Alexandros Hatzakis is Chief of Administration and Executive Affairs at the FPWA (formerly Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies). In that capacity, he manages internal operations and administration for the organization including but not limited to human resources, technology and facilities, driving operational excellence tied to monitoring and meeting strategic objectives. Critical to this work, he manages and coordinates the Executive Office, Senior Leadership, Board of Directors and related committees on behalf of CEO.

Prior to working at FPWA, Alexandros was the Director of Income at United Way of New York City where he oversaw and managed a $6 million portfolio of program and policy initiatives aimed at assisting families in meeting their basic needs, tackling household insecurity and working towards economic stability.

Alexandros’ experience shares the common thread of systems-level thinking and strategy. He formerly served as the Development and Information Systems Manager at The Financial Clinic overseeing the implementation and integration of fundraising, operational and client data systems. He has also conducted research and policy analysis for the State of Delaware’s Division of Corporations and U.K. Companies House on the feasibility and approach to promote corporate accountability, economic growth, and combat fraud and corruption through the use of open companies’ data.

Alexandros received his Bachelor’s degree from Macaulay Honors College at CUNY Baruch, his Master of Public Administration from New York University’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and is a Certified Nonprofit Accounting Professional (CNAP). He serves as Chair and member of New York City’s Procurement Policy Board.

Amy Cruz is the Chief Operations Officer at Breakthrough New York. As a member of the senior management team, Amy is a key advisor to the Executive Director, oversees all of the human resources and business operations of the organization, and leads the development, execution and evaluation of organizational strategy. Since completing her B.A., and with particular interests in scaling proven innovative educational strategies and developing human capital within the non-profit sector, she has held a position with a number of growing non-profit organizations in the city of New York. Before joining Breakthrough New York, Amy worked with innovative organizations such as iMentor and Success Academy Charter Schools in various capacities including working directly with students in the classroom, operational strategy, outcome evaluation and staff and volunteer management. Outside of her work in the non-profit sector, Amy’s community involvement includes a former term as the treasurer of the Latino Alumni Association at Columbia University where she continues her membership. She is originally from Long Beach, CA.

Amy received her BA with a major in Urban Studies from Columbia University.

Ashley Cornett has nearly twelve years of experience in adolescent health care programs. She currently serves as the Program Manager for the School Based Health Center at the Brownsville Community Development Corporation (BCDC) in Brooklyn, NY. Ashley is responsible for the leadership, oversight, and management of all initiatives at the Center. Ashley’s initial work with BCDC was in the area of clinical support for the Center, after which she was promoted to her current position. In addition to her work at the Center, Ashley leads and manages new adolescent partnerships and programs in the BCDC catchment area.

Ashley received a B.A. in Psychology and a M.S. in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sports Management from Brooklyn College.

Brian Dever is the Mid-Atlantic Regional Director of Let’s Get Ready (LGR), a growing nonprofit that provides low-income and first generation college-bound students with the support they need to reach college success. Brian coordinates the fundraising, programs, and operations of student services run out of the New York City office. (LGR has sites in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Connecticut). He joined Let’s Get Ready in 2004, and for almost 10 years served as the Director of Development – leading LGR to increases in revenue each year through events, grants, and individual giving. Brian serves on Blue Engine’s Board of Engineers, and volunteers with the NYC Venture Philanthropy Fund, iMentor and ioby.org. He came to NYC and Let’s Get Ready from Minnesota where he served as the Executive Director of the Northfield Union of Youth.

Brian received his B.A. from Carleton College, where he received the Sister Pat Kowalski Leadership Award for work with service learning.

Bushra Khan is the Associate Director of Programs at Year Up New York (YUNY), which is an intensive one-year workforce development program providing 18 to 24-year olds with hard skills development and a corporate internship. Previously, she held the position of Capacity and Community Development Consultant for Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs at World Vision. Bushra also worked as an English teacher and Chief Staff Trainer for JAAGO Foundation in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Bushra received a B.S. from University of Ottawa, with an honors in Economics, and an M.S. from the University of Guelph. She also participated in the Developing Leaders program at Columbia University.

