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Executive MPA 2014
Faculty & Practitioner Biographies 2014-2015
David S. Birdsell, Ph.D., DeanOffice: 135 East 22nd Street, Room 914Phone: 646 660-6700Fax: 646 660-6721Email: [email protected]
David Birdsell, Dean of the Baruch College School of Public Affairs and Special Assistant to the President for Institutional Effectiveness, has centered his academic work on the nexus
of communication, media, and information technology in politics, government and nonprofit administration. An expert on political debating and widely published on communication theory and practice, David is a regular guest commentator on debates and other aspects of political communication for local, national, and international television and print media. His work has been supported by the Pew Charitable Trusts, the IBM Endowment for the Study of Business and Government, the Lyndon Baines Johnson Foundation, the New York Community Trust, the JPMorganChase Foundation, the United Way of New York City, the Markle Foundation, and other funders. David serves on the New York City Broadband Advisory Committee and on the Executive Council of the National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration. He chairs the board of the Volunteer Consulting Group-Governance Matters and serves on the board of the New York Census Research Data Center and the Advisory Board of the Human Services Council.
He received his B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Virginia and his Ph.D. in Public Communication from the University of Maryland.
Gregg Bishop, Deputy Commissioner, NYC Department of Small Business ServicesPAF 9132 Governing NYC, Year 2Email: [email protected]
As Deputy Commissioner of the Business Development Division at the NYC Department of Small Business Services, Gregg is responsible for NYC Business Solutions, Business Incentives, the Business Outreach Team, the Corporate
Alliance Program, and the SBS Customer Service Center. Gregg has also served as the Senior Manager of Workforce Development at NPower, where he was responsible for doubling the capacity of Technology Service Corps, a nationally recognized technology training program for young adults 18-25. Gregg
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also served as Vice President of Technology Operations at TheStreet.com, where he helped build and maintain the company's internal and external technology infrastructure. Gregg received his B.S. in Business Administration from Florida A&M University and Masters in Integrated Marketing and Management Communication from The Florida State University.
Mark L. Bodden, VP and Program Director, Rudin Foundations/Rudin Management Company, Inc.Email:
Mark Bodden is currently the Vice President/Program Director at the Rudin Foundations. In that capacity, he directs the philanthropic activities of the three family foundations based and operating primarily in New York City. Prior to his current position, Mark was the Managing Director of Binder and Binder, a national law firm handling Social Security Disability. He led the corporate giving program at Philip Morris Companies (presently known as Altria) and has over twenty years of public policy experience, having worked in Washington, D.C. and in Albany, New York. An informal consultant to numerous nonprofit organizations, he has been
a presenter at national and regional grant making conferences, including the Council on Foundations and was a past Chair of the Board of Philanthropy New York and served on the Board of the Edwin Gould Academy, and serves on the Dean’s Council at the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education and Human Development at NYU and on the Board of Overseers at the Rockefeller Institute. He served on the adjunct faculty at the Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University and is currently a member of
the adjunct faculty at Baruch College. He is a graduate of the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University and attended the National Law Center at George Washington University.
Laurel Brown, J.D., Executive Director of Operations + Administration for Downtown Brooklyn PartnershipPAF 9136 Urban Economic Development, Year 2Email:
Laurel currently serves as the Executive Director of Operations + Administration for Downtown Brooklyn Partnership (DBP) -- a nonprofit local development corporation -- and its three affiliated business improvement districts. Overseeing a collective
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budget of $7.1 million, Laurel is charged with managing, activating, and beautifying approximately 1.5 million sf of public space, implementing innovative "green tech" initiatives, steering capital investment projects, and overseeing the general financial and administrative needs of the four organizations.Prior to joining DBP, Laurel served as the Executive Director of the Jamaica Center Business Improvement District – a bustling central business district in the borough of Queens. Her success as a revitalization expert included the launch of a comprehensive retail attraction program, the creation of an innovative destination marketing campaign, and the production of a marquee fashion event -- all of which ultimately earned her a 2013 BID Leadership/Neighborhood Achievement Award and recognition from NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg.Laurel, a former Wall Street attorney, practiced real estate law and financial restructuring. She earned her J.D. from Harvard Law School and her Bachelor’s Degrees in Economics and Computer Science from New York University, where she graduated magna cum laude.
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John Casey, Ph.D., Associate ProfessorPAF 9120 Public and Non Profit Management, Year 1Office: 135 East 22nd Street, Room 1000Phone: 646 660-6858 Fax: 646 660-6701Email: [email protected]
John Casey has published extensively and given numerous presentations in the fields of government-nongovernment
relations, immigration policy, policing, and university teaching. From 1999 to 2007, he was a Senior Lecturer in management, leadership and governance at the Australian Graduate School of Policing and Charles Stuart University in Sydney. He was also a visiting lecturer in criminal justice at the University of Maine at Augusta and the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona and an adjunct lecturer in community management at the University of Technology in Sydney.
Before his academic career, Dr. Casey worked as a public sector and nonprofit manager. From 1992 to 1998, he was the Executive Officer of the Masters in Public Management program at a three university consortium in Barcelona, Spain and a consultant to the European Union working on public sector development in Eastern Europe. Previously, he had been the Director of the Mayor's Office of Adult Literacy for the City of New York, USA and a social services manager in Sydney, Australia.
He received his B.A. from the University of Sydney, B.S.W. from the University of Sydney, M.P.A. from Baruch College, and Ph.D. from the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona in Political Science.
