In celebration of 10 years and 10,000 young people served, PASA is hosting a free community forum, sponsored by the Wallace Foundation, featuring developmental psychologist and Vassar professor Abigail Baird. Baird will be joined in conversation by the Wallace Foundation’s Nancy Devine and PASA’s Executive Director, Hillary Salmons. They will participate in a panel discussion with some of PASA’s youth alumni on how adolescent brain development impacts educational success.

Abigail Baird earned her B.A. in biopsychology from Vassar College and her M.A. and PhD. in developmental psychology from Harvard University. Her research interests include the integration of emotion and cognition across development, with a particular focus on neural development during adolescence. She is currently working on a series of studies that examine how teenagers use emotional and cognitive information to inform their decision-making. Her other interests include neuroimaging, as well as the influence of psychological science on law and public policy.

Nancy Devine is the Director of Learning and Enrichment for the Wallace Foundation. Devine has more than 25 years of experience in the delivery of services and revitalization of communities. Before joining Wallace, she was senior vice president of program and nonprofit investment with the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone, an economic development corporation. While there, she led the creation and implementation of major initiatives to strengthen the arts and culture industry, build the capacity of nonprofits, and develop the workforce. She held senior positions in New York City and state government under Mayors Edward I. Koch and David Dinkins, and Governor Mario Cuomo. 

Hillary Salmons is PASA's Executive Director. Previously she led an education initiative called Rhode Island Scholars where business leaders spoke to middle school students around the state on the importance of college and taking math and science courses in high school. She also served as the Vice President for Program Development for Health & Education Leadership for Providence (HELP), a now-defunct coalition focused on improving the health and education of the children of Providence. While there, she worked to establish numerous systemic health and education initiatives. Hillary has a MA in Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma and a BA from Harvard University.