Lauren Sivak, Executive Director
Prior to joining the Opp Project in September 2023, Lauren (she/her) served as the former Managing Director of 2nd Story, one of Chicago’s oldest storytelling collectives. During her time in Chicago, Lauren drove education initiatives as the Vice President of Education at the North River Commission, was the Local School Council Community Representative at Albany Park Multicultural Academy, and served as the founding Chair of the Friends of Roosevelt High School, raising thousands of dollars for one of Chicago’s neighborhood high school. Currently, she a member of the Oklahoma Partnerships for Expanded Learning Steering Committee, is a board member with The Kedzie Center, a mental health facility in Chicago, and volunteers monthly with the Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma. Lauren earned a Bachelor’s in English Education and Theatre from Purdue University and a Master’s in Nonprofit Administration from North Park University.
Certified in School Age and Youth PQA External Assessor Reliability Training.
Emily DelGrosso, Partnership and Professional Learning Specialist
Before joining the Opp Project in January 2024, Emily DelGrosso, HS-BCP (she/her), provided OST programming directly for the multiple Girl Scout councils and helped to lead a community of practice in the field of substance use prevention and harm reduction in Allen County, Indiana. At the Opp, Emily serves as a Partnership and Professional Learning Specialist where she is working in collaboration with the Expanded Learning Team to recruit educators and community partners, cultivate relationships across Tulsa to provide out-of-school learning opportunities for Tulsa youth, and facilitate trainings in positive youth development for over 500 youth-serving professionals annually. Emily has regularly engaged in grassroots advocacy work and organizing outside of her formal roles. She is a proud Gold Award earner and lifetime member of the Girl Scouts (GSUSA). Emily earned her Bachelors in Human Services from Purdue University along with a certificate in Peace and Conflict Studies and is currently a Human Services-Board Certified Practitioner and Notary Public.
Certified in School Age and Youth PQA External Assessor Reliability Training, Youth Work Methods, and Youth Mental Health First Aid Training.
Greg Lowry, Data Manager and Professional Learning
Greg (he/him) is a former educator and passionate about developing data research for the Opp Project, informing educators and community partners about the work we do with youth in Tulsa and surrounding communities. Prior to joining The Opp Project in June 2023, Greg served as an instructional and leadership coach with Teach for America Greater Tulsa. Greg received his B.A. in Chemistry and Anthropology from Brown University in 2017. He moved to Tulsa in 2017 as part of Teach for America and taught High School Science for 3 years at Will Rogers High School. Since then, he has worked in various spaces supporting educators and leaders to create safe, inclusive learning environments for all youth, in particular the LGBTQ+ youth of Tulsa.
Certified in School Age and Youth PQA External Assessor Reliability Training, Youth Work Methods, and Youth Mental Health First Aid Training.
Alejandra Delfin, Finance and Operations Manager
Alejandra (she/her) joined the Opp Project the summer of 2022 as an Administrative Coordinator but now serves as the team's Financial Coordinator. She supports all finance functions and oversees office needs. Prior to her position here, she was a Director of Operations at Fulton Street Books & Coffee and was part of accounting teams in the commercial construction and hospitality industries. Formerly an early childhood teacher, Alejandra is proud to help connect Tulsa youth to out of school time experiences.
Josie Pascoe, MPA, Development and Partnership Specialist
Josie (she/her) serves as the Development and Partnership Specialist at the Opp Project, supporting funding initiatives and community development.
A native Tulsan and former educator, Josie holds a Bachelor of Elementary Education from The University of Tulsa, as well as a Master of Public Administration from The University of Oklahoma. Before joining The Opp in May 2023, Josie was an elementary school teacher, worked in youth development, and was then selected as one of two inaugural Zarrow Foundation Fellows in 2022. Josie is also a graduate of Leadership Tulsa’s 360 program, Class 65, and a current member of Tulsa’s Matriarch.
Certified in School Age and Youth PQA External Assessor Reliability Training.
Moorea Swango, Tulsa Service Year Fellow
Originally from Northwest Arkansas, Moorea Swango (she/her) is a recent graduate from New York University having earned a dual degree in Global Liberal Studies and Public Policy. Her main interests lie within the realm of education, rights, and development, and she is passionate about leveraging these various contexts in a critical and interdisciplinary way. In her time as a Tulsa Service Year Fellow, she hopes to explore how the availability of pathways and the equitable access to such options are critical factors in ensuring that trustworthy connections can be made. Outside of work, she enjoys spending her free time learning new dinner recipes, playing cards with friends, and planning her next hiking destination.
Julian Thomas, Program Associate
Julian Thomason (she/her) is a former elementary educator passionate about youth development, expanded learning, and educational equity. During her time teaching in Broken Arrow Public Schools, she focused on creating engaging, relationship-centered learning environments that supported students both academically and emotionally. Julian brings experience in both K–12 and higher education settings, including previous roles in student programming and leadership development at Oklahoma State University and Indiana University. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from Oklahoma State University and her Master’s Degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Indiana University-Bloomington. Julian is passionate about helping young people feel connected, supported, and empowered through meaningful learning experiences.
Collin Alexander, Program Associate
Collin Alexander (they/them) is from Vernon, Texas, but has lived in Oklahoma since 2012. They moved in 2017 and have called Tulsa home ever since. They have worked for Tulsa Public Schools for eight years at Dolores Huerta Elementary. Collin’s excitement to work with The Opp is due to their passion for expanded learning for youth. The youth are the future and they believe the youth can create the future of the world before they are adults.
Advisory Committee
BerThaddeus Bailey, MPA
Managing Director, My Brother’s Keeper
Sean Berkstresser
Chief Strategy Officer, Tulsa Public Schools
Michael DuPont
Director, Tulsa Grantmaking, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies
Sara Framel
CEO, Youth At Heart
Bobbie Henderson
Community Volunteer
Jose Luis Hernandez
Founding Director, Sistema Tulsa at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church
Rita Long
Director of Programs, Gaining Ground
Alex Paschal
Program Director, Ruth Nelson Family Foundation
Sara Ross
Program Officer, George Kaiser Family Foundation
Jeff Stava
Chief Operating Officer, Tulsa Community Foundation
Elmer Thomas
Expanded Learning Administrator, Tulsa Public Schools