Sanders D. Korenman, Ph.D., ProfessorPAF 9130 Economic Analysis and Public Policy, Year 2
Office: 135 East 22nd Street, Room 615Phone: 646 660-6782 Fax: 646 660-6770Email: [email protected]
Sanders Korenman, an economist, has been a member of the SPA faculty since 1996. He served as Senior Economist for labor, welfare, and education for President Clinton’s Council of Economic Advisers and was a member of the Board on Children, Youth, and Families of the National Academy of Sciences. He is a Research Associate of the National Bureau of Economic Research. His recent research includes studies of the measurement of child care quality and analyses of the USDA’s Child and Adult Care Food Program. He has completed reports with SPA MPA graduates Shannon Fales (in 2011) and Rick Hoffman (in 2010) for the Bureau of Maternal, Infant and Reproductive Health, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene. He teaches courses in the economic analysis of public policy, public finance, poverty and social welfare policy, and research methods.
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He received his A.B. from the University of California, Berkeley and his Ph.D. from Harvard University, both in Economics.
James A. Krauskopf, Ph.D., Distinguished Lecturer PAF 9190 Capstone Seminar, Year 2Office: 135 east 22 Street, Room 1013Phone: 646 660-6724 Fax: 646 660-6701Email: [email protected]
James (Jack) Krauskopf is Director of the Center for Nonprofit Strategy and Management in the School of Public Affairs at
Baruch College (City University of New York). He was previously Chief Program Officer for the 9/11 United Services Group, which was formed in 2001 to coordinate the social services organizations assisting people affected by the September 11 World Trade Center attack. During nearly 15 years at The New School (formerly New School for Social Research), he was Dean of the Robert J. Milano Graduate School of Management and Urban Policy, Senior Vice President for Administration and Finance, and faculty member in urban policy. Mr. Krauskopf has held several public sector positions, including Administrator/Commissioner of the New York City Human Resources Administration under Mayor Koch, Deputy Secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Health and Social Services (including Chairman of the Parole Board), Deputy and Acting Director of the Cleveland Department of Human Resources and Economic Development during the administration of Mayor Carl Stokes, and Director of a Rutgers University-based staff office to the Mayor of Newark. He served previously as President of the Corporation for Supportive Housing, and has also been a senior fellow at the Aspen Institute in New York working on human services policy issues. He has a B.A. in Government from Harvard and a M.P.A. from the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton.
Tiffany Lewis, Ph.D., Assistant ProfessorPAF9103 Communication in Public Settings, Year 1Office: 135 East 22nd Street, Room 917a Phone: 646 660-6742 Fax: 646 660-6701Email: [email protected]
Tiffany Lewis studies the connection between women’s rights and rhetoric in the context of women’s suffrage. She has also
written extensively on women’s suffrage and the westward expansion of the United States. Her experience includes teaching communication, public speaking, and discourse at the University of Maryland and the University of Montana.
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She holds a B.A. from the University of Washington, M.A. from the University of Montana, and a Ph.D. in Communications Studies from the University of Maryland.
John Liu, Part-Time FacultyPAF 9140 Budgeting and Financial Analysis I, Year 1Office: 135 East 22nd Street, RoomEmail: [email protected]
John Liu previously served as the NYC Comptroller (2010-2013) and as a City Council member (2002-2009) representing Flushing and parts of northeast Queens. In 2013, Liu ran for NYC Mayor.
As Comptroller, Liu was the chief financial officer for 8.4 million residents and oversaw New York City’s $70B+ budget; he was also responsible for investing what became under his watch a public pension fund worth more than $150B. He was the first Asian-American elected to any New York State legislative body and the first Asian-American elected to City-wide office. Prior to being elected to office, John worked in the private sector for 14 years as a professional actuary, most recently as a manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers. He holds a B.S. in Mathematical Physics from Binghamton University.
Nicole P. Marwell, Ph.D., Associate ProfessorPAF 9100 Introduction to Public Affairs, Year 1Office: 135 East 22nd Street, Room 1004b Phone: 646 660-6764 Fax: 646 660-6770Email: [email protected]
Nicole Marwell’s research sits at the intersection of three sociological subfields – urban, organizational, and political
sociology – with a substantive focus on nonprofit organizations, local and state politics, and Latina/o communities. Prior to beginning her academic career, she worked in the field of nonprofits and philanthropy, first at New York City’s Museum of Contemporary Hispanic Art, and then at the AT&T Foundation, the Levi Strauss Foundation, and Nike. She has published articles in the American Sociological Review, City and Community, Qualitative Sociology, and the Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly. She is a member of the Editorial Board of Contemporary Sociology. Her 2007 book, Bargaining for Brooklyn: Community Organizations in the Entrepreneurial City
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(University of Chicago Press), examines the varying roles of Latino community-based organizations in the Brooklyn neighborhoods of Williamsburg and Bushwick. Her current research on government contracting to nonprofit organizations is supported by the National Science Foundation. She is also working on a new book about the Latino middle class. Dr. Marwell previously taught at Columbia University and is a member of sociology faculty at the CUNY Graduate Center. She received her B.A. from Columbia University, and a M.A. and Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Chicago.
Jerry Mitchell, Ph.D., Associate Dean & Professor Office: 135 East 22nd Street, Room 415Phone: 646 660-6856 Fax: 646 660-6831Email: [email protected]
Jerry Mitchell teaches courses in American government, program evaluation, and urban economic development. His research focuses on urban affairs, public authorities, business
improvement districts, and parks conservancies. He is the author of Business Improvement Districts and the Shape of American Cities, published by the State University of New York Press. His research has appeared in such journals as Public Administration Review, the Policy Studies Journal, and the International Review of Administrative Sciences. Elected to the governing council of the Policy Studies Organization in 1998, he is also a member of the American Political Science Association, American Society for Public Administration, and Urban Affairs Association.He received a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Kansas.
