We believe that just like a high-quality education, an amazing summer camp experience should be available to all children. One of the most important components of making this dream a reality is a fun, talented, dedicated, and mission-driven team. Camp Beyond is staffed by our school partner teachers and alumni as well as dedicated individuals looking to ensure campers are safe and have the time of their lives.

SENIOR TEAM PROFILE

As Camp Director for Camp Beyond, Monia brings operational excellence and systems-building to joyful camp programming. Through her work at Change Summer, Monia aspires to build robust social-emotional learning opportunities where campers can discover their strengths, test their limits and learn new skills while having fun.

Monia developed her affinity for the outdoors during family camping trips where she fell in love with the adventure of open-water swimming and climbing trees, the connection fostered over community meals and campfire songs, and the overwhelming peace of being in nature. She spent three consecutive summers at Camp Mendocino in Yountville, CA, where she became an archery master and later served as a Junior Camp Counselor.

Prior to joining Change Summer, Monia earned a Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Georgia State University, serving as a core community Clinician for teens. She then took a risk and ventured abroad to South Korea to teach English to children ages 7-13. Following her experience abroad, Monia transitioned to the private sector, bringing her educational and leadership prowess to JP Morgan Chase’s Learning and Organizational Development team. In 2018, Monia decided to return to her first passion: serving, mentoring, and inspiring the next generation of leaders. She then joined Uncommon Schools as the Director of Operations at Brownsville Collegiate Charter School, where she combined her business acumen with love of program development.

Monia previously served as Change Summer’s Senior Advisor. She is passionate about kickball and strives to deepen her impact by stretching learning experiences beyond classroom walls and into the great outdoors. She finds deep joy and purpose in sharing camp experience with campers and counselors who look like her.

When Monia isn’t raining jumpers on campers and counselors in 3-on-3 basketball, she can be found fishing on her family boat or snuggling with her beloved 14-year-old Jack Russell Terrier, Roxy. Monia is a proud graduate of Spelman College and currently resides in Houston, TX.

OUR AMAZING TEAM

Tamera (aka Titanium) brings data-driven insight, cultural leadership, and deep care to every space she steps into. As Assistant Director at Camp Beyond, she’s passionate about creating joyful, intentional experiences where campers feel safe to explore, challenge themselves, fail forward, and grow. Tamera first joined Camp Beyond as its founding Program Director after recognizing a critical gap in social-emotional skill development—and she remained committed to building spaces where Black and brown kids are free to be fully themselves.

Originally from North Carolina, a proud Tar Heel, Tamera earned her undergraduate degree from UNC Chapel Hill before serving in the Peace Corps in North Macedonia. Upon returning, she completed a Master’s degree at Teachers College, Columbia University and taught kindergarten for five years—grounding her belief in the power of early learning and affirming environments. She now works with NYC Public Schools as a data analyst, helping schools use data to drive equity, while also coaching cheer and supervising emerging educators at the City College of New York. Her work centers on mentorship, DEI, and empowering youth through both numbers and nuance.

In her fourth year at camp, Tamera has expanded her role to include team management—helping to shape not just programming, but the people behind it. Outside of work, you can catch her doing Pilates, cooking something delicious or dancing with the music at full volume. She’s traveled to 27 countries (and counting!), lives in Brooklyn with her dog Whiskey, and finds joy in building community wherever she goes.

Yusuf is a Brooklyn native with Caribbean roots from Trinidad. He is a varsity high school football coach and Dean’s List college student currently pursuing a degree in Physical Education. With experience as a paraprofessional, current summer camp program director, and National Honor Society member, Yusuf brings a strong blend of leadership, responsibility, and heart to every environment he’s part of.

Passionate about his craft and committed to personal growth, Yusuf approaches each day with focus and a “Mamba Mentality”—locked in, driven, and intentional. He prides himself on being empathetic, relationship-oriented, and a dependable presence for both students and peers. His goal is to help young people grow not just athletically, but personally, by developing both their strengths and weaknesses.

In his free time, Yusuf enjoys working out, being outdoors, mentoring youth, and keeping things fresh—literally—with great fruit and top tier energy.

Krystal “Aura” Connell is a Brooklyn born native with parents from Trinidad and Honduras. Krystal is currently employed with a Non-profit Organization, Ali Forney Center  which is dedicated to homeless LGBTQ youth and immigrants. With over 12 years of experience with children in different age ranges and disabilities, Krystal has changed the lives and built the confidence of many youth that felt like they didn't have a voice. She has been an advocate for struggling youth that have trouble articulating their feelings and finding their way in the world.

