Living with Purpose and Creating with Intention

Meet the PATH Team:

At the heart of Hilltop Communities are leaders united by a shared belief: that education, environment, and community can transform lives. With decades of combined experience, we are creating a place where innovation meets empathy; where children, families, and change makers can discover their strengths and grow with purpose. Our work extends beyond the local level through our nonprofit arm, PATH (Promoting Arts, Teamwork, and Hope), amplifying impact in resilient communities both in the U.S. and abroad.

  • Educational Consultsnt | Global Strategist and Community Liaison

  • Dr. Roseanne Esposito brings over 30 years of experience as an educator, leader, and advocate for inclusive, strengths-based learning. Her work spans classrooms, communities, and cultures, always centered on creating transformative educational experiences that empower children, families, and educators.

    Credentials at a Glance:

    • Ed.D. in Leadership & Organizational Innovation
      Marymount University – Focused on driving systemic change in education

    • M.S. in Special Education
      Long Island University – Expertise in tailored instruction for diverse learners

    • B.A. in Psychology
      University of Delaware – Foundation in human development and cognition

    • Advanced Orton-Gillingham Instructor
      Specializing in dyslexia and structured literacy interventions

    • Certified SEL Facilitator
      Supporting emotional intelligence and resilience in youth

    • Trauma-Informed Yoga Instructor
      Integrating mindfulness and wellness into education

    Guiding Philosophy:
    Dr. Esposito believes that the most impactful education begins with empathy, creativity, and a willingness to meet each learner exactly where they are.

    She is also the visionary behind the PATH (Promoting Arts, Teamwork, and Hope) non-profit Initiative, which operates locally and globally to support underserved communities through educational and community-based programming.


  • Co-Founder, Director of Strategic Design, Infrastructure & Finance

  • Rick is an architectural and landscape designer with extensive expertise in engineering design, horticulture, and environmental planning. As co-founder of the PATH Initiative and a core contributor to Hilltop Communities, he brings decades of experience creating eco-educational spaces that support hands-on learning and community development.

    His work reflects a commitment to sustainable, functional design that enhances educational programs and fosters meaningful community connections. Rick’s designs are not only practical, they bring mission-driven initiatives to life through purposeful space creation.

Meet the Board of Directors:


Working in collaboration with Hilltop to support global and U.S.-based projects through the PATH nonprofit initiative

Karen Amundson, Esq

Board Member

Karen Amundson brings over two decades of legal expertise to the PATH board, with a distinguished career in Orange County as a prosecutor, and criminal defense attorney and sitting justice in the town of Warwick. She is currently serving as an Assistant County Attorney with the Orange County Attorney’s office. She also taught as an adjunct professor of criminal justice at Orange County Community College. Known for her integrity, fairness, and deep commitment to community-centered justice, Karen Amundson offers a valuable perspective that strengthens PATH’s mission of equity and empowerment.

Cheryl Crouchen

Board Member/ Director of Community Engagement & Fundraising

Cheryl brings over 15 years of fundraising experience to P.A.T.H., having served as Director of the Leadership Team at Chosun Taekwondo Academy. In this role, she focused on instilling the values of community service while building strong partnerships with organizations such as the Lions Club and the Warwick Rotary. Her leadership was instrumental in creating meaningful service initiatives that inspired youth to give back and lead with purpose.

“I am so grateful this opportunity came across my path, and I found something that feeds my soul.”

Emma Scout

Director of Marketing

Emma brings years of creative marketing expertise to PATH, with a background that includes leadership roles at VICE Media and experience across digital strategy, brand storytelling, and campaign development. A graduate of NYU with a degree in Media, Culture, and Communication, she has also worked with brands like OWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network and Byte. Emma is passionate about using marketing to amplify purpose-driven initiatives and connect global audiences with PATH’s mission.