Gregorio Morales, Director of Field Operations for the Parks Opportunity Program Email: [email protected]
Gregorio Morales is the Director of Field Operations for the Parks Opportunity Program – an innovative welfare-to-work program that couples seasonal employment at NYC Parks with support services – where he leads his organization’s business process improvement efforts, strengthens their data collection
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capacity, and further integrates New York City’s largest transitional employment program into NYC Parks.
He joined NYC government as the Deputy Director for Policy Analysis and Fiscal Management of the Parks Opportunity Program in 2009.
He is a native of Texas, and has an M.P.A. from the School of Public Affairs at the City University of New York’s Baruch College and a B.A. from Florida State University.
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Denise Patrick, Adjunct LecturerEmail: [email protected]
Denise Patrick has more than 20 years of experience as a project manager, instructor, and corporate trainer with a focus on communication, leadership and diversity & inclusion. Blending her corporate experience in banking and management consulting for companies like Chancellor Capital Management, JP Morgan and Booz Allen Hamilton, with her
academic knowledge of rhetoric and corporate communication, she now works as a business and performance consultant. She partners with businesses to improve business performance through holistic learning and development strategies. As a personal talent development consultant, she works with individuals to help them strengthen their skills and confidence in communication and leadership.
Denise Patrick is a lecturer at the City University of New York, Baruch College. She is also on faculty with the American Management Association. Prior to joining the faculty at Baruch, she taught at Temple University and the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania.
She holds a B.A. in Corporate Communication from CUNY Baruch College and a M.A. in Rhetoric & Communication from Temple University.
Amar Rajwani, Director of Pre-Kindergarten Admissions for the New York City Department of Education Email: [email protected]
Amar Rajwani is a proud graduate of the Executive MPA program at Baruch. A lifelong resident of New York City and graduate of NYC public schools, Amar has dedicated his career to working in education.
After early experiences working in diverse classroom settings, he went on to hold operational leadership positions in public, private, and non-profit education organizations. He is an accomplished senior manager with expert focus in strategic planning, marketing & communications, and customer service & sales for growing organizations, especially in the field of education. Currently, Amar serves as a Director of Pre-Kindergarten Admissions for the New York City Department of Education, focusing on enrollment policy and strategy for the City's Pre-Kindergarten expansion initiative.
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Amar will be serving as the practitioner for PAF9170 (Research and Analysis) for the second time in the fall of 2014. He is excited to meet and work with the incoming group of dynamic students that will make up XMPA Cohort 31.
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Dahlia Remler, Ph.D., ProfessorPAF 9170 & 9172 Research Analysis I & II, Year 1Office: 135 East 22nd Street, Room 916 Phone: 646 660-6725 Fax: 646 660-6701Email: [email protected]
Dahlia Remler is widely published in many areas of health economics, including health savings accounts, cost-sharing,
managed care, health insurance and health care markets, and cigarette tax regressivity. Her current research involves incorporating health insurance needs into poverty measurement, as well as higher education policy and teaching. She is co-author (with Gregg Van Ryzin) of Research Methods in Practice: Strategies for Description and Causation, now in its second edition. The book emphasizes the critical interpretation and practical application of research findings throughout, focusing on causation and real-life data and is currently in use by SPA students. She is a Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research and holds an appointment in economics at CUNY’s Graduate Center.
She holds a B.S. from the University of California, Berkeley, D.Phil. from Oxford University, and Ph.D. in Economics from Harvard University.
E.S. Savas, Ph.D., Presidential Professor PAF 9160 Public and Non Profit Management, Year 2Office: 135 East 22nd Street, Room 814 Phone: 646 660-6780 Fax: 646 660-6701E-mail: [email protected]
E.S. Savas is the author of fifteen books and over 130 articles; his books have been published in 23 foreign editions. He is an
internationally known pioneer in, and authority on, privatization.He served as First Deputy City Administrator of New York and as Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, appointed by President Ronald Reagan. He also served as a councilman in his suburban town. He was a professor of public management at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Business and taught in Baruch’s Department of Management, where he also served for eight years as chairman. He has B.A. and B.S. degrees from the University of Chicago, M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Columbia University, and an honorary doctorate degree from the University of Piraeus, Greece.
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Martha Stark, J.D., Distinguished Lecturer PAF 9163 Leadership and Strategy, Year 2Office: 135 East 22nd Street, Room 808BPhone: 646 660-6765 Fax: 646 660-6701Email: [email protected]
Before joining Baruch, Martha Stark served as New York City's first African American female Department of Finance Commissioner from 2002 until 2009. She teaches courses in budget and financial analysis, public non-profit sector management, urban service delivery, leadership and strategy, and program evaluation.A corporate and tax lawyer with a passion for numbers, tax administration, and management, she is credited with several innovations at the Department of Finance, a 2,300-person agency responsible for collecting $23 billion in revenues. She previously worked for the Manhattan Borough President, served as a White House Fellow at the United States Department of State and for the Finance Department before becoming commissioner.Martha is also an Adjunct Professor at the Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs.She has a B.A. from New York University in Political Science, and a J.D. from the New York University School of Law.
Jessica Taylor, Executive Director of Performance Management at the New York City Department of Small Business ServicesEmail:
Jessica Taylor is the Executive Director of Performance Management at the New York City Department of Small Business Services. In this role, Jessica oversees the Avenue NYC grant program, which funds local development organizations to implement commercial revitalization
strategies citywide. Additionally, Jessica manages recovery initiatives for commercial corridors impacted by Hurricane Sandy, which include façade improvements and the development of economic revitalization strategies. Previously, Jessica implemented a school health program as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Guatemala, and managed a support program for clients at an HIV/AIDS clinic in Philadelphia. While at Columbia, Jessica worked on projects with the NYC Office of Management and Budget and the US Department of State, and founded the graduate program's Students of Color organization.
