3Point Staff
Keith McDermott
Interim Executive Director
Keith is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of experience in athletics as a collegiate and post collegiate track & field athlete, coach and college administrator. Keith’s commitment to leveraging resources using athletics, education and civic engagement are core ingredients to his professional history. For his efforts, Keith was appointed by three different governors to the Massachusetts Governor’s Committee on Physical Fitness and Sports. Keith is the former Director of the Reggie Lewis Track & Athletic Center.
Montá Connolly
Managing Director
Monta Connolly is the Managing Director of 3PointFoundation. She graduated from Framingham State University in 2017, majoring in Sociology. After graduation, Monta began working as a School-Based employee for Framingham Public Schools where she mentored students and provided support in school and through after-school programming. During this time, she worked with youth in Mazie’s mentorship program and also directed a ‘No-Cook, Cooking’ class. Monta then began working in the Human Resources Department for 4 years implementing and maintaining HRIS systems for Framingham Public Schools. During her time at Framingham State University, she played on the Women’s Basketball team, averaging 11 points, 3 assists, and 9 rebounds per game where she was named captain her Junior and Senior year. She is excited to continue her work serving the youth and bringing new ideas to support the growth of The3PointFoundation.
Jisca Philippe
Program Director
Jisca Philippe is an equity-driven executive leader with over a decade of experience designing and implementing public-sector initiatives that deliver measurable impact for communities historically excluded from opportunity. Her work centers on building systems rooted in justice, accountability, and lasting change, and on designing decision-making frameworks that elevate the voices of families, caregivers, and frontline staff.
Grounded in navigating complexity, Jisca is known for building trust across diverse stakeholders and delivering people-centered solutions that hold up both structurally and politically. She brings a steady, principled leadership style to every role and is deeply committed to aligning policies, programs, and partnerships in service of community well-being.
“I am looking forward to continuing work that reimagines systems with communities at the center — ensuring every young person and family not only has access to opportunity, but power in shaping it. I am committed to stewarding change that lasts by developing leaders, investing in community wisdom, and paving the way for those who come next.”
-Jisca Philippe
Danny Pang
Development & Data Manager
Danny has spent the last 12 years working in the nonprofit sector with a strong focus on organizational equity and evaluation. He is currently the Development and Data Manager at the 3PointFoundation where he manages and leverages data to communicate impact and drive fundraising performance.
Previously, Danny was the Data and Impact Manager for the Organizational Equity Practice at Trinity Boston Connects, where he successfully managed client projects, streamlined operations, and evaluated leadership competencies among program participants.
In earlier roles, Danny was the Database Manager at Leadership, Education, Athletics, in Partnership (LEAP), where he improved fundraising effectiveness and data accuracy. He was also a Project Manager for Research, Evaluation, and Learning at The Annie E. Casey Foundation where he managed a portfolio of grantees and implemented performance measurement system at the foundation.
Danny holds a Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Management from Notre Dame of Maryland University and a Bachelor’s Degree in History and Secondary Education from Providence College.
Holly Webster
Director of Academics
Holly has worked in the field of education for over ten years. In addition to her role as Director of Academics at 3 Point, she is also a member of the curriculum and instructor development team at Livius Prep. Holly earned her Master of Arts in Teaching at Regis College and her Bachelor of Science in Education and Mathematics from Bridgewater State University. She has seven years of classroom teaching experience and currently holds a Massachusetts and Rhode Island teaching certification. She has worked in multiple school districts including Newton, Sharon, Westwood, Wellesley, and Medway Public Schools. Her most recent teaching position was as a math teacher at a prestigious and academically rigorous charter school called Achievement First in Providence, RI. She has a warm personality that makes students enjoy working with her, even on subjects that give them great difficulty. Holly enjoys spending time with her family, including her dog Riggy, and her son Steven.
Mackenson Charles
Basketball Operations Manager
Mackenson “Mack” Charles is a nonprofit leader with over a decade of experience designing and scaling high-impact programs across education, youth development, and economic mobility. He currently serves as Chief of Programs at the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (BECMA), where he leads a multimillion-dollar portfolio supporting hundreds of small businesses with access to capital, technical assistance, and contract opportunities.
Mack’s foundation is rooted in sports-based youth development. At Scholar Athletes, he led strategy and operations for a multi-site program reaching thousands of public high school students, and later at Special Olympics Massachusetts, he built district-wide partnerships with Boston and Lawrence Public Schools while advancing inclusive programming. Across these roles, he has consistently used sports as a platform to drive engagement, leadership, and personal growth.
A former City Year Boston AmeriCorps member, Mack played college football at Mount Ida College and has coached both high school girls basketball and college football. He holds a Master of Education in Applied Human Development from Boston University and is a Boston Business Journal Forty Under 40 honoree. Mack is committed to using basketball and sports more broadly as tools to develop confident, resilient young leaders.