Catherine DeCeasre

Director of Art Expression and Cultural Identity

Catherine De Cesare is a classically trained illustrator whose career spans portraiture, murals, fashion illustration, and architectural drawing. A graduate of the School of Visual Arts in NYC, her work has included mural commissions for the U.S. government, large-scale design projects, and commercial illustration. Now based in Warwick, NY, Catherine continues to blend fine art with architecture, capturing the character of historic spaces with precision and heart.

Karina Rose

Creative Design Lead

Karina brings a powerful blend of visual storytelling, media production, and client engagement to her role as PATH’s Creative Design Lead. With a background in documentary studies from Park School of CommunicationsIthaca and nearly a decade of experience in account management and media production, she infuses every project with purpose and authenticity. From her early work in social justice filmmaking to her hands-on creative leadership in the Hudson Valley, Karina designs with a deep commitment to inclusivity, community, and impact. She also brings a personal artistic lens to her work as a self-taught tattoo artist.

Dr. Tara Skiff

Lead, Data Analysis & Program Fidelity

Dr. Tara Skiff is a seasoned school psychologist and data-driven educator with deep expertise in differentiated instruction, educational evaluation, and evidence-based intervention. With years of experience serving diverse student populations across public schools in the Hudson Valley, she brings a strong foundation in psychoeducational assessment, RTI, and social-emotional learning practices. She also holds advanced certification in Applied Behavior Analysis, Dr. Skiff leads PATH’s efforts in data analysis, impact tracking, and program fidelity. Her calm, collaborative leadership ensures our programs remain aligned with best practices while centering student growth and equity. Dr. Skiff’s research and field experience continue to shape how we define meaningful success across our educational and global initiatives.

Nikita Takisha Johnson McBride

Environmental Leader & Community Partner – Crawfish Rock

Nikita is an environmental professional and community advocate from Roatán, Honduras, serving as the Community Development Coordinator for BICA (Bay Islands Conservation Association). With a degree in Natural Resources and Environment and years of experience leading sustainability and education initiatives across the Bay Islands, she brings deep knowledge, integrity, and cultural relevance to everything she does.

As a core partner in the PATH youth leadership initiative, Nikita plays a vital role in shaping a model that is both locally rooted and globally inspired. Her leadership helps ensure that PATH’s programs reflect the needs and strengths of the Crawfish Rock community. Whether guiding environmental education, mentoring youth, or supporting the development of sustainable infrastructure, Nikita’s work is a powerful example of what community-led change can look like.

Tracy Stadler

Strategic Advisor – Youth Sports Development

Tracy Stadler is a retired elementary school teacher and accomplished youth soccer coach, known for her deep commitment to child development both on and off the field. With decades of experience in education and athletics, she brings a unique perspective to building strong, inclusive, and empowering youth programs.

Currently, Tracy serves as a strategic advisor for the youth fútbol program in Crawfish Rock, Honduras. While she is not coaching directly, she plays a vital role in shaping the vision and infrastructure of the program. From helping assess field conditions and designing equipment needs to guiding uniform selection, team strategy, and long-term development, Tracy ensures that every element supports local youth and honors their potential.

Her work reflects a belief in the power of sport to inspire, unify, and uplift — and her steady guidance continues to strengthen the foundation of youth leadership in the community

Matison Williams

Curriculum & Instructional Design Collaborator

Matison plays a key role in bringing Hilltop Communities’ / PATH literacy projects to life through thoughtful curriculum planning and standards alignment. With her certification in childhood education and a strong eye for design, she is currently supporting the development of interactive, standards-based resources that reflect Hilltop’s vision for global storytelling and community-centered learning.

Working closely with Dr. Esposito and the broader team, Matison helps translate ideas into accessible, engaging classroom materials, building out digital content, Canvas structures, and supplemental guides. Her work ensures that each literacy initiative stays grounded in academic rigor while remaining adaptable for diverse learning environments, including classrooms, after-school programs, and homeschool groups.

Matison’s contribution helps lay the foundation for an evolving, collaborative approach to education, one that honors voice, culture, and connection.