The Niche Clinic was founded by Dan LaSalle, a veteran Philadelphia educator whose students were hungry for skills like budgeting, managing bank accounts, and discerning wants from needs. LaSalle drew on his background in cognitive science and education to design an experiential program at Olney High School, one where students “earn while they learn.” In 2019, the Niche Clinic gained 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, and that same year, MarketWatch called The Niche Clinic “the most innovative financial literacy program,”
In 2021, The Niche Clinic grew beyond the school to partner with the District Attorney’s Office of Philadelphia to provide an alternative to criminal sentencing for youth and young adults who have encountered the justice system. The Niche Clinic is also a Career Connected Learning (C2L-PHL) provider of paid, work-based learning experiences. To date, The Niche Clinic has provided financial education and mentorship, access to banking, and workforce participation training in the form of paid fellowships to over 3,800 youth and young adults across Philadelphia with an emphasis on the most economically vulnerable.
“Niche Clinic is a great place for youth to meet and connect with others while also gaining knowledge of things that will benefit them. I have experienced a lot of positive changes due to the program such as new job opportunities and learning about business and money that school doesn’t teach you.”
– Justin, 2023 Niche Clinic Alumnus
Our Staff
Dan LaSalle
Founder/Executive Director
Dan LaSalle began teaching in Philadelphia through the Teach for America program. After his 6th year in the classroom, he built The Niche Clinic to provide financial literacy and paying internships to help make personal financial education as meaningful, relevant and experiential as possible. He now helps support and grow The Niche Clinic’s programs throughout urban schools in the northeast.
Chris Santantasio
Chief Fundraiser (4 years with the Niche Clinic)
After five years as a public school teacher, Chris began fundraising on behalf of arts and education nonprofits in Philadelphia. Specializing in small to mid-sized nonprofits seeking to grow and scale, Chris has raised millions of dollars over the past ten years for organizations across the country, from D.C to Silicon Valley. He holds a master of fine arts degree in creative writing from The Ohio State University, and a bachelor of music from SUNY Potsdam.
Jessica Inskeep
Operations Coordinator (3 years with the Niche Clinic)
Jessica has years of experience as an educator, working with various schools, non-profit organizations, families, and local communities in Delaware and Pennsylvania. She is a highly dedicated, organized, and driven professional with experience in public speaking, communications, planning and coordinating large events, and leadership. She holds a master’s degree in secondary education and teaching from Johns Hopkins University, and a B.A. in history from the University of Delaware.
Chris Bishop
Finance Coach (4 years with the Niche Clinic)
Chris has taught high school math in Philadelphia for over a decade, and also has significant experience in curriculum design and educational leadership. He studied urban education at the University of Pennsylvania.
Our Board
Justin Meltzer
In 2011, Justin Meltzer was accepted by Teach for America and placed at Hardy Williams High School Mastery Charter where he taught English until 2016. After serving six years as an Assistant Principal at Hardy, Justin became Principal in 2022. Justin is driven by the belief that we are educating the future changemakers. In fact, he taught 8th grade English to three of the school’s current teachers! One fun fact is that his dog, Winnie, works at Hardy as a therapy dog and brightens the day of staff and students.
Eric Friedlander
Bio coming soon
Laura Kirkpatrick
Laura Kirkpatrick, CFA is a senior investment professional with 35 years of experience in financial services and 31 in the investment management industry. She has significant experience working with nonprofits to develop investment policies and portfolios designed to meet their financial goals and organizational objectives. She currently serves as Vice President, Institutional Portfolio Manager at Haverford Trust Company. Laura earned a BA in Economics and German from Dickinson College and an MBA from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business. She has earned the right to utilize the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation.
Yanely Espinal
Director Emerita
Bio Coming Soon