BE PA BOARD
Andrea Alexander
Co-President
As a kid growing up in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, she had big dreams: chef, teacher, lawyer—sometimes all at once! After much schoolyard soul-searching at P.S. 198, she eventually settled on the law. These days, when she’s not navigating the working world, you can usually find her in the kitchen whipping up delicious meals for her family & friends (with a little extra dash of joy and humor).
Co-President
As a kid growing up in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, she had big dreams: chef, teacher, lawyer—sometimes all at once! After much schoolyard soul-searching at P.S. 198, she eventually settled on the law. These days, when she’s not navigating the working world, you can usually find her in the kitchen whipping up delicious meals for her family & friends (with a little extra dash of joy and humor).
Natalie Alterman
Co-President
As a kid growing up in Westchester, Natalie was always game for a competitive tennis match, a captivating book, or cozying up with animals. The daughter of immigrants who came to the United States in search of opportunity, it’s no surprise she made education her life’s work. She’s taught students of all ages, ran a preschool, and now heads the largest regional private school admissions organization in the country. In between Zoom sessions, she’s usually hanging with her kids and husband, snuggling their beloved dog, or diving into grassroots political activism.
Co-President
As a kid growing up in Westchester, Natalie was always game for a competitive tennis match, a captivating book, or cozying up with animals. The daughter of immigrants who came to the United States in search of opportunity, it’s no surprise she made education her life’s work. She’s taught students of all ages, ran a preschool, and now heads the largest regional private school admissions organization in the country. In between Zoom sessions, she’s usually hanging with her kids and husband, snuggling their beloved dog, or diving into grassroots political activism.
Elise Gaugert
Co-Recording Secretary
Elise was born and raised - by midwestern parents - in Raleigh, North Carolina but has been Brooklyn-based since 2008, when she moved to NYC to study music. She started out as a high school choral conductor and classical singer and now runs a performing arts center (Mark Morris Dance Center) right across from BE456! Most days, you can find her, along with her husband and daughter, exploring the outdoors or making music.
Co-Recording Secretary
Elise was born and raised - by midwestern parents - in Raleigh, North Carolina but has been Brooklyn-based since 2008, when she moved to NYC to study music. She started out as a high school choral conductor and classical singer and now runs a performing arts center (Mark Morris Dance Center) right across from BE456! Most days, you can find her, along with her husband and daughter, exploring the outdoors or making music.
JONATHAN SILVER
VP of Communications
Jonathan is a performer and web & graphic designer currently living in Brooklyn, NY. He was born and raised in Berkeley, California but moved to Boston before high school. He began traveling down to NYC to pursue his acting career at a young age. Since then, Jonathan has performed in theaters big and small in NYC and around the country. He’s also appeared many times on screens big and small around the globe. After moving to Brooklyn with his wife and two kids, they found the glorious community that is BE456 and is thrilled to be a part of its development. Fun fact, Jonathan designed this website!
VP of Communications
Jonathan is a performer and web & graphic designer currently living in Brooklyn, NY. He was born and raised in Berkeley, California but moved to Boston before high school. He began traveling down to NYC to pursue his acting career at a young age. Since then, Jonathan has performed in theaters big and small in NYC and around the country. He’s also appeared many times on screens big and small around the globe. After moving to Brooklyn with his wife and two kids, they found the glorious community that is BE456 and is thrilled to be a part of its development. Fun fact, Jonathan designed this website!
Liane Stegmaier
VP of Fundraising and Events
Raised on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Liane started planning her future life in NYC from an early age (with dreams of being an actress, punk rocker, writer, etc), finally making the move to attend NYU in 2001 to study communications and journalism. She became a Brooklynite in 2004, and has since made it her career focus as well, mobilizing local giving for community-led change across the borough. Liane is a long-time city biker, beach lover, and rescue dog mom – and calls Ditmas Park home.