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Jessica received her B.A. from the University of Virginia with majors in Foreign Affairs and Spanish. She also earned her M.P.A. from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs.
Don Waisanen, Ph.D., Assistant ProfessorPAF 9139 Communication Strategy, Year 1Office: 135 East 22nd Street, Room 403Phone: 646 660-6825 Fax: 646 660-6831Email: [email protected]
Don Waisanen is an assistant professor of communication in the Baruch College School of Public Affairs, where he teaches
courses and workshops in public communication—including advanced speech training, campaign and advocacy strategies, media analysis, and special topics seminars on leadership and humor. All his research projects seek to understand how communication works to promote or hinder ethical and effective discourse and the force of citizens’ voices in public life. In particular, his recent publications have focused on the features and functions of political language, the increasing role of comedy in public culture, and the factors that can best sustain a deliberative democracy and cosmopolitan practices. Before entering academia, Don was a Coro Fellow in Public Affairs, and worked in broadcast journalism, as a speechwriter, and on political campaigns. He has conducted communication strategy for various domestic and transnational projects, and serves on the board of the Resilience Advocacy Project, a nonprofit helping youth transition out of poverty. He received his B.A. from Westmont College, and a Ph.D. in Communication from the University of Southern California.
Robert Walsh, Faculty Director of the Executive MPA Program and Distinguished LecturerPAF 9136 Urban Economic Development, Year 2Office: 135 East 22nd Street, Room 422Phone: 646 660-6736 Fax: 646 660-6831Email: [email protected]
Robert Walsh was appointed Commissioner of the New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) by Mayor Bloomberg in January 2002. During his tenure, he has reshaped the agency to directly focus on and respond to the needs of the City's nearly 200,000 small businesses.Prior to his appointment, Robert spent five years in North Carolina as President of Charlotte Center City Partners, an organization dedicated to improving and growing Charlotte's central business district. From 1989 to April 1997, he led the Union Square Partnership, and during the 1980's, he worked in the administration of
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Mayor Edward I. Koch. He began his career in public service as a New York City Urban Fellow, a program he later directed. He holds a B.A. in Political Science and M.P.A. from Fordham University.
ContactMaureen Samedy, Assistant Director of Academic Advisement Office: 135 East 22nd Street, Room 410Phone: 646 660-6752 Fax: 646 660-6756Email: [email protected]
Cohort 31 BiographiesJohanna Arteaga Quality Service for the Autism CommunityEarly Intervention Program Coordinator [email protected]
Johanna Arteaga graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from Stony Brook University. After graduation, Johanna occupied the following roles: Manager for Group Homes at New York State’s Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) facilities, Medicaid Coordinator at Miller and Milone, P.C., and Early Intervention Service Coordinator.
Currently, Johanna is the Early Intervention Program Coordinator at Quality Service for the Autism Community (QSAC), where she has developed and expanded the early intervention program and currently manages all administrative duties. She provides direct supervision to the Early Intervention Service Coordinators in QSAC, develops the Non-Medicaid Program, and is a behavior evaluator. Her first job was at Direct Care for individuals with traumatic brain injuries. Johanna’s favorite place to take visitors in New York City is Pier 6 Park.
Leydy Avila Sports and Arts School FoundationsProgram [email protected]
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Leydy will be starting a new position as Program Manager at the Sports and Arts School Foundations. As Program Manager she will oversee the operations of six-eight school sites, to ensure they are meeting contractual obligations. She has been working in the non-profit sector for 16 years, as a Beacon Director the last seven. Leydy Avila received her Bachelor of Arts in History and Secondary Education from CUNY Hunter College. She also holds a Master’s Degree in History from CUNY Queens College. Leydy decided to pursue her Executive MPA degree because she believes it will help her gain the insight necessary to better operate a non-profit organization, as well as other institutions that help communities succeed in their quest for advancement. Leydy's first job was as a group leader in a Winter Camp for a Beacon program.
Sarah Axelson Women’s Sports FoundationAdvocacy and Program [email protected]
Sarah earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg, VA. As an
athlete, she often recognized life lessons learned through sports. Her experience as a four-year NCAA Division III softball player solidified her passion for sports, and after graduating she strove to weave her passion into her career.
Currently, Sarah serves as the Advocacy & Program Manager at the Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF) in East Meadow, NY, where she is responsible for the daily activities of the advocacy department which includes educating the public on gender equity in sports and Title IX. Sarah manages WSF’s responsibilities within the National Girls and Women in Sports Day Coalition and liaises with the LGBT Sports Coalition. In addition, she manages WSF’s GoGirlGo! national programming, memorabilia and artifact collection, facilities, and IT.
Sarah’s first job was as an office assistant at her grandfather’s plumbing business, teaching her grandmother to use a computer.
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Laura Bauer Lutheran Church of the Resurrection and The Life Church And Day SchoolSite [email protected]
Laura earned her bachelor’s degree from Cornell University, College of Arts and Sciences in Ithaca, NY, where she majored in Chemistry. Subsequently, she earned a degree from St. John's University School of Law in Jamaica, NY. She has utilized both degrees for over 25 years through the practice of patent law in two New York City law firms.
Laura's involvement in numerous church leadership roles ultimately resulted in her receiving the honor of becoming the on-site developer of a new church plant. Her responsibilities have evolved as the new congregation takes root in the community. It includes numerous functions such as grant writing and administration, budgeting and financial oversight, and compliance with state and local regulations. Laura's desire to help the surrounding community led her to start and oversee a free after school program and monthly meal preparation for a local soup kitchen.
