Reverend Dr. Terry Troia
President and Chief Executive Officer
Since 1985, Reverend Dr. Terry Troia has led Project Hospitality, initially as Executive Director and presently as President and CEO. Alongside her role as a Reformed Church in America minister at the Reformed Church of Huguenot Park in Staten Island, she has contributed to various city and state-wide boards, including the NYC Commission on Economic Opportunity, the Mayors Clergy Advisory Council, and the NYPD Training Advisory Council. Reverend Troia is also actively involved in numerous community organizations such as Supportive Housing Network of New York, Homeless Services United, and Staten Island Inter-Religious Leadership. Since Hurricane Sandy in 2012, she has spearheaded relief efforts and currently presides over The Staten Island Community and Interfaith Long-Term Recovery Organization.
Jaclyn Stoll, BA
Executive Director
Jaclyn Stoll currently serves as Executive Director of Project Hospitality and is responsible for the day-to-day leadership and management of the organization. Jaclyn was previously the Chief Operating Officer, where she oversaw Operations, IT, Human Resources, Development, and Property Management. Before becoming COO, Jaclyn served as the Director of Agency Advancement where she was responsible for all facets of fundraising, special events, and communications. Jaclyn is a native Staten Islander and has worked in the nonprofit community for over 15 years. Before joining PH in 2012, she served as Director of Development for A Better Balance. Jaclyn holds a BA in Communications from the College of Mount Saint Vincent.
Michelle Gassama, MPH
Chief Operating Officer
Michelle Gassama, Project Hospitality's Chief Operating Officer since 2022, joined the organization in 2013. Previously, she served as Deputy Director of Planning and Evaluation, overseeing data management and quality improvement. Before her tenure at Project Hospitality, Michelle spent 8 years at Montefiore Medical Center's Adolescent AIDS Program, managing community research initiatives and outreach. Her career in community health began as a U.S. Peace Corps Health Extension Volunteer in The Gambia, West Africa, focusing on HIV/AIDS education and data management. Michelle holds a Master's degree in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Dartmouth College.
Luis Pico, MBA
Chief Financial Officer
Luis Pico oversees finance and accounting at Project Hospitality. Before this role, Luis served as the controller for Black Veterans for Social Justice from 2021 to 2023. Before his experience in the nonprofit world, Luis held several senior financial roles in the private sector. Luis holds a master’s in business administration in finance from the University of Texas at Austin and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from New York University.
Christina Tesoriero
Chief of Staff
Christina joined PH in 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Before joining PH, Christina managed programs for people with disabilities in New York and New Jersey. Having done that work for over a decade, she decided to switch gears and focus on a more administrative role that would provide the opportunity to impact organizational change by promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Christina started as Director of Government Contracts and chaired PH's DEI Committee. In Spring 2023, Christina was promoted to Chief of Staff at PH and is part of the Executive Team. Christina has a deep passion for advancing equity in the workplace. She holds several certifications, including "DEI in the Workplace" and "Inclusive and Ethical Leadership" from the University of South Florida and "Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion" from Cornell University.
Ayo Odeyale, LMSW
Deputy Chief Program Officer
Ayo Odeyale came to Project Hospitality in 2000 and has worked in several leadership positions within the agency. In his current role as the Deputy Director of Programs, he is responsible for the oversight, leadership, and management of programs including budgeting, program marketing, collaborations, coalition building, and implementation plans for new programs within his area of responsibility. Ayo is experienced in the areas of substance abuse, homeless services, mental illness and diagnosis, and HIV/AIDS. His diverse portfolios of services include Adult Services, Family Services, Transitional/Emergency Housing Services, Residential Services, and Youth services. Ayo has a Master’s degree in Social Work from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and with a special interest in Non-Profit and Public Management.
Gale Alwill, LCSW
Deputy Chief Program Officer
Gale Alwill came to PH in 2002 and has worked as a manager in the areas of Mental Health, HIV services, and Housing. Gale became the Deputy Director of Program at Project Hospitality in 2011. In her current role, she oversees the Wellness and Recovery Division, the Housing Services Division, as well as Food and Nutrition and Quality Improvement. Gale lives in New Jersey, she is an LCSW, and she holds a Master in Social Work from New York University.
Reverend Karen Pershing, M.Div.
Director of Recovery and Community Initiatives
Rev. Karen Pershing came to Project Hospitality in 2012 and oversees the agency’s Community Initiatives Division and community help centers, which provide many free services to our Staten Island neighbors. She also oversees the agency’s disaster recovery work and serves as the Executive Director of the Staten Island Long Term Recovery Organization, an organization founded in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. She is also the co-chair of the Staten Island Inter-Religious Leadership coalition and serves on several government and non-profit boards and steering committees. Rev. Pershing earned her Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary and is an ordained minister in the Reformed Church in America.