Management Team

Kelley Perkins, Executive Director
646-867-6104
Prior to joining Read in 2004, Kelley was a Project Manager for the Early Head Start Research Project in East Lansing, Michigan. In addition, she has experience as a tutor, classroom teacher, and child studies researcher. Kelley holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from University of North Carolina and a Master’s degree in Child Development from Michigan State University. During her eight years at Read Alliance, Kelley has held numerous positions of increasing responsibility. As Vice President of Operations, Kelley has standardized our practices, created metrics to demonstrate our progress and trained students and teachers in New York as well as other venues using our proven reading methodology.    

Lavinia Mancuso, Vice President of Education and Government Relations
646-867-6102
Prior to joining Read Alliance in 2005, Lavinia served as Head of Education and as Director of Professional and Community Development for the Museum of the City of New York. Lavinia has also worked as both a principal, serving bilingual students in East Harlem, and a teacher in New York City public schools for more than 30 years. Lavinia holds an MA in Education from Hunter College as well as a Masters of Information Systems from City College.

Mary Grace Eapen, Vice President of External Affairs
646-867-6105
Prior to joining Read Alliance in January 2012, Mary Grace served as an independent consultant, where she drew on her 20 plus years of high-level nonprofit management experience to provide clients with assistance in fundraising, board development, grant writing, program and business development, and strategic planning. Before forming her own consulting business, she held the position of Executive Director for many educational organizations, including Student Sponsor Partners, St. Raymond Community Outreach, and the Bronx Charter School for Excellence, the charter school she founded in Parkchester, Bronx. Mary Grace holds a BA in Applied Mathematics and Economics from Yale.

Digant Bahl, Acting Finance Director
646-867-6115
Digant Bahl CPA has over twelve years of experience in not for profit Accounting and Finance. Prior to joining Read Alliance in 2010, Digant was CFO at Opportunity Charter School. Digant also worked as a Senior Auditor for McGladrey & Pullen LLP and Director of Finance for Synergos Institute Inc. Digant holds an MBA in Finance from New York Institute of Technology. Digant is a licensed CPA in the State of New York and is an active member of the New York Society of Certified Public Accountants.

Jaselis Mejia, Teen Director
646-867-6122
Prior to joining Read Alliance in 2006, Jaselis was charged with managing Aramark's Food Services to more than 1,800 corporate employees across New York City. Before her current role, she served Read Alliance as teen manager and interim director. Jaselis holds a BS in Business and Hospitality Management from St. John's University.