Meet Our Team

Please don't hesitate to contact anyone you see below with questions, concerns, or ideas. Thanks!

Sponsors:

Dr. Cristina Cortesi

Dr. Cristina Cortesi is Stevenson High School’s Substance Abuse Prevention Coordinator. She is a Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), a Licensed School Social Worker and  a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Dr. Cortesi has her PhD in social work from Loyola University, Chicago, as well as a Master's in Educational Leadership from Concordia University. Prior to coming to Stevenson, Dr. Cortesi worked for six years as the SAP and Restorative Justice Coordinator at Evanston Township High School. She previously served as the Chair of the Evanston Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition and is currently an active member of the Stand Strong Coalition where she serves on committees and the Executive Board. 

Dr. Cortesi started Catalyst because she believes that students have the strongest and most important voice in the prevention conversation. She believes that they need to be provided with education, opportunity and support to develop a multi-faceted plan that is based on evidence-based prevention strategies. Her favorite activity outside of work is spending time with her family and her favorite foods are chocolate and anything authentically Italian (because her parents are both Italian immigrants).
Contact: ccortesi@d125.org

Mrs. Rochelle Cripe

Rochelle Cripe is a Licensed Professional Counselor and serves at the E-School Counselor and Catalyst Co-Sponsor for SHS.    In high school, Rochelle was very involved in drug prevention efforts at the local, state and national levels and served as a mentor and role model for drug-free youth in her home state of Nebraska.
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​She earned her undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and earned her Masters of Education in Counseling from Northern Illinois University. She has been a counselor for three years in both the school and community setting, and really enjoys working with students and their families. Rochelle is excited to continue supporting drug-prevention outreach and policy change initiated by SHS students as a co-sponsor of Catalyst. 
Contact: rcripe@d125.org

Sharena Domingo

Sharena Domingo is a Prevention Specialist at OMNI Youth Services, specializing in adolescent substance abuse prevention, healthy relationships, and sexual health education. Originally from Tennessee, Sharena received her Master of Public Health with a concentration in Community Health Education from The University of Tennessee-Knoxville before moving to Illinois in January 2019. While in college, Sharena worked as a youth mentor and health educator with the goal of helping inner-city youth work towards their dreams for healthy, secure, and fulfilling lives.

When Sharena was in high school, she served two years on a city-wide, high school youth-led coalition funded by the mayor's office, which promoted and focused on goals similar to those of Catalyst. Between that and her time as an advocate for inner-city youth, one of Sharena's passions remains youth empowerment and impactful education. As a result, she is very excited to work with Catalyst in achieving its goal of forging a safer, more informed, and healthier youth of tomorrow. In her free time, Sharena is typically seen hanging out with her dog, doing pilates, or playing the harp.
Contact: sdomingo@d125.org

Maya Gopal
​​President

My name is Maya Gopal and I’m a senior this year. I joined Catalyst because I wanted to make a difference in my community, and I can not wait to work with all the different committees this year to expand our impact on substance use prevention. Outside of Catalyst, you can find me playing the trumpet in the Stevenson band!
Contact:
​mgopal22@students.d125.org

Aayush Dixit
​Vice President

Hey everyone, my name is Aayush and this will be my fourth year in Catalyst!  I first joined Catalyst because I had unfortunately seen many kids from my middle school turn to substances even in their freshman year, and so I wanted to ensure that I was able to be a positive role model for other students who didn’t use substances, while also having a positive impact on the community and being an outlet of support and help for others. Outside of catalyst, I am heavily involved in my club soccer team as well as our school soccer program, I love to cook and play music, and I have an immense passion for business which is why I am in our FBLA club! All in all, I have a ton of passion and love for our school and our community, and I can not wait to translate that into all of the work we are able to accomplish at catalyst this upcoming year and beyond!
Contact:
​adixit22@students.d125.org

Mary Fouani
​Director of Digital Platforms 

I joined Catalyst two years ago in order to help make an impact on the community. This year, I am looking forward to meeting and collaborating with new people, as well as seeing the new committees develop. Outside of Catalyst, I love being part of the Freshman Mentor Program and playing sports competitively in and out of school.
Contact:
​mfouani22@students.d125.org

Ahana Titus
​Director of Equity & Diversity

 I am looking forward to help educate different groups about drugs and alcohol and their harmful effects, so that awareness is spread and kids have more reasons to not start. Other than Catalyst, I like to sing and write stories and I enjoy running!
Contact:
atitus23​@students.d125.org

Joy Qu
Director of Special Ops

Hi I'm Joy! I'm a senior. Outside of Catalyst, I’m an SHS Peer Helper and on math team. Outside of school, I play squash competitively. In my free time, I enjoy hiking and fishing as well as playing the piano.
Contact:​
​ joyqu22@students.d125.org

