Alexis joins SIAM after spending over eight years in the logistics industry as an Inbound Customer Service Representative. She earned her B.A. in business administration from Peirce College. Since then, Alexis has developed a passion for finance and built her career around it.
As SIAM’s Accounts Receivable Coordinator, Alexis will be responsible for generating and sending invoices, posting payments, managing bank deposits, reconciling accounts, and handling data entry and customer service.
Q: What has your career path looked like?
A: Throughout my career, I’ve always worked with money. In the past, I worked at a non-profit organization, the Philadelphia City Paper, where I handled Accounts Receivable (A/R) and provided customer service to help clients place ads in the paper. Although the paper was free, revenue was generated through the sale of advertising space.
Q: Why are you excited to be working at SIAM
A: I'm thrilled to have this organization as part of my professional journey. I understand that every company operates differently, and I’m still learning and will continue to do so, but feel confident that this will be where I settle for my retirement.
Q: What part of SIAM’s mission statement do you connect with?
A: I think advancing the application of mathematics and concepts through science and engineering is important.
Q: Why do you think STEM is important?
A: STEM is important because it allows students to think creatively.
Q: What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
A: I love listening to classical music while I work and cook. I have two sons who are my pride and my joy! Currently, I am showing my oldest son how to cook and we both enjoy it.
Q: How does your role within SIAM contribute to our community or help us fulfill our mission internally?
A: I assist with incoming payments and invoices through different accounts through our programs of providers, allowing the organization and staff to continue to do the work that helps our members and community.
Portia Lightfoot, Marketing and Communications Assistant
Portia joins SIAM after working as a content marketing writer at a tech company. She earned her B.A. in communications & media from the CUNY School of Professional Studies in Manhattan, NY. Before SIAM, Portia worked as a finger print tech before venturing into the editorial world. As SIAM’s Marketing and Communications Assistant, Portia assists with content creation, including blogs and social media, to engage and reach SIAM’s audience.
Q: What has your career path looked like?
A: I would describe my career path as unconventional. I’ve worn many hats, including personal assistant, fingerprint technician, editorial assistant, and marketing writer. Over the last few years, I’ve discovered my passion for marketing, which I credit to my love for social media.
Q: Why are you excited to be working at SIAM?
A: What excited me about working at SIAM was the sense of community. I’ve never worked for an organization or company that was not only welcoming, but also full of people who share my interests. SIAM feels a bit like the first week of college—you’re not sure who you’re going to meet, and you’re nervous, but you end up making friends and collaborating on projects with people you enjoy being around.
Q: What part of SIAM’s mission statement do you connect with?
A: I’m all about community, and I want to help spread SIAM’s message even further to reach those who are looking to find their place within the organization.
Q: Why do you think STEM is important?
A: Who wouldn’t love something that has the power to change our world for the better? STEM enables people to adapt to the changes and challenges our world creates. STEM is, quite literally, the future.
Q: What is one thing that most people do not know about you?
A: I entered in a Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) competition when I was in high school, and I helped start a newspaper at the college I attended.
Q: How does your role within SIAM contribute to our community or help us fulfill our mission internally?
A: Marketing has always been important, but it continues to grow. Add social media to that growth, and you have a digital powerhouse that can reach SIAM’s community, creating and nurturing those meaningful connections.
Erica Lipton, External Relations Officer
Erica joins SIAM after obtaining her B.A. in film studies from Temple University, as well as her master’s in business administration and Divinity from Eastern University. Following that, Erica worked with a variety of small, social service-based non-profits in Philadelphia, serving as Development Coordinator and Director of Operations at The Center Philadelphia.
As SIAM’s External Relations Officer, Erica will develop and manage a portfolio of external stakeholders, including businesses, non-profit entities, and foundations, to identify and secure sponsors for SIAM conferences and other activities.
Q: What has your career path looked like?
A: I have worked as a fundraiser at various small, social service-based non-profits in Philadelphia, and I am excited to bring what I learned from these organizations to my role here at SIAM.
Q: Why are you excited to be working at SIAM?
A: I am excited to collaborate with the staff and membership of SIAM to make our conferences the best they can be. Everyone has been so lovely, and I look forward to being part of the team while continuing to learn and grow my skills.
Q: What part of SIAM’s mission statement do you connect with?
A: I love the support that SIAM provides for research and the exploration of knowledge at all levels of education, ranging from high school to post-graduate research.
Q: Why do you think STEM is important?
A: The pursuit of knowledge is incredibly valuable, and STEM, in particular, has a significant capacity for learning and growth in ways that are not just theoretical but are ingrained in much of our daily lives, even when we do not realize it.
Q: What is one thing that most people do not know about you?
A: I love reality TV and am always down to gossip about the latest Survivor episode!
Q: How does your role within SIAM contribute to our community or help us fulfill our mission internally?
A: As the External Relations Officer, I coordinate with businesses, government agencies, non-profits, and foundations to create mutually beneficial partnerships through conference sponsorships, exhibits, and career fairs. These collaborations support many programs provided by SIAM, such as our conferences, student travel, and educational programming.
Nicholas Livolsi, Accounts Payable Coordinator
Nick joins SIAM after completing his role as an actuarial intern with Venerable in Westchester, PA. Nick earned his B.S. in mathematics with a minor in actuarial science and Finance at Drexel University.
As Accounts Payable Coordinator, Nick will be responsible for the accounts payable functions, which include managing royalties, expense reports, and scholarships/prizes for the accounting department.
Q: What has your career path looked like?
A: My career path has been relatively short since this is my first job out of college. However, during college, I had internships in environmental research, finance, and actuarial science.
Q: Why are you excited to be working at SIAM?
A: I’m excited to work at SIAM because I truly appreciate the organization’s mission. As someone who studied math in college, it’s incredible to be part of a place that is just as passionate.
Q: What part of SIAM’s mission statement do you connect with?
A: I really connect with the research and community aspects of SIAM’s mission statement. I love that SIAM is dedicated to growing the field of mathematics and sharing findings with the math community.
Q: Why do you think STEM is important?
A: I believe STEM is important because it leads to innovations that impact the world we live in.
Q: What is one thing that most people do not know about you?
A: One thing people don’t know about me is that I can solve a Rubix’s Cube.
Q: How does your role within SIAM contribute to our community or help us fulfill our mission internally?
A: The accounts payable department ensures that we can access the services we need to continue fulfilling our mission, as well as provide scholarships and prizes to recipients in our community.