Joe Gibson

Program Coordinator

Joe was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA and found his way to the Finger Lakes, where he raised his children and has had a 20+ year career serving the youth of Ithaca through mentoring.  His favorite part of the job is engaging new people, especially men, in the work of caregiving and youth development.  He has been a Big Brother himself and has seen what having a supportive mentor can do for young people.  In his free time, he plays music with local bands, tires out his dogs, and rides bicycles all over Ithaca.

​​607-273-8364 ext. 2144 
[email protected]

Nathalie Bessou

Match Support Specialist

Nathalie Bessou was born in Ithaca and raised in Tahiti, French Polynesia. She returned to Ithaca at the age of 17 to attend Ithaca College where she received a degree in Sociology with a concentration in Criminal and Juvenile Justice. She’s been working for the Ithaca Youth Bureau since 2004 and is a firm believer that it takes a community to educate a child. During her free time she enjoys reading, running, biking and spending time with her family and friends.


607-273-8364 ext. 2161
[email protected]

Chelsea Lakomec

Match Support Specialist

Chelsea grew up in Ithaca, NY. She began her work with children as a young adult at the Franziska Racker Center as a one-on-one aide, and soon understood that serving children was her calling in life. She later earned a Childhood Education degree with a concentration in Humanities with honors from SUNY Cortland. She has educated children in the public-school systems, homeschool groups, summer camps, afterschool programs, and youth outreach programs within and around the Ithaca community. Chelsea brings more than twenty years of experience supporting children as they learn, grow and build confidence. In her life outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends, exploring hands-on hobbies such as painting, fermenting and cooking. She especially loves listening and dancing to live music!

​607-273-8364 ext. 2154
[email protected]

Molly Bargar

Client Relations Specialist

Molly Bargar grew up in Ithaca and attended the Alternative Community School.  She later graduated from Antioch College with a degree in Social Services and Spanish.  Molly has been working for Big Brothers Big Sisters since 2004, the same year she was matched with her Little Sister, Hope.  Molly has enjoyed watching Hope grow from a 6 year old to a young adult with children of her own.  She believes in the power of one-to-one mentoring and is proud to work for an agency that she truly believes in.

607-273-8364 ext. 2156
[email protected]

Kailah Hester

YOUTH ENrichment specialist

Kailah is a first-year Master of Public Administration student at Cornell with a passion for youth development and nonprofit work! Originally from Chicago, Kailah spent the last 3 years in Philadelphia where they supported youth in subsidized/public housing. Outside of work, they enjoy building LEGO sets, going on long walks, and rewatching Shrek 2 (the best movie ever). As Youth Program Leader, Kailah is looking forward to fostering relationships with potential littles and their families as the match process is facilitated by keeping the, engaged with a variety of activities!

607-273-8364
[email protected]