Hannah Casey
Student & Family Engagement Specialist
Hannah Casey joined The3pointFoundation in September of 2025. After graduating from Virginia Tech with a degree in International Studies and Spanish, Hannah began her career as an English as a Foreign Language teacher as a Princeton in Asia fellow at the University of Khon Kaen in Northeastern Thailand. She then taught at a high school in Jaen, Spain and an elementary school in Malaga, Spain. Throughout her four years of teaching she worked with students from ages 3 to 22. Most recently, she worked as a Program Coordinator at Hult International Business School, providing administrative support to students and faculty. While her basketball career highlight was winning the 5th grade championship, she still seeks the opportunity to play whenever possible.
Julio Castillo
Student & Family Engagement Specialist
Julio Castillo has dedicated the past six years to education, fueled by a lifelong passion for social justice and community advocacy. Growing up on Heath Street, Julio experienced firsthand the challenges of inequity and began seeking change as early as age 12. His drive for justice led him to work with organizations such as Beantown Society, Bikes Not Bombs, The City School, and Hyde Square Task Force, where he helped empower youth through leadership development, activism, and community engagement.
Julio earned his bachelor’s degree in Finance from Wheaton College and later a Master’s in Educational Leadership and Policy from Boston College. This dual background in finance and education has shaped his ability to bridge strategy with empathy—combining sharp organizational insight with a deep commitment to people.
Since graduate school, Julio has spent six years in the classroom, centering his work on student empowerment, family engagement, and creating equitable pathways for young people. At The3PointFoundation, Julio continues this mission of uniting schools, families, and communities, ensuring that students not only gain access to opportunity but also the confidence to embrace it.
Junior Ventura
Student & Family Engagement Specialist
Junior is a recent first-generation graduate from The University of Massachusetts of Boston, where he earned a degree in Sport Leadership and Administration. Prior to his time at the University of Massachusetts Boston, he was a former collegiate athlete at Merrimack College where he was a part of the Men’s Soccer team. Raised in Alexandria, Virginia, Junior developed a deep passion for sports, specifically soccer and youth development, inspired by his personal experiences as an athlete and the positive role sports played in his life. His academic focus centered on how sports can be a powerful tool for teaching leadership, teamwork, and resilience to young people.
Throughout his time at The University of Massachusetts Boston, Junior interned with local youth sports organizations as well as professional sports teams, gaining hands-on experience in mentoring young athletes and leadership skills. He is passionate about creating inclusive spaces where youth can develop both athletic skills and personal growth. Junior is excited to pursue a career dedicated to inspiring and developing young athletes in his community through his love of sports and youth development.
Nia Simpson
Student & Family Engagement Specialist
Nia Simpson has been dedicated to nonprofit and youth development work since 2014, fueled by being born and raised in Dorchester. Growing up, she experienced firsthand the disparities facing youth of color in Boston, having been bussed to Wayland through METCO, where she graduated in 2019. That experience shaped her lifelong commitment to expanding access and opportunity for students and families in underserved communities.
Nia holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a focus on Entrepreneurship and a Master’s in Business Analytics, both from UMass Amherst. This background has given her a data-driven, strategic approach to mission-driven work, paired with a deep commitment to the communities she serves.
Over the years, Nia has worked across nearly every setting that touches young people’s lives, nonprofits, campuses, private schools, high schools, and community organizations, while also building a nonprofit of her own. Along the way, she has led leadership development and college readiness programs, managed teams, and built partnerships that bring together students, families, and educators. At 3Point, Nia still carries this mission forward, working to ensure students not only gain access to opportunity but also the confidence to embrace it.
Nancy Lee
High School Program Director
Nancy Lee is Program Director of The3PointFoundation’s Student Success Academy, where she leads the development of a college and career readiness pathway supporting students from 7th grade through high school graduation.
With more than two decades of experience in business development, strategic partnerships, and education, Nancy has built programs and partnerships with schools, districts, and community organizations across Greater Boston. Her work focuses on creating thoughtful, custom fit opportunities that meet students where they are and help them build confidence, recognize their potential, and take meaningful steps toward their future.
Nancy began her career in educational consumer products, serving in VP of Sales leadership roles and developing partnerships across North America. She later brought that experience into mission driven education, where she has focused on expanding access to academic support, college counseling, career exploration, and opportunities that help students succeed.
Nancy holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Sociology, Cum Laude, from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She serves on the Innovation Fund Board and previously served on the Brookline Education Foundation Board.
Stacy McConnell
Administrative Assistant
Stacy has worked in the tutoring and education industry for the past six years, focusing on operations and human resources. Throughout her career, she has supported the day-to-day operations of educational programs, including staffing, employee relations, program coordination, and the systems and processes that help organizations and their teams succeed.
Stacy enjoys being part of an organization that supports students and families and values the important role that strong operations and dedicated staff play in creating successful educational programs.
Outside of work, Stacy is a proud mom of two boys, one currently in college and the other a senior in high school. She enjoys spending time with her family and dogs, staying active, and working out.
