Terri Potrako, Executive Director
Primary responsibilities include organizational leadership, community partner outreach, strategic program development and resource development.
Terri can be reached at terri.potrako@volunteerenglish.org
Terri holds a B.A. in Social Work from Cabrini College. She has 30 years of experience as a non-profit health care administrator and fund raiser. Terri’s expertise lies in relationship building with key community constituents and stakeholders in order to develop support for services that impact the well-being of diverse and underserved communities. This includes all aspects of program creation, executive leadership, donor development, public relations, and marketing.
Anne-Marie Cowan, Program Coordinator
Primary responsibilities include the development of Volunteer English Program services. This includes
direct student services, tutor recruitment, training, and mentoring.
Anne-Marie can be reached at annemarie.cowan@volunteerenglish.org.
Anne-Marie holds a M.A. degree in Bilingual/Bicultural Studies in Spanish, a B.A. in Foreign Service and International Politics, a PK-12 ESL Program Specialist certificate, a K-12 Spanish teaching certificate and a Middle School Grades 7-9 English teaching certificate. Anne-Marie has taught English both in the U.S. and Japan to various age groups including adult learners. Her passion for helping English language learners and their families be successful grew when she was an ESL Program Specialist for a local school district. Anne-Marie continues to have a strong desire to help immigrants, refugees and English language learners so they can participate to the fullest extent in society.
Donna Dello Buono, Senior Program Coordinator
Primary responsibilities include the development of Volunteer English Program services within the Phoenixville area. This includes direct student services, tutor recruitment, training and mentoring.
Donna can be reached at donna.dellobuono@volunteerenglish.org
Donna holds two B.A. degrees, one in English Writing/Journalism and one in English Literature, the latter for which she studied in London, England. She completed her TESL certification. Donna has an extensive corporate background wherein she worked closely with international co-workers for whom English was not their native language. In addition to her professional role, Donna has been a VEP tutor.
Maria Lee Feist, Development Associate
Primary responsibilities include grant research, proposal writing, collaboration with the executive director to advance support for tutor and student services, and expanding VEP’s strategic positions with regional and national funders.
Maria can be reached at maria.feist@volunteerenglish.org
Maria holds a M.S. degree in Education, a B.A. in Psychology, a K-6 Elementary Certification, and a PK-12 ESL Program Specialist Certification. As an ESL teacher in a local school district, Maria was fascinated by the journeys of her students’ families as immigrants or refugees to the United States. Maria became acquainted with the Volunteer English Program (VEP) as a resource for the parents of her students who wanted to learn English. Maria joined the VEP to advocate for the diverse needs of immigrants and refugees. As the Development Associate for VEP, Maria loves sharing the many stories of student success through grant writing and with VEP’s donors.
Greg Lindeman, Community Engagement Coordinator
Primary responsibilities include promoting strategies for volunteer tutor engagement. This includes representing VEP within the communities it serves, supporting instruction, discovering new resources, and encouraging student and tutor retention.
Greg can be reached at greg.lindeman@volunteerenglish.org
Greg holds a Master’s Degree in Second and Foreign Language Education, and a B.A. in Asian Languages and Area Studies. He has close to a decade of experience teaching and supporting research and teacher development initiatives in East Asia, including adult and continuing education. In addition to his work at VEP, Greg serves as an executive assistant at an international Fortune 300 company based in Chester County.
Layla Malik, Social Media Intern
Primary responsibilities include program support, reviewing and responding to new student inquiries, data input and analysis, and incorporating current social work theory and practice within VEP.
Layla is going into her 3rd year at West Chester University. She is obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and Women and Gender Studies with a minor in Peace and Conflict Studies. She actively advocates for underrepresented communities through her extracurricular involvement and professional development. She believes in improving literacy skills for ESL learners because of the personal connection she has with her family’s immigration and the resilience and strength of the community. Layla is dedicated to serving the adult English language learning population in her time assisting at VEP.
Rachel Van Tassel, Program Director
Primary responsibilities include direct student services, volunteer engagement, program communications, development, and data management.
Rachel can be reached at rachel.vantassel@volunteerenglish.org
Rachel holds a Master’s Degree in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages), and two B.A. degrees in Spanish and French. After participating in a language exchange during her undergraduate studies, Rachel discovered her passion for ESL (English as a Second Language) and adult education. Having volunteered in the community as an English conversation partner, ESL tutor, and ESL teacher for adult students, she has solidified her career interest in advocating for adult English language learners in the community. By striving to bridge the language gap, she aims to empower adult English language learners to be successful and autonomous learners.