Al Bagwell
Summer Job Coach
Alexander.Bagwell@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Al Bagwell resides on the east side of Saint Paul and is currently in his second summer as a job coach at Right Track. He brings dedication and enthusiasm to his work, helped by his other job as a high school economics and history teacher. When he's not working, Al is usually fixing things around the house or walking his beagle, Cooper.
Anika Jimenez
Summer Job Coach
Julianna.Jimenez@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Anika studies Sociology of Law, Criminology and Justice at the University of Minnesota with minors in Psychology and Family Social Science. As a first generation immigrant and college student, she had to learn a lot on her own. Through her experiences she wants to guide our youth to become the best versions of themselves.
Brando Rojas-Acevedo
Summer Job Coach
Brando.Rojas-Acevedo@ci.stpaul.mn.us
This is Brando’s first year with Right Track. During the school year he works for Roseville Area Schools as a cultural liaison. Working with youth and setting them up for success has become a passion for Brando. Outside of work, Brando loves dedicating his time to a Native-led nonprofit “Oyate Kinipi” and spending time with his family.
Chad Keller
Summer Job Coach
Chad.Keller@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Chad is excited to join the Right Track team and serve the Saint Paul community as a job coach this summer. This is Chad’s second summer working with Right Track. He is currently a student at the University of Minnesota - Morris, majoring in Management with focuses on Economics and Accounting. In his free time, Chad enjoys spending time with friends, traveling, and exploring nature.
Ellen Gonyea
Summer Job Coach
Ellen.Gonyea@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Ellen Gonyea is excited to join the Right Track team as a job coach! She currently attends the University of St. Thomas and majors in Justice & Peace Studies and Cultural Studies with a minor in communications. Some of her previous work includes being a Teen Program Coordinator for a YMCA Day Camp and a Policy Advocate for the Minnesota Justice Coalition. Some of her favorite things to do in her free time are try new foods, hike, and do work for her club at school that focuses on advocating for and educating students about various social issues.
Emma Chenette
Summer Job Coach
Emma.Chenette@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Emma just graduated from Macalester College this spring with a psychology major and anthropology minor. In her free time, Emma loves being outdoors, reading sci-fi novels, and binge-watching terrible TV shows.
Kirsten Gresl
Summer Job Coach
Kirsten.Gresl@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Kirsten is in her first year as a Job Coach with Right Track. Her previous youth work includes working with the Mississippi River Green Team in Minneapolis and Concordia Language Villages in Bemidji. Kirsten speaks Arabic and teaches it as a second language. In her free time, she enjoys exploring parks and paths throughout the state. Kirsten is excited to empower the YJ2 interns as they take on new experiences this summer!
Larry Gray-Henderson
Summer Job Coach
Larry.Gray-Henderson@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Mack Philips
Summer Job Coach
Mack.Phillips@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Mack Phillips has been working with youth for 7 years. He has worked for numerous school districts within Minnesota. When he's not working he coaches and mentors athletes throughout the twin cities.
Marissa Franco
Summer Job Coach
Marissa.Franco@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Marissa has been a job coach with Right Track for the past three summers. When Marissa is not working with Right Track, she works as an educational assistant specialist in an intermediate school district. Marissa Graduated from St Paul Humboldt High School in 2012, and has lived on the West Side of St Paul for her whole life. Marissa coaches for the Westside Boosters, supporting young people in her community in not only sports but day-to-day life as well.
Maura Comparato
Summer Job Coach
Maura.Comparato@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Maura is serving as a Job Coach under Right Track during the Summer 2024 period. The sites that Maura will serve will be Frogtown Farm, Frogtown Neighborhood Association, Youth on Boards, and the Irreducible Grace Foundation. Outside of Right Track, Maura has worked a 2023-24 internship with Sprockets Saint Paul through Macalester College Off-Campus Student Employment (OCSE) program, and seeks to continue youth work following graduation. Maura is also a rising senior sociology major at Macalester College, and has hobbies such as biking, hiking, cooking, making art, and hanging out with friends.
MK Yang
Summer Job Coach
Mai.Ka.Yang@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Mai Ka (MK) is an artist and entrepreneur. She is passionate about helping others and giving back to the community. She joins the 2024 Right Track Job Coach cohort with the intention to not only give back to the Right Track community, where she is an alumna, but to also continue the dedication she has towards supporting youth development.
Moses Hungiapuko
Summer Job Coach
Moses.Hungiapuko@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Sam Willis
Summer Job Coach
Samantha.Willis@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Samantha graduated from Bethel University with a BA in Communication. Since then, she has always had a passion for counseling and coaching young people, specifically job coaching. That is why she is excited to be spending her first summer job coaching with Right Track as a YJ1/2 coach. During the school year she is a Paraeduactor with the district of St. Anthony village. Some of her hobbies outside of work are getting together with friends, gardening, event planning and trying new foods.
Zac Jacobson
Summer Job Coach
Zachary.Jacobson@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Zac is a 5 year math teaching veteran! He is a recent transplant to the cities and is excited to learn about all of the opportunities St. Paul has to offer. When not working, he spends his time playing board games, learning new magic tricks, or going on rollerblades with his Pitsky (Pitbull/Husky mix).