Laura's first job was at the Cuddle Knit sweater factory.
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Sharon BrooksWeill Cornell Medical CollegeFirst Year Curriculum Secretary, Basic [email protected]
Sharon Brooks earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri. Sharon is dedicated to supporting other performers transitioning into new fields.
Currently, Sharon serves as the First Year Basic Sciences Curriculum Secretary at the Weill Cornell Medical College, where she provides support for the Office of Curriculum and Educational Development. In addition to her day-to-day responsibilities, Sharon works with course directors and faculty, receives course materials, and distributes it to students via Weill Cornell’s learning management system.
Sharon’s first job was in the touring company of “Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope.”
Samantha Chernyy New York City Human Resources AdministrationSenior Grants Analystc [email protected]
Samantha Chernyy graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management Science from Pace University. Today, she is the Senior Grants Analyst at the Human Resources Administration. In this role, she monitors budgets and the progress of current programs, searches for new funding opportunities, assembles proposals and budgets, and provides requesting community-based organizations with letters of support.Samantha has also been the Assistant Director of Grants Management at the Kings County Hospital Center (NYC Health and Hospital Corporation). With her Executive MPA, she hopes to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to make a difference, and to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of our city’s social programs and the dollars that go toward them.Samantha is a New York Rangers fan.
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Anthony DiRuggieroMetropolitan Transit AuthorityNYC Transit – Subways / Maintenance of Way Engineering Senior Director of Infrastructure [email protected]
Anthony DiRuggiero earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree in civil engineering from CUNY, City College of New York. For the past 21 years he has been employed in various public agencies involved in the construction, reconstruction, and repair of large scale public transportation works.
Currently, Anthony has been serving as a senior director in New York City Transit's Subways Maintenance of Way engineering division, assigned to the Structural Inspection Program. Here, he oversees and has technical direction of the inspection of all assets that support the operations of subway traffic, including tunnels, elevated structures, bridges, viaducts, and stations. The results of these inspections are used to allocate and prioritize capital and operational funding for the repair and reconstruction of these facilities, as well as ensuring the system is in a state of operational readiness. He also responds to structural emergencies and provides technical support to in-house maintenance forces, and private consultants and contractors performing work in the subway.
Tony's first job was as a sales associate at Gimbel's Department Store in Yonkers, NY.
Yvonne Donaldson Jacobi Medical CenterResearch Project [email protected]
Yvonne earned a bachelor’s degree in Health Service Administration from CUNY Lehman College in the Bronx, NY. She has worked in various medical organizations in New York City, which has helped her grow into the leader she is today.
Currently, Yvonne serves as Research Project Manager for an emergency department-based HIV testing, counseling and research program at Jacobi Medical Center. Her dedication is focused on providing medical education to the underserved community of the Bronx and helping her employees and
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volunteers reach their educational goals. She hopes that with her Executive MPA, she will be able to advance her career in the health care field.
Yvonne’s favorite building in New York City is the Empire State Building.
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Leah HebertOpportunities for a Better TomorrowDirector of Public Relations and Strategic [email protected]
Leah earned a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from the Cooper Union in New York, NY. After her experience working in government and higher education, Leah decided to focus her skills and passion working with disadvantaged youth and adults.
Currently, Leah is serving as Director of Public Relations and Strategic Partnerships at Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow, where she manages external collaborative special projects including new program development, grant writing, and initial implementation oversight. Leah also manages and cultivates relationships with the organization’s Junior Board of Directors, government officials, business leaders and community representatives. She develops and oversees external communications staff and logistics and serves as part of the overall senior leadership team for the agency. Leah is committed to creating new and better opportunities for the students she serves.
Leah’s favorite place to take visitors in New York City is Greenwood Cemetery.
Maria Karlya Charles B. Wang Community Health CenterCommunications [email protected] Maria Karlya earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism from Messiah College in Grantham, PA. She then served in the U.S. Peace Corps as a community health volunteer in a small remote village in Ghana, West Africa from 2008-2010.
Currently, Maria is the Communications Associate at the Charles B. Wang Community Health Center, a health center and nonprofit that serves immigrant communities in New York City. She is responsible for disseminating information to patients, community members, partners, supporters, alumni, elected officials and the media. Maria has also worked as Human Resource Administrator at Books & Rattles, Inc.
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Her favorite place to take visitors in New York City is the Brooklyn Flea.
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Dena Libner New York City & CompanyDirector of Communications & External [email protected]
Dena Libner attended Boston University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism.Currently, Dena is the Director of Communications & External Affairs at New York City & Company, where she manages media, government, and member relations for New York City’s official marketing, tourism, and partnership organization. After working as a general assignments reporter in New Hampshire, Dena worked as Director of Communications for a New York City Council Member. Until recently, she was the Associate Director of Public Relations at the Central Park Conservancy. Dena hopes that her Executive MPA degree will allow her to play a lead role in helping a non-profit achieve its mission in the realm of either economic development or environmental conservation.Her favorite New York City sports team is the Brooklyn Cyclones.
Jason LoughranUnited Service OrganizationDevelopment [email protected] Jason earned a Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security from St. John’s University. With his Executive MPA, Jason hopes to build his own non-profit organization. As the Development Associate at the United Service Organization (USO), Jason cultivates new, and maintains current, relationships with its donors. He also provides emotional support to military families, veterans and active duty military members through events and other donated resources.While serving four years in the U.S. Navy, Jason traveled to places like Afghanistan, Antarctica, New Zealand, Germany, and various locations throughout the United States. After his military service, he worked for the Department of State at the New York Passport Agency, and then the Department of Homeland Security at the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Office. Before his current position, he
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briefly served as a constituent liaison for Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi of the 28th District.His favorite New York City sports team is the New York Yankees.
