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WHO WE ARE

Our Team

 
 

Beth Devine

Executive Director

Beth Devine joined the Collaborative as its first Executive Director upon the organization’s launch in 2016. Beth brings a blend of experience in nonprofit management, sports-based youth development programs, and the development of cross-sector partnerships. She is responsible for setting the strategic course for the organization, as well as oversight of the Collaborative’s team in their efforts to increase equitable access for all of Philadelphia’s children to quality sports-based youth development programs.

Beth Devine joined the Collaborative as it’s first Executive Director upon the organization’s launch in 2016.  Beth brings a blend of experience in nonprofit management, sports-based youth development programs, and the development of cross-sector partnerships.  She is responsible for setting the strategic course for the organization, as well as oversight of the Collaborative’s team in their efforts to increase equitable access for all of Philadelphia’s children to quality sports-based youth development programs.

A collaborator by nature, Beth has built relationships with multiple city agencies to align work and set a common course for the way Philadelphia uses sports to engage and connect with its young people.  Relying on her experience in launching a girls-serving sports and fitness organization in 2009, as well as her participation in Mayor James F. Kenney’s Transition Team, Beth is well suited to drive change in the area of SBYD by aligning cross-sector stakeholders to support innovative programmatic efforts that expand access and improve quality.

Devine also has extensive experience in marketing, events, and operations due to her work experience with the American Cancer Society, the Philadelphia Big 5, and Reynolds and Reynolds, among others.

Beth holds an MA in Clinical Counseling Psychology from LaSalle University and is a lifelong athlete and youth coach which fuels her mission to ensure all kids get the opportunity to experience the power of sport in their lives.

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Becca Fagan

Chief Program & Evaluation Officer

Becca joined the Collaborative in April of 2019, with a specific focus in increasing programmatic opportunities for Collaborative Member Organizations, heading strategic programmatic initiatives, and conducting program evaluation. Becca joined the Collaborative after spending time with the City of Philadelphia, in both the Philadelphia Water Dept. and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, bringing years of experience in community relations and communications.

Becca joined the Collaborative in April of 2019, with a specific focus in increasing programmatic opportunities for Collaborative Member Organizations, heading strategic programmatic initiatives, and conducting program evaluation. Becca joined the Collaborative after spending time with the City of Philadelphia, in both the Philadelphia Water Dept. and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation, bringing years of experience in community relations and communications.

A native Philadelphian, and a former high school and collegiate athlete, she is thrilled to be working with an organization that increases access and quality of sport programming for all Philadelphia youth.

Becca holds a BBA in Sports & Event Management from The George Washington University. During her time at GW, she was an active member of the GW Crew team before setting her sights on the rugby pitch where she captained GW Women’s Rugby. She maintains a foothold in the Philadelphia sports community as an active player and youth rugby coach for Philadelphia Rugby Football Club.

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Emily DeSabato

Director of Capacity Building

Emily joined the Collaborative team in December 2019 as the Youth Engagement in Sports Initiative (YES) Program Manager. In this role, she has implemented the Collaborative’s afterschool program for middle schools in North and West Philadelphia.

Emily joined the Collaborative team in December 2019 as the Youth Engagement in Sports Initiative (YES) Program Manager. In this role, she has implemented the Collaborative’s afterschool program for middle schools in North and West Philadelphia.

She works closely with member organizations, Temple University professors and researchers, School District of Philadelphia staff, the coaching staff, and most importantly, the athletes and their families.

Emily has a background in public health, health disparities, and program design and management and holds a B.A. Anthropology, B.A. in Sociology, and a Certificate in Research in Health and Medicine from Indiana University and a Masters of Public Health from the University of Indianapolis. She is a lifelong athlete and experienced runner, competing in collegiate and elite national levels in road racing and track and field. She aims to qualify for 2024 Olympic Marathon Trials.

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Dontae Privette

Director of Community Engagement

Dontae joined the Collaborative in July 2022 to lead the planning and execution of coach education initiatives. His contributions to the local community have been recognized by multiple publications and organizations, including the Philadelphia Eagles, the Philadelphia Inquirer, Temple University, the University of the Sciences, the University of Pennsylvania and the National Afterschool Association.

Before joining PYSC, Dontae was a national manager of innovation projects for Playworks where he co-designed a certification process for expanding the reach of community-based organizations through a collaborative partnership. Prior to that, Dontae held a role as a Certified Trainer and Community Engagement & Program Specialist on two regional teams (Pennsylvania and New York/New Jersey) where he helped establish and maintain equity-centered initiatives with Madison Square Garden Entertainment and the Buffalo Sabres Foundation.

Dontae is also a recipient of the exclusive CalSAC Advancing Equity in Leadership Fellowship and, from 2010 to 2017, he was a key contributor on a nationwide project with Amtrak. In addition to his formal responsibilities with PYSC, Dontae also serves as the President of the Kingsessing Roadrunners and is the creator of NFL Flag Philly. Collectively, programs that Dontae has led have engaged more than 5,000 children and trained over 450 youth development staff across the country.

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Steven Giannino-Malatesta, Ph.D

Director of Communications

Steve joined the PYSC in January 2024 as the Director of Communications. He is an expert in strategic communications, and brings 20 years of experience in building brands to the Collaborative. Steve’s research has won several awards including first place at the Broadcast Education Association’s annual conference in 2009 and 2011; his doctoral thesis was awarded the “Dissertation Research Award” by the graduate school of Southern Illinois University.

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Imani Moore

Communications Coordinator

Imani joined the Collaborative as an intern in September 2023. In her role, Imani manages PYSC’s social media content, newsletters, and communications-related subjects.

Imani is a graduate of Hampton University with a B.A. in Journalism. While in undergrad, she was a Social Media and Editorial Intern for a small legal company during her junior and senior years, gaining a love for content creation. After graduating, Imani worked as a Marketing & Administrative Support for a year and a half before joining the PYSC team.

Imani’s love for sports started at a very young age. She completed swimming classes at the YMCA and was on a karate team for a year at her church. Soon after, Imani did gymnastics up until middle school. During high school, she performed lyrical, jazz, and hip-hop dancing, which led her to join a dance team while in college.

Imani is proud to be a part of an organization that wants to create a better sports world for all youth while doing the work she passionately enjoys.

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Dominique "Dom" Curry

Program Director

Dominique Curry is a multifaceted individual with a passion for youth and community. He joined PYSC in March 2023.

Born and raised in Philadelphia, Dominique has harbored a diverse range of sports interests since an early age, influenced by his upbringing in an athletic family.

Dom earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Cheyney University, where he participated in three sports—basketball, football, and track and field—and was named All-Conference in each sport at least once. He achieved notable milestones such as scoring over 1,000 points in basketball and amassing over 2,000 yards receiving in football. Additionally, he obtained his Master’s Degree from Lincoln University.

Dominique seized the opportunity to become an Undrafted Free Agent with the St. Louis Rams, where he spent two years before moving on to play for the Detroit Lions and Carolina Panthers.

Outside of his professional pursuits, Dominique is recognized for his coaching contributions to youth and high school football. Renowned for his ability to connect with, respect, and instruct his players, he remains committed to inspiring those around him. Dominique is a proud father of three children, all of whom actively participate in sports.

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