Camille J. Mackler, Esq. is the Director of Legal Initiatives at the New York Immigration Coalition, where she works with NYIC members and a variety of stakeholders on issues relating to immigration law in New York. Before joining the NYIC in March 2013, Camille worked in private practice representing immigrants before US Immigration Courts and Federal Courts of Appeals. She focused primarily on asylum and refugee, deportation proceedings, immigration detention, and family-based immigration issues.

Camille is currently the co-chair of the Media and Advocacy committee for the NY Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. She is also a frequent lecturer on immigration law and advocacy issues surrounding the practice of immigration law.

Camille received a B.S. a Foreign Service from Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service, and a Juris Doctor from New York Law School.

Christopher Vanterpool is the Director of Grant Administration at the New York Restoration Project. He has also served as a Director of the Capital and Million Trees NYC programs at NYRP. His career has been devoted to the public realm, through cleaning parks, improving gardens, and tree planting. Christopher regularly presents at conferences and participates in panels; most recently at the “Turning Vacant Acres Into Community Resources Convergence,” hosted by 596 acres; and “Charting the Road to Resilience: From the Ground Up,” hosted by the Municipal Arts Society.

Christopher studied Environmental Science at Columbia College, Columbia University.

Elizabeth Kahn is the Director of College Success Programs at Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation. In this capacity, she develops strategic vision for the college access and success programs and their high school initiatives, which serve 2,000 young people a year through three distinct models. Elizabeth managed the expansion of the College Persistence program, adding 300 participants in two years. She has served as a consultant through PASE and CARA coaching schools and other non-profits in developing and sustaining a college-going culture. She has extensive experience in developing school partnerships, program launch and development, and utilizing peer leadership in college access. She has a commitment to a youth development approach to college success and has been actively involved in NYC based initiatives around college persistence. Previously, she served as Director of the Student Success Center with her current organization and as Assistant Program Coordinator at the Oasis Center of the Tennessee Youth Advisory Council.

Elizabeth received a B.S. in Child Studies with minor in Child Development and M.Ed. in Community Development Action both from Vanderbilt University.

Henry Tranes, J.D. is the Director of The Bridge Fund’s Brooklyn Program, which offers services and emergency financial assistance to working-poor households facing eviction in Housing Court. Before joining The Bridge Fund in 2013, Henry worked for local New York State legislators and for a New York State agency based in New York City. He grew up in Goshen, New York, in the Hudson Valley.

Henry received a B.A. in Political Science from SUNY Albany and his J.D. from the CUNY School of Law.

Jonathan Gaffney is the Director of Workforce Development at the Ocean Bay Community Development Corporation (OBCDC).  Since Jonathan joined OBCDC, the organization has
tripled in size. Over the past year, OBCDC has seen over two thousand people requiring services ranging from Health Care, Workforce, Education, Training, and Sandy Recovery resources. Previously, Jonathan served as Business Accounts Specialists and Recruiters at the Henry Street Settlement Workforce Development Center. Began working at his family’s funeral home in Inwood, NY.

Jonathan received a B.A. in Business Marketing from Morehouse College.

Lakeya Michel, Director of Case Management Services at University Settlement Society, is head of operations, oversight and administration for Children’s Blended Case Management, Children’s Intensive Case Management and Home Based Crisis Intervention. She has worked in the social work field for over twenty years, currently in her thirteenth year of tenure at University Settlement. She has grown immensely, accomplishing remarkably enriching experiences coming up through the ranks, forging forward and emerging as a leader within the organization. She holds a Masters of Social Work from Adelphi University, having graduated summa cum laude, and has also attained multiple scholarships and certifications in the field. Dedication, compassion, perseverance and professional development are important virtues to her, which drive her commitment to the mental health arena, empowering children and families, and continuing her path as an exemplary leader in social work.

Lakeya received her B.A. from York College, and a Masters in Social Work from Adelphi University.

