Lyfestone - Building Community Spaces

Who We Are

Our Story

Lyfestone is a nonprofit organization dedicated to both establishing and supporting initiatives that nurture creativity, uplift young people, and foster belonging. By managing the places where these programs occur, we ensure that community organizations have the foundation they need to grow, thrive, and create lasting impact.

The People

Our Team

Meet the people behind Lyfestone.

Mohamed Shaaban

President & Chief Executive Officer

Mohamad Shaaban is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Lyfestone, bringing more than a decade of experience in construction, community development, and large-scale property managment to the organization's mission. As the owner and founder of a highly successful multi-state contracting firm, Mohamed has built a reputation for delivering high-quality projects that strengthen neighborhoods, enhance infrastructure, and support long-term community resilience. With extensive hands-on expertise in construction management, project oversight, and property revitalization, Shaaban understands what it takes to build, sustain, and transform community spaces. His work across diverse regions has given him deep insight into the needs of residents, the challenges facing local organizations, and the importance of thoughtful, culturally informed development. Known for his commitment to craftsmanship, integrity, and service, Shaaban has led projects ranging from residential and commercial builds to community-driven improvements that uplift local environments. His leadership emphasizes collaboration, transparency, and long-term impact—values that guide his strategic direction at Lyfestone.

Alando Taylor-Sewell

Vice President & Co-Chair

Alando Taylor-Sewell serves as Vice President of Lyfestone, bringing hands-on construction expertise and entrepreneurial leadership to the organization's work in community infrastructure and workforce development. As the owner and operator of his own construction company, Alando has spent over five years delivering residential and commercial projects with a focus on quality craftsmanship, safety, and long-term property performance. Through his construction firm, Alando has managed project planning, site operations, subcontractor coordination, and client delivery, gaining practical insight into the realities of building and maintaining functional, durable spaces. His experience across construction operations and project management informs Lyfestone's approach to community space stewardship, capital improvements, and training initiatives.

Joann Otero

Chief Operating Officer

Joann Otero serves as Chief Operating Officer of Lyfestone, where she is responsible for overseeing the organization's operations, governance support, and infrastructure development in service of long-term community impact. She brings extensive experience in nonprofit administration and operations, with a focus on building systems that allow mission-driven organizations and community spaces to thrive. Throughout her career, Joann has supported organizations that serve youth, foster creative expression, and strengthen civic life. Her work emphasizes stewardship, accountability, and sustainability, ensuring that community spaces remain stable, accessible, and positioned for growth. As COO, Joann plays a key role in shaping Lyfestone's operational foundation, helping to create and sustain environments where partners and programs can focus on delivering meaningful and lasting benefit to the communities they serve.

Owen "Sam" Sewell

Chief Strategy Officer

Owen "Sam" Sewell is the Chief Strategy Officer at Lyfestone, where he leads organizational strategy, external partnerships, and the long-term vision for community-centered space stewardship. With a background spanning political science, legal studies, community development, and organizational leadership, Sam brings a policy-informed and culturally grounded perspective to Lyfestone's mission of empowering youth, creativity, and civic life. At Lyfestone, Sam oversees the development of strategic initiatives, grant positioning, and cross-sector collaborations with nonprofits, foundations, municipal partners, and community coalitions. His work focuses on aligning resources with community needs, strengthening institutional capacity, and shaping the organization's public narrative to support sustainable, impact-driven growth.

Yoseph Ahmed

Chief Financial Officer

Yoseph Ahmed serves as Chief Financial Officer at Lyfestone, where he leads financial planning, budgeting, and funding strategy to support the organization's mission and long-term sustainability. He works closely with leadership to strengthen financial structure, improve transparency, and ensure resources are deployed efficiently as Lyfestone scales its programs. He brings experience across capital markets, corporate finance, and investor relations, having previously worked as a Buy Side Research Analyst at Azimut and as an Investor Relations and M&A Analyst at Rameda Pharmaceuticals, where he supported financial strategy, investment analysis, and executive-level decision-making. Yoseph has strong expertise in financial modeling and valuation, reinforced by his success in the CFA Institute Research Challenge, earning top recognition at both national and regional levels. As CFO, Yoseph combines analytical rigor with a mission-driven mindset, helping Lyfestone grow responsibly while building long-term financial resilience.