Junior Board

RANIA El-GHEZZAOUI, CHAIR

Rania serves as the Head of Partnerships at Tribe AI, where she collaborates with leading organizations like Amazon, Anthropic, OpenAI and Meta to unlock the potential of Generative AI for their joint customers. Previously, she played a key role in scaling the businesses of Jellyfish and Elastic through strategic partnerships. A passionate advocate for literacy and lifelong learning, Rania joined the READ 718 Junior Board to support its mission of empowering Brooklyn’s youth through reading. Outside of work, she enjoys getting lost in bookstores and delicatessens, reading, and sharing delicious meals with friends.

CONNOR LAURENT

Connor is a New York based Cash Management Sales Officer in Citi’s Commercial Bank. He is responsible for helping provide treasury, liquidity and cash solutions to middle market clients and growing the teams portfolio. Prior to joining the Commercial Bank, Connor spent time working in Citi’s Personal Bank & Wealth Management business across various roles in Marketing, Chief of Staff and Global Business Development & Strategy. Connor holds a BBA in Finance from Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Management. 

ENITAN MARCELLE

Dr. Enitan Marcelle is a pediatric neuropsychologist and a licensed psychologist in NY state. Committed to educational equity, Enitan specializes in providing assessments and educational advocacy for children and adolescents with learning and attention differences. She holds a BA in psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, a PhD in Clinical Science from the University of California, Berkeley, and completed her fellowship training in pediatric neuropsychology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center/New York Presbyterian Hospital. Enitan is also a classically trained pianist and enjoys attending live music shows with family and friends. She lives in Crown Heights, and has served as a volunteer tutor with READ 718 since 2022.

JASMYN PETERSON

With over 6 years of experience in communications and public relations, Jasmyn Peterson is a passionate storyteller who thrives on crafting clear and engaging narratives. Originally from York, PA, she calls Brooklyn home after nearly eight years of exploring its vibrant neighborhoods and cultural scene.

When she’s not strategizing communication plans, you can find her immersed in the city's rich atmosphere, wandering through museums or catching the latest exhibit. For a dose of movement and mindfulness, she enjoys pilates classes or cruising the streets on her skateboard.

Jasmyn received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Marymount Manhattan College in New York City, where she honed her communication skills and developed a passion for community engagement. M

SARAH PODOLSKY

Born and raised in New York City, Sarah Podolsky brings a robust background in Marketing Technology to her role on our junior board. She holds an undergraduate degree in Business from Washington University in St. Louis and specializes in driving efficient revenue for Fortune 1000 e-commerce clients. Sarah’s commitment to education and community was ignited when she began tutoring remotely during Covid with various programs and found a perfect match with Read 718 in 2023. Her experience with Read 718 has deepened her appreciation for its exceptional dedication to its volunteers, students, families, and the broader Brooklyn community.

VEENA PRAKESH

A lifelong advocate for educational equity, Veena is deeply passionate about K–12 literacy and creating opportunities for all students to thrive. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Emory University, where her commitment to education took root. During her time in Atlanta, Veena tutored children in Title I schools and established an after-school mentorship program focused on literacy.

 Veena is currently a Product Manager at Cengage Group, where she helps design and deliver digital tools that enhance learning experiences for students around the world. She also published a children’s book that celebrates adventure and learning. Previously, she worked at Amplify Education, leading projects that supported virtual high-impact tutoring in reading for more than 2,000 students nationwide.

 Outside of her professional work, Veena is a classically trained dancer who appreciates various forms of art, loves to travel to experience different cultures, and enjoys good conversation in cozy coffee shops.