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

Sanya Mahajan
​​President

Hi! My name is Sanya Mahajan and I am so excited to serve as the President of Catalyst this year. I joined Catalyst because I want to educate the Stevenson community on the harms of substance use, and create positive change in the community! Outside of Catalyst, I am part of Peer Helpers, CS Club,and Model UN. In my free time, I love to spend time - whether thats biking, hiking, or just walking around - and also host my own podcast! I am so excited to work with everyone this year and can’t wait to see what we accomplish.
Contact:
smahajan23@students.d125.org

Caroline Hail
​​Vice President

Hi, I’m Caroline and I’m super excited for my 6th year in Catalyst! I can’t wait to work with different committees and see everything we accomplish this year. Outside of Catalyst, I love to dance and make a difference with National Spanish Honor Society.
Contact:
​chail23@students.d125.org

Julia Levenshteyn
​Director of Website

Hi! My name is Julia Levenshteyn and I have been in Catalyst for 4 years. I am so excited to start working on this new committee with you! I joined Catalyst to make a positive impact at Stevenson to prevent substance misuse and promote a healthier and happier lifestyle. Outside of Catalyst, I can be seen in BPA, PMC, and Law Club. When I'm not in school you can find me scuba diving, hiking, or camping! I am looking forward to an amazing year on Catalyst and to meet all of you!
Contact:
​jlevensh23@students.d125.org

Hanvita Ramineni
​Director of Parent Outreach

Hi! I’m so excited to be this year’s director of Parent Outreach for Catalyst this year. My main goal for my committee this year is to inform parents and educate them about substances in order to enable them to have a more smooth transition when starting conversations about these topics with their students. Outside of Catalyst, I am part of HOSA, NHS, and an NPO called Letters For Rose!
Contact:
hraminen23@students.d125.org

Thomas Edat
Director of Policy and Legislation

Hey everyone, my name is Thomas Edat and this will be my fifth year in Catalyst. I joined Catalyst in middle school to be a positive role model for other students and hopefully create change either on the local or state level to prevent substance use. Outside of catalyst, I am heavily involved in my club volleyball team as well as our school volleyball program. I also love to cook, and I participate in many clubs in and outside of Stevenson. Overall, I am really passionate about our school and community, and I am looking forward to all the work we will be able to accomplish in Catalyst this year!
Contact:​
​ tedat24@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

Pranav Meraga
​Director of Podcast

My name is Pranav Meraga. I am a Junior in Stevenson High School and the 2022-2023 Director of Podcasting for Catalyst Club. I really like reading and listening to music.
​Contact:
pmeraga23@students.d125.org


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 Kendall Williams​​Director of Sender Schools

Hi everyone, my name’s Kendell and this will be my 5th year in catalyst. I joined catalyst as a middle schooler who wanted to protect my health as well as advocate for my community. Outside of catalyst you will most likely spot me traveling around the US, playing on a basketball court or a soccer field!
Contact:
kwilliam24@students.d125.org

Tanner Siegall
​​Director of Sender School

Hi I’m Tanner! I have been in Catalyst for 4 years, next year I will get to work with the middle schoolers and help shape the future members of Catalyst, and see what great work we will do next year. Outside of Catalyst, I like to play sports, be with friends, volunteer for local businesses, and work with animals and kids!
Contact:
tsiegall24@students.d125.org

Bill Zhu
Director of SHS Outreach

My name is Bill Zhu and I am a senior this year. I joined catalyst because I want to make an impact in my community, and work with like minded peers to prevent teenage substance use. Outside of catalyst, I enjoy playing soccer and listening to music.
Contact:
yzhu23@students.d125.org

Emma Fang
​Director of SHS Staff

Hi, my name is Emma Fang, and I joined Catalyst in order to make positive change in the school and community. This year, I look forward to reaching out and collaborating with the staff of Stevenson in promoting a drug free lifestyle. In my free time, I’m on the girls gymnastics, and I volunteer outside of school.

Contact:
​efang23@students.d125.org

Pravika Srivastava
​Director of Social Media

Hey everyone! My name is Pravika Srivastava and I joined Catalyst because I wanted to spread a positive message about living a healthy lifestyle to other teenagers. I strongly believe that being substance free throughout your life is crucial and students should be educated about the risks of substances when they are in their developing stages such as in middle and high school. Catalyst has helped me find a community of people that love to maintain healthy lifestyles while also trying to help other teens overcome difficulties with substances. Out of catalyst, I am on the Field Hockey Team, HOSA and FMP!

Contact:
psrivast23@students.d125.org

Preeti Rao
​Director of Special Events

Hi, my name is Preeti! I joined Catalyst because I hope to prevent substance use in my community, as one day I hope to pursue a career in the medial field so I've learned about the dangers of different substances on the human body! In my free time, I enjoy playing lacrosse, going to the beach, and painting!

Contact:
​preetrao23@students.d125.org

Philip Ivanov
​​​Director of Special Ops

Hello, I'm Phillip and I am a senior this year. I joined Catalyst to make a positive impact on my community. Outside of Catalyst, I am an FMP and a fencer. In my free time, I also enjoy fishing, spending time with my friends, and going outside.
​Contact:
pivanov23@students.d125.org

Matthew Lewis
​​​Director of Community Partnerships

I look forward to continuing my participation in this important club, and to learning skills and making new connections! I hope to make an impact on Stevenson for the better. Outside of Catalyst I am involved in Model United Nations, Geography Club, along with playing the bass.

​Contact:
​mlewis24@students.d125.org

Hamza Khan
​Director of Video Production

Hello, I’m Hamza. I’ll be your Director of Video Production this year. I’ve been a part of Catalyst for all four years of high school, and look forward to further my impact this year! I joined Catalyst because it’s important to me that people are educated about the harm of substance misuse, as that’s the first step to prevention. Some of my favorite things are listening to music, reading books, and watching movies!

Contact:
​hkhan23@students.d125.org

Bekhruza Mamajonova
​Director of Youth Activism

Hey there! My name is Bekhruza and this is my 3rd year in Stevenson’s Catalyst. I joined Catalyst because I wanted to inspire others to live a substance free lifestyle and make a positive impact on my community. Outside the club I enjoy drawing and hanging out with my two awesome siblings!

Contact:
​bmamajon24@students.d125.org
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