Nardos Tesfalidet
(she/her/hers)
Program Supervisor
Nardos.Tesfalidet@ci.stpaul.mn.us
651.266.6509
Nardos joined the Right Track team in January 2020. Over the past 15 years she has experience working in college access, special education, community based programs, as well as youth employment. Most recently, she worked with Roseville Area Schools Community Education as a District OST Coordinator. Nardos earned her Bachelor's in Social Work with a concentration in American, Racial & Multicultural Studies from St. Olaf College and her Master’s Degree in Social Work with a focus in Program Development, Policy and Administration from Augsburg University. In her free time Nardos loves to travel and spend time with family and friends.
Xue Xiong
YJ1 Program Manager
xue.xiong@ci.stpaul.mn.us
651.266.6392
Xue graduated from Hamline University Fall of 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. Xue joined the Right Track as a program specialist and now serves as YJ1 Program Manager. In her free time, she likes to spend time with her family, go fishing and play video games.
Moua Xiong
YJ2 Program Manager
moua.xiong@ci.stpaul.mn.us
651.266.6440
Moua Yeng Xiong is a graduate of North Central University, holding a bachelor's degree in Youth Ministry. With five years of experience at the City of Saint Paul's Parks and Recreation department, he has served as the Youth Leadership Programs Manager and is currently the Right Track YJ2 Program Manager – overseeing the YJ2 Summer Internship Program, 3M STEP, and Saint Paul Public School Spring Internship. Passionate about supporting youth, Moua is dedicated to helping them navigate life and providing a caring and supportive adult presence. Outside of work, he finds joy spending his leisure time on the water, chasing the next bite — ma-jay-yer!
Carlo Franco
Youth Engagement and Training Manager
carlo.franco@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Carlo has worked for the City of Saint Paul since 2013. He re-joined the Right Track Team full time in January 2022 as the Youth Engagement and Training Manager. He works with the YJ1 and YJ2 program to support intern recruitment, youth engagement strategies and training development including work in financial empowerment and banking access. Carlo brings a wide range of experiences working with local non-profits, schools and in partnership with many community stakeholders that continues to fuel his passion for making sure that our youth in Saint Paul have the tools they need to build their personal successes. Carlo earned his bachelor’s degree in child psychology and leadership from the University of Minnesota. He currently serves as a Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity Commissioner in Saint Paul, is on the Board of Directors for Neighborhood House and the West Side Boosters and was elected in November 2023 to begin a 4-year term on the Saint Paul Schools Board of Education.
Leticia Ramirez
Public Pathways Project Manager
leticia.ramirez@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Leticia graduated from The University of Minnesota in 2021 with a B.S in Conservation Biology. Leticia joined the Right Track Team as a program specialist and now serves as the Public Pathways Program Manager. In her free time, she likes to spend time with her friends and family and being outside.
Rawnson Ivanoff
Office Assistant II
rawnson.ivanoff@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Rawnson started in Right Track as a YJ2 intern in 2017. As an intern, Rawnson was able to practice graphic design and work at multiple levels of government. In 2021, Rawnson was part of Right Track's first User Experience Academy cohort and received a certificate in UX Design. Now, Rawnson helps create promotional materials for both Right Track and City of Saint Paul Parks HR.
Nico Morseth
Youth and Community Program Specialist
nico.morseth@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Nico joined the Right Track team in August of 2022 as the Youth Engagement and Training Program Specialist. Prior to Right Track, Nico started with the city of Saint Paul as a Right Track Intern in 2014 and has worked with the Parks and Recreation department ever since. In Nico's free time, he likes to watch sports and hang out with friends.
Rocky Vang
(he/him/his)
Youth and Community Program Specialist
rocky.vang@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Rocky started his journey with Right Track when he was 15. He secured his first internship at Battle Creek Rec Center and now, he’s a Program Specialist with Right Track. Rocky’s role involves supporting youths who are embarking on their journey with Right Track, and working alongside his exceptional team to create effective and exciting youth programs. During his leisure time, Rocky enjoys spending time with my adorable Corgi, Shiloh.
Raenicia Smith
(she/her/hers)
Office Assistant III
Rae began her career 15 years ago as a youth worker, inspired by her experience as a participant in the Right Track program. It was there that she discovered her passion for helping others and positively impacting young people's lives. Outside of work, Rae enjoys spending quality time with her family and basking in the sunshine.
Haley Vien
(she/her/hers)
Youth and Community Program Specialist
haley.vien@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Haley is excited to be officially joining the Right Track team as a Youth & Community Program Specialist! She recently graduated from Macalester College with a bachelor's in American Studies as a first-generation college student. She is no stranger to the work that Right Track has been doing since she was an intern with Right Track since February 2022 and would become a job coach that summer. Haley has also been an intern for the Saint Paul Youth Commission since 2020 and can not wait to continue to support youth that are standing up, speaking out, and leading!
Hope Gorman
(she/her/they/them)
Office Assistant II
hope.gorman@ci.stpaul.mn.us
Hope is a recent addition to Right Track. She has been with the city since January 2023. Previously she gained experience in training and development, customer service, and marketing. Hope has degrees in Office Administration and Hospitality. In her free time, she likes to decorate cakes, offer breathwork classes, jump rope, and hike. As well as spend time with her partner and triplet siblings.
Aljaya Sims
Office Assistant II
aljaya.sims@ci.stpaul.mn.us
