BE PTA 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.
Eric Kidwell
VP of Communications
Eric was born and raised in Oklahoma City, but had dreams of escaping to the big city from an early age. After attending graduate school in DC, Eric bounced between Seattle and Austin before finally moving to Brooklyn with his wife and two young kids. Eric spent much of his professional career helping organizations manage through big changes and he’s eager to put those skills to use as BE 456 enters its second year. When not working, Eric loves spending time with his wife and kids, exploring this great city, and squeezing in an all dads soccer game once a week.
VP of Communications
Eric was born and raised in Oklahoma City, but had dreams of escaping to the big city from an early age. After attending graduate school in DC, Eric bounced between Seattle and Austin before finally moving to Brooklyn with his wife and two young kids. Eric spent much of his professional career helping organizations manage through big changes and he’s eager to put those skills to use as BE 456 enters its second year. When not working, Eric loves spending time with his wife and kids, exploring this great city, and squeezing in an all dads soccer game once a week.
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.
Zacmarí Zamostina
VP of Volunteers
Growing up in Ensenada, México, Zacmarí was surrounded by books and community - her family’s bookstore was a hub for culture, conversation, and music. Inspired by her parents’ example, she grew up with a love for people and community, later earning a degree in psychology and supporting grassroots efforts for gender equality and local action. She now works as a special education advocate. Off duty, she’s exploring the city with her daughter or happily lost in the magic of today’s children’s books, which she says prove there’s never been a better time to be a kid.
VP of Volunteers
Growing up in Ensenada, México, Zacmarí was surrounded by books and community - her family’s bookstore was a hub for culture, conversation, and music. Inspired by her parents’ example, she grew up with a love for people and community, later earning a degree in psychology and supporting grassroots efforts for gender equality and local action. She now works as a special education advocate. Off duty, she’s exploring the city with her daughter or happily lost in the magic of today’s children’s books, which she says prove there’s never been a better time to be a kid.