GHPN Staff
joan hunt, executive director
Joan was born and raised in Camphill Village in Copake, NY, and began her work in Hudson in 2006 where she started a music program at the Hudson Youth Department. Joan graduated from Hawthorne Valley School and holds a bachelor’s degree from New York University in Social Work and Africana Studies and a master’s degree in Community Organizing, Planning, and Development from Hunter College. Upon graduating from college, Joan worked for the Osborne Association, a criminal justice reform and direct service organization, where she worked closely with children and families impacted by the criminal justice system. In 2011, Joan moved back to Hudson and in 2012 she joined the Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood. Joan is a passionate community leader committed to improving the lives of children and families in Hudson and beyond.
Since beginning her work with the Promise Neighborhood in early 2012, Joan and her team have launched dozens of programs to meet the needs of families in the neighborhood, successfully advocated for policy changes to support children impacted by incarceration and other systemic inequities, and built partnerships with over 40 organizations in the area. One of the things Joan is most proud of is the growth of the organization and the dynamic team of staff at the Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood. GHPN values the expertise and lived experience of those directly connected to our community and the importance of staff that represent the populations we serve. Joan has also spent the last 12 years working to reform the criminal justice system in NYS and nationally and has enjoyed teaching college courses and facilitating anti-violence programs at Greene Correctional Facility. Joan is an avid sports and fitness enthusiast and has enjoyed coaching youth basketball teams in the Hudson community. In 2020, Joan received the Regional Network Leader Award through the New York State Network for Youth Success and was most recently awarded the Sankofa Community Service Award presented by Operation Unite.
Adolfo López, Assistant Director
Adolfo grew up between Brooklyn, NY and Catskill, NY for much of his youth. Adolfo became interested in helping adolescents and the community after several transgressions led to him serving time as a youth. While serving time he learned the power of education and a healthy lifestyle, and the difference this can make in an individual. In 2019, Adolfo earned his BA with a major in Journalism and English from the State University At Albany. He has been working with the Promise Neighborhood since December 2016 and describes it as the single most rewarding work he has ever done.
Aisia Smith, Director of Family and community initiatives
Aisia was raised in Hudson and graduated from HHS in 2010. Thereafter, she received her BA in Psychology from Siena College and her MSW from Simmons College. Growing up, she experienced firsthand the impacts of one's socioeconomic status and decided early in her career to work towards "filling the gaps" in her community and providing opportunities for youth growing up in similar situations as her own. Aisia has been connected to GHPN since 2017, when she joined the Greater Hudson Initiative for Children of Incarcerated Parents. Additionally, she has experience working children and families in various capacities, including case management and therapy, also currently licensed as a clinical social worker. Passionate about working with children, advocacy, and systems reform and addressing issues from a trauma-informed lens, she describes GHN's core values as being at "the forefront of her work."
Immanuel Folds, Director of education and youth development
Immanuel (Manny) Folds was born in Hudson, NY and got involved working with youth at an early age through employment opportunities at the Hudson Department of Youth and Hudson Bluehawk Nation After School Program.
Immanuel graduated with a B.A in Psychology from the University at Albany in 2017. After college, he gained experience working with families and at-risk youth as a Clinical Case Manager. In this capacity Immanuel learned clinical skills, and successfully built collaborative relationships with community-based organizations and schools in both Columbia and Greene Counties. Immanuel is dedicated to helping youth and families in the community and truly believes that "It takes a village to raise a child."
Jes Sweat, Director of Post-Secondary Success
Jes's journey in education is rooted in a genuine love for learning and teaching. As a lifelong artist, she finds joy in the process of acquiring new skills and believes that the essence of true artistry lies in leading a rich and meaningful life. With an MA in Art Education from CCNY, Jes has had the privilege of working in diverse educational settings, guiding students of all ages. Her passion lies in empowering others to discover their potential as learners, emphasizing the importance of providing the right tools and support. Jes is dedicated to a holistic approach to education, recognizing the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit in the learning process. Jes has enjoyed contributing to various educational endeavors in Columbia County and looks forward to building meaningful connections within the community through GHPN's Beyond GED program.
Jeff Schneider, Director of Advancement
Jeff brings over a decade of experience in nonprofit development to his work at Promise. After college, Jeff moved from Upstate NY to Chicago, where his career began, immersing himself in fundraising development and program management, particularly within local pediatric charities. His passion for consulting and utilizing technology for social good led him to spend over seven years with Network for Good, a pioneering organization in the intersection of technology and philanthropy. Jeff's expertise spans from individual fundraising, capacity building and organizational resilience to development coaching. After years of contributing to nonprofits outside his home state, Jeff felt compelled to bring his wealth of knowledge and dedication to a local organization he deeply admired.
At GHPN, Jeff hopes to leverage his experience and passion to drive positive change within the community.
