Our Team

CommunityConnect

A native of Red Hook, Bianca has deep roots in our local community and a strong commitment to service. She currently serves on the Board of the Red Hook Community Center and previously held the role of Executive Director at Red Hook Responds, where she led programs with a focus on operational excellence and community impact. In addition to her local work, Bianca brings over 15 years of experience in international development, supporting humanitarian programs around the world. She also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Peru, an experience that strengthened her cross-cultural understanding and deepened her interest in learning from and engaging with diverse cultures. Bianca holds a Master of Science in Development Management from American University and is professionally fluent in Spanish.

Bianca is excited to expand her community involvement through CultureConnect and to help guide our programs as we continue building meaningful connections.

Bianca Verrilli

Program Director
Coordinator, Red Hook

Chrystal Smith-Minault

Chrystel Smith-Mineault taught for many years in Massachusetts and inspected family daycare homes before leaving the workforce for twelve years to raise her three children. After returning to the workforce in 2015, she worked as a substitute teacher in the Red Hook Central School District and accepted a full-time position as a special education aide in 2021. She currently serves as a library clerk in the Red Hook Intermediate School library. She holds a B.S. in Early Childhood Education and is pursuing an M.S. in Information Science School Library at the University at Albany, with an expected graduation date of December 2026. Early in her career, she taught overseas and remains passionate about inspiring a lifelong love of reading in multilingual learners.

Nicole Novak-Whitman

Administrator

Nicole Novak-Whitman serves as Administrator at CultureConnect, where she supports organizational operations, communications, and program coordination. She brings a diverse background in education, social-emotional learning (SEL), and organizational management, with experience developing curriculum, managing projects, and building strong partnerships across schools and communities. Nicole is a licensed speech-language pathologist with a Master’s degree from the University of Colorado Boulder and has worked with a range of organizations to design inclusive learning tools and resources for children and families. Her work reflects a deep commitment to supporting young people’s creativity, communication, and emotional development.

Coordinator, Red Hook

Kristin Viig

Kristen Viig is an ENL teacher at Mill Road Elementary School in Red Hook. She has been teaching elementary ENL for 12 years, building on a career that includes teaching adults in NYC, Russia, and Finland. At the heart of Kristen’s work and life is a celebration of the world’s diversity. When she isn't teaching, she finds joy in the simple things—tending community gardens or exploring local hiking trails. She believes that whether through language, music, or the quiet beauty of nature, there is always a meaningful way to connect and grow.

Laura Selicaro

Coordinator, Rhinebeck

Laura Selicaro has been CultureConnect’s Program Coordinator since 2018 and loves working with ENL elementary students and their volunteer tutors. She has worked extensively as an educator and holds a master’s degree in interdisciplinary art education from the University of Barcelona. She has a background in education and architecture and has designed many museum exhibits and curriculum for children. She has also taught art for grades K-5 at the Olana museum, at the I2Evolve Art studio, as well as for the With Flying Colors art education organization. Laura lived for many years in Spain- Spanish is her first language- and has traveled and worked abroad in South and Central America.