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

Carson Ezell
​President

My name is Carson Ezell, and I am a senior. This is my fourth year in Catalyst, and I am also a trainer at CADCA. I am passionate about advocating for policies that promote drug-free communities. Outside of prevention work, I also participate in Model United Nations, Law Club and Mock Trial.
Contact: cezell21@students.d125.org

Rebekah Jin
Vice President

My name is Rebekah Jin and I am a senior at Stevenson. I have been in Catalyst since middle school, and am passionate about educating and influencing my peers to live substance free. Along with Catalyst, I am also a part of the Freshmen Mentor Program where I lead and help freshmen with their transition from middle school to high school. As well, I have been playing field hockey for three years, and I play on Stevenson’s varsity team.
Contact: rjin21@students.d125.org

Mahum Sheikh
Director of Digital Platforms 

My name is Mahum Sheikh and I am a senior. This is my third year in Catalyst. Outside of Catalyst, I am involved in National Honor Society, Debate, Model United Nations, and Freshman Mentor Program. I hope to create a positive change in our community, as policy change is something I am especially passionate about.
Contact: msheik21@students.d125.org

Yachi Patel
​Director of Cultural Connections

My name is Yachi Patel and I am a senior and have been on Catalyst since middle school. In addition to Catalyst, I am part of the Swim and Water Polo team. I enjoy meeting new people and am passionate about helping others and improving our community through advocacy.
Contact: ypatel21@students.d125.org

Joy Qu
Director of Special Ops

Hi I'm Joy! I'm a junior. 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

Bhavya Sharma
​Director of SHS Staff

My name is Bhavya Sharma and I’m a senior. Outside of the club, I enjoy painting, baking new recipes with my sister, and working with kids at my job. I've loved the past experiences we’ve had together in our club and can’t wait to see what we can do in the future!
Contact: bsharma21@students.d125.org

Aayush Dixit
Director of Parent Engagement

My name is Aayush and I’m a junior and I’m really excited to be head of the Parent Committee! Outside of Catalyst, I really enjoy playing soccer, cooking with family and friends, playing and listening to music, and in general spending time with others. I hope you all are as excited as I am, and I can’t wait to work with everyone throughout the year in Catalyst!
Contact: adixit22@students.d125.org

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Jonathan Guo
​​Director of SHS Outreach

My name is Jonathan Guo, I am currently a junior. I enjoy swimming, cooking, and studying aviation in my free time. I’m really looking forward to this leadership opportunity as Catalyst means so much to me!
Contact: jguo22@students.d125.org

Maya Gopal
​​Director of Policy & Legislation

My name is Maya Gopal! I’m a junior and I am the new director for the Policy and Legislation committee. Outside of Catalyst, I play the trumpet, tutor elementary school students, and build sets for plays. I can’t wait to see what Catalyst does this upcoming year!
Contact: mgopal22@students.d125.org

Lukas Garcia
Director of Youth Activism

I’m Lukas, I’m a senior at stevenson. I’ve been in catalyst for two years now. Outside of Catalyst, I play on the Stevenson soccer team, I am on eboard for the newly created Stevenson Live club, and enjoy shredding hills on my snowboard. I am avid advocate for supporting my community and advancing our society.
Contact: lgarcia21@students.d125.org

Casey Pak
Director of Messaging & Marketing

My name is Casey Pak and I am a junior this year! Outside of Catalyst, I’m on the Varsity dance team (Patriettes), a peer tutor, and I love spending time with my dog! I’m so excited to be a leader for Catalyst this year!

Contact: cpak22@students.d125.org

Daniel Shapiro
Co-Director of Sender Schools

My name is Daniel Shapiro and I am a senior. Outside of Catalyst, I am the head student manager for both the varsity boys football and basketball teams. I am super excited to be serving on Catalyst exec this year!

Contact: dshapiro21@students.d125.org

Joey Gluck
Co-Director of Sender Schools

My name is Joey Gluck and I am a senior. Outside of Catalyst, I coach a 10 year old travel baseball team and I am on the SHS boys bowling team and went to state twice for that. I'm so excited to be a leader for Catalyst this year!

Contact: jgluck21@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