Yolanda has more than 25 years experience in accounting and finance. She attended Wayne State University where she obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and a Master of Arts degree in Industrial Relations. Her hobbies are singing and roller skating. She enjoys entertaining her family and friends at her home. She also enjoys nice vacations to warm climates, especially with beaches.  Yolanda believes in living life to the fullest. Her motto is you only get one life to live so live it to the fullest.

Katie has worked with students from children to adults in special education, social studies, math, phonics, and art programming. Other experience includes working in elder care, coordinating young adult volunteers, event planning, copy writing, and editing. She has a degree in journalism from the University of Florida. 

Zoë Dixon is a native Detroiter.  She moved to California where she enjoyed a long and mostly successful career in Adult Education.  She retired early and returned to Michigan to take care of her mother.  Now, at Siena, she is thrilled to be returning to education.  Besides education, she is interested in people, social justice issues, and fiber arts.

Derek has been an educator for more than 25 years, working with ABE, ESL, and GED students. He is a graduate from Spring Arbor University, and comes to Siena as New Learner Academy Instructor. Derek is pleased to have this opportunity to continue to educate and assist adult learners to accomplish their goals.

Abdualsalam is our Computer Lab Manager. Abdual provides support in the computer lab to learners and tutors. He also provides support in the registration and retention of new learners. He brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to Siena Literacy Center. He is married and the father of seven beautiful children.

Jermaine Minor is the Building Custodian. Jermaine works to maintain Siena Literacy Center as a clean and welcoming place to visit. He is very helpful to staff, tutors, and learners and always has a warm smile or greeting for all who enter the building. He is very committed to doing a great job!

Caitlyn Pisarski believes education is society’s most powerful tool to challenge oppression and injustice. She is a licensed clinical social worker and has over 11 years of experience in the field of adult education. Caitlyn coaches staff in a program delivery approach grounded in person-centered and trauma-informed methods. She received her BSW and BA in History from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her MSW from the University of Michigan, specializing in community and social systems with a minor in the management of human services. Caitlyn lives in Detroit, teaches soapmaking classes with Motor City Soap Company to clean chemistry enthusiasts and enjoys exploring the woods of Northern Michigan.

Employed at Siena Literacy Center since August 2002, Sr. Mary Anna is a Certified ProLiteracy Action Tutor. She has taught and administered in elementary schools for 35 years, has a Master's of Education degree and an Associate's degree in Occupational Therapy. Sr. Mary Anna really loves traveling, taking pictures, and cooking, especially creating new brunch dishes.

Eva joined Siena Literacy Center in February 2022. Before joining Siena, Eva worked with foster care kids in Livonia, Michigan. Eva's passion for nonprofit and advocacy work stemmed from her experiences serving in the Washington, D.C., public schools as an AmeriCorps member. Her degrees are in history and criminal justice. Eva is a proud military wife, a coffee lover, and a bookworm. When she is not at work, she can be found in her favorite reading chair and drinking coffee. Eva's dream is to start an alpaca sanctuary one day in a very distant future....