About Us

TORCH is a vibrant network, 100% volunteer-driven, devoted to crafting a diverse and unique experience for students. We offer different lenses to view the world, assisting students in crafting alternative perspectives for their future careers. Each of our Leads and Supports Counselors have personally attended our program, received advanced leadership training, and were chosen to contribute to the next generation. We're more than just an organization; we're a reference point, a community for students to turn to with their questions and ideas.

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Board of Directors

President

BO@TorchLeadershipAcademy.org609-300-6397 - phone call/WhatsAppPwC Learning Strategist Director - Climate, Sustainability, Cybersecurity, Risk & Regulatory AdvisoryCertified Public Accountant (CPA)Treasurer, Haddon Township Equity InitiativeCo-Lead, Environmental Inclusion NetworkCommunity Impact Team for PwC Philly People CouncilFormer Chair of District 7505 North Rotary Youth Leadership Awards (RYLA)Former President/Co-Founder of Rotary eClub of District 7505 NJBS, Accounting from the University of DelawareCherokee High School Alum

Vice President

Sarah@TorchLeadershipAcademy.org
IT Director at PfizerCertified Yoga InstructorGirls Who Code Pfizer Planning TeamMBA, NYU Stern School of BusinessBS, Business Administration from The College of New JerseyMonsignor Donovan High School Alum

Josh Albrecht
(he/him)

Programming Director




Management Consulting at McKinsey & CompanyPhD, Immunology and Molecular Pathogenesis from the Emory University School of MedicineMD, Emory University School of MedicineBA, Biochemical Sciences from Harvard UniversityToms River High School North Alum

Meg Gallagher
(she/her)

Treasurer

Vice President - Payments Strategy at JPMorgan Chase & Co.BA, Economics from Boston CollegeWall High School Alum

Operations Director

Director of Human Resources at White Lodging ServicesSHRM-CP

BA, Human Resources Management & Services from the University of ArizonaAA, Human Resources Management from Rowan College of Burlington CountyBurlington County Institute of Technology Medford Alum

People Director

Corporate Relations Manager at Leadership BraineryPublished in: "Internal and External Factors on LGB Identity Disclosure to Healthcare Providers," Clocks and Clouds, 2022.Awarded 'Best Of' at SPA Undergraduate Research SymposiumAcademic Achievement Award for Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS) Senior ThesisBA, Political Science - Focus on Gender, Race & Politics from American UniversityBA, Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies New Egypt High School Alum

Caroline Sparacino
(she/her)

Secretary

2nd Grade Elementary Teacher 

Spring Fling Project Creator - partnered with ARC of Atlantic County and The Noyes Art Garage

ARC Intern

Former Bonner Leader and Project Leader

BA, Special Education from Stockton University AlumniRaritan High School Alum

2024 Senior Counselors

Gabe Burns
(he/him)

Sales Development Representative at LetterheadRaritan High School ‘15

John Green
(he/him)

Associate Systems Engineer at Lockheed MartinThe College of New Jersey ‘23Toms River HS North ‘19

Julie Tran
(she/her)

ER Technician/Behavioral Assistant

Basic Life Support, CPI Non-Violent Crisis Intervention, Behavioral Assistant Certificate

Community Service Chair of Delta
Epsilon Mu (DEM)

Former Bonner Leader

Stockton University ‘22

Atlantic City High School ‘18

Natalie (Nat)
De Rosa
(she/fae)

Architectural Designer at JacobsWyper ArchitectsAssociate Member AIAMember of the Community Design Collaborative of PhiladelphiaDrexel University B. Arch '23Moorestown High School '17

Volunteer Advisors

Christopher Lipari Pazienza
(he/him)
Outreach Coordinator 

Residence Hall Director at Kean UniversityAwarded Civic Newman FellowshipPlanned 2023 MLK Day of ServiceStockton University '21, '22Arthur L. Johnson High School ‘17

Joseph Ayers
(he/him)
Production Coordinator 

Spanish Teacher at Hammonton BOEThe College of New Jersey ‘15Southern Regional HS ‘11

Larry Arellano
(he/him)
Lead Counselor Coordinator 

Elementary School ParaprofessionalRegistered Behavioral TechnicianOcean County CollegeSouthern Regional High School ‘10

Rhicki Santos
(she/her)
Support Counselor Coordinator 

Medical Student at Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple UniversityRutgers University '23Matawan Regional High School '19

Spencer Wattenberg
(he/him)
Support Counselor Coordinator  

Dance Instructor at Perna Dance CenterFreelance Screenwriter, PA, ActorRowan University ‘22Raritan High School ‘18

Alex Brunt
(he/him)

Production Manager at Universal Content ProductionsNBCU Page Program NYU Torch Award for Outstanding LeadershipNYU Welcome Week Team CaptainNew York University '18Wall High School '14

Alex Jones
(he/him)

Associate Director of Governance and Sustainability at RivelPublic Speaker/Guest Lecturer in Corporate SustainabilityJuniata College '20Burlington Township High School '16

Anna Kuzmic
(she/her)

Public Policy Major and Education Studies MinorWilliam & Mary '23Point Pleasant Beach High School '19

Bella Pruscino
(she/her)

Government and Psychology Student at Wesleyan UniversityRaritan High School '20

Ben Jones
(he/him)

Database Intern, New England Historic Genealogical SocietyMoravian College '22Burlington Township High School '18

Branden Spitzer
(he/him)

Undergraduate Researcher, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)MIT '23Lenape High School '19

Casey Creagh
(she/her)

Manager of Grant Writing, Research, and Donor Administration at Legacy Treatment ServicesGettysburg College '22Burlington Township High School '18

Domenic Gargiulo (he/they)

