Lauren Sivak, Executive Director
An experienced nonprofit leader whose impact has resonated across diverse initiatives, Lauren (she/her) is the former Managing Director of 2nd Story, one of Chicago’s oldest storytelling collectives. Prior to moving to Tulsa in 2022, Lauren advocated for LGBTQIA2S+ rights on the Chicago Commission on Human Relations Advisory Council and drove education initiatives as the Vice President of Education at the North River Commission, the Local School Council Community Representative at Albany Park Multicultural Academy, and the founding Chair of the Friends of Roosevelt 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
Emily DelGrosso, HS-BCP (she/her) 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 and cultivate relationships across Tulsa to provide out-of-school learning opportunities for Tulsa youth. Emily is a Human Services Professional with a professional background in providing OST programming directly as well as in nonprofits where she has helped to lead a community of practice in the field of substance use prevention and harm reduction. Emily has regularly engaged in grassroots advocacy work and organizing outside of her formal roles. She is a proud member of Class 70 of the Leadership Tulsa 360 program as well as a 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. She 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 Opportunity Project, informing educators and community partners about the work we do with youth in Tulsa and surrounding communities.
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 Opportunity 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, 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.
Advisory Committee
BerThaddeus Bailey, MPA
Managing Director, My Brother’s Keeper
Mike Dodson
Chief Development Officer, Tulsa Community Foundation
Michael DuPont
Director, Tulsa Grantmaking, Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies
Sara Framel
CEO, Youth At Heart
Jose Luis Hernandez
Founding Director, Sistema Tulsa at Boston Avenue United Methodist Church
Rita Long,
Director of Programs, Gaining Ground
Alex Paschal
Executive Director, Ed Darby Foundation
Elmer Thomas
Expanded Learning Administrator, Tulsa Public Schools
Annie Koppel Van Hanken
Chief Program Officer, George Kaiser Family Foundation