With a passion for storytelling and communication, Jeanie Ahn’s media career began at ABC News, where she covered breaking news and produced long-form documentaries for 20/20 and Primetime. Her journey evolved as she stepped in front of the camera, becoming an on-air reporter and senior producer at Yahoo Finance, leading a dynamic team through seven years of groundbreaking personal finance journalism. Her work has appeared on ABC News, CBS News, Yahoo, HuffPost, and PIX11 New York. Leveraging her media expertise, Jeanie founded her own business dedicated to democratizing financial literacy across generations. Her professional path seamlessly weaves journalism, entrepreneurship, and social advocacy. She currently partners with multiple nonprofits to provide career coaching, financial guidance, and marketing/communications support. Driven by a desire to inspire and create positive change, Jeanie’s superpower lies in connecting deeply with people, generating innovative ideas, and revealing compelling stories in the most unexpected places.Jeanie Anh, Career & Money Coach/Journalist, Pen to Paper Productions
Melanie Ash, Deputy Chief, Affirmative Litigation Division, New York City Law Department
Melanie Ash is Deputy Chief of Affirmative Litigation at the New York City Law Department, where she represents the City of New York as plaintiff in complex state and federal civil litigation and disputes of all kinds. In 2021-2022, she served as General Counsel to the New York City Racial Justice Commission, where she oversaw the development of the ballot proposals aimed at uprooting structural racism in NYC government which were overwhelmingly adopted by New York City voters. Melanie serves as Co-Chair of the Board of the Fifth Avenue Committee, a non-profit Community Development Corporation that seeks to advance social & economic justice and empower communities in Brooklyn. She holds a BA (Hons) from Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, an LLB from the University of British Columbia Law School where she was a Westbrook Scholar, and an LLM from the Columbia University School of Law.
Christina Bogie-Claxton, MPA, Director of Finance, Montefiore Medical Center
Christina Bogie-Claxton is the Director of Finance at Montefiore Medical Center. She pursued her professional career in finance by working in prestigious healthcare organizations across New York City such as Weill Cornell Medical College, Columbia Medical College, Mount Sinai Morningside and Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS), over the past 17 years. She was awarded the 2022 Women – N Motion Award honoring “Outstanding Women” who are Leaders, Motivators, Business Professionals, Innovators and Entrepreneurs. She was presented with a Certification of recognition and a Proclamation from New York City’s Mayor Eric Adams and New York Senator Kevin S Parker. In January 2024, she was appointed Vice President of Healthcare Leaders of New York, the biggest chapter of the American College Health Executives. She graduated from Mount Sinai’s Continuous Improvement Academy in January 2024. Christina worked with Departments rigorously until the targeted goals were met. In March 2024, Christina was also recognized by the National Association of Health Service Executives with the Dr. Sandra R. Gould Women of Distinction Award.
Jennifer Bohn, Assistant Director of RockEDU
Jen Bohn is the Assistant Director of RockEDU Science Outreach at the Rockefeller University. Jen has a wide array of experience in teaching and science research mentoring at a variety of spaces in NYC including: Rockefeller, CUNY institutes, Genspace, and South Bronx United where she expresses her passion for equitable access to scientific training.
In her current role, Jen trains graduate students and postdocs in culturally-relevant mentoring practices with the goal of preparing them to contribute to the scientific community in inclusive and impactful ways, no matter the career path they choose. Jen loves working with scientists and educators to ensure that the wonder and joy of scientific exploration is accessible to all.
Jen has a PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from the University of Michigan and did a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Rockefeller University. She also holds a certificate in Project Leadership from Cornell.
Paris Bradley, Managing Director, Teneo
Paris is a seasoned communications expert currently serving as a Managing Director at Teneo, where she specializes in advising clients on effective communication strategies for complex and high-impact initiatives. Her expertise includes media relations, CEO positioning, corporate reputation, and brand management.
Before joining Teneo, Paris was a Vice President at Edelman, where she focused on building globally integrated marketing campaigns for technology and consumer brands. During her tenure, she designed comprehensive stakeholder engagement strategies for Fortune 100 companies and supported start-ups in successfully navigating market disruptions.
Earlier in her career, Paris led product communications at DISH and became the company’s first spokesperson. In this role, she collaborated with the Chief Technology Officer to construct impactful campaigns for dozens of product launches, including Sling TV. Paris also produced and starred in over 50 television programs, reaching more than 13.5 million households while representing DISH in various media engagements.
Paris earned her bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Colorado.