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Danilo ParmegianiLegion of Good WillExecutive [email protected]
Danilo earned a bachelor's degree in Education and Languages from the University of Brasilia (UnB), Brazil. For the
past two decades, he has been working in the non-profit sector, where he learned the importance of becoming an adaptive, creative, and committed leader in various social and educational causes.
In 2004 Danilo was designated to globally represent the Brazilian international organization Legion of Good Will (LGW) to the United Nations, as their spokesperson and main representative. He moved to the US in 2007, and was assigned as the LGW-USA Executive Director. For seven years now, he provides overall strategic direction, guidance, and control over a diverse team of professionals and volunteers.
Danilo’s favorite New York City sports team is the New York Giants
Dennis PillaFreelance [email protected]
Dennis earned a bachelor's degree in General Sciences from Fordham University in the Bronx, NY. After a successful career in Corporate Information Technology, and strategy consulting, Dennis turned his focus to the public sector.
Dennis served as the elected Mayor of Port Chester, NY (pop. ~40,000) for 3 terms, from 2007-2013. Here, he developed a Comprehensive Master Plan, implemented a downtown revitalization strategy, improved village financial performance & bond rating, and rooted out employee corruption.
He is currently a freelance consultant, serving clients in the private and public sectors. He aspires to deepen his education in public policy and administration and pursue a full-time leadership role in the government or non-profit sectors.
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Dennis’ favorite place to take visitors in NYC is the Cambell Apartment in Grand Central Terminal.
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Sara SullivanVera Institute of Justice Senior Program [email protected]
Sara earned a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from the University of North Carolina Charlotte. Since that time, she has devoted herself to improving the juvenile and criminal justice systems.Currently, Sara is serving as a Senior Program Associate at the Vera Institute of Justice, Center on Sentencing and Corrections. She provides states with technical assistance in an effort to implement policies and practices in probation, prison, and parole systems. She also manages a team that analyzes and recommends changes to state's corrections policies and practices regarding their use of segregation. Sara has worked for the Governor of Illinois, where she was responsible for managing the Governor's press conferences, meetings, and public appearances. Sara then transitioned to the adult system when she joined the Illinois Department of Corrections as a Policy Analyst. Sara enjoys taking visitors to New York City on boat tours around the city.
Matthew Weiler AHRC New York CityProgram [email protected]
Matthew Weiler received his Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology from CUNY College of Staten Island. He is committed to the development of enduring service models for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities and other complex, lifelong needs.Matthew has had a number of positions within AHRC NYC as he worked towards his current position of Program Director. Over the past 15 years, he has developed the infrastructure for community based support for young people with intellectual disabilities in New York City. He is currently responsible for the overall management of Day Habilitation Services at multiple locations, including college campuses throughout Staten Island and Brooklyn. Matthew develops policies and procedures for the smooth function of Day Habilitation Services, and develops
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and maintains positive community relations. He represents AHRC both within the community at large, and at meetings with different service providers. Matthew’s favorite sports team is the New York Yankees.
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Alicia WaltonNew York City Administration for Children’s ServicesAdministrative [email protected]
Alicia earned a Bachelor of Science in Legal Studies from CUNY John Jay College of
Criminal Justice and a Master of Social Work from New York University.
Currently, Alicia serves as the Administrative Director from the New York City Administration for Children’s Services (ACS). In this role, she manages non-attorney staff in the ACS division of Family Court Legal Services.
Alicia has previously worked in the Young Adult Borough Centers Program. This is an alternative high school program for youth between the ages of 17-21. Prior to this, she worked as a Family Therapist with the Vera Institute of Justice. In this capacity, she conducted drug treatment sessions with youth, and their families, that were involved with the Department of Juvenile Justice.
Alicia’s favorite New York City building is the Museum of Natural History.
Erica Wszolek CUNY, City College of New York/School of ArchitectureExecutive Assistant to the [email protected]
Erica Wszolek received her Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing from The City College of New York. Erica’s responsibilities have evolved since her appointment to the CUNY, City College of New York/School of Architecture four years ago. In her current position, she manages a staff of employees, and works closely with the Dean and Chair of the School of Architecture in order to assist and maintain the mission of accessibility and compliance. She works on school exhibits and semestral lecture series. In addition, Erica handles public relations and communication outreach.
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Erica’s favorite New York City building is the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine in Harlem.
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Cohort 30 BiographiesChristian Cabrera Broome Street Academy Charter High SchoolDirector of Student [email protected] attended SUNY University at Buffalo, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in Community Mental Health. Currently, Christian is the Director of Student Services at Broome Street Academy Charter High School, where he leads the guidance department, student activities, and athletics. Prior to this position, Christian worked and rose within The Door- A Center of Alternative, Inc, ultimately becoming part of senior management. Christian aspires to become an education program administrator, or the Executive Director/CEO of a non-profit. Christian has tried to learn as much as he can through his work experiences, and believes the next level in fostering his professional development is to cultivate his network further, and to create opportunities to master specific leadership skills and develop himself, his network, and his team.Christian strives to create and sustain collaborative environments that respect diversity, while learning how to increase productivity through creative programs and skilled workers.
Yesenia Crespo Urban Assembly School for the Performing ArtsDirector of Corporate and Community [email protected] Yesenia earned a bachelor’s degree in Sociology & Women and Gender Studies
from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts.