Diego Pena-Parr
Massachusetts Promise Fellow
Diego is a proud New Mexican from Carlsbad, New Mexico, and a graduate of the University of New Mexico, where he earned a B.A. in Criminology with a minor in Communications and graduated from the Honors College. He is currently pursuing his M.S. in Sports Administration at Boston College. Education and basketball have always been major parts of Diego’s life. Both of his parents are educators, and his father is also a basketball coach and former college coach. Growing up around classrooms, basketball courts, coaches, and teachers shaped the way Diego sees the world and the importance of investing in others.
Basketball became more than just a sport for Diego. It taught him discipline, teamwork, leadership, perseverance, and confidence while giving him an outlet during challenging moments. Through his own experiences as a player and his time around coaches and teams, he saw firsthand how much of an impact sports and mentors can have on a young person’s life. Those experiences continue to influence his passion for youth development and community service.
Throughout his education and professional experiences, Diego has looked for opportunities to learn while creating opportunities for others. He has worked in campus recreation and college athletics, supported Boston College Women’s Basketball, mentored student staff, and participated in youth camps and community programs. He currently serves with The 3Point Foundation through the Massachusetts Promise Fellowship, where he works with young people through basketball and youth development.
Diego believes education does not only happen in a classroom. It can happen through sports, mentorship, relationships, and the communities we build around young people. His goal is to build a career in sports centered on service, using basketball and education to help young people build confidence, explore their futures, and reach their potential.
Nikka Boyle
Marketing & Development Co-Op
Nikka Boyle is a student at Northeastern, pursuing a degree in Communication and Media Studies with a minor in Marketing. Through prior experiences and academics, she has developed a passion for using storytelling and digital media to create meaningful community impact. During previous communications roles, Nikka gained experience creating social media campaigns, writing press releases, maintaining communications databases, and supporting nonprofit fundraising and awareness initiatives.
Beyond her communications experience, Nikka serves as President of Northeastern Club Softball, where she leads recruitment efforts, oversees team operations, and fosters an inclusive environment, creating a strong support system on and off the field. She is excited to join The3PointFoundation to combine her passion for communications with her love of sports, helping share the stories of young athletes and create strong community connections.
Allison Phillips
Math Tutor
Dr. Allison Phillips is an in-school math tutor for 3Point. Allison’s first teaching experience involved tutoring math while in high school and teaching piano lessons while she attended Michigan State University, where she graduated with honors in 2012. She then went on to Palmer College of Chiropractic in Iowa to become a chiropractor, where Palmer Academic Support Services hired her as a student to be the study leader for biochemistry, guiding groups through multimodal learning materials to reinforce and review the course content. She also tutored students individually in biochemistry to prepare for board exams. Allison graduated summa cum laude with her doctorate of chiropractic in 2016.
Dr. Phillips worked in various chiropractic clinics, first in the midwest, and then in Los Angeles, before establishing her own mobile chiropractic clinic. While a clinician, she continued to tutor because she loves working with students. She tutored AP Psychology, grades 6-12 science, and grades 2-12 math at Beyond Curriculum in San Marino, CA until 2025, when she moved to Boston.
Dr. Phillips writes a biweekly newsletter on health and wellness and creates continuing education courses for chiropractors. She is thrilled to be a math tutor for 3Point, tuning in to how students think in order to spark learning and equip them with the math skills they need to be successful both within and outside of the classroom.
Akiyah Brown
Commonwealth Corps Site Coordinator
Akiyah is from Lynn, Massachusetts, and is currently a student-athlete at Suffolk University, where she is studying Criminal Justice and playing college basketball. Through the Commonwealth Corps program, Akiyah joined The3PointFoundation to give back to her community, work with young people, and use her experiences as an athlete to make a positive impact. She is graduating in the spring and is looking forward to growing personally and professionally while building meaningful relationships with the youth and community she serves.
Nydjeem Vatel
Commonwealth Corps Site Coordinator
Nydjeem, a Dorchester, Massachusetts native, is a student at UMass Boston pursuing a degree in Sport Business. Passionate about supporting the next generation, Nydjeem joined The3PointFoundation through the Commonwealth Corps program, which connects Massachusetts residents with hands-on service opportunities that strengthen communities. As he prepares to graduate in the spring, he is excited to build relationships with young people and help create spaces where they can grow into future community leaders. Outside of school and 3Point, Nydjeem enjoys traveling and has been on five cruises over the past three years as a Gold member of the Carnival Cruise Line.
Taya Pearson
Commonwealth Corps Site Coordinator
Taya is from Boston, Massachusetts, and joined The3PointFoundation because she enjoys helping others and making an impact. As a Commonwealth Corps member, Taya is gaining hands-on experience while giving back to her community and supporting the youth 3Point serves. She is most excited to work with youth, better understand others, and participate in opportunities where she can make a significant and lasting difference. Outside of 3Point, Taya is the biggest lover of cats and collector of Pokèmon cards.