Our Crew
Mike Evans
(he/him/his)
Executive Director
Mike Evans moved to Rochester, NY in 2013 after his wife received her PhD in Toxicology at Rutgers University and took a post doctorate position at URMC. Mike has been working in the non-profit sector for nearly a decade, serving as Director of Operations at Rochester Childfirst Network (RCN) and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Rochester, before becoming the Executive Director of the South East Area Coalition in October 2020. Recently Mike created a new tool lending library program, SEAC’s Tool Shed, which serves the Greater Rochester Area.
Mike has lived all over the country: Wyoming, Nebraska, California, Montana, New Jersey and now New York, “Rochester is a great place to live. I’m happy to call this my home.” Mike enjoys grunge and punk rock music, kayaking, biking, hiking, Star Wars, drumming, video games and writing. He currently runs his own publication company and has written seven books.
Mike is passionate about diversity, equality, and inclusion because, “only once we’re all equal and included, can we truly be rid of oppression and hate. I grew up idolizing Star Trek: Next Generation; all species, beliefs, cultures, views, etc. were discussed, accepted, and celebrated. That’s where we need to head.”
Elyssa Rossi
(she/her/hers)
Small Business Liaison
Elyssa is a Rochester native who has spent over a decade working for and alongside Small Businesses in the Rochester area. Over those years, she has grown a deep passion for connecting merchants and assisting them in organizing their efforts to their fullest potential. In 2015 she started ShopSmall_Monroe to help support neighboring businesses and in 2022 she aided in reorganizing efforts with the Monroe Avenue Merchants Association. In 2023, she joined forces with neighboring Merchants Association in the South East in creating BASE (Business Association for the South East) as well as MARC, The Monroe Avenue Revitalization Coalition.
She loves any chance she can get to be on the ground working directly with businesses and neighbors. Whether it be clean sweeps, promotional events or helping businesses strategize, Elyssa enjoys finding solutions in light of challenges. Elyssa loves to share these experiences with her three daughters who will often join her in community events. Her motto is ” A little goes a long way.. and if everyone does a little, no one has to do a lot!”
Lori Wood
(she/her/hers)
Accountant
Lori is a lifelong Rochester resident and has lived in the North Winton Village area for the last 22 years. She and her husband moved to this area specifically because of the beauty of the neighborhoods and so much that it has to offer; parks, library, restaurants, and great schools for their daughter.
Lori has over 15 years of non-profit accounting experience working for RochesterWorks Inc., Community Place of Greater Rochester, and iCircle Services of the Finger Lakes.
Her hobbies are yoga, kayaking, reading, bike riding, and hiking. Lori and her husband love to take our dog Brodie walking through the neighborhood, meeting several people and their dogs, always remembering the dogs name but not the owners for some reason.
Nick Wilbur
(he/him/his)
Program Manager
Nick has lived in Western New York his entire life, having worked for years in masonry and political activism. As a neighborhood leader, he betters his community through serving as the Board Chair at the Rochester Housing Stability Fund and on the Homeless Services Network steering committee, works tirelessly on the AIDS Remembrance Garden in Beikirch Park, and in the Monroe County Democratic party in a variety of roles. Nick loves his corner in the Highland Park neighborhood for its beauty, history, Dicky’s Corner Pub, and every little side street he jogs.
Sara Glauser
(she/they)
Community Engagement & Communications Specialist
Sara has been living in the Rochester area all her life. She has previously volunteered for The Ronald McDonald House Charity Sales, where she first met SEAC’s Executive Director, Mike Evans as well volunteering at the SEAC Tool Shed.
She enjoys walking through Mount Hope Cemetery and Highland Park, visiting every craft fair she can and shopping at her favorite small businesses. Her hobbies include knitting, making jewelry, and collaging. But her favorite pastime is spending time with her partner, Sage and their two cats, Toast and Jelly.
Sara cares deeply about doing good onto others and has a strong appreciation and passion for art and creativity.
Tera James
(she/her)
TSMU Associate
Tera James is our new TSMU Associate with over 20 years of experience in customer service at ADT/Tyco Security Services and over 6 years with Uber without a ticket or an accident with a 4.98 star rating. She is the creator of the ‘Handymam’ Facebook Group (private group for women only) that focuses on DIY projects and repairs to help empower women to show they can do it, too. She lived 5 years in the Corn Hill neighborhood and volunteered for the Holiday Tour of Homes as the singing tour guide and during the Corn Hill Festival volunteered in the information booth.
She became a poll worker for the Board of Elections because she cares about fair elections. She is an avid animal lover and has rescued and provided a home to 6 cats and 1 dog in her lifetime (not all at the same time). She still aspires to be a stand up comedian, but her stage fright keeps her in the audience for now. Her way-off Broadway appearances had her starring in Cinderella Waltz and “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change”. If you are lucky, she may tell you of her first and last day of her modeling career. One more thing, Go Bills!