Lisa Furst is the Director of the Center for Policy, Advocacy and Education of the Mental Health Association of New York City, and the Director of Education for the Geriatric Mental Health Alliance of New York.  Lisa works to engage and inform a diverse group of professionals and the general public about mental health, mental illness, and treatment through training and technical assistance programming that promotes knowledge development and skills-building. She has knowledge of the behavioral health needs of a variety of populations, including youth, adults, older adults and people affected by disasters. Lisa is the co-author of the book Depressed
Older Adults:  Education and Screening and has co-authored pieces for Aging Well, Today’s Geriatric Medicine, and the Journal of Case Management and has been featured on NBC and other broadcast, print, and radio media.

Lisa received a B.A. from University of Maryland, a Masters in Social Work from Hunter College, and an M.P.H. from the City University of New York.

Marc Santora is the Director of Youth Services at Lincoln Square Neighborhood Center. He has been working in after school programs for seven years – six of which at Lincoln Square and one at the Urban Dove. Marc has worked with children in a number of different capacities including teaching English for Achievement at First Charter Schools and serving as head coach for Union American Legion Post 35 baseball.

Marc received a B.A. from Fordham University.

Molicia Crichton is the Operations Coordinator for Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA). Molicia is an emerging Brooklyn based Visual Artist, Holistic Health & Nutrition Advocate, and Visionary. After graduating from FIT in 2003 with a Bachelor’s Degree in International Trade and Marketing, Molicia pursued a career in the Fashion Industry. She worked for over seven years in the Import Sourcing Department of Plus Size Catalog/Web Based Retailer. Molicia’s passion for creativity and her desire to educate others on the benefits of a vegan lifestyle led her to transition her career to become an Entrepreneur in the Food Service Industry. She utilized her business and product management skills developed through past endeavors to facilitate the successful launch of Nile Valley Eco Juice and Salad Bar. Molicia’s diverse business management background in addition to being an emerging visual artist has led her to cultivating a career path that nurtures her keen interest in non-profit arts management. MoCADA has created a platform for Molicia to have stronger influence as community leader while doing work that serves the greater good. She currently handles a broad scope of cross functional responsibilities including but not limited to HR, Finance, and Administrative Support for the Programming Staff at MoCADA.

Molicia has a B.S. in International Trade & Marketing from the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Morgan Lindsey Tachco is a creative administrator, actor and writer. She joined Brooklyn Arts Council in 2008 and filled several roles in the Grants and Arts in Education Departments prior to becoming the Grants Director in 2013. As an administrator, she has also worked as a Producing Director for Horse Trade Theater Group, where she co-founded the Frigid NYC Festival; Outreach Manager for New York Innovative Theatre Foundation; and as a freelance indie theatre publicist and event coordinator.

Morgan holds a B.A. from Goddard College in Individualized Studies, with a concentration in Performance and Arts Management.

Ogonnaya Dotson-Newman is the Director of Environmental Health at WE ACT for
Environmental Justice. Ogonnaya joined WE ACT in April 2008 as the organization’s
Environmental Health and Community-Based Participatory Research Coordinator. Prior to joining the WE ACT team, she worked at Loma Linda University’s School of Public Health as a research associate and instructor, teaching classes and advising students in the Health Geoinformatics program. Her research there focused on environmental health service delivery in New Mexico, where she collaborated with local tribes on preparedness, pan flu, and preparedness training for public health professionals. She’s most passionate about using a variety of research methods to translate science for communities of color and low income people.

Ogonnaya earned a degree in environmental science from DePaul University, focusing on the historical implications of place and space on the South Side of Chicago. She then completed a master’s degree in public health, researching environmental health service delivery in Zambia while teaching at a local university there.

Olivia Woollam is the Development Director at the Lower East Side Ecology Center, a 25 year-old nonprofit working towards a more sustainable New York City by developing innovative composting, electronic waste recycling, and green infrastructure solutions. Originally from New Orleans, Olivia’s environmental justice experience includes work in community gardens on the South Side of Chicago, a season on an organic farm in Maine, and her first taste of community organizing during the Chicago Clean Power Campaign. While an undergraduate, she was one of the lead organizers of a campaign advocating for the return of trauma care to hospitals on the South Side of Chicago.

