OUR TEAM

Prior to joining VBGCQ, Costa Constantinides represented the New York City Council’s 22nd District, which includes his native Astoria, as well as Rikers Island, parts of Jackson Heights, Woodside, and East Elmhurst. The son of a Greek-Cypriot immigrant and an education activist, Costa grew up immersed in the diverse fabric of Astoria. Costa attended P.S. 84 and P.S. 122, both in Astoria, before graduating from William Cullen Bryant High School. He attended Queens College where he now teaches as an adjunct lecturer in both the Political Science and Urban Studies departments. In 2010, Costa received his Juris Doctor from Benjamin Cardozo School of Law and was admitted to the bar in 2014. Some highlights from Costa’s time serving in City Council include:
• Lead the effort to pass the Climate Mobilization Act, the largest carbon emissions reduction ever mandated by any city in the world.
• Supported initiatives that prioritize STEM including allocating capital dollars to put a hydroponic science lab in every school District 22 and working to put solar panels on every solar-ready school in District 22 by 2022
• Secured $30 million to reimagine Astoria Park including renovating running track as well as building a brand-new soccer field, a new Charybdis Playground, new walking paths, and rain gardens.
• Partnered with the Department of Housing Preservation and Development to create 500 new units of senior affordable housing by the end of 2021

Costa joined Variety in the Spring of 2021 as the Chief Executive Officer and is looking forward to leading the Club!

Andy brings over twenty years of experience in Youth Services and the non-profit sector. His experience includes advocacy for displaced families, designing and implementing dynamic youth programs, as well as program management and administration. He has worked in a variety of environments: schools, community centers, athletic programs and family residences. Andy understands and appreciates the transformative power that youth programs can play in the lives of the young people and families in the neighborhoods they serve. He has lived in Astoria for over 15 years and is excited to be a part of an organization that serves the community

Leah, a Queens native, is a proud product of NYC’s public school system having attended elementary and high schools in Flushing and Whitestone. She has extensive experience in the political and governmental arenas, which spans more than a decade, having served in various capacities which include but are not limited to Chief of Staff and Treasurer for notable elected officials. She parlayed these skills to the private sector in 2009 where she has held executive positions at an accounting firm and lastly as Vice President of Administrative Services for a nursing home conglomerate. Leah’s multifaceted experience has prepared her to undertake her current position as Chief Advancement Officer for the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens. She currently resides on Long Island with her husband and children where she enjoys word games, riddles, puzzles and escape rooms in her leisure time.

Alexia was born in Patras, Greece and emigrated to Astoria, New York in 2002. She graduated from St. Demetrios High School of Astoria in 2009 and attended Queens College, CUNY, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Sociology in 2012. Alexia began her career working for Assemblymember Aravella Simotas as Constituent Liaison and worked her way to becoming Chief of Staff in 2018. While working for the Assemblymember, Alexia attended NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and graduated with her Master’s in Public/Non-Profit Administration in 2016. Alexia is now Director of Strategic Planning at the Variety Boys and Girls Club of Queens.

Maria Loizi grew an interest and love for afterschool programming of work as a participant in afterschool growing up. She has a hard work mindset and her motivation has been to give back to students, their families, and community as a whole. She is very appreciative of those who came before her and showed her the way and she looks to reciprocate that as she moves forward in her career to those who she comes across presently and in the future. Throughout her 9 years of experience, she has worn every hat, worked hard, and learned every position to apply herself the best way possible. Formerly the PS 70 Site Director, Maria is excited for this new role and the opportunity to support the who organization.

Diana Chavez has been working with children for about 14 years and joined the Variety Boys and Girls Club in August 2017. Diana serves as the site Director of Beacon at I.S. 10. She has been working for Beacon after-school programs since 2009. Diana started with Goodwill Industries and had various positions in the Beacon organization. At one point she acted as a group leader, coordinator, assistant director and now a Director. She is an expert in all the aspects of a Beacon program! Diana is a mother of three young men and a grandmother of three young ones. Her goal as a director is to provide opportunities for families and provide a safe place for our participants!

Marc Lyons is a native of Long Island, NY. He has been working in the child development industry for over 15 years. He holds Degrees in Multimedia studies, Film & Television Production, Culinary Arts, and Business Management. Marc has worked as a professional actor, model, writer and filmmaker since 2008, Garnering many film awards and network television industry credits. Joining the VBGCQ staff in 2016, Marc created the Film and Media Arts Program, and the annual Variety International Film Festival. He also worked as Variety's director of culinary arts, Spearheading the popular cooking club and annual VBGCQ Food Festival. He has worked for the past two years as our resident etiquette specialist curating the VBGCQ Cotillion Ball event. In 2018 he took over the Club's Passport to Manhood program and created Bro Code, a mentorship club geared specifically toward uplifting and encouraging middle school boys. He currently leads the Astoria Boys & Girls Club location as the Site Director

Daron Cheatham is a native of Baltimore , Maryland He has been working in the child development industry for over 10 years. Joining the VBGCQ staff in 2019, Daron Facilitated the Drama and Musical Theatre Program . He also worked as Variety's director of Many of the Performing arts shows and Chorus Director , He has worked for the past two years as The Assistant of VBGCQ Astoria Site . In 2020 he took over the Club's Passport to Manhood program and created Bro Code, a mentorship club geared specifically toward uplifting and encouraging middle school boys. Outside of VBGC Daron is a Professional Actor & Singer.

Charles Melone is the Athletic Director at The Variety Boys & Girls Club. He has been providing the kids in the community with a safe place where they can come to after school and express themselves after a long day of school for four years. Charles, who has been running a basketball program called CM3 Sports for 10 years has used this platform to help kids from middle and high school who do not have the financial ability to afford to attend top schools, to attend for free. CM3 travels all of the country so these student athletes can receive the exposure that they need in front of top Division 1 and 2 schools. Charles is able to help kids who exceed first academically and then athletically to be able to get these student athletes a full ride to school!

Dion Seraneau is a Brooklynite who has been working as an Aquatics Director for over five years. His passion and experience for aquatics absolutely shows in his work. Dion's experience with aquatics and child development started with his own enjoyment for swim as a youngster. Dion started with Variety Boys and Girls Club in August 2019 as the Aquatics Director. His goal for VBGCQ is to be the reason why the surrounding community knows how to swim and loves it at the same time. Along with his role at VBGCQ, Dion is working on gaining his Degree in Physical Education. In 2021, Dion expanded his role at the Club to also be the Teen Center Director!