Meet The Guidance Team
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Imani DeJesus – Vice President, Programs and Guidance
Imani DeJesus rejoined SEEDS as the Vice President, Programs & Guidance in August 2022. Previously, her work at the organization involved leading the academic programs for nearly 10 years where she most notably was the Founding Director of the College Scholars Program (2016). Before returning to SEEDS, Imani worked as the Director of Operations at Paul Robeson Charter School in Trenton, New Jersey where she oversaw the daily operations of the school and played a key role as a school leader. She’s built a career supporting young people through the nonprofit sector for nearly 15 years as an experienced college access professional, educator, and youth development specialist. Imani takes pride in implementing impactful youth and DEIB initiatives that support pathways for young people – especially those from marginalized backgrounds – to succeed. Though her professional career began in the Greater Philadelphia area and is now in the New York Metropolitan region, Imani is a native of New Jersey. She holds a BS in Biology and Psychology from Seton Hall University (South Orange, NJ) and has completed graduate courses in Organizational Leadership at Gonzaga University (Spokane, WA).
Tyler Anderson, Guidance Officer
Tyler Anderson serves as a Guidance Officer at SEEDS. She was raised in Hillside, New Jersey and attended Hillside Public Schools from K-12th grade. She is first-generation, birthed from a Barbadian mother and Jamaican father. Tyler is a B.S graduate of Montclair State University, where she studied Business Management and is currently a MBA Candidate there.
During her undergraduate journey, Tyler held many leadership positions which prepared her for a future in motivating student leaders and giving back to the community. She was a Resident Assistant at Dinallo Heights, Director of Programming for Student Life at Montclair, Vice President of the Caribbean Student Organization, Step Team Captain of the Black Student Union, Customer Service Assistant at the Financial Aid Office and the list goes on.
In her spare time, she mentors a group of 9th-12th grade young women at her former high school sorority, The National Sorority of Phi Delta Kappa Inc. Delta Pi Chapter Xinos of Hillside, New Jersey. She operates a beauty care brand that educates young men and women on hair care and volunteers at monthly community service opportunities. Tyler has devoted her academic and professional career to encourage the youth and strongly believes that they are our future.
Jared Roberts, Guidance Officer
Jared Roberts was born and raised in Bedford, New Hampshire before attending Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Prior to joining SEEDS, Jared has canvassed with the ACLU for LGBTQ+ issues, volunteered with organizations like Habitat for Humanity refurbishing homes, and was a member of the Actor’s Equity Association, performing in theaters around the US and on the high seas. Jared came to New Jersey in 2021 and is grateful to have found a second home supporting SEEDS scholars as a Guidance Officer.
Jared is a proud parent of his Shiba Inu, Yakul. In the time left he enjoys debating philosophy, reading about historical figures, and continues to study Japanese with his tutor.
“A clever mind is not a heart. Knowledge doesn’t really care, wisdom does.”
― Benjamin Hoff, The Tao of Pooh
Veronica Torres, Guidance Officer
Veronica Torres is excited to join SEEDS as a Guidance Officer. Born and raised in Newark, NJ, Veronica has a passion to serve the young people in her community and beyond. Veronica is a recent college graduate of Rutgers University-Newark with her Bachelors of Arts in Justice Studies. Her years of academic, professional and personal experience have continued to enhance her belief in the importance of investing in communities.
In her spare time Veronica loves to be with her two puppies, Prince and Athena, and her big Puerto Rican family!
For more information, visit SEEDS’ staff page.