Olivia received a B.A. in History from the University of Chicago.

Patrick Schultz is the Director of Development for God’s Love We Deliver, an organization dedicated to improving the nutritional health and well-being of New Yorkers affected by life-altering illnesses. Patrick’s position involves grant writing, donor communications, advocacy, project management, contract administration, and budgetary oversight. As director, he manages four development staff responsible for more than $4 million of the organization’s $12 million annual budget. Prior joining God’s Love We Deliver, Patrick served as Grants Manager and Program Director for Lifelong AIDS Alliance in Seattle, Washington.

Patrick received a B.A. from the University of Washington.

Ramona Morel is Staff Attorney at the City Bar Justice Center in the Pro Bono Consumer Bankruptcy Project. She provides legal assistance with filing for bankruptcy relief to low income New Yorkers faced with mounting debts. In addition, Ramona trains, mentors, and supervises staff and volunteers to provide direct legal services to these clients. She works in this capacity for the City Bar Justice Center as well as other outside legal service organizations to help foster pro bono assistance to other New Yorkers in various boroughs. Previously, she served as Legal Counselor on the Legal Hotline of the New York City Bar Association.

Ramona received a B.A. from New York University, and J.D. from Brooklyn Law School.

Sallie Quinones is the Coordinator of Enrollment and Program Services for Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center. Originally from the corporate entertainment field in a financial management capacity, she now has over ten years of experience in the nonprofit sector, working with diverse constituencies including at-risk youth, displaced workers, formerly incarcerated, non-custodial parents, and mandated populations.

Before joining Mind-Builders, Sallie served as Coordinator for Back-2-Work program with FEGS Health and Human Services in NY. At Yeshiva University, she was the Event and Budget Coordinator for the Office of the President. Sallie’s position as Training Associate with The New York Training group involved developing curriculum and conducting trainings and classes for professional development, diversity and sensitivity, and job-readiness for unemployed and underemployed professionals.

Sallie has extensive experience in the visual arts field and working with at-risk youth. She served as Coordinator of the Visual Arts Youth Leadership Program working with artistically- gifted youth at Grand Street Settlement, where she received grants to create four murals depicting the cultural diversity of the program. Additionally, she served as Project Liberty Case Manager and as the make-up artist for youth theater program at the Harry du Jour Playhouse at Henry Street Settlement, where she was also awarded a TASC grant for a non-verbal creative expression project related to the effects of the September 11thtragedy, working with youth in the NYC public schools. Sallie has also served as a Teacher’s Assistant for a visual arts instructor in the Professional Development program at NYU.

Sallie received a B.B.A. in Business Administration in Marketing and M.B.A. in Finance and Marketing from Texas Christian University.

Sara Chapman is the Assistant Director of Operations and Compliance of the Adult Education and Workforce Development department at Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation (NMIC), a multi-service community based organization in Washington Heights. Previously, Sara served as Assistant Program Director for NMIC Youth Workforce Development and Job Readiness Trainer for the department. She has three years of program management experience at a volunteer center in Northern Virginia. As a teacher in the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education in Seoul, South Korea, Sara taught fifth and sixth grades, and conducted a district-wide after-school program for teachers. For her use of technology in the classroom and educational gains demonstrated, she was recognized as Teacher of the Year.

Sara received her B.A. from the University at Albany in Spanish and Political Science, and an M.A. from George Mason University in Political Science, with an emphasis in international humanitarian relief.

Shawna Marie Aarons-Cooke is Clinic Director at the Guidance Center for Westchester, leading a team of 28 individuals to effectively deliver mental health services in lower Westchester. Shawna previously served as the Clinic Director of the Grand Street Clinic. At Mount Sinai Medical Center, she served as Coordinator for the Parenting Program and Social Worker at the Adolescent Health Center. Before joining the nonprofit sector, Shawna held the position of Supervisor of Corporate Contributions for Altria Group, and Research Analyst, Market Information and Planning, for Phillip Morris USA.

