Supporting students to overcome educational inequities in the Greater Philadelphia area

HGP Leadership

Christen Johnson, Executive Director

Christen Johnson is a community-centered leader and strategist dedicated to advancing opportunity through partnership and storytelling. A former Detroit educator turned nonprofit executive, she spent twelve years at Heights leading initiatives in student success, strategic growth, and six-figure fundraising. Now serving as Executive Director of HGP, Christen brings a creative, relational approach to mobilizing communities and resources for lasting impact. A proud alumna of the University of Michigan, where she earned her B.A. in English and was a Michigan Community Scholar focused on Urban Education, Christen also holds a Master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education in Teaching, Learning, and Leadership, concentrating on Informal Learning Environments.

Sarah Keffer, Assistant Program Director

Sarah Keffer has been working with Horizons since High School when she volunteered at the Horizons at Episcopal Academy program. Further deepening her relationship with Horizons, Sarah taught fourth grade at both Horizons at Episcopal Academy and Horizons at Dedham Country Day School. Sarah graduated from Boston College with her BA in Elementary and Education and Political Science. She also received her Master's Degree in Education from St. Joseph's University. In addition to working for Horizons Greater Philadelphia, Sarah is a fourth grade teacher at St. Peter's School in Philadelphia.

Program Site Leadership

Joel Rolon, Executive Director,
Horizons at Cristo Rey

Joel Rolon joins Horizons at Cristo Rey as the new Executive Director, bringing over a decade of experience leading high-impact educational programs. Previously, he served as Director of Pre-College Programs at Stevens Institute of Technology, where he managed a multi-million-dollar budget, supervised full-time and seasonal staff, and oversaw the design and delivery of academic summer programs. His career also includes directing large-scale summer programs at Georgetown University and teaching elementary math and science in Trenton and Newark, NJ, where he led after-school and extracurricular initiatives. He is passionate about creating supportive, student-centered learning environments that build confidence, celebrate individual strengths, and foster meaningful academic growth. His leadership reflects a commitment to empowering students, partnering with families, and designing programs that are rigorous, engaging, and accessible to all. Joel holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Shippensburg University and a Masters in Education Improvement and Transformation from Drexel University. 

Ryan Learn, Executive Director,
Horizons at Episcopal Academy

Ryan Learn became Executive Director of Horizons at The Episcopal Academy in September 2023, after three years of leading the program as Program Director. Since joining Horizons in August 2020, Ryan has been dedicated to expanding opportunities and creating joyful learning experiences for students, with a special focus on addressing educational inequities. Before stepping into executive leadership, Ryan served as a Math Instructional Coach and Lead Teacher in The Episcopal Academy Lower School, where he supported teachers, guided curriculum development, and inspired students to build confidence and mastery in mathematics. Ryan holds a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership from Immaculata University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Grades Education from West Chester University. His work is driven by the belief that every child deserves access to high-quality, engaging education that inspires confidence, curiosity, and lifelong learning.

Dany Huanira, Program & Operations Director,
Horizons at Episcopal Academy

Dany joined Horizons at the Episcopal Academy as in April 2024. In this role, he oversees the logistical planning of the six-week Summer Program, managing key components such as meals, field trips, and swimming lessons. Dany’s journey with Horizons began in 2019 at Horizons at Lancaster Country Day School, before transitioning to HEA. His deep commitment to the Horizons mission and hands-on experience in the classroom make him a valuable leader in shaping enriching summer experiences for students.

Grace Cannon, Executive Director,
Horizons at Greene Street Friends School

Grace brings deep experience in educational leadership, youth development, and large-scale program design. Most recently at The Brookings Institution, she led a global education initiative focused on how systems support young people, overseeing an $8 million portfolio.

 

 

Jennifer Wilmot, Executive Director,
Horizons at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy

Jennifer M. Wilmot is a West Philadelphia native whose own experience in Philadelphia public schools shaped her commitment to educational equity. From direct service with City Year to national research and program leadership at Stanford University, Jennifer has spent more than 15 years expanding opportunities for young people in under-resourced communities. Jennifer holds a master’s in English from the University of Missouri, an M.S.Ed. in Teaching, Learning, and Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania, and a certificate in grant writing from Temple University.

Kenyatta Patterson, Site Director, Horizons at Springside Chestnut Hill Academy

Kenyatta Patterson is the Site Director of Horizons at SCH and has been with the program since its founding. Kenyatta joined SCH in the summer of 2021 working as a reading specialist in our Horizons Program. In August of 2021, she started her role as a 4th-grade girls homeroom teacher. Kenyatta holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Education from Temple University where she studied early childhood and elementary education. She also holds a Master of Education from Eastern University, where she focused on Multicultural Education, as well as a  Doctorate in Education in Educational Leadership with a certification in Supervision and Administration. She has over 10 years of experience in education.