Currently, Yesenia is serving as the Director of Corporate and Community Partnerships at the Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts. She is responsible for fostering partnerships between the public and private sectors, while using the school's theme as guideposts for engaging partners. Her dedication is focused on providing a range of opportunities that connect students to professionally successful adults. These
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opportunities include special partnerships and programs, mentorships, and internships that invigorate academics and make career goals tangible.
Yesenia is committed to creating these connections for each and every one of the students she supports.
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Romina Frank New York University Langone Medical CenterProject [email protected] has always known that she would give back to the community, but it wasn’t until a trip to Nigeria, that she realized she
could combine her every day work with public service. Romina graduated from Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, NC with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Communications. Eventually, Romina opened her own interactive branding firm in South Carolina, and focused to help non-profit startups build their identity.
Currently, Romina is the Project Manager at New York University Langone Medical Center. Here she initiates, plans, monitors and controls, executes, and closes projects for the Infrastructure, Clinical Systems, and Application programs. This effort includes team and time management, budget and resource forecasting and monitoring, and process documentation. She hopes to eventually work in an international oriented environment, thanks her international experiences.
Christie Hubbard International AIDS Vaccine InitiativeDirector, Foundations and [email protected] is the Director of Foundations and Corporations at the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. In this role, she raises philanthropic funds from foundations and corporations. Christie has also been the Senior Director of Development for Biomedical Research at Mount Sinai Medical Center. Christie began her non-profit development career with CCS Fundraising, a consulting firm. Here, she conducted a feasibility study for a community hospital, and was a field director for a multi-site, $50 million campaign.
Christie received her bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Theater from North Central College in Naperville, IL. She has also studied at SUNY Binghamton, the New School, and the Technical University in Berlin. She is interested in expanding her knowledge about the overall operations and financial needs
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surrounding non-profits, with the goal of becoming qualified to move into an Executive Director position. After years of fundraising experience, Christie is also interested in developing the skills to work for a foundation and be in the position of contributing funds.
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Anne Lehmann New York Public Library, Science, Industry, and Business LibraryOperations [email protected] attended the College of New Jersey, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in History.
After living in Ann Arbor, MI, and working for Borders Group, Inc., for five years, Anne returned to the tri-state area. Soon after, she began working for the New York Public Library’s Science, Industry, and Business Library (SIBL). She has been the Operations Manager there for the past 10 years, and is responsible for the library’s daily operations, including space management, budgeting, personnel, and public programming. She has also spearheaded the NY StartUp! Business Plan Competition.
Katja McLean The Corcoran GroupLicensed Real Estate [email protected] has been a member of the Corcoran Group, a top producing residential real estate team, for the past 12 years. She works both with buyers and sellers to assess their real estate needs. Katja graduated from Baruch in 2010, obtaining her Bachelors of Business Administration in Finance and Investment.
After a successful career, Katja has decided to change paths, and hopes to utilize her Executive MPA to focus on the welfare of children. She is planning on opening an elementary school in the South Bronx. Katja believes that poverty is closely related to an individual’s level of education, and that poverty can be eradicated through education. Her focus is a safe and inspiring learning environment is her focus, making her interested in improving access to quality education at local, national, and international levels.
Prior to starting in real estate, she worked in retail, both in sales and managerial positions.
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Monica MorrisMetropolitan Transit Authority NYC Transit Associate Staff [email protected] obtained a Bachelor of Science in Health Planning Management and a Bachelor of Business Administration from
Alfred University, in Alfred, NY.
Monica’s professional qualifications include numerous years of experience providing technical and business solutions in areas ranging from risk analysis to strategic process improvements. She has worked at McKinsey & Company, Inc. as Treasury Analyst, and is currently an Associate Staff Analyst at the New York City Transit Authority (NYCT). As an Analyst at NYCT, she supports the procurement function by managing the vendor evaluation process and by providing relevant information concerning potential vendors to buyers. This allows NYCT to select responsible and quality vendors.
Monica is very community oriented, as she actively volunteers in political campaigns, the Epilepsy Foundation of America, and the communications ministry in her church. Monica aspires to enhance her skills to be a more active and effective public servant.
Kyle O'Neill The Miracle League Lehigh ValleyCommissioner & Executive [email protected] pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Communications, Advertising, and Public Relations at Loyola University, in Maryland. Shortly after graduating, Kyle travelled to Chicago, where he began working at an advertising agency while volunteering as a basketball coach. It was during this time that he decided upon a career change. Soon after her moved overseas to Namibia, where he spent two years teaching English as a second language, and returned in 2012.
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Kyle is currently the Commissioner and Executive Director of the Miracle League Lehigh Valley. Previously he was the Executive Director at the Coco Foundation. In this role, he ran the day-to-day operations, completed financial reporting to the Board, acquired new donors and sponsors, and participated in event planning, grant writing, and marketing and promotional planning.
Kyle has also been a middle school teacher and an account manager.
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Jagdeen Phanor New York City Department of Youth and Community DevelopmentBudget [email protected] is the Budget Director at the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD). Under her direction, the Budget Unit has implemented high quality policy and fiscal analysis, maximized federal and state revenue recognition, and improved relationships with oversight agencies due to increased transparency of financial reporting.
Jagdeen received her Bachelor of Arts from CUNY Medgar Evers College. She then went on to serve in the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) as a Budget Analyst in 2002. Prior to her appointment as Budget Director, Jagdeen served as the Senior Budget Analyst at the DYCD.
Luis Rivera Harlem United AIDS CenterDirector of [email protected] Luis, the past 23 years of experience have led him to gain expertise in executing healthcare initiatives in various organizations. Throughout this time, Luis
has managed systems and processes essential to achieving program objectives, which involved fiscal planning, grants management, staff development, quality improvement, and quality assurance practices.
