Our Team
Sarah is responsible for overseeing Cornerstone West CDC’s housing and community economic development programs, including West Side Grows Together. Sarah has cross-sector experience growing businesses and coordinating networks, events, and resources to strengthen communities. A native Delawarean, Sarah spent several years in Rhode Island working for a food hub where she managed all aspects of the farmers’ market program, before returning to the Mid-Atlantic region for graduate school in Public Administration. Sarah is passionate about bikes, farmers markets, and the West Side of Wilmington, and she is committed to working with her neighbors to drive positive change.
Contact Sarah at slester@cornerstonewestcdc.org or (302) 888-5331.
Sarah Lester
President & CEO
Operations
April is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations. You may have seen her with her small business as a vendor at several county farmers markets and local festivals, or connecting with area micro-businesses. With a passion for community connection, she has been a fan of West Side Grows Together since long before her employment. In her spare time she enjoys cooking, gardening, traveling, and reading.
Contact April at apagliassotti@cornerstonewestcdc.org or (302) 888-5334.
April Pagliassotti Barrett
Operations Manager
Jamilah Abdullah is a culinary arts professional living in Wilmington. She is a University of Delaware alumna with a degree in Hospitality Business Management, with many years of experience leading various food operations and recently founding and operating her own mutual aid free food mission for the past 2 years. She's excited to work on the West Side and Kiva Delaware to help growing entrepreneurs in the Delaware area.
Contact Jamilah at jabdullah@westsidegrows.org or (302) 213-2117.
Jamilah Abdullah
Communications Coordinator
Yun Sik graduated from Case Western Reserve University with a B.A. in English and a minor in marketing. He is currently a member of Public Allies, and was matched with West Side Grows Together. He's new to the world of nonprofits, and looks forward to learning all he can about them and the type of work they do. He enjoys reading in his free time.
Contact Yun Sik at ysheen@westsidegrows.org or (302) 658-4171 ext. 205.
Yun Sik Sheen
Community Engagement Coordinator
Public Allies AmeriCorps Apprentice
Community Development
Vanity Constance Sanders is a community-focused leader with 10+ years in project management and economic development through art. She empowers and uplifts communities with initiatives like after-school programs, public art, and small business support, spreading joy and authenticity where it's needed most.
Contact Vanity at vconstance@westsidegrows.org or (302) 888-5430.
Vanity Constance
Community Development Manager
Housing
Starr holds a Bachelor's degree in Public Service with a minor in Criminal Justice and a Master of Science in Organizational Management & Leadership from Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts. Starr is passionate about children by supporting youth through her organization Just P.L.A.Y. (Promoting Lifetime Activities for Youth). She has more than 13 years of experience and a firsthand understanding of how positive interactions can develop and nurture empathy, love, acceptance, and forgiveness. Starr enjoys playing games, camping, and Zumba during her free time.
Contact Starr at swilson@westsidegrows.org or (302) 888-5345.
Starr Wilson
Housing & Real Estate Manager
Amarachi (Ami) graduated with a Bachelor's in Leadership from the University of Delaware in August. She has experience interning with local nonprofits, including WSGT’s Economic Development Team in 2022. In her free time, she likes to listen to music, watch documentaries and TV shows, go on walks, read books, and research places to travel to. So far, she's been to the Bahamas, Canada, Arizona, and California.
Contact Ami at aanuma@westsidegrows.org or (302) 658-4171 ext. 204.
Ami Anuma
Housing & Community Development Coordinator
Public Allies AmeriCorps Apprentice
Economic Development
Jacqueline is a former intern-turned-fulltimer for West Side Grows Together. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Policy Studies at the University of Delaware. As a first-generation American and a Delaware native, she understands the need for growth and better relationships to honor the diverse communities of Wilmington. She also acts as a Spanish translator and mediator for West Side Grows Together.
Contact Jackie at jcastaneda@westsidegrows.org or (302) 888-5336.
Jackie Castañeda
Economic Development Manager
Parks & Gardens
Britt has lived in Philly most of her life. She’s most at peace while basking in the sunshine like her cat, Heshy — who enjoys eating houseplants and currently weighs 17 pounds. She’s into any shirt that has a collar and loves bright colors, yellow being her favorite. She’s got a B.A. in Political Science from Temple University and also hold an M.S. in Science and Technology Studies with an emphasis on environmental justice, community planning, and sustainability from Drexel University. Britt has been working over the past 8 years to build just, healthy, and resilient neighborhoods along the Delaware River. She supports local planning networks and work closely with residents, community organizations, and local government. Through coalition building, advocacy, and education, she strives to help underserved communities transition from environmentally sacrificed zones to healthy and resilient spaces for ALL to live, work and play.
Contact Britt at bsalen@westsidegrows.org or (302) 888-5335.
Britt Salen
Neighborhood Planning Manager
Coming from West Chester, Pennsylvania, Billy joins us as our Healthy Neighborhoods Event Coordinator. Billy attended West Chester University where he received both his undergraduate degree in Political Science and his Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree. Billy is a recent Public Allies of DE alumnus; completing a term working with the Delaware Nature Society as their Food Justice Evaluator. Along with his love for the environment and community, Billy has experience working as a social media manager for Oakland, CA based music and entertainment network SoulBeatTV. Billy brings a positive outlook and diverse skillset to the WSGT team. In his free time, you can find Billy attending concerts, supporting his favorite Philadelphia sports teams, and indulging in being a “foodie".
Contact Billy at bhaviland@westsidegrows.org or (302) 888-5348.
Billy Haviland
Parks & Open Space Manager
Jamie’s mission mission is to inspire individuals from all backgrounds to adopt a natural, self-sufficient lifestyle through education, increasing access to fresh food and healing products, and plants via a homestead, partnerships, and mobile workshops.
Jamie's affiliations and accomplishments include being founder of Messiah’s Market Herbs & Horticulture, a Permaculture Design Specialist, leader of the DE Art & Permaculture 4-H Club, a DE Master Gardener intern, and involvement with organizations like Chef Ann Foundation, Future Harvest, and Food Corps FOLCS, which highlight her commitment to holistic well-being and sustainable living.
Adding to her impactful contributions, Jamie also proudly serves as a newly elected board member for The Mid Atlantic Black Farmer Caucus, furthering her dedication to the agricultural community and promoting inclusivity within the farming sector.
Contact Jamie at jshanklinspencer@westsidegrows.org or (302) 888-5339.
Jamie Shanklin-Spencer
Outdoor Global Classroom Seasonal Coordinator