Ph.D Student at Weill Cornell MedicineLehigh University '19Wall High School '15

Ericca Greiss
(she/her)

Server & Nursing AssistantCaldwell University ‘23Raritan High School ‘19

Gabby Guida
(she/her)

MusicianMontclair State University ‘24Raritan High School ‘20

Gina Raccuglia
(she/her)

Communication Sciences and Disorders Graduate Student at Emerson CollegeMonmouth University '22Brick Memorial High School '18

Jack Morgan
(he/they)

Creative and Technical Director, Moorestown Theater CompanyTemple University ‘18Moorestown HS ‘14

Jamie Palmer
(she/her)

Ph.D Student and Graduate Research Fellow in Neuroscience at The University of Texas at AustinTemple University '20St. Joseph's University '17Lenape High School ‘13

Krys Fitzgerald
(she/her)
Wellness Advisor 

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)Owner/Therapist at Calming Waves Counseling LLCAdoption Specialist, Grief Counseling Certified, PTSD Protocols, OCD Exposure TherapyRutgers University '15Rider University '09Central Regional High School '06

Michaela (Mitch) Novo
(she/her)

Planning Analyst in Planning and System Developemnt at Atlantic Health SystemsVolunteer with Union County studentsRutgers University ‘21Point Pleasant Beach High School ‘18

Sarah Harrison
(she/her)

Medical Assistant at Caruso Foot and Ankle Former Interact Club President at Jackson LibertyRowan University ‘24Jackson Liberty High School ‘20

Volunteer Staff

2024 Lead Counselors

Alivia G.
(she/her)


Spanish Honors Society, VP and Service Project Coordinator of National Historical Honors SocietyNursing at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ)Pinelands Regional High School '24

Ally T.
(she/her)

BaristaCo-Captain of Soccer Team, Member of National Honors SocietyGraphic Design at Rowan UniversityPinelands Regional High School '24

Annie S.
(she/her)

Ice Cream Scooper at Ben & Jerry's'Be Kind Award' 'Treat People with Kindness' National Honors Society, French Honors SocietySecondary Education/English at Stockton UniversityHoly Spirit High School '24

Ashton M.
(he/him)

Jersey Mike's Crew MemberSociology at Drexel UniversityRaritan High School '24

Lauren N.
(she/her)


Psychology at Loyola University MarylandLenape High School '23

Vincenzo (Cenz) A.
(he/him)

Creran and Eitherington Funeral HomesBusiness/Economics at Virginia Military InstituteCollingswood High School '24

2024 Squad Leads

Alexander W.
(he/him)


Marine Science at Stockton UniversityKeansburg High School '23

Melanie P.
(she/her)


Business Administration at Montclair State UniversityArthur L. Johnson High School '23

Shannon L.
(she/her)

WaitressDance at Temple UniversityEwing High School '24

2024 Support Counselors

Aaron S.
(he/him)

Customer Service Associate at WawaNJ Drama and Forensics League State Champion, National Honor Thespian, Thespian ScholarNorthern Burlington County Regional High School '25

AJ C.
(he/him)

Mechanic and ChefPresident of Spanish ClubMechanical Engineering at Drexel UniversityNew Egypt High School '24

Ava M.
(she/her)

Hostess and InternDECA 3x State Qualifier & 4x State Winner, ITS Member, Red Cross Certified BabysitterHaddonfield UMC Youth GroupJournalism at Boston UniversityEastern Regional High School '24

Carissa T.
(she/her)


National Honors Society - Community ServicesBiomedical Engineering at Stevens Institute of TechnologyNew Egypt High School '24

Em T.
(she/they)


Raritan High School '25

Emma M.
(she/her)


Biotechnology High School '25

Jayden C.
(he/him)


Burlington City High School '26

Khush M.
(he/him) 

Travel Lacrosse Team CoachBrown Ballers Non-ProfitAll-Star APEX National Lacrosse, National Honors Society, Lacrosse Team CaptainBusiness Management/Sports Management/Legal Studies at University of Illinois Urbana - ChampaignSaint John Vianney High School '24

Kirsten R.
(she/her)

Washington Township High School '25

Morgan P.
(she/her)

Big Brother Big SisterBiotechnology High School '25

Nicole B.
(she/her)

Rita's WorkerTEAM, Peer Leadership, National Honors Society, French National Honors SocietyToms River HS South '25

Rafe C.
(he/him)

Moorestown High School '25

Shar W.
(she/her)

Biotechnology High School '25

Taylor H.
(she/her)

Honor and Service Society MemberUnified Program PartnerInteract Club SecretaryEngineering at Purdue UniversityMoorestown High School '24

Tyler P.
(he/they)

LifeguardPeer LeadershipAdvertising at University of TennesseeBurlington Township High School '24

Note on Youth Protection & Privacy: At TORCH, we prioritize the safety and privacy of our community. We adhere to strict youth protection protocols and have chosen to use only first names and last initials for our team members to ensure their privacy.

Advisor Alumni

Ben RiveraBri ButtersDave GoWellDave WintersKatie RiveraNina GohelLuke PasickSkylla Silva

Staff Feedback

"[The staff] helped make TORCH such a welcoming and safe environment."

"The commitment and passion displayed by each member of the Torch Leadership Academy staff were truly inspiring. Your expertise, dedication, and genuine care for the participants shone through in every aspect of the program. You created a safe and nurturing environment where we could grow as individuals and as a team."

"I absolutely had a great time at this program. Everyone was so welcoming and energetic, and there truly was never a moment that I felt bored. The counselors were all super excited to be here and help, and you could feel the positivity of everyone here... Overall, this program was super organized and I felt all the love everyone had for this program in everything we did."