Currently, Luis is the Director of Operations for the Health Home Care Management Program at the Harlem United AIDS Center. Here he supervises a team of 17 employees, leads client engagement and enrollment strategies, and implements data-driven management to attain successful program outcomes.
Luis holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Education and Promotion from CUNY Lehman College, and is a Certified Health Education Specialist. Luis aspires to enhance his professional acumen, and emerge as a leader at the forefront of public administration and policy development in the tri-state area. He also seeks to advance in public health education by continually working with communities experiencing health disparities. In
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addition, he aims at becoming an educator in public administration to shape future generations of leaders within the community.
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Jonathan Santos-Ramos Community Healthcare NetworkCenter [email protected] is a Center Director at the Community Healthcare Network. Here he is responsible for carrying out operational and clinical activities including program development and implementation, clinical services, community education, and outreach for a health center in Washington Heights.
Jonathan received his Bachelor of Arts in Women and Gender Studies from Rutgers University. Jonathan also worked as the Director of Business Systems and Strategy at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and as Director of Prevention and Education for the Callen-Lorde Community Health Center. As Director of Prevention and Education, he was in charge of implementing contracts, responding to Requests for Proposals, and overseeing the quality of services and outcomes in order to satisfy all contractual requirements.
Ultimately, with his Executive MPA, Jonathan hopes return to Puerto Rico to develop and run a full service health center for Puerto Rico's underserved communities.
Kenneth Scott New York City Department of Youth and Community DevelopmentExecutive Assistant to the [email protected] Kenneth is a graduate of Swarthmore College, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in English Literature. He began his career in City government working for New York City Councilmember Philip Reed. Here he assisted with constituent services, local governance issues, and legislative concerns. Kenneth has also worked in HIV/AIDS services at the Upper Room AIDS Ministry in Harlem (now Harlem United, Inc.), the East New York/Brownsville HIV Care Network, and Gay Men’s Health Crisis, Inc.
He is presently the Executive Assistant to the Commissioner at the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYDC). In this role, he provides administrative support to the Commissioner and Senior Management of the DYCD, which funds local community-based organizations
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that provide services promoting positive youth development and healthy, sustainable communities.
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Shabana SharifQuality Services for the Autism CommunitySpecial Education and Early Intervention [email protected] received a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from St. John’s University, as well as a Master of Education CUNY City College. Currently, she is using the skills and knowledge she gained through these degrees as an early intervention therapist at Quality Services for the Autism Community (QSAC).
From the age of 16, she has invested and channeled her efforts to promote the welfare of Queens as a whole, by volunteering with local non-profit organizations. At Jahajee Sisters, where Shabana is currently a Steering Committee Member, she organizes and facilitates monthly Sister Circles, co-facilitated and co-created the Muslim Sisters Leadership Institute in the summer of 2012, and facilitated the Young Women's Leadership Institute in the summer of 2013. Taking steps towards her goal of improving the welfare of Queens, Shabana also organized the first Indo-Caribbean and South Asian Convene, which brought together over ten organizations for a day of collaboration, engagement and community involvement.
Amanda Straniere Staten Island MuseumCommunity Campaign [email protected] earned her Bachelor of Arts in English from Dickinson College, in Carlisle, PA, and a Master of Arts in Fiction from the University of East Anglia, Norwich, England. Although she was on track to work in publishing, an internship at the Borough President’s Office in 2007 changed her path into one of public service.
Currently, she is the Community Campaign Coordinator for the Staten Island Museum, where she focuses on building public awareness of the Museum and expanding its membership base. Prior to this position, Amanda served as Special Assistant to the Director of Tourism and Cultural Affairs for the Staten Island Borough President. In this role she supported the local non-profit community, the artistic community, and helped some of the two million tourists who ride the ferry every year to discover Staten Island’s attractions.
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Rebecca Telzak Make the Road New YorkDirector of Health Programs [email protected] Rebecca is the Director of Health Programs at Make the Road New York (MRNY). She supervises MRNY's health services and advocacy, which includes supervising a team of 14 advocates and support staff. She also runs health insurance enrollment, health care navigation, the food stamp project, healthcare policy work, the food pantry, and the community garden. Rebecca prepares reports for funders and manages grants, as well as fundraises for MRNY to maintain and expand its health and nutrition services and advocacy. She also leads health team planning, goal-setting, and joint efforts with other departments.
Prior to working at Make the Road New York, Rebecca had a Fulbright Scholarship in Argentina, where she taught English and researched South American immigration. She also lived in Nicaragua and worked at a women’s sewing cooperative as a translator and administrative assistant.
Rebecca attended the University of Michigan, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American & Caribbean Studies and Social Science.
Donovan Vassell New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation, Kings County Hospital CenterAssociate [email protected]
Donovan is the Associate Director at the New York City Health and Hospitals
Corporation- Kings County Hospital. Donovan has been a cornerstone in helping navigate Kings County through several accreditations, including the National Committee for Quality Assurance Medical Home Recognition, and the Joint Commission accreditation. He has also worked on revamping clinic operations for a more efficient and cost effective patient centered flow. Donovan is also responsible for overall business and administrative oversight of the healthcare delivery system related to Ambulatory Care Services, including patient flow, multidisciplinary collaborative initiatives, supervision of practice managers, and monitoring of the fiscal revenue cycle. Prior to
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this, he worked at Metroplus Health Plan as a Business Marketing Associate, supervising a business outreach team in helping meet the healthcare needs of businesses in the community.
Donovan attended George Washington University in Washington D.C., where he received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing and Hospitality, and Tourism Management. He was also studied at GW's Inaugural Paris Study Center, which met weekly with French corporations and had joint teaching from both GW and French professors.
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