Emerging Leaders Initiative

YOUR VOICE.

YOUR INITIATIVE.

YOUR IMPACT.

The Emerging Leaders Initiative (ELI) is the next generation leadership team at Crossing Thresholds. ELI is for all 18 - 35 year olds who are interested in our work in Kibera and want to bring their time, creativity, and passion to this effort. Emerging leaders bring a unique perspective to our organization, expand our reach, and help the Board of Directors raise both awareness and funds. ELI has also been involved with Crossing Thresholds’ social media presence, the monthly Newsletters and Blog Posts and most recently, merchandising. Serving as an Emerging Leader provides young individuals the opportunity to engage deeply in philanthropy and social impact without governance or fiduciary responsibilities.

Please contact Ashley Hart at ashleyhart12@outlook.com or Rebecca Schneider at bvia915@gmail.com for more information about how to get involved with ELI!

Meet our TEAM

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Ashley Hart

CO-CHAIR

Ashley Hart received her B.A. from the University of Tampa in Psychology and Criminology with a concentration in early childhood psychology. She then went on to receive her JD from Stetson University, College of Law, with a focus on Trial Advocacy.

Since graduating from Stetson University, Ashley has gone on to become a Partner at Zinober, Diana & Monteverde, PLLC in Saint Peterburg, FL. Ashley took her first trip with Crossing Thresholds in 2014 and, ever since, has remained a member of the Crossing Thresholds community. In addition, Ashley has worked with several other non-profits based in East Africa but has always felt a close connection and deep passion for the mission of Crossing Thresholds, which led her to work with ELI.

A young woman with long wavy brown hair is sitting on a blue sofa with her hands clasped, smiling at the camera. Behind her, there is a large wooden bookshelf filled with books and artwork, with a window to the left providing natural light.

Rebecca Schneider

CO-CHAIR

Rebecca Schneider received her B.S. from Hobart and William Smith in Anthropology and Sociology with a concentration in Social Inequality. She then received a MSW from the University of Southern California with a focus on Adult Mental Health and Wellness and Military Social Work. Most recently, holding a position as a substance use and mental health counselor out of the Bronx, New York, Rebecca is pursuing her clinical licensure. Rebecca is the daughter of Crossing Thresholds founder Carter Via and has been traveling to Kenya since the age of nine. Working in partnership with CT staff and Josh Pedowitz, the dream of ELI was born: to create a space for young professionals to present ideas, develop projects, and foster cross-cultural connections. Now a co-leader of the Crossing Thresholds’ Emerging Leaders Initiative (ELI), she has been tasked with seeking out young professionals who want to become more involved in international nonprofit work. When we empower and encourage younger generations, everyone benefits.

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Mercy Otieno

Mercy Otieno is a graduate of Daystar University with a Bsc. in Communications, Public Relations. Mercy works with the Wangari Maathai Foundation as a Communication Manager and a Social Media Director for Crossing Thresholds. Mercy's first interaction with Crossing Thresholds was in 2011 when CT was building their second school in Kibera. Since then, she has developed a close relationship with CT, working on different projects and from the enormous support she has received from CT in her education and career background. Mercy describes Crossing Thresholds' partnership as profoundly transformational, looking at how CT has positively altered her life and that of her community through the provision of quality education, proper healthcare, love and generosity to the children of Kibera.

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Alyda Twilley

Alyda Twilley graduated from Hobart and Williams Smith Colleges with a BA in Environmental Studies and Sustainable Community Development and attended the National University of Ireland in Galway. She worked at L.L.Bean on the Experiential Marketing team and as a Brand Ambassador. Most recently she served as a Field Coordinator for the Maine Conservation Corps in partnership with Americorps. Born and raised in Maine, Alyda grew up with an active, outdoor lifestyle. She spent many summers backpacking and volunteering in national parks in Oregon, New Jersey and Maine and has dedicated her personal and professional life to service.

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Zach Schneider

Zach Schneider has been an Intelligence Specialist in the US Army since 2017. He has loosely been involved with Crossing Thresholds since 2019, when he started dating Rebecca Schneider (Via). Over the last few years, he has been inspired by what he has seen and heard from trip participants, as well as the difference CT makes in the community. Zach is excited to help grow the organization and execute its mission by engaging with the next generation of CT volunteers and donors. He has yet to visit Africa but excitedly looks forward to a trip after his service in the Army.

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Josh Pedowitz

Josh Pedowitz received his B.A. in Computer Science from Middlebury College in 2016 and a dual degree MBA + MS in Design Innovation from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University in 2022. Since graduating from Kellogg, Josh has been working at Adobe as a Product Manager while living in Brooklyn, NY.

Josh took his first trip with Crossing Thresholds in 2009 and has been a committed volunteer and member of the Crossing Thresholds community ever since. In 2020, Josh was looking for a way to become more deeply involved with CT and in this pursuit, helped found the Emerging Leaders Initiative (ELI). As Co-Leader of ELI, Josh is bringing younger voices and perspectives to Crossing Thresholds’ leadership and increasing philanthropic engagement of the next generation.