Our Leadership
Executive Director, Taylor Vecchio
Taylor Vecchio is a progressive educator who has worked in youth development for over 14 years. After spending much time creating and running programs at CUNY Lehman College, Jumpstart, Groundwork Inc. and Harlem RBI, Taylor decided to develop unique classes and consulting services that reflect her interdisciplinary skill set and personality. Voices Advance gives Taylor the opportunity to develop and teach anthropology classes for young people that highlight the rich culture and achievements of communities often left out of the typical school day social studies curriculum. She taps into her strategic thinking and planning skills by working with her staff of educators to offer consulting services such as curriculum writing and development, observation and coaching, program design, professional development trainings, talent management and quality improvement. Taylor also partners with museums as a curriculum writer and school group educator. She holds a BA in Anthropology and an MA in Social Studies Education. Always a lifelong learner, Taylor is currently working on learning Mandarin, reading 53 books this year (one per week plus + 1!) and researching methods to empower female students to proudly advance their voices in all walks of life.
Senior Consultant, Dane Martinez
Over the last 4 years as a program consultant, Dane has led program design, professional development/training, curriculum writing, and talent management projects for a variety of nonprofits, charter schools, and school districts. Before working as a consultant, Dane was most recently the Director of South Bronx Programs for Harlem RBI ensuring successful design, operations and collaboration. Prior to arriving at Harlem RBI, Dane served as a Director in the Teacher Effectiveness Group and Office of School Leadership with the New York City Department of Education where he lead content development, training and design enhancements of Performance Management systems and leadership programs to support teachers and school leaders. Prior to his work at the New York City Department of Education, Dane was the founding Dean of Students for Achievement First Bushwick Middle School in Brooklyn. Dane has also previously served as a Program Director with Teach for America NYC and taught middle school science, math and English in the Bronx. Dane is a Bronx native who holds a Bachelor's Degree in Broadcast Journalism from Syracuse University and a Master's Degree in Teaching from Pace University.