We have three full time employees, Lynn Radford (Executive Director), Mikey Touri (Director of Education), and Camiele DeBonis (Grant Writer/Event Planner). We have three part-time employees, Joe Higgins (Supervisor of Student Affairs), Pat Snow (College and Career Counselor), and Leticia Silva (Administrative Assistant). In addition, we have the support of over 40 active, year-round volunteers and tutors comprised of former teachers, honor students from local high schools, Western Connecticut State University students, and local residents.

Lynn Radford

Executive Director

Lynn earned her undergraduate degrees in Education and Psychology from the University of Denver. She has extensive experience working in various educational settings, including a school for Gifted and Talented students, a Montessori school, a Sacred Heart school, and as a substitute teacher across multiple states. She began volunteering as a tutor at Danbury Grassroots Academy in 2009. Her dedication and expertise led to her being hired as the full-time Director of Education in 2011 and the Executive Director in 2025.

Mikey Touri

Director of Education

Mikey Touri graduated from Central Connecticut State University in 2017 with a degree in English Education. After an internship in Meriden, he worked as a middle school teacher in Vallejo, California for three years. In 2021, he moved to Florida where he worked in hospitality and Encourage Me Educators, a private tutoring organization. Four years later, he, his wife, Kathia, and their twins moved back to Connecticut where they are surrounded by friends and family.

Camiele DeBonis

Grant Writer/Event Planner

Camiele graduated from SUNY Purchase College in 2023 with a degree in Communications. She joined Danbury Grassroots Academy full-time in September 2025, after previously supporting the organization through her work on Danbury Grassroots Academy’s annual golf tournament beginning in May.

Joe Higgins

Supervisor of Student Affairs

Joe Higgins attended Eastern Michigan University earning degrees in Business Management and Education with a K through 12 teaching certificate. He spent over 35 years selling office products including 25 years with Pitney Bowes Inc the last 15 years as the Vice President of Sales. He is a father of 3 and grandfather of 6. He has coached a variety of youth sports since he was 16. He has been involved with Danbury Grassroots Academy since for 15 years. For the last 6 years, as the Supervisor of Student Affairs.

Pat Snow

College and Career Counselor

Pat Snow earned her undergraduate degree from the Watson School of Engineering at Binghamton University, and her MBA from the University of Connecticut. She has a College Access Counselor Certificate from Rice University.
After a career in business software development with IBM and Paloma Partners, a Greenwich-based hedge fund, she worked in numerous volunteer roles in Ridgefield while raising her two children. She began at Danbury Grassroots Academy as a volunteer college mentor in 2019.

Leticia Silva

Administrative Assistant

Leticia graduated from Western Connecticut State University in May 2024 with a degree in Psychology. After interning at Danbury Grassroots Academy, she officially joined the team upon graduation. Leticia supports students with their math and reading while also assisting with various administrative tasks. Her background in psychology proved invaluable during her internship and will continue to enhance her contributions at Danbury Grassroots Academy.