The Emerging Leaders Initiative (ELI) is the next generation leadership team at Crossing Thresholds. ELI is for all 20- and 30- 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.
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Please contact Josh Pedowitz at [email protected] or Rebecca Schneider at [email protected] for more information about how to get involved with ELI!

Josh Pedowitz

Co-Leader

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.

Rebecca Schneider

Co-Leader

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ashley Hart

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.

ELI AMBASSADORS

Joseph Via

Joseph Via was born and raised in Managua, Nicaragua and received his B.B.A. in Economics and Finance from Loyola University Chicago in 2017. Since 2020 Joseph has been working in the Identity Theft, Cyber Security, and Cyber Protection Industry in product implementation and quality assurance while living in Washington D.C.
Joseph first started his volunteer work with Bridges to Community and his first trip to Kibera with Crossing Thresholds was in 2010. Ever since then Joseph has continuously traveled back to help Crossing Thresholds and our schools in Kibera, most recently in January 2023. Joseph has been involved with ELI since 2022 and has led the search and creation of CT merchandise.

Roma Peressutti

Roma Peressutti embarked on her first trip to Africa at the age of 17 alongside her mother. Her experiences in Kenya led her to form a deep connection with a young boy named Barrack, who was born and raised in Kibera. Moved by their bond, Roma pledged to Barrack that she would return. Six months later, she was back in Kibera, this time solo, keeping her word to Barrack and spending each day enthralled in the lives of each child she met. As the youngest member of the Emerging Leaders Initiative (ELI), Roma has a desire to build relationships that foster her passions. Come Fall 2024, she will enter a new chapter of her life as a freshman at the University of California, Davis. There, she will be part of the Division 1 lacrosse team and major in International Relations, focusing on humanitarian needs.

Kaleigh O’Leary

Kaleigh O’Leary. At the age of 12, Kaleigh overheard a conversation about volunteer opportunities in Kibera and made it her goal to join the next trip. Leaving her parents behind, she traveled to Nairobi at 13 and has been a passionate supporter of the Crossing Thresholds programs ever since. At 15, she joined other CT volunteers in summiting Mt. Kilimanjaro to raise funds for the various programs.

Kaleigh continues to be engaged with Crossing Thresholds through ELI and looks forward to her next trip to Kibera. As an undergraduate student majoring in Film at New York University, Kaleigh is committed to continue to be a voice for the youth in the Kibera Slum.

Bradlee Kraus

Bradlee Kraus grew up in Charlotte, North Carolina, and recently graduated from Blair Academy, class of 23’. She is currently pursuing her studies in business at Miami University in Ohio. Bradlee was first introduced to Crossing Thresholds in 2018 through her father, and she participated in her first trip when she was 13 years old. Since her pivotal and memorable experience, she has found her passion and is committing to returning every year. Bradlee became a member of ELI in 2023, and she eagerly anticipates fostering personal and professional growth through this initiative.