Vincenzo Zuppardo​
​Director of Member Education

I am looking forward to working with and meeting all the amazing people in Catalyst while promoting substance prevention in the process. Outside of Catalyst I am part of FBLA. I am also a violinist and attend MYA conservatory outside of school. In my free time I enjoy listening to music, relaxing outside and playing sports!
Contact:
vzuppard23@students.d125.org

Casey Pak
Director of Message Management

My name is Casey Pak and I am going to be a senior this year! I joined Catalyst because I am a strong believer in living a substance free lifestyle, and also have unfortunately witnessed many peers that have become reliant on substances throughout high school. I love that Catalyst is a community that shares the same values, and works together to combat this prevalent issue. Outside of Catalyst, I am on the Varsity Poms team, the Vice President for the Asian American Student Association, a Freshman Mentor, Peer Tutor, and am a certified Emergency Medical Technician!
​Contact:
cpak22@students.d125.org

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Sanya Mahajan
​​Director of Podcast

I’m looking forward to launching the Podcasting Committee next year (a new committee seems very exciting) and I’m excited to see the work we do! I’m also looking forward to building connections through this experience. Outside of Catalyst, I do Model United Nations and am a part of Peer Helpers and Tutors. I also host my own podcast.
Contact:
smahajan23@students.d125.org

Caroline Hail
​​Director of Sender School

Besides Catalyst, I love to dance and am on poms at Stevenson! Next year in Catalyst I’m super excited to continue working with the middle schoolers and help to plan Red Ribbon Week, my favorite middle school event.
Contact:
​chail23@students.d125.org

Sammy Cohan
Director of SHS Outreach

I am looking forward to working with my peers to spread awareness about drug/substance use in Stevenson! I can’t wait to work with my committee members in SHS Outreach and the spread the message about the dangers of substance abuse to my fellow classmates. Outside of Catalyst, I am part of the Freshman Mentor Program, Peer Helpers, Peer Tutors, and Boy's Tennis.
Contact:
​scohan22@students.d125.org

Advika Shetty
​Director of Staff Outreach

I joined Catalyst when I heard students from Stevenson talk about the club when I was in middle school. I was really interested in learning more about substance use as it relates to students and I wanted to get the chance to collaborate with my peers on projects like that, so my freshman year I decided to join. While I was on the Staff Outreach Committee I was able to learn so much and give a lot of presentations with fellow committee members to the Stevenson staff. Besides Catalyst I’m also on the field hockey team at Stevenson and I’m in Peer Tutors.

Contact:
​ashetty22@students.d125.org

Jack Chiasson
​Director of Parent

My name is Jack Chiasson and I will be the Parent Outreach director this year! This will be my 6th year in Catalyst. I joined Catalyst to promote a substance free lifestyle in hopes that it will help positively affect my peers and community. In addition, I believe it’s extremely important for kids to understand the risks of substances, as I’ve seen some of my former peers go down a wrong path. Next year, I can’t wait to get back in person and meet new people, accomplish new goals, and most importantly get back to a somewhat normal life! Outside of Catalyst, I am involved in  Entrepreneurship club, Future Business Leaders Of America, National Honor Society, Business Professionals of America, the freshman mentor program, and National Chinese Honor Society.

Contact:
jchiasso22​@students.d125.org

Emma Fang
​Director of Policy & Legislation - State

Hi, my name is Emma Fang, and I joined catalyst in order to make positive change in my community, as well as my school. By doing so, I would be able to promote healthier living among my peers. Next year, I’m looking forward to making change on the state level, especially in regards to tobacco and alcohol legislation. Moreover, I’m excited to be able to promote leadership throughout my committee. Besides Catalyst, I am also a Varsity Gymnast for Stevenson and participate in other clubs.

Contact:
​efang23@students.d125.org

Alisha Chowdhary
​​​Director of Policy & Legislation - Local

My name is Alisha Chowdhary and I will be your Local Exec member for Policy and Legislation. I am very excited to learn, grow, and make connections with you all this year. My driving ambitions and reasons for why I am apart of Catalyst lie alongside my goals of setting up a better future for the youth community, which I believe is largely possible through drug and substance abuse prevention. Beyond Catalyst, I’m your go-to foodie who always has some random book in her left hand. I’m an active member of Girls in STEAM and MUN so feel free to say hi if you meet me there as well! In summary, I am quite excited for us all to take on Local Policy and Legislation together.

​Contact:
​achowdha23@students.d125.org

Trisha Mondal
​Director of Youth Activism

I joined Catalyst so I could spread awareness about the challenges of substance abuse, and spark conversation about these challenges to create positive change in my community. I’m looking forward to implementing new projects and working with local youth! Outside of Catalyst, I enjoy participating in Science Olympiad, Model UN, and Peer Tutors.

​Contact:
​tmondal23@students.d125.org

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Email: CatalystSHS@gmail.com  Contact​   Adlai E. Stevenson High School: www.d125.org 
​ SHS Club Page: www.d125.org/students/clubs-and-activities/clubs/catalyst 

1 Stevenson Drive, Lincolnshire, Illinois, 60069