Collaborative Lead
Abigael Rice

Email
abbi@networkforyouthsuccess.org

Phone
(518) 694-0660 ext. 700

Links
Facebook: @NYGCP
Twitter: @NYSTEAM4girls

Mailing Address
Network for Youth Success
415 River Street, Second Floor
Troy, New York 12180

Our leadership team includes people from a variety of sectors who are committed to increasing access to STEAM learning for all young people:

Abigael Rice, STEAM Coordinator at the New York State Network for Youth Success, supports out-of-school time programs looking to start or enhance their STEAM programming. She previously worked for a composting company, as the Environmental Education Manager, teaching youth and adults about sustainability practices and New York State environmental policy initiatives. Abbi completed her Masters Degree in Environmental Anthropology at the University of Saskatchewan. Her Masters research brought her to Northern B.C. studying the effects that development has on First Nations access to the land. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in both Cultural Anthropology and Fine Arts with a Minor in Museum Studies from SUNY Brockport, with experience as an archaeologist and artifact illustrator in Israel for three seasons. In her spare time, she lives out her passion for STEAM through her pottery business Anthrodrawn Studio, environmental advocacy as a certified Cornell Climate Steward, and is the Board Secretary of Teaching Artists ROC.

Lorena Harris is the Director of the Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) and LSAMP program in the Math, Science, Technology, and Health Division at SUNY Schenectady County Community College. She is also an Educator and MSTH Faculty member teaching and leading the Nutrition program. Lorena has mentored and tutored students in STEM since she was in early college; she loves cryptography and gardening. Lorena is a member of NYS Girls Collaborative, Schenectady STEM Alliance, NGCP, AAAS, and ACS. She is the 2019 Margaret Ashida STEM Leadership Award recipient, educator, mom, and a FabFem Role Model.

Sara Kobilka is the owner and principal consultant for Renaissance Woman Consulting LLC and a dedicated lifelong learner. She is passionate about education, communication, outreach, networking, and issues related to diversity, equity, inclusion, access, accessibility, belonging, and social justice. Over the course of her career, she’s been a broadcast meteorologist/journalist, formal and informal educator, non-profit leader, and entrepreneur. Her goal is to encourage collaborative, trans-disciplinary thinking, and develop a STEM identity in all individuals. Sara is involved nationally in diversity in STEM (including serving as a national trainer for SciGirls, Hero Elementary, Click2Science, and ACRES) and STEM engagement initiatives. Partnerships and equitable collaboration have been a significant focus of her work as she connects people and organizations with similar interests and helps them strategically work together. She’s involved with teaching/education in other realms as well, including facilitating/moderating virtual training for out-of-school educators, tutoring, and designing/leading camps for youth on a plethora of topics, designing formal education curriculum, leading fitness classes, and working as a broadcast journalist/meteorologist. She enjoys a Renaissance woman life-style, both inside and outside of her work life and is actively raising two Renaissance girls.

Nancy Coddington is the Director of Science Content, Services & Programming at WSKG Public Media, a dual-licensed media institution in the Southern Tier of New York. She has worked as a STEM advocate in museums, classrooms, and public media for over twenty years. She is an award-winning producer, hosts a monthly science show, and leads digital content production. Ms. Coddington is a science communicator, practicing, teaching, and guest lecturing at universities and organizations globally. Nancy serves as a national trainer for SciGirls and Hero Elementary, STEM advisor for Mashoplis, and leads virtual STEM engagement initiatives. She has been part of the Science Teachers Association of New York State for over a decade, serving in various roles including: Communications Director, Elementary SAR, and Chair of the Southern Section. You can find Nancy outside hiking, paddling, or photographing everything she comes upon.

Simone Ragland, LMSW, is the Executive Director of WNY STEM Hub a Social Worker, an administrator, and an educator. She has over 20 years of experience providing support services to individuals and families through parent education classes, family support for individuals with developmental disabilities and recovery treatment, and in-home intensive therapy for children and their families through organizations in Erie County. For a decade, as Project Director for the Science and Technology Enrichment Program, Simone has cultivated a wealth of knowledge and understanding for the academic and socio-emotional needs of the students, specifically those who are historically underrepresented populations in STEM and healthcare. She has been immersed in the local educational community, creating and providing opportunities for students to close the achievement and equity gaps and assist students in developing and sharpening skills needed to excel in post-secondary education. She is passionate about education, empowerment, engagement, and support for children and families, and increasing diversity and inclusion in the STEM pipeline, STEM education, and STEM careers.

Latasha Wright, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer, received her PhD from NYU Langone Medical Center in cell and molecular biology. She continued her scientific training at Johns Hopkins University and Weill Cornell Medical Center. She has co-authored numerous publications and presented her work at international and national conferences. BioBus enables Latasha to share her love of science with a new generation of scientists. Latasha spearheaded the creation of the first BioBase community lab, the BioBus internship program, and our Harlem expansion. Every day that Latasha spends teaching students about science in this transformative environment helps her remember that science is fun. She loves sharing the journey of discovery with students of all ages.

Marguerite Copeland currently serves as the Program Manager for the G3 Data Analytics Program at Girls Inc. of New York City, where she oversees the implementation of a data-driven curriculum designed to empower high school girls to explore careers in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics). In this role, she also trains educators to effectively integrate the G3 curriculum into classrooms and afterschool spaces, ensuring that students receive high-quality instruction in data analytics, critical thinking, and real-world applications of technology. A dedicated advocate for education and leadership development, Marguerite is an AmeriCorps alum, having served as both a City Year New York Corps Member and a Public Allies New York Fellow, where she expanded educational access and leadership opportunities across New York City. She has worked extensively in curriculum design, program expansion, and mentorship, supporting students, particularly girls, in navigating educational and career pathways. Her passion for international education led her to Robert College in Istanbul, Turkey, where she served as an ESL camp counselor, developing creative programs that engaged over 500 Turkish students in language learning, sports, and the visual and performing arts.

Beyond her work in youth development, Marguerite is an accomplished visual artist whose work has been exhibited internationally, including at the Thomson Gallery in Switzerland and in galleries across Paris, Amsterdam, London, Brussels, Seoul, and Barcelona. She was recently awarded The Denis Diderot Grant and will participate in the 2025 Chateau d’Orquevaux Artists & Writers Residency in France. Her art practice explores themes of identity and representation, adding a creative dimension to her approach to STEAM education and demonstrating the power of integrating the arts into traditional STEM fields. Marguerite holds a Bachelor of Arts in African, African American Diaspora Studies with a minor in Peace & Social Justice from Wheaton College in Massachusetts. With a passion for education, leadership, and the arts, she is committed to fostering innovation and equity in STEAM fields. She strives to create inclusive spaces where young people, particularly girls, can see themselves as future leaders, creators, and change-makers. Whether through her work in education or her artistic practice, she continues to challenge boundaries, inspire new possibilities, and advocate for a more inclusive and creative future.

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