

Workforce Development Coordinator

Bio

Demetrius Moye serves as the Workforce Development Coordinator at Homeless Children’s Education Fund, where he prepares high school students with the life skills needed to thrive in the workforce, pursue higher education, or enter trade schools. He works to ensure that each opportunity aligns with the students’ individual career goals.

Demetrius brings experience in both workforce development and social work, most recently serving as a Behavioral Health Counselor supporting children with autism. His work is driven by a deep commitment to empowering youth through support and guidance.

He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Education and his Master’s degree in Social Work, both from California University of Pennsylvania.

Outside of work, Demetrius enjoys spending time with his daughter, working out, and playing video games. He’s also an avid collector of vintage hats, sneakers, and t-shirts.

Veronica Shannon

Family Engagement Coordinator

Bio

As the Family Engagement Coordinator for Homeless Children’s Education Fund’s Teen Program, Veronica Shannon builds trusted relationships with the families of students experiencing homelessness, helping them access educational opportunities and critical services.

Veronica brings more than a decade of experience in social work, with a strong focus on supporting children and families. She is passionate about creating equitable pathways for all youth and believes that meaningful connection is the foundation for long-term impact.

A proud graduate of Slippery Rock University, Veronica earned her Bachelor’s degree in Professional Studies with an emphasis in Social Work in 2012. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, writing, and cheering on her favorite football teams.

LaMeka-LeShe Dolby

Individual and Corporate Giving Coordinator

Bio

As the Individual and Corporate Giving Specialist at Homeless Children’s Education Fund, LaMeka-LeShe Dolby identifies, cultivates, and stewards individual and corporate donors. Working closely with the Development and Administrative team, LaMeka-LeShe maintains accurate and up-to-date donor records for the organization.

As a fundraising professional with lived experience of housing instability, LaMeka-LeShe has a personal understanding of our students’ needs and can connect our donors to this cause in meaningful ways.

She received her Bachelor’s in Marketing from Grambling State University. In her spare time, she loves to listen to music, laugh, and read self-love books.

Olivia Rowland

Volunteer Specialist

Bio

As the Volunteer Specialist at Homeless Children’s Education Fund, Olivia Rowland cultivates, manages, trains, and recruits volunteers for all programming and administrative needs.

Olivia, a Pittsburgh native, and Robert Morris University graduate, earned her degree in History and certification in Nonprofit Leadership. Before her time at HCEF, Olivia worked in disability services by directly supporting individuals with employment accommodations, as well as supporting fundraising initiatives. Her passion for education has been a constant in all of her previous roles.

When she is not spending time serving the community, she enjoys spending time with her family, two dogs, and watching her favorite movies.

Aaleah Oliver

Administrative Coordinator

Bio

Aaleah Oliver is the Administrative Coordinator for the Homeless Children’s Education Fund (HCEF), where she supports the CEO in managing operations and implementing organizational strategies and policies.

With more than six years of experience, Aaleah served as a Programs Associate at the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute in Harlem, NY, and as Chief Operating Officer of the BlackTeaBrownSuga Network in McKees Rocks, PA. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies from Long Island University, with minors in International Relations and Arts and Communication.

As an active community member, Aaleah is also a Teaching Artist with the Black Transformative Art Network and The Lullaby Project. Originally from New Jersey, she has called McKees Rocks home since 2021 and enjoys singing, dancing, writing poetry, and spending time with friends and family.