Meet the Team

Shortly after earning his BA in Psychology for UMASS Amherst, Eddie got his start in youth development in 2011 as a Career Specialist for the Boston Private Industry Council (PIC) working closely with Boston Public School students to prepare them for job opportunities. Since then, Eddie has continued to work with both youth and adults providing workforce development counseling and creating programs to prepare them for possible employment.

Eddie joined KIPP MA in July 2021 after three years as the Manager of Programs & Partnerships for the Department of Youth Engagement & Employment for the City of Boston where he created and managed programs for Boston’s youth. There he had the opportunity of working with others passionate about youth development and having an impact on youth from every corner of the city. His lifelong passion of serving others has allowed him to work closely with youth and provide meaningful development opportunities through workshops and one on one support. Eddie lives in Boston with his wife, Jennifer and two daughters, Jeylianna and Jaicee.

Katie Good is the Director of Postsecondary Match on the KIPP Forward team. The 2021-2022 school year will be her thirteenth year with KIPP Massachusetts and her fourth year as the Director of Postsecondary Match. Her first seven years were spent in the KIPP Academy Lynn middle school as a math teacher and assistant principal before transitioning into the world of postsecondary access and counseling in 2016 at KIPP Academy Lynn Collegiate. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Duke University in 2008 and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in School Counseling at Boston College. Katie lives in Salem and loves working with students and families engaging in year-over-year continuity of care to help them plan their best fit next steps.

Originally from California, Tara has lived in Boston for 16 years and will never make peace with the winters. After earning her Master’s Degree in School Guidance from Lesley University in 2012, she began her career in the Blood Building working for an adult literacy nonprofit. Since coming to KALC in 2016, she has focused her purpose on working to create equitable postsecondary access for all students. In her spare time she likes to read, cook, garden, and travel the world. She identifies as a Nerd and a Cat Lady and will happily show you pictures of her garden, her travels, and her cat Jake any time. As a West Coaster, Tara is solar powered and in the summer can be found outside, most likely at the beach, or flying to her next adventure.

Woodlynn Pierre was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York where she attended Brooklyn College Academy High School. Schooling at an early college high school allowed her to graduate with honors, with college credit to start an undergraduate degree as a sophomore, and with a full tuition scholarship to Lawrence University as a Posse Scholar. During her undergraduate career, Woodlynn conducted research as a McNair Scholar, taught World History to high school students on the west side of Chicago, and managed a team of individuals that helped first-year college students smoothly transition to their postsecondary lives on campus. After graduating, Woodlynn earned a full tuition scholarship to complete a Master’s Degree in Education as a Donovan Urban Teaching Scholar at Boston College. At the end of her M.Ed, Woodlynn taught World History, Ethnic Studies, and Government to sophomores, juniors, and seniors at KIPP Academy Lynn Collegiate for two years. Woodlynn is excited for the transition to a Postsecondary Match Manager and looks forward to the individual journeys students will have as they prepare for their lives after high school.

Chelsie Hinckley is the Persistence Pathways Manager/Advisor for KTCC. She has experience working in college access, persistence, and financial aid. She is passionate about educational equity, improving outcomes for low-income, first generation students, and making higher education more accessible and affordable for all. Chelsie believes that all students can and will succeed with the right levels of support and brings that philosophy into her advising. She holds a BA and an EdM from the University at Buffalo. In her free time you can find her reading, gardening, and hanging out with her dog Moose.

Sherley Sidney is the Persistence Pathways Advisor/Coordinator for KIPP KTCC team. This year will be her first year working at KIPP and in this role she will foster a space where students can discover themselves in adolescence to become confident empowered adults. She has experience in social-work and has spent several years working with low income students focusing on helping them feel heard. Sherley received her masters in Student affairs counseling in 2020 and is passionate about leading the next generation of students to the path of enlightenment and growth to create positive change. Sherley does work at her local church where she leads children’s ministry and presents at youth workshops for college preparedness.

Brandy Blaise, M.A., is the Mental Health Counseling Manager with KIPP Through College and Career (KIPP Forward?). Brandy provides direct clinical services as well as case and crisis management to KIPP alumni to address their socio-emotional needs and supports their families with resources and guidance as their students are navigating emerging adulthood and their post-secondary endeavors. Brandy has a passion for working with students and supporting them in leading and living more meaningful lives and addressing barriers that may inhibit them from reaching their fullest potential. Previously, Brandy has worked with college students and emerging adults in various settings such as the department of Student Affairs at Regis College, Butler Hospital’s Young Adult Intensive Outpatient Program, the Boston Area Rape Crisis Center and with the Circle of Change Leadership Conference, in equipping individuals with leadership skills, resources and connections to achieve their own goals. Brandy holds Bachelor’s degrees in both Psychology and Social Work and a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Regis College.

Danah Blake, is the Career Integration Manager with KIPP Through College and Career. Previously, Danah served two years with the AmeriCorps Program, City Year, at an elementary school in Southeast Washington D.C. where she designed and implemented small group classroom interventions and afterschool programs for students in D.C Public Schools. As a Team Leader, she supported young adults through coaching in professionalism, communication, lesson planning, and student data analysis. She also facilitated social justice-oriented conversations and trainings to support the development of cultural competence. During her time with Camp Harbor View, Danah curated career and post-secondary pathways programming with a social justice and diversity lens while providing leadership development for teens from the greater Boston area.

Danah holds a certificate in Community Leadership and Social Change from Tufts University’s Institute for Nonprofit Practice and she is currently a part time graduate student pursuing a Social Impact MBA at Boston University. At KIPP MA Danah will support students and alumni striving to increase representation and diversity in all career fields and leadership positions by creating spaces for young people meant to inspire freedom of identity and believing in oneself.