Krystal’s life outside of work consists of Entrepreneurship and lifestyle influencer. Although she wears many hats, she enjoys learning and practicing becoming a birth doula holistic wellness/fitness and medicine as well as music production and engineering. In Krystal's free time she likes to sit in the park or nature and listen to music, journal, fitness activities, meditation and enjoy the scenery. She also loves cooking, baking and hosting gatherings/events. Lastly, traveling and exploring is one of Krystal’s favorite things to do. With her faith, she plans on starting her own businesses and a nonprofit organization.

TaKeshia Chapple is a proud parent, passionate creative, and dedicated advocate for families. As Camp Beyond’s Family Liaison, she brings heart, intuition, and purpose to every connection—serving as a bridge between caregivers and the transformative experiences waiting for their children at camp.

A Houston native with deep Southern roots, TaKeshia understands firsthand the power of community and the importance of safe, joyful spaces for young people to grow. Whether through a welcoming phone call, an encouraging message, or a creative solution to help get a child to camp, she is committed to meeting families where they are and walking with them every step of the way.

This summer, TaKeshia is excited to build trust and relationships with Beyond families—offering support, clarity, and care while ensuring every camper feels seen, prepared, and excited to show up as their full self.

Fun Fact: TaKeshia believes creativity is one of the best tools for connection—and she’s always finding ways to use her artistry to uplift and inspire others.

Kenya Salisbury (aka Peace) is a Brooklyn native and brings over a decade of experience in education to Camp Beyond. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Visual Arts from Brooklyn College with a minor in Early Childhood Education. Coming from a proud family of educators, Kenya is deeply committed to the academic and personal growth of young people.

Currently serving as a Dean of Students for 7th and 8th graders, Kenya supports middle schoolers through some of their most formative years. This summer marks her fourth year with Camp Beyond, where she’s excited to continue teaching campers essential life skills—like self-awareness, self-control, and strong interpersonal communication—all in a fun and supportive environment.

As Camp Beyond’s Family Liaison, Kenya is known for her honesty, empathy, and reliability. She sees it as an honor to work closely with families and to help guide “your precious creations” through a meaningful summer experience.

Kenya believes the developmental years are a time for discovery, creativity, and encouragement. Outside of camp, she enjoys painting, home decor, gardening, cooking, and pampering herself with spa days. Her love for wildlife and nurturing spaces reflects her approach to working with children—intentional, caring, and full of joy.

Chamond “Cha Cha” Brooks is a proud Houston native with a heart for making an impact wherever she goes. With a deep passion for working with youth and empowering women and girls, she has dedicated her life to helping others grow into the best versions of themselves.

As a confidence coach, Chamond inspires individuals to walk boldly in their purpose, using self-love and self-discovery as key tools for transformation. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Arts with a minor in Education, which supports her mission to uplift and guide others through both teaching and mentorship.

In her free time, Chamond enjoys dancing, DIY projects, live events, fashion, and meeting new people. She thrives on learning new things and building meaningful connections with those around her.

Chamond is thrilled to serve her third year as the Head Counselor at Camp Beyond, a place she describes as “home away from home.” She values the opportunity to meet people from all walks of life, create unforgettable memories, and let her inner child shine. Being at camp allows her to be the person she once needed—and now gets to be for someone else.

Marvel Figaro “Yessirskee”, born and raised in Harlem, creates a tight-knit culture through his empathetic, fun and warm personality. Taking his talents to Albany, NY, he was a Behavior Interventionist at KIPP Tech Valley Primary in 2022 and was promoted to Dean of Students in 2023 where his leadership skills have blossomed. Fostering a community of honorable and respectable young men, he spearheaded the M.I.T. (Men In Training) program at KIPP Tech Valley Primary in order to develop young 4th grade boys into commendable members of their community. Having coached elementary and middle school basketball for the New York Edge after school program, Marvel not only took the lead as our head activity counselor for basketball in Summer of 2023, he helped our basketball program grow to be our most popular activity in Summer of 2024. 

In addition to his professional accomplishments, Marvel’s light shines through his relationship building skills with not only our campers but their families as well. He takes pride in being the ear for campers to confide in and the rock for campers to lean on. His favorite hobbies are basketball, music and even enjoys watching ted talks to stay apprised on the latest practices. This summer Marvel joins our leadership team striving to push our goals here at Camp Beyond starring as our Head Counselor for our boys, looking to enhance the camp experience in every aspect.

Marifer “Bubbles” Santos is the dedicated and compassionate Head of Camper Support at Camp Beyond. A Dominican New Yorker and graduate of Hunter College with a degree in Media Studies and a minor in journalism.  Marifer brings a strong educational background and a deep understanding of the camp experience. For the past two years, she has also shared her passion for learning as a SPED teacher in a charter school.

