Executive Director: Meghan Guerra Lyons
A New Jersey native and Latina, Meghan comes to the Downtown Ithaca Children’s Center with experience in government, education, and community engagement. The College of New Jersey graduate (with degrees in Elementary Education and English) brings her passion for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. When not at DICC, Meghan can be found with her husband (Patrick) and two children (Jacob and Doumarien) participating in local festivals, hiking on trails, and giving back to the community. Meghan also performs with many theatre groups and bands throughout the tri-state area.
Executive Director of Operations: Krista Tripp
Krista moved to the Finger Lakes region over 10 years ago and has been a member of the administrative team at Downtown Ithaca Children’s Center since 2015. She brings her communication and administrative experience to DICC along with dedication to children and families, evident in her passion to ensure ALL families have access to high quality education and her wholehearted commitment to the DICC mission. Outside of the center, Krista and her husband, Jason, are parents to four children and grandparents to a beautiful toddler. They enjoy time together supporting their children’s sporting endeavors, as well as the outdoors camping and boating.
Program Director: Stephan Hernandez
Stephan Hernandez is a native of Trinidad and Tobago who migrated to America to pursue studies at the University of Rochester. Mr.Hernandez has worked in the field of education for the past 10 years as an elementary, and middle lead teacher, instructional coach and team leader. He has also worked at the high school level as an academic support learning specialist and SPED coordinator. He has taught grades 3-11 and has a deep passion for holistic education and making the classroom a healthy learning environment for all students. Mr. Hernandez has also worked extensively as a SPED teacher and supported students with differentiated learning needs in the classroom environment. Stephan is also a Pastor and business owner of his own non for profit organization in the city of Rochester New York and works extensively with the poor, marginalized and those in his community. When he is not working he enjoys spending time and traveling with his wife and daughter.
