Board of Trustees

Mr. Greenberg, the Executive Director of Interfaith Assembly on Homelessness and Housing, joined the Board in 2019 as a Trustee, and then became our Interim Board Chair in 2021. He brings us over 4 decades of experience with public policy advocacy and his own personal engagement with homelessness in NYC. He believes that our work at GUG is important because we have the privilege of helping to support the development of young and responsible leaders in a world that is deeply in need of them.

Mr. Davis, originally from Illinois and now residing in Manhattan, brings to the GUG Board a wealth of experience in developing talent and managing financial performance. He is passionate about GUG’s core values and the vibrant community it fosters for students and families. Committed to living sustainably, Mr. Davis actively works to limit his carbon footprint as part of his dedication to environmental responsibility.

Mr. Friedberg was raised in Boston and currently resides on Long Island where he founded and serves as the CEO of Leading Edge Before and After School. He has over 30 years of educational management experience and loves GUG because of our focus on students and how we help them develop both inside and outside the classroom. He keeps his lifestyle sustainable by walking as much as he can and using public transportation instead of driving whenever possible.

Ms. Hufane is originally from Massachusetts, and has been living in NYC for over 14 years; she has been part of our Board since 2021. Ms. Hufane is a certified professional leadership coach, former principal and regional superintendent, and currently serves as the Associate Chief of Recruitment at Achievement First Charter Schools; she brings a wealth of experience in school management and leadership development. She loves GUG because of the schools’ commitment to encouraging students to discover ways to improve the world around them through social justice and sustainable living. At home, she avoids single-use plastics and is moving her family towards a vegetarian diet.

Ms. Levonen was born in Connecticut, raised in Finland, and, after 14 years in the NYC area, now resides in northeast Florida; she has been part of our Board since May 2018. Ms. Levonen brings expertise to our Board and Financial Committee a decades-long career in the financial industry. After four years as the Sustainability Network Co-Chair at Credit Suite, NY, she was excited to join GUG’s Board because of our sustainability focus. She is diligent about recycling, reusing plastics and other materials, and utilizing consignment stores.

Pastor Mason was raised in Astoria, and currently resides on Long Island where he has been a Pastor and Community Leader for over 20 years; he is currently employed as the Clinical Wellness Coordinator at Urban Upbound. GUG is important to him because he believes that educating and supporting our youth is a top priority.

Ms. Russotti serves as the Senior Counsel at New York City’s Economic Development Corporation and has been part of our Board since 2020. She brings GUG her experience as legal counsel both at law firms and in-house at charter schools. Ms. Russotti believes that all children deserve an excellent education and keeps things green by walking around our gorgeous city and taking the subway.

Dr. Williams has been a Growing Up Green Trustee since 2022. She brings to the Board over 20 years of education experience, 15 years as an attorney, as well as an advocate for children with disabilities. She believes that it is important to have the perspective of how children learn within a charter school environment. Coming from Laurelton, New York, Dr. Williams maintains a sustainable lifestyle by breathing deeply and organizing her schedule.