Amy Riker

Chief External Relations Officer

Amy Riker has almost two decades of leadership experience within the assessment industry, specializing in strategy, education policy, product development, and business development. Amy currently serves as the Chief External Relations Officer for the New Jersey Tutoring Corps, Inc., where she oversees development, communications, and research and data as part of the Executive Leadership Team.

Before stepping into her current role, Amy held the position of Vice President of Government Affairs at Panorama Education and spent 13 years at Educational Testing Service, progressing through various leadership roles. Her tenure encompassed spearheading business development initiatives for both cognitive and non-cognitive assessment programs. Amy is a Strategic Advisor for Panorama Education, steering strategic growth and ensuring sustainability. Additionally, she holds a position as a Trustee on the Board of Directors for the National Network of State Teachers of the Year (NNSTOY).

Amy’s dedication extends beyond her professional roles, as evidenced in her extensive volunteer contributions to the Association of Test Publishers (ATP). She has held multiple roles within the organization, including the Board of Directors, Education Division Leadership, EdTech and Accessibility SIG leadership, numerous Innovation Committees, ECPS Summit Executive Committee, hosting the New World of Testing event, and presenting at numerous Innovations in Testing panel discussions. Amy is currently serving as the Innovations Awards Chair.

Amy graduated with a B.S. in Business Management before obtaining an M.A. in Education from the University of Phoenix (UoPX). She currently holds an ABD status in her pursuit of a doctorate in Management UoPX.

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Jessica Kelly

Executive Director of Programs

Jessica Kelly serves as Executive Director of Programs for the New Jersey Tutoring Corps, Inc. It was her passion for reading and writing that led Jessica to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education from Long Island University and become a teacher. She believes in the power of the life lessons that are mined through the study of literature. When students are given the time to read, write, speak, and connect with a topic, they develop empathy and a positive sense of self. This is why she believes it’s so important for all students to be able to read fluently and to see their life experiences mirrored in what they read.

Jessica is an experienced educator who cares deeply about her students. She has thirteen years of teaching experience, four years of curriculum coordinator experience, and nine years of being a middle school advisor. Additionally, she worked on a reading research project for The Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk at The University of Texas at Austin.

Before stepping into her current role, Amy held the position of Vice President of Government Affairs at Panorama Education and spent 13 years at Educational Testing Service, progressing through various leadership roles. Her tenure encompassed spearheading business development initiatives for both cognitive and non-cognitive assessment programs. Amy is a Strategic Advisor for Panorama Education, steering strategic growth and ensuring sustainability. Additionally, she holds a position as a Trustee on the Board of Directors for the National Network of State Teachers of the Year (NNSTOY).

Amy’s dedication extends beyond her professional roles, as evidenced in her extensive volunteer contributions to the Association of Test Publishers (ATP). She has held multiple roles within the organization, including the Board of Directors, Education Division Leadership, EdTech and Accessibility SIG leadership, numerous Innovation Committees, ECPS Summit Executive Committee, hosting the New World of Testing event, and presenting at numerous Innovations in Testing panel discussions. Amy is currently serving as the Innovations Awards Chair.

Amy graduated with a B.S. in Business Management before obtaining an M.A. in Education from the University of Phoenix (UoPX). She currently holds an ABD status in her pursuit of a doctorate in Management UoPX.

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Amir Wallace

Director, Program Evaluation and Impact

Amir Wallace is a dynamic and results-oriented leader, currently serving as the Director of Program Evaluation and Impact at New Jersey Tutoring Corps (NJTC). In this role, he drives the organization’s data governance initiatives and ensures that program evaluation strategies are effectively implemented to support student success and tutor development. Amir’s professional expertise spans project management, data insights, and instructional design, making him adept at turning data-driven insights into actionable strategies. A proud graduate of Stevenson University, Amir holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Communication, where he honed his skills in strategic communication, leadership, and data literacy. His academic achievements include serving as President of Enactus, leading the Men’s Association of Leadership and Excellence (M.I.L.E.), and being a Student Leadership Committee Leader. These roles shaped his ability to manage cross-functional teams and deliver measurable outcomes across various projects.

Amir’s love for athletics and education is reflected in his role as a football coach at Central High School, Newark, where he has coached since 2019. His coaching philosophy emphasizes leadership, academics, and mental health, guiding students through college recruitment and academic success. His hands-on approach has fostered a strong culture of discipline and achievement, helping young athletes excel in sports and personal development.

In addition to his role at NJTC, Amir has worked with prominent organizations like HelloFresh and Orange Moon LLC, where he contributed to operational efficiency and training development. This further solidified his commitment to education and mentoring future leaders. Amir continues to inspire and make a meaningful impact in both academic and athletic spheres through his varied roles.

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OUR LEADERSHIP STAFF

Katherine Bassett

Chief Executive Officer

Ashley Bencan

Chief of Staff

Mysti Diaz

Executive Director of Operations

Jessica Kelly

Executive Director of Programs

Jill Hulnick

Strategic Advisor

OUR CENTRAL TEAM STAFF

Bertin Lefkovic

Finance Director

Amir Wallace

Director, Program Evaluation and Impact

Dr. Taneisha Clemons

Regional Program Manager

Andrea Brooks

Regional Program Manager

Jenny Irwin

Assistant Program Manager

Tierney Tittermary

Assistant Program Manager

Dalitza Sanchez

Director of Human Resources

Mariely Rodriguez

Assistant Hiring Manager

Ashley Petty

Assistant Hiring Manager

Rene Lintz

Program Assistant

Nicholas Ulrich

Web Developer

Sheila Durden

Communications Consultant

Chelsea Collins

Program Consultant

Dr. Scott Oswald

Program Consultant

Jessica Lantazio-Crespo

Master Trainer/Literacy Specialist

OUR ON-SITE STAFF

Empower a NJ Scholar:Your Support Creates a Lasting Impact

Katherine Bassett_StaffBio

Katherine Bassett

Chief Executive Officer

Ashley Bencan_StaffBio

Ashley Bencan

Chief Operating Officer

Mysti Diaz_StaffBio

Mysti Diaz

Executive Director of Operations

Amy Riker_StaffBio

Amy Riker

Chief External Relations Officer

Jessica Kelly_StaffBio

Jessica Kelly

Executive Director of Programs

Jill Hulnick_StaffBio

Jill Hulnick

Strategic Advisor

Bertin Lefkovic_StaffBio

Bertin Lefkovic

Finance Director

JessicaLantazio_StaffBio

Jessica Lantazio-Crespo

Master Trainer/Literacy Specialist

TaneishaClemons

Taneisha Clemons

Regional Program Manager

AndreaBrooksProfile

Andrea Brooks

Regional Program Manager

JennyIrwinProfile

Jenny Irwin

Assistant Program Manager

TierneyTittermaryProfile

Tierney Tittermary

Assistant Program Manager

Empower a NJ Scholar:
Your Support Creates a Lasting Impact