Marifer's connection to the camp mission is significant. After spending her childhood and adolescence as a camper and counselor, she returned to the camp environment as a Senior Team Fellow in 2022 and served as the Family Liaison in 2024, building trust with families and witnessing Camp's positive impact firsthand. 

Outside of camp, Marifer enjoys the peace of gardening, the challenge of hiking, the escape of reading, and the focus of puzzles. Marifer is excited to step into her new role as Head of Camper Support, where she will continue to champion the well-being and growth of every child at Camp Beyond.

Diondre McFadden, also known as Coach Mac, is a Brooklyn native now residing in New Jersey. He is the founder and CEO of *Move the Chains Academy*, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering over 500 student-athletes across New York City. With nine years of coaching experience, Coach Mac has become a recognized leader in organizing football leagues and events, building a reputation for fostering both athletic and personal growth in young athletes.

After earning his Bachelor's degree in Physical Education, Coach Mac dedicated himself to education, teaching physical education for five years and health for three years within the NYC school system. Known for his calm and collected demeanor, Coach Mac thrives in problem-solving and cultivating positive, supportive environments. His leadership extends beyond the field, ensuring that those he works with are equipped with the tools to succeed in life.

Erika "E.DOOG" Chiaradio is an experienced and compassionate nurse whose career reflects a deep commitment to caregiving and youth health. With years of clinical experience and a background in both school-based and camp healthcare settings, Erika approaches her work with skill, intention, and heart.

As a mother and caregiver by nature, Erika creates a safe, welcoming environment for every camper under her care. She is known for her strong clinical judgment, excellent assessment abilities, and a nurturing approach that balances empathy with professionalism. Her practice is both efficient and student-centered, grounded in organization, flexibility, and a continuous drive to improve systems of care.

At Camp Beyond, Erika plays a vital role in upholding the health and safety of the community. Her presence is both reassuring and energizing—contributing meaningfully to the camp’s culture through her attentive care and unwavering dedication.

When she’s not at camp, Erika can often be found kayaking with her grandchildren or spending time tending to her backyard flock of chickens, enjoying the same calm and connection with nature that she brings to her work.

Cherise Caldwell, also known as Juju, is a proud Marine brat from Charlotte, NC. Cherise spent her childhood between Los Angeles, Japan, and Miami—learning early on how to build community wherever she landed. She graduated from Spelman College with a degree in Computer Science and was recently honored on Spelman’s prestigious Top 40 Under 40 list.

Before stepping into the world of education, Cherise launched her career as a Developer on Wall Street—but her true calling led her to the classroom, where she taught 7th grade Science in Brooklyn, NY. From Dean of Students to Network Director of STEM Curriculum, Cherise has always been committed to empowering Black and brown students through curiosity, creativity, and high expectations. This fall, she’ll take her next bold step as a Principal Fellow with ReGeneration Schools in Cincinnati, Ohio.

At camp, Cherise will blend her STEM superpowers with her love of nature, books, and crafting. Whether she’s helping you lead a hands-on experiment or hyping up the crowd with a signature sparkle snap, she’ll help you make learning feel joyful, powerful, and personal.

Cherise believes that brilliance lives in every camper—and she’s here to help them unlock it.

Robert Negron, also known as Smoov, was born and raised in Harlem. With parents from Puerto Rico, he wears his latino heart on his sleeves. Smoov is a millennial who has the best of both worlds. He knows what it was like to go outside and play with friends but also adapted to social media hype. Growing up, his parents had to beg him to come home when the street lights turned on. Nowadays parents are begging their kids to go outside and play. He aims to change that mentality. He wants the youth to put their phones down and play. 

Robert is pursuing a career within the education field as a physical education teacher. Smoov has multiple Dean's list awards and multiple leadership awards from his involvement and leadership as a President of the Recreation club in college. 

Smoov believes that at camp, athletics isn’t just about scoring but it’s about helping every camper feel like a champion. He focuses on effort, encouragement and fun-first competition. Taking pride in promoting positive sportsmanship, growth in mindset and leadership through athletics.

Tim is returning to Camp Beyond as Waterfront Director! 

Tim Sowa, aka Timbo Slice, served as Aquatics Director in our founding summer of 2022. He has been lifeguarding in public parks and college campuses, and has been teaching children (and adults!) how to swim for over ten years. 

Tim was previously an Operations Director at Brownsville Collegiate Uncommon Schools and Harlem Village Academies, working with families and education leaders to create high quality experiences across whole school systems. He recently spent two years living in Finland as a Fulbright Scholar, researching sustainable development, responsible technology, and digital literacy. 

Tim is passionate about sustainability, spending time in nature, and especially what we can learn in and around the water!  Tim brings safety and excitement to our waterfront and shares his deep love for swimming with all campers! He believes everyone should learn to swim and it’s never too late to start!