Shawna received a B.A. from Boston College, College of Communication, and a Masters in Social Work from New York University School of Social Work.

Shayla Scarlett is the Director of Institutional Philanthropy and Strategic Partnerships for the Girl Scouts of Greater New York. Previously, she served as the Director of Institutional Giving and as Development Officer. Shayla has 7 years of experience working in a New York City based non-profit, and has managed all aspects of the institutional fundraising process, raising more than $7.3 million in programmatic and unrestricted support during her tenure. Prior to her work with the Girl Scouts, Shayla was a National Urban Fellow, serving as Special Assistant in the Executive Office of the Mayor of Washington, D.C.
Currently, Shayla is a committee member at Self Help Africa, an international development agency that supports rural development projects in nine Sub-Saharan countries.

Shayla received an M.B.A. from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, and an M.A. in Public Administration from the Baruch School of Public Affairs.

Simone Eccleston is the Assistant Director of Programming at Harlem Stage, where she coordinates the implementation of all main stage performances with a special emphasis on the management and curation of Uptown Nights. She is responsible for the administration and management of the Harlem Stage Fund for New Work, a commissioning and development program for emerging artists. She also manages the implementation of Harlem Stage’s Dig Deeper Initiative, designed to provide audiences with the chance to interact with artists and expand their knowledge about artists, performances and the creative process. She has been a speaker at the Association of Performing Arts Presenters APAP|NYC Conference and The Department of Africana Studies at the University of Pennsylvania. She has also served as a reviewer/panelist for numerous granting agencies. For her outstanding achievements and commitment to service, she has been honored by the Jackie Robinson Foundation as a “42 under 40 to Watch.”

She has served on the board of the Emerging Leaders of New York Arts (ELNYA) and was a member of APAP’s Emerging Leadership Institute Alumni Advisory Board. She was an inaugural ELNYA Fellow (2011-2012) and an alumnus of APAP’s 2011 Emerging Leaders Institute. She is a member of Women of Color in the Arts (WOCA) and a New York Community Trust Leadership Fellow. She proudly serves as the Director of Concerts and Touring Productions at Revive Music Group and is the founder of They’ve Got Next an online platform designed to showcase young professionals who are taking arts and culture to the next level.

Sultana Parvin is the Operations, Finance, and HR Manager for Chhaya CDC, which advocates for New Yorkers of South Asian origin to advocate for and build economically stable, sustainable, and thriving communities. Sultana began her work with Chhaya after graduating from college, as a part-time Office Manager and HR Associate. A year later, she was promoted to a managerial position, overseeing the organization’s finance and government contracts. Sultana develops and manages the Chhaya’s budget of 1.1 million dollars and personnel of 15 staff.

Sultana has a B.B.A. from Baruch College.

Veronica Ortiz is the Coordinator with Youth Employment at Five Towns Community Center. Previously, she served as Youth Advocacy and Employment Counselor.

Veronica received a B.A. from The City College of New York, and a M.S. from Hofstra University.

Yaremis Félix Colón is an Ensemble Member of Pregones + Puerto Rican Traveling Theater, and a founding member of Caborca Theatre, an experimental theater company based in Brooklyn.  Some artistic collaborations include: The Encuentro Theater Festival 2014 at LATC Los Angeles, CA; Othello Project with Limon Dance Company, NY; The Performing Arts Marathon at Iati Theater; Mestizo Dance Company and Thalia Spanish Theater in Queens; INTAR Theater; Society of the Educational Arts (Latino Puppet and Children’s Theater in the Lower Manhattan); The International Puppetry Festival at the Center for Puppetry Arts, Atlanta, GA; Puerto Rican Traveling Theater Summer Tours; and former company member of The Spanish Repertory Theater. She has served as volunteer and collaborator of R.Evolución Latina/Broadway Cares Equity Fights Aids since 2008.

Yaremis received a B.A. in Drama from the University of Puerto Rico; and has studied musical theater at The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, NYC.