When not working, Jeff can be found in Hudson at the gym or spending time with his wife, Nina, and dog, Polly.
Nicole Fallon, Director of Special Projects
Nicole received her MSW from the School of Social Welfare at the University at Albany and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from Bard College. Nicole started with GHPN as an MSW intern and was a part of the launch of the Greater Hudson Initiative for Children of Incarcerated Parents in 2015 and has remained deeply committed to supporting this population since. She brings years of clinical experience working as an individual and group therapist in crisis and correctional settings. After stepping back from her previous role as GHICIP Coordinator in 2018, Nicole returned to GHPN in 2020, motivated to bring her experiences and skills back to Promise and resume coordination of GHICIP and worked closely with CCJ to successfully extend OJJDP funding awarded to Columbia County as a Second Chance Act grantee in 2018. In addition to continuing to work on projects that supporting families impacted by arrest and/or incarceration, Nicole continues to is also the Assistant Pilot Director for the HudsonUP UBI Pilot and coordinated the launch of the BTCF-GICC guaranteed income program for single-caregivers. She describes her involvement with the guaranteed income pilot programs as feeling like she too, won the lotto. “Social workers are often extremely restricted in the ways in which they can provide support to those they work with. Our programs embody our organization’s core values, and it’s extremely rewarding to be able to provide those in our community with exactly what they need, whether it be an in-person hug with a parent they are separated from, or direct cash support to meet basic needs.” Nicole currently assists with GHPN’s communications and social media, and considers it an honor to design Promise’s t-shirts each year. On her “off-time,” Nicole is a mom of two teenagers and a French bulldog and loves growing flowers and ideas.
Sarah Coté-Bennett, Director of Early Learning and child development
Sarah is an experienced practitioner and social worker based in Ghent, New York. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Chicago and brings more than ten years of experience in systems work, mental health, child welfare, trauma-informed care, and maternal-child health. Since 2017, Sarah has held leadership roles at nonprofits. She began serving as President of the Columbia Children’s Center Board in 2021, where she successfully guided the center through key licensing challenges and developed a passion for the local childcare crisis. Sarah is deeply committed to public service, and as the mother of a young child, she knows it takes a village to raise a child. Sarah lives with her husband, son, and dog in the woods, where she loves drawing and painting, gardening, and spending time with people who make her laugh.
Tia Williams, Program Coordinator
Tia was born and raised in the Bronx, NY and moved to the City of Hudson in 2009 while she was in high-school. In the summer of 2009, when she was going into the 10th grade, Tia decided she wanted to work with kids. Tia took a job with Columbia Opportunities Inc while she was in high-school. and then worked with them as an adult in the future. Tia was excited to join the Promise Team because she wanted to continue working with kids as well as expand working with kids and become involved with other organizational activities important to our mission and vision.
Tia believes children who may not have an outlet can find that at Promise. She also feels that children gain independence while attending the Team Tam After-School program.
Savoia Jones, Program Assistant
Savoia was born in Hudson, NY. After spending some time in Westchester as a youth, she has been happy to call Hudson her home since she was a young teenager. Savoia has worked as a Family Advocate for High-Five and also has a lengthy history with the Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood. Having participated in the "Families of Promise" program in the past, Savoia has now come full circle with her child now attending Team Tam After-School and now working in the after-school program herself. Savoia's sister, Tam, was a member of the Promise Family for years and a strong family advocate. Savoia loves working with children in many capacities and believes that the Team-Tam After-School program is a program well equipped to prepare children for life.
Lira Campbell, Program assistant
Lira moved to Hudson from NYC over two decades ago and has been an integral part of the community ever since. A retired educator, Mrs. Campbell joined our team to find new ways to be of service to her community through her passions of reading and writing. Story Time with Mrs. Campbell has transcended the pandemic and has become a "favorite" of children (and adults) online and in person! Mrs. Campbell brings wisdom, experience, and joy to the team in all she does, and enjoys serving in an additional volunteer role as HudsonUP Ambassador, speaking on the impact of the UBI Pilot and advocating for the expansion of basic income pilots and guaranteed income policy.
Amirah Forbes, After-school program assistant
Amirah was born and raised in Hudson, NY.
A graduate of Hudson High School, Amirah wanted to follow the model her mother, Tam, laid before her by joining the Promise Family as an after-school staff member.
Having been involved with the Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood in many capacities throughout the years, Amirah believes that the TeamTam After-School program is the perfect place to allow children's creativity to blossom through a myriad of programming.
Todd Smith, Family Achievement Coach
Born and raised in Hudson, Todd has been mentoring youth and working with families for almost 50 years. Todd has served in various roles, including Safe Place Program Director, the Director and Assistant Director of the Hudson Boys & Girls Club/Youth Center, and has an extensive history in youth development, advocacy, and mentoring multiple generations.
