Angélica (she/her/ella) is the Director of Community Engagement at Planned Parenthood of Greater NY (PPGNY). As part of her role, she oversees PPGNY’s sexual and reproductive health education programs for adults across New York City and Nassau County. A certified health educator specialist with over 15 years of experience, Angélica is passionate about disease prevention and health promotion among marginalized populations, especially Latine immigrants.

Throughout her career, Angélica has planned and implemented public health initiatives and programs to provide culturally relevant and medically accurate information and resources. She enjoys developing close partnerships with community members, and CBO’s. She has participated in reproductive rights and breast cancer advocacy efforts at the State and National levels with various organizations.

Angélica was born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia and moved to the U.S. when she was 16 years old. She graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Stony Brook University, received a master’s degree in health education from Columbia University’s Teachers College, and a master’s in public health from Adelphi University. Angélica’s hard work and commitment has been recognized throughout the community. She has received various awards including the Town of North Hempstead Women’s Roll of Honor Award, Long Island Business News Health Care Heroes Award for Community Outreach and Coors Light Líderes Latino Leader of the Year national finalist. Angélica is grateful for her family, her partner, their two furry babies, her friends, her team and the work they get to do every day. She is a huge soccer fan, loves all animals, and enjoys cooking vegan dishes that may or may not turn out edible.

After graduating from the School of Library and Information Studies at McGill University, Canada, Cathy Chen joined Queens Public Library in 2004. After working in various branches for a few years, in 2015 Cathy was promoted to Assistant Director of Programming and Operations for the New Americans Program.

As an immigrant herself, Cathy has focused much of her professional work on community involvement and outreach, delivering key programs and services to new Americans. Since she joined New Americans Program, Cathy started computer classes in Spanish and Bengali, strengthened partnerships with various foreign consulates, and has been coordinating and expanding free citizenship and immigration legal services for immigrant customers in Queens. Cathy is an active member of NYLA, PLA, ALA and CALA. She has presented at ALA Annual Conferences, Joint Council of Librarians of Color and the REFORMA Mini Joint Conference. Cathy currently serves on the IFLA Section on Library Services to Multicultural Populations Standing Committee.

Christine Deberry is the Purchasing Manager at Public Health Solutions. A proud Brooklyn native, she attended Medgar Evers College before beginning her career at Data Link, a project of Medical and Health Research Association of NYC (now Public Health Solutions), in 1999.

In 2003, Christine joined the Purchasing Department at PHS, where she has played a pivotal role in its growth and success. Through her contributions, the department has developed into a knowledgeable, efficient, and service-focused team dedicated to supporting programs that assist underserved communities. Known for her quiet determination and persistence, Christine embraces challenges and ensures that every task is completed successfully.

Outside of work, Christine enjoys music and cherishes quality time with her family and friends.

Colleen Kane joined the Port Chester Carver Center as the Chief Advancement Officer in January 2019. In her role, she oversees fundraising, marketing, strategic partnerships, and impact measurement. At Carver, Colleen has successfully diversified fundraising programs and built a reputation of excellence for the organization.

Prior to her role at Carver Center, Colleen held fundraising and communications positions with START Treatment & Recovery Centers, Hope for Depression Research Foundation, National Alliance on Mental Illness of New York City, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and OutRight International.

Colleen became involved with nonprofits at age 13 and served on her first board as a teen. She leverages this lifelong passion for social justice to inform her work. She received a B.S. degree in Diplomacy and International Relations from Seton Hall University and a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs.

Colleen lives in Westchester County, NY, with her husband and two young sons.

Corrine Civil (she/her) is a youth worker and facilitator from East Harlem. She currently serves as Assistant Director of Programs at Sadie Nash Leadership Project, an award-winning nonprofit organization that provides liberatory educational programs to young women and gender expansive youth in NYC and Newark. Corrine holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Columbia University, and her interests include Black diaspora studies and literature.

Drew Gabriel has had the opportunity to work amongst talented individuals and become a vital part of helping New Yorkers access unprecedented opportunities.

His career in public service began relatively early, because of an interest in civic engagement. Civic engagement has a direct correlation to civil service and young people of color are disengaged and underrepresented. As a result, he currently serves as a mentor teaching high school and college age students the importance of their voice to affect the change they want to see. It is his personal belief that people of all ages and backgrounds should join the conversation that will help shape their future.

Throughout his career, spanning nearly a decade, Drew has worked in city and state legislative affairs to identify and mitigate the everyday challenges faced by New Yorkers. As a result, he has helped connect local stakeholders to critical programs and services that will/has spur growth, ensuring every community had the necessary resources to thrive. Currently, Drew is the Vice President of Intergovernmental Affairs for CAMBA.

Dru Bissessar currently serves as the Senior Accounts Payable (AP) Associate at the Fund for the City of New York, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for underserved communities. Since joining the organization in 2020, Dru has been instrumental in ensuring timely and accurate payments and supporting the organization’s mission through her dedication and expertise in accounting.

Dru Bissessar is a graduate of York College, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting. In addition to her degree, she holds the prestigious title of Certified Accounting Technician (CAT) accredited by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) in the UK. Her educational background equips her with a strong foundation in accounting principles and financial management, which she applies daily to her role.

Beyond her technical skills, Dru is passionate about fostering positive change and driving meaningful outcomes. Her role at the Fund for the City of New York allows her to combine her expertise in finance with her commitment to supporting social equity and community empowerment. She works closely with various stakeholders to ensure that the financial processes are efficient, compliant, and aligned with the organization’s overall mission.

Outside of her professional life, Dru enjoys a variety of hobbies that keep her active and engaged. She enjoys biking, kayaking, and hiking, often exploring the outdoors whenever she has the chance. Additionally, she loves trying new restaurants and exploring diverse cuisines. Music and dancing are also among her favorite pastimes, offering her a creative outlet and a way to unwind.

Dru’s unique blend of financial acumen and dedication to community service makes her an invaluable asset to the Fund for the City of New York. Through her work, she continually strives to make a positive impact on the lives of those in underserved communities.

Gabi is the Early Childhood Mental Health Manager at the Day Care Council of New York. As a dedicated mental health clinician specializing in behavioral health, she brings a wealth of experience and a passion for helping children thrive. Gabi earned her undergraduate degree from Stony Brook University and completed her graduate studies at Alfred University.

Throughout her career in the non-profit sector, Gabi has had the privilege of working alongside esteemed professionals, notably including the CEO of Elmhurst Hospital, whose guidance she says has been instrumental in her professional development. One of her impactful achievements includes spearheading the creation of an asthma guide in partnership with the chief of pediatrics at Urban Health Plan. This initiative was tailored for the benefit of the staff and families at the Dr. Richard Izquierdo Health and Science Charter School, a project that holds a special place in her heart as it aligns with her mother’s dedication as a co-founder of the school. Gabi’s commitment to our young community members drives her to create a brighter future for the next generation.

Outside of work,  Gabi is a devoted mother to a precious four-year-old boy and proudly stepmother to two adolescent boys. Her love and dedication to my three boys serve as her motivation, shaping her work and ensuring a better world for them to thrive in.