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Jillian Villon is a proud Peekskill mom and alumni of the Peekskill schools. Born and raised in Peekskill, she attended nearly every school in the district (the only school she didn't study at is Oakside). Jillian considers her connection to the district as very impactful; in addition to providing a foundational education, the Peekskill schools provided an environment where she was introduced to mentors and had life experiences that have continued to have a strong impact on her life.
The Peekskill school district also played a role in Jillian’s family life. She met her husband, Genner, while they were both students at Peekskill High School. They have been happily married for ten years, and are the proud parents of three children, two of whom are students in Peekskill elementary schools, and one child who will be as soon as he is old enough to be enrolled.
After graduating from Peekskill High School in 2008, Jillian studied at Guilford College in North Carolina, where she earned a B.S. in Business Administration and Psychology, as well as a minor in Human Resource Management. She continued her education at Columbia University, earning her master's degree in social work in 2017. With her university experiences behind her, Jillian believes strongly in being a lifelong learner, and is always open to new experiences.
In 2013, Jillian ran for and won a seat on the Peekskill school board. This victory allowed her to commit time and energy towards the ideal of making a Peekskill education as life changing and impactful for every student as it had been for her. Since then, every decision and action that she has taken as a board member is guided by the principle that students come first! And while being a board member has come with its challenges (and there have been many), the rewards are inspiring, outweigh the hardships, and continue drawing her back to this work time and time again.
Jillian's core values of peace, equality, community, stewardship, integrity, and simplicity have been shaped by her experiences as a member of the Religious Society of Friends, also known as the Quakers. She has worked with children for as long as she can remember, prioritizing their welfare and education as a babysitter, volunteer classroom assistant, and educational advocate. Jillian has also worked in program development for Hudson Link for Higher education, and as a clinician at a residential educational facility. All of these experiences have informed the work she's done with the Peekskill school board, as well as her passion for the importance of education. Being a mom and guiding her sons through their educational journeys has solidified an even deeper appreciation for the work of the school district, inspiring her to continue to expand upon the work done as a school board trustee.
Jillian and her family believe Peekskill offers a uniquely accepting and beautiful community for their family, and she is excited for their boys to follow in their crimson blue footsteps. Go Red Devils!
Amy Vele, Vice President
avele@peekskillschools.org
Term: 2023-2026Amy Vele graduated from Peekskill High School in 2013 and went on to pursue a degree in Journalism and Political Science from the University at Albany. After receiving her B.A. she interned for The Daily Gazette-Schenectady, where her story landed on the newspaper's front page.
Amy moved back to Peekskill after her internship and landed her first job post-graduation with New Era Creative Space, a local nonprofit specializing in uplifting youth. She launched her podcast in 2019 and interviewed local business owners, artists, and discussed global issues. After interviewing then-mayor, Andre Rainey, she started asking how she could get more involved with the Peekskill community.
Amy is now involved with several county-wide political organizations and has worked as a legislative aide to County Legislator Colin Smith. She started her small business at the beginning of this year.
Her love for building community and meaningful connections has been the driving force behind her work. Her Ecuadorian indigenous roots remind her to continue to pursue a better life in honor of her ancestor's sacrifices and dreams.
She loves spending time in nature, roller skating, and painting. She has two cats, Koya and Kayla, and two dogs, Luna and Moo.Mary Angel Flores, Trustee
mflores@peekskillcsd.org
Term 2025-2028Angel and her husband, Dan, are the parents of three boys, all of whom will be in Peekskill schools and grades ranging from PreK to 5th beginning Fall 2025. As a public school graduate, Angel values community-funded education and looks to instill a similar appreciation in her sons. Should she be elected to the Peekskill Board of Education, Angel will bring the perspective of a parent with multiple children across different schools eager to improve communications between school administrators, teachers, parents, and students. She will bring her experience of the principles of decolonized education to the conversation and build on the district's successes to date to ensure all graduates have the support they need to enter the workforce, attend a trade school, community college, or university, or pursue another path.
Angel is a Senior Vice President with CCS Fundraising, a global nonprofit fundraising solutions consulting firm. In her more than two decades working with nonprofits, she has supported major fundraising campaigns ranging from $20 million to $4 billion. A natural community-builder and culture creator, Angel has held many leadership roles within CCS and her industry, and has presented at many regional and national conferences. She is currently on the Executive Committee of Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) NYC and on the Board of the Philanthropic Planned Giving Group of New York (PPGGNY). A former dancer, Angel constantly draws on her dance, yoga, meditation, and Ayurvedic training to maintain her flexibility and strength in mind, body, and spirit.
Allen Jenkins, Jr., Trustee
ajenkins@peekskillschools.org
Term: 2018-2027Hello, my name is Allen Jenkins Jr. I was elected to serve on the Peekskill Board of Education in 2018. Currently, I am serving as the Vice President and member of the Policy committee, which is an honor. It gives me the chance to help change, shape or promote opportunities our students have in our district. I have learned so much in my first five years serving on the board and I am looking forward to learning more.