VP of Fundraising and Events
Raised on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Liane started planning her future life in NYC from an early age (with dreams of being an actress, punk rocker, writer, etc), finally making the move to attend NYU in 2001 to study communications and journalism. She became a Brooklynite in 2004, and has since made it her career focus as well, mobilizing local giving for community-led change across the borough. Liane is a long-time city biker, beach lover, and rescue dog mom – and calls Ditmas Park home.
Patricia (Patty) Lavelle
Co-Recording Secretary
Patty was born in beautiful Bergen County, NJ where she was raised with her three siblings until she left for college at Fordham University in the Bronx. From there, Patty moved to San Francisco, CA to travel and work with Americore Volunteer Corp. After traveling and living in Central and South America, Patty went off to law school at CUNY Law School in NY. She has worked as a public defender in NYC, and trained public defenders in Afghanistan and the West Bank, Palestine. She currently works as an immigration lawyer with the Legal Aid Society of New York.
Co-Recording Secretary
Patty was born in beautiful Bergen County, NJ where she was raised with her three siblings until she left for college at Fordham University in the Bronx. From there, Patty moved to San Francisco, CA to travel and work with Americore Volunteer Corp. After traveling and living in Central and South America, Patty went off to law school at CUNY Law School in NY. She has worked as a public defender in NYC, and trained public defenders in Afghanistan and the West Bank, Palestine. She currently works as an immigration lawyer with the Legal Aid Society of New York.
Rivka Noskeau
Treasurer
Born in Houston Texas to an immigrant British father and a 7th generation Texan mother, adventure was always on the horizon. A self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie (skydiving, bungee jumping, motorcycle riding, sword fighting), the years have led to many adventures. Settling down in NY 15 years ago, and 2 beautiful boys later, Rivka enjoys reading and being outdoors with the kids when not working on hospitality technology.
Treasurer
Born in Houston Texas to an immigrant British father and a 7th generation Texan mother, adventure was always on the horizon. A self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie (skydiving, bungee jumping, motorcycle riding, sword fighting), the years have led to many adventures. Settling down in NY 15 years ago, and 2 beautiful boys later, Rivka enjoys reading and being outdoors with the kids when not working on hospitality technology.
Rysia Murphy
VP of Community Engagement
Rysia grew up in Minneapolis before heading east for college at Connecticut College, and later settling in New York City in 2007. Her love of art and a degree in art history led her to a career in the art world, including time at Gagosian Gallery, art consulting, and now as a partner at 291 Agency. Rysia loves to read, cook, and spend time around Fort Greene. If the weather’s decent, you’ll likely find her and her family at South Oxford Playground.
VP of Community Engagement
Rysia grew up in Minneapolis before heading east for college at Connecticut College, and later settling in New York City in 2007. Her love of art and a degree in art history led her to a career in the art world, including time at Gagosian Gallery, art consulting, and now as a partner at 291 Agency. Rysia loves to read, cook, and spend time around Fort Greene. If the weather’s decent, you’ll likely find her and her family at South Oxford Playground.
Gabriela Tejada
VP of Community Engagement
Originally from Guatemala, Gaby remembers her grandmother’s home as busy, joyful, and full of love. Growing up, she dreamed of adventure and exploring the world. After years in New York building her career as a designer and raising her kids, she felt called back to her roots. That pull inspired her to leave corporate life and start a coffee brand centered on Guatemala, family, and community. She now splits her time between the Catskills and Brooklyn with her husband, their kids, pets, their blended family, and friends who feel like family—doing her best to recreate the joyful chaos of her grandmother’s home.
VP of Community Engagement
Originally from Guatemala, Gaby remembers her grandmother’s home as busy, joyful, and full of love. Growing up, she dreamed of adventure and exploring the world. After years in New York building her career as a designer and raising her kids, she felt called back to her roots. That pull inspired her to leave corporate life and start a coffee brand centered on Guatemala, family, and community. She now splits her time between the Catskills and Brooklyn with her husband, their kids, pets, their blended family, and friends who feel like family—doing her best to recreate the joyful chaos of her grandmother’s home.