Carter Via

Founder and Executive Director

Raised in Charlottesville, Virginia, Carter Via graduated from Wake Forest University and Princeton Theological Seminary.  He was ordained as a Presbyterian Minister in 1987, and has served churches in Westchester County (New York) and Fairfield County (Connecticut).  Currently, Carter is the Lead Minister at the Talmadge Hill Community Church (Darien, CT) AND the Founder/Executive Director at Crossing Thresholds.  He launched Crossing Thresholds in 2008 after visiting the Kibera Slum in Nairobi, Kenya.  Carter has two children, Joseph and Rebecca Via.  He loves food, mountains, hiking, reading, golf and laughter.

Juliana McKenna

Director of Finance, Mentorships and Administration

Juliana McKenna graduated from Hobart and William Smith in 1981 with a Bachelor of Arts. After working on the Commodity Trading Floor for 25 years, Juliana opened up her own accounting firm in New Canaan, CT. Juliana joined Crossing Thresholds in 2021. In her free time Juliana enjoys walking, being with family and needlepointing.

Alyda Twilley

Director of Trips,
​Assistant Director of Operations

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.

Ken Kaplan

Director of Technology and Curriculum Advancement

Ken Kaplan is a recently retired Special Educator. Ken has been actively involved with Crossing Thresholds for over four years, directing the Technology and Educational Development of our schools in Kibera, as well as creating the Kibera Knights Chess Club. Ken was on the Crossing Thresholds Board of Directors for three years. He lives in the Hudson Valley with his wife Lisa and his dog Otis.