I have worked in higher education for over 20 years in many capacities; finance, academics, academic advising, coaching, and as a college administrator. This requires me to work closely with academics, administrative offices, school deans, directors, and the Vice President of Academics. The focus is providing students with the best college experience while giving them the opportunity to better their lives and careers.
During my career, I have organized and established several youth developmental programs through athletics with an emphasis on building strong ties between the participants, the community and getting a job. I have spoken publicly at several high schools and community centers to encourage youths to continue to reach for the stars through their academic and athletic abilities. All of these experiences has given me a perspective on what is needed in our community to prepare our students for higher education and beyond. I am a firm believer in the saying “it takes a village to raise a child”.
Holding a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Alderson Broaddus University and Master of Business Administration in Business Management from Monroe College, allows me to serve on the Curriculum, Standards, Policies, and Compliance (CSPC) Committee and the Academic Affairs Committee which helps create policies, introduce new majors and set best practices for the College community. The success of the youth development programs gives me a unique perception and insight into the needs of students and academic institutions.
I was born, raised, and reside in Peekskill, NY. My wife and I are both Peekskill High School alumni and have three young children who attend the Peekskill City School District.
Branwen MacDonald, TrusteeTerm: 2017-2026Branwen began her involvement with the school district when her oldest child was still a toddler, volunteering on the Citizens’ School Budget Committee. Since then she has continued to volunteer and advocate within the schools, as well as at the statewide level for increased and more equitable funding for our district. She is a founding member of Peekskill Community for Schools, a group dedicated to strengthening our schools through statewide and local advocacy. She brings her experience in graphic design and marketing to efforts to boost communications within and outside of our schools, and aims to increase opportunities for parent and community involvement in our schools.
Frank Robinson, Jr., Trustee
frobinson@peekskillcsd.org
Term: 2025-2028Frank Robinson, Jr. is an accomplished finance and real estate leader with over 20 years of experience driving strategic growth, process innovation, and technology integration in commercial real estate and global corporate environments. During his tenure at The Nielsen Company and VNU, he held key roles such as Finance Manager for Global Sourcing & Real Estate Europe, Middle East & Africa and Business Manager for Real Estate Americas, where he led transformative projects, including digital system implementations and sourcing initiatives, significantly enhancing operational efficiency and delivering financial targets. Recently, Frank has transitioned to independently investing in and redeveloping multi-tenant rental properties, aiming to provide quality, budget-friendly housing for low- to middle-income families.
A graduate of the Zicklin School of Business with an MBA in Information Systems and Lehman College with a BS in Management & Computer Science, Frank blends technical expertise with strategic insight, excelling in process improvement, risk management, and financial planning. A Peekskill, NY, resident for 25 years since relocating from the Bronx in 2000, Frank lives with his wife, Marie, and their children, Nicholas and Kortland, who attend Woodside Elementary and Peekskill Middle School. His commitment to excellence extends beyond his professional life, as he actively seeks to engage with his community and supports his family’s educational journey.
Christina Washington, Trustee
cwashington@peekskillschools.orgTerm: 2024-2027Born and raised in Peekskill NY, Christina is a proud alumna of Peekskill schools, where her deep-rooted connection to the community began. Alongside her husband, also a Peekskill graduate, they are raising three children who attend the very schools that shaped their own upbringing.With a passion for fashion and global commerce, Christina earned an A.A.S degree in Fashion Buying and Merchandising and a B.S degree in International Trade and Marketing from the Fashion Institute of Technology.
A lifelong learner, Christina is deeply committed to continuous growth and education. She actively seeks out new knowledge by taking a wide array of courses, attending classes, and participating in forums and webinars online. This dedication to learning has led her to complete a certificate program in Medical Coding and Billing at Hunter College and, more recently, a Continuing Education course in Intimate Apparel and Swimwear at her alma mater.
Professionally, Christina has built a robust career as a Marketing Manager, applying her expertise across various industries. Beginning her journey at Barnes & Noble Inc., she spent over nine years shaping the company's marketing strategies for their Music/DVD departments. Here, she honed her skills in brand development, campaign management, and customer engagement, ensuring the company’s marketing initiatives aligned with business objectives.
Her role as a Marketing Manager continued at Panasonic and IntegraMed Fertility, where she was responsible for overseeing the development and execution of marketing plans, managing cross-functional teams, and analyzing market trends to drive growth and brand awareness. Her ability to lead marketing campaigns, manage budgets, and collaborate with creative teams has been instrumental in delivering successful results in highly competitive markets.
As a small business owner, Christina embraces the role of a "Jill of all trades," applying her diverse skill set to various entrepreneurial ventures. Her entrepreneurial spirit and versatile expertise allows her to navigate different industries and projects with confidence and creativity. Christina enjoys sharing the wealth of knowledge she has accumulated, helping others embark on their entrepreneurial journeys. She enjoys mentoring aspiring business owners, offering guidance on branding, marketing strategies, and navigating the challenges of starting and growing a business. Her entrepreneurial spirit and versatile expertise allow them to approach different industries and projects with confidence and creativity.
Through each chapter of her life, Christina remains committed to growth, connection, and making a positive impact on the world around her.
