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Meet the Team

Good people make great community happen.

Beaches Sandbox is powered by a small team of people who care about creating great experiences, making things easy and ensuring everyone who walks through our doors feels welcome.

About Us

Meet the Team

Our Staff

The Beaches Sandbox team brings our space to life—planning programs, welcoming guests, keeping things running smoothly and making sure there is always a little fun in the mix.

  • Aracely Cruz

    Executive Director

    Ara leads Beaches Sandbox with a focus on people, programs and partnerships—helping turn big ideas into meaningful experiences for our community.

  • Samantha Little

    Sr. Manager, Programming

    A lifelong East Yorker and educator, Sam has been part of Beaches Sandbox from the beginning. She brings deep community knowledge and a passion for creating programs that are fun, thoughtful and genuinely worth showing up for.

  • Sarah Marie Thompson

    Manager, Operations

    Sarah keeps the Sandbox moving. From the big picture to the little details, she helps make every visit feel easy, organized and welcoming.

  • Ava Chilelli

    Culinary Program Lead

    A local food lover with hospitality roots, Ava brings people together in the Sandbox Kitchen through fun, approachable and hands-on culinary experiences.

  • Anne Borkowski

    Coordinator, Guest Relations

    Annie is part of the friendly team at the front of the Sandbox, helping guests find what they need and feel at home from the moment they arrive.

  • Theresa Anderson

    Coordinator, Guest Relations

    A longtime member of the Beaches community, Theresa brings warmth, local knowledge and a genuine love of connecting with people to our Guest Relations team.

  • Christine Eady

    Coordinator, Volunteer

    Christine helps connect great people with meaningful ways to contribute, building a volunteer community that makes the Sandbox stronger.

Together with our instructors, facilitators and volunteers, they create the warm, creative and welcoming experiences that make Beaches Sandbox feel like the community’s happy place.

Whether they are developing a new program, preparing something delicious in the kitchen, helping a guest at the front desk or connecting volunteers with meaningful opportunities, this team is here to help everyone find their place in the Sandbox.

Our Board of Directors

Our volunteer Board provides governance, stewardship and community perspective to help Beaches Sandbox grow responsibly while staying true to its mission.

  • Jason Schuy

    Chair

  • Rob Lang

    Treasurer

  • Kate Zaparanuik

    Secretary/Director

  • Earl Sinclair

    Director

  • Pete Tsimikalis

    Director

  • Selene Richards

    Director

  • Natalie Johnson

    Director

  • Deniese Masters McKenney

    Director

  • Paulette O’Leary

    Honorary Board Director

The board is also supported by trusted advisors who contribute additional experience, perspective and community insight:

  • Frances Anderson

    Advisor

  • Marc Hull-Jacquin

    Advisor

  • Mark Richards

    Advisor

Together, they help Beaches Sandbox stay accountable, make thoughtful decisions and keep building a happier, healthier and more connected community. Our directors bring experience from business, finance, education, community service and the nonprofit sector—and a shared commitment to building a happier, healthier and more connected community.

Come Say Hello

Have a question, an idea or just want to know what’s happening at the Sandbox? Drop by the front desk, email us or visit our contact us page.

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