Steve Larosiliere, President & Founder
Steve Larosiliere founded STOKED in 2005 and oversees the programmatic and administrative sides of the organization’s operations. Prior to founding STOKED, Steve worked at Mentoring USA as a mentor recruiter where he advocated for foster care youth by presenting the benefits of mentoring to corporations and government officials. In addition, he served as a mentor to foster care youth for eight years. He holds a BA in History from Stony Brook University and an MPA from Baruch College School of Public Affairs. In addition to snowboarding really big, steep mountains, skating around Brooklyn, running marathons, and reading lots of books, Steve loves spending time with his wife Ashley, baby boy Toren, and dog Dash.
Sophia Lerdahl, Senior Program Manager
Sophia Lerdahl designs and manages all after-school programming and weekend Action Sports programs for New York City. She is also the point person for all youth related programs outside of the core STOKED programming and manages the program volunteer base. Before joining the STOKED team in the fall of 2010, Ms. Lerdahl tutored professionally in New York City for five years and worked at a number of youth camps, including one which consisted of camping and cycling from New York to Boston. Outside of STOKED, Sophia can be spotted engaging in spirited sports debates, running through Brooklyn, cooking labor-intensive dinners, biking rather than subway-ing, or eating an apple in the farmers market.
Charlie Phillips, Los Angeles Outreach & Operations Manager
Charlie Phillips, Outreach & Operations Manager for Los Angeles, oversees the mentoring programs for all three sports, runs the during and after-school programs, and manages the STOKED Los Angeles administrative office. Prior to joining STOKED, Charlie was an Information Technology Specialist in the United States Marine Corps. Following his tour of duty, he attended Cuesta College and received a degree in General Studies. Charlie has used his IT experience to work with internet giants Myspace and Edmunds. He is an avid outdoorsman and spends as much time as possible pursuing his passions, which are surfing, skating, cycling, and inspiring youth to pursue their dreams and goals. When he’s not outdoors, Charlie enjoys an invigorating game of chess.
Kathryn James-Jolly, Los Angeles Program Coordinator
Ica Morales, New York Outreach Manager
Pre-STOKED, Ica was immersed in the food world; selling wine, making treats, and slingin’ old-fashioned sodas. She attended Bucknell University and Pratt Institute majoring in Cultural Studies. While in between schools, Ica traveled to Hawaii where she worked at an educational farm and learned how to surf. Recently, Ica’s been taking psychology classes with a focus on social work. A wannabe DJ, Ica’s other interests include the sharing economy, travel, design, and pork.
Barakaat Livan, New York After School Coach
Barry is a New York native and has been skating for over 10 years. STOKED serves as his outlet to inspire kids. Outside of Barry’s involvement with STOKED, he produces works of short fiction that he sells independently. Barry likes to spend his time with his girlfriend Erica, enjoying good dinners, movies, walks, and the arts.
Harmeet Kala, New York After School Coach
Harmeet is a contemporary New Yorker by way of Cleveland, Ohio. His passion for music began at Ohio State University where as a full time student he DJ’d and met creatives with a shared love of music and entrepreneurial spirit and also where he initiated, nurtured and fostered his career in marketing. Innovative companies such as The FADER, Cornerstone and PUMA, programs for LaFace, Sony, Sprite, Microsoft, adidas, Paramount Pictures and Nike received the benefit of Harmeet’s sensibilities and insights. Like many, the India born Brooklynite hones his cultural and creative spirit engaging in NY culture, taking photos, playing basketball and riding his bike and along the way, missing his mother’s cooking.
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Ellen O’Connell
Gina Rebollar
Laura Roche
