The ILC Staff

The Immigrant Learning Center, Inc. has a staff of 37 dedicated professionals. The staff is as diverse in life experiences and cultural backgrounds as are the immigrants and refugees we serve. All teachers and most of the staff hold bachelors degrees or higher and eight are foreign-born.

Management Team

Diane Portnoy headshot

Diane Portnoy, Founder and CEO

Diane founded The Immigrant Learning Center in 1992 after a distinguished career in education. She oversees all of the organization’s operations and partnerships. She is a Massachusetts certified teacher in adult basic education and in grades K-8. She has a BS in elementary education from Boston University and MA in curriculum and instruction from Cornell University. More …

Vince Rivers headshot

Vincent Rivers, Executive Director

Vincent joined The ILC as a board member in 2005 and became The ILC’s first executive director in July 2021. He oversees The ILC’s day-to-day operations, financial planning and strategic vision. Vincent brings more than 20 years of experience in finance and investment management at J O Hambro Capital Management, Fidelity Investments and Wellington Management. Vincent has a BS in Finance from Boston College and a MBA in Accounting and Entrepreneurship from the University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.

Director of Development Mark Correia

Mark Correia, Director of Development

Mark joined The ILC in April 2016 and is responsible for raising an annual agency budget of more than $2 million from the private and public sectors and fundraising events. He brings more than 20 years of experience in higher education administration including the development and teaching of courses at Bristol Community College and the School of Education at Boston University. Mark has a M Ed in Educational Technology from Lesley University and a BA in Humanities and Social Sciences from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth.  

Director of Communications Karen Glover

Karen Glover, Director of Communications

Karen joined The Immigrant Learning Center in 2011 and is responsible for communications and media relations for all the ways we give immigrants a voice: English classes, public education and research. She brings 20 years of communications experience in both the corporate and non-profit arenas including The Greater Boston Food Bank and Exact Software. Karen has a BS in marketing/advertising from Indiana University and an MBA from the University of Michigan.

Director of Technology Carmen Nistor

Carmen Nistor, Director of Technology

Carmen joined The Immigrant Learning Center in 2002 and is responsible for designing, implementing and managing database applications, troubleshooting information technology-related issues for both hardware and software, and processing payroll and retirement benefits. Prior to joining The ILC, Carmen worked as a programmer analyst in the IT department at UMB Company in Romania. She has more than 20 years of experience in information technology development and support. Carmen has a BS in engineering science from Polytechnic University of Bucharest.

Jessica Senat

Jessica Senat, Director of English Language Programs

Jessica joined The Immigrant Learning Center in 2012 and manages enrollment for all The ILC classes, oversees hiring and orientation of ESOL staff, ensures DESE program accountability and spearheads program improvement projects. She started as a volunteer at The ILC and has worked in many positions in the English program. Jessica has a BA in Sociology from University of Massachusetts Amherst.
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Rachel Soule

Rachel Soule, Assistant Director of English Language Programs

Rachel joined The Immigrant Learning Center in 2018 and organizes professional development for teaching staff, oversees curriculum implementation and manages digital literacy integration. She started as an ESOL teacher at The ILC and served as lead instructor before beginning her current role. Rachel has a decade of experience in ESOL education and a BA in Language and Linguistics from Brandeis University.linkedin logo

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