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.
Anika Smiley
Co-Recording Secretary
Born and raised in Crown Heights, Anika is a lifelong BK resident and proud daughter of Trinidadian parents. As a child she wanted to be either an attorney or a teacher; the law won! When not practicing law in its many forms, Anika enjoys reading, watching rom-coms, finding delicious restaurants in BK and exploring the Caribbean with her husband and two children.
Co-Recording Secretary
Born and raised in Crown Heights, Anika is a lifelong BK resident and proud daughter of Trinidadian parents. As a child she wanted to be either an attorney or a teacher; the law won! When not practicing law in its many forms, Anika enjoys reading, watching rom-coms, finding delicious restaurants in BK and exploring the Caribbean with her husband and two children.
Guy Ben-Ari
Co-Treasurer
Guy (he/him) is raising two proud Bold Explorers, Ori (7) and Aya (3), with his partner, Leah. Originally from Israel, Guy moved to NYC 17 years ago. He currently leads operations at Pace Gallery and has spent his career helping arts organizations run smoothly. When he’s not working or making spreadsheets behave, Guy enjoys baking, playing guitar, and exploring the city with his family.
Co-Treasurer
Guy (he/him) is raising two proud Bold Explorers, Ori (7) and Aya (3), with his partner, Leah. Originally from Israel, Guy moved to NYC 17 years ago. He currently leads operations at Pace Gallery and has spent his career helping arts organizations run smoothly. When he’s not working or making spreadsheets behave, Guy enjoys baking, playing guitar, and exploring the city with his family.
Rysia Murphy
Co-Treasurer
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.
Co-Treasurer
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.
Liane Stegmaier
Co-VP of Fundraising
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.
Co-VP of Fundraising
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.
Lindsey Rose
Co-VP of Fundraising
Lindsey is a mother to two wild and wonderful boys who also loves quirky novels, wilderness, and jazz violin. After nearly two decades climbing the rungs of corporate book publishing, Lindsey recently launched her own fiction editing and story consulting business. When she isn't editing a book or hanging at the playground, you might find Lindsey tending to the ambitious urban farm she's cobbled together on her tiny patio, playing in an amateur strings ensemble, or camping in the mountains.
Co-VP of Fundraising
Lindsey is a mother to two wild and wonderful boys who also loves quirky novels, wilderness, and jazz violin. After nearly two decades climbing the rungs of corporate book publishing, Lindsey recently launched her own fiction editing and story consulting business. When she isn't editing a book or hanging at the playground, you might find Lindsey tending to the ambitious urban farm she's cobbled together on her tiny patio, playing in an amateur strings ensemble, or camping in the mountains.
Jamie Kearns
Co-VP of Community Engagement
A Cheesehead since birth, Jamie was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, singing into a hairbrush before she could talk. Her degree in Musical Theatre offered her lots of time for playing and learning many skills to pay the bills. She moved to New York (via Chicago) in 2014 and before having her daughter, worked on Off-Broadway shows, TV, films, and commercials. To focus more time on the play of parenting, she’s shifted to owning a party supply thrift store, Pfifferling’s Party Things in PLG. She is excited to help build more fun and connection within the 456 community!
Co-VP of Community Engagement
A Cheesehead since birth, Jamie was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, singing into a hairbrush before she could talk. Her degree in Musical Theatre offered her lots of time for playing and learning many skills to pay the bills. She moved to New York (via Chicago) in 2014 and before having her daughter, worked on Off-Broadway shows, TV, films, and commercials. To focus more time on the play of parenting, she’s shifted to owning a party supply thrift store, Pfifferling’s Party Things in PLG. She is excited to help build more fun and connection within the 456 community!
Stacie Lucas
Co-VP of Community Engagement
Stacie was born and raised in Stamford, CT and fled to NYC as soon as she could in 2002. A trained dancer, performer, and artist, Stacie learned about propaganda in 1st grade and crafted a career in marketing and PR, ultimately running a small creative agency and showroom working with trailblazing brands and artists committed to sustainability and social impact, as well as an ethical-disruptive art gallery in East Williamsburg. She likes cooking while dancing in the kitchen with friends and family (including her two little Bold Explorers), belly laughs, and talking big ideas centered around supporting our amazing kids in today’s world.
Co-VP of Community Engagement
Stacie was born and raised in Stamford, CT and fled to NYC as soon as she could in 2002. A trained dancer, performer, and artist, Stacie learned about propaganda in 1st grade and crafted a career in marketing and PR, ultimately running a small creative agency and showroom working with trailblazing brands and artists committed to sustainability and social impact, as well as an ethical-disruptive art gallery in East Williamsburg. She likes cooking while dancing in the kitchen with friends and family (including her two little Bold Explorers), belly laughs, and talking big ideas centered around supporting our amazing kids in today’s world.
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!