Rosa Cohen-Cruz (she/her/ella) is the Director of Immigration Policy at The Bronx Defenders. She has spent over ten years working towards a more just immigration system, through direct representation, universal representation program creation and management, and policy work.
Miguelina Camilo, Counsel to Speaker, New York State Assembly
Miguelina has spent her legal career in dedicated service to the Bronx, City of New York, and the Dominican communities from which she came. She went to NYU for Political Science and received her Juris Doctor from New York Law School becoming the first member of her family to graduate college and become a lawyer. She currently serves as Counsel to Speaker Carl E. Heastie of the New York State Assembly. She hopes to help build a strong state agenda leveraging her legal expertise love of community that has gained her relationships in all levels of government.
Paula Caquias is a results-driven professional with extensive experience in community engagement, project management, and leadership in the government sector. She serves as a Strategic Project Manager in the NYC Mayor’s Office of Community Affairs, where she guides initiatives focused on enhancing community outcomes and fosters inter-agency collaborations to address critical challenges affecting New York City residents.
Previously, Paula was the Director of Operations for NYC Census 2020, where she played a pivotal role in scaling the team from a startup initiative to a full-fledged operation during the COVID-19 pandemic. She optimized processes, supported field events, and built strong relationships with elected officials, community leaders, and volunteers to maximize impact.
Born and raised in the Bronx, Paula is passionate about creating equitable opportunities and connecting stakeholders for meaningful change. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Law (PPL) from SUNY Binghamton University.
Maria Chepurina, Programme Officer, United Nations
Maria coordinates Partnerships and External Relations at the United Nations, driving initiatives to reinvigorate multilateralism and fulfill the UN Charter’s promise.
With nearly 15 years in four leading international organizations, Maria have extensive experience in strategic partnerships, political affairs and advocacy, working closely with Member States, parliaments, UN system and foundations.
From 2017 to 2023, Maria served as External Relations Officer at the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization. Previously, she worked for seven years at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), managing parliamentary partnerships and advising the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly President, and steering engagements with Central Asia and the Balkans.
Maria hold a PhD in Political Science, a Master’s Degree from Sciences Po Paris, and is a Harvard Negotiations Academy alum.
Aura Cifuentes, Head, Latin America and the Carribbean, Co-Develop
Born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia, Aura (she/her/ella) leads the Latin America and Caribbean region at Co-Develop, a global philanthropic fund dedicated to fostering safe and inclusive Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). In her role, she strengthens strategic partnerships and ensures impactful investments that enhance governments’ service delivery and citizen engagement across the region.
Before transitioning to the field of philanthropy, Aura worked for nearly a decade in the public sector, both in Colombia and France, where she championed Open Government, Public Innovation, and Digital Transformation initiatives. In Colombia, she held prominent roles as Director of Digital Government at the Ministry of Technology and Director of the Transparency and Anti-Corruption Observatory at the Office of the President. In France, she served as an advisor at Etalab, the open data division under the French Prime Minister’s Office. Her efforts have earned widespread recognition, including being named one of the “31 Influential Young Women in Colombian Politics” by KAS and Wom-en Foundation in 2021. Additionally, Apolitical and the World Economic Forum honored her as one of the world’s top 50 disruptive leaders for her contributions to public sector innovation during the pandemic.
She holds MPA degrees from Columbia University and Sciences Po, along with a Bachelor’s in Government and International Relations from Universidad Externado de Colombia.
In her free time, you will find her hiking in Upstate New York with her Border Collie, practicing Pilates, or exploring NYC’s best wine bars in NYC.
Rose Crichton-White, Director of Marketing, Development & Special Events, Brooklyn Conservatory of Music
Rose M. Crichton-White is a New York Emmy Award-winning marketing professional with experience in marketing, event management, and community relations. She is currently the Director of Marketing & Development at the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music (BKCM), overseeing fundraising, marketing, and special events. Rose serves on the boards of the Downtown Brooklyn Arts Alliance and the NYC Arts in Education Roundtable.
Previously, she held leadership roles at Spence-Chapin Services to Families and Children and BRIC Arts & Media, where she earned a New-York Emmy for her work. With a decade at Emmis Communications, she managed community relations for radio stations Hot 97 and promotions for 98.7 KISS FM. She’s also worked with the New York Urban League, the Apollo Theater, Paramount/Viacom and NBC. Rose holds a bachelor’s degree from Hunter College and a master’s from Baruch College.
Deborah Elson, Managing Director, Argot Partners
Deborah Elson is a corporate communications and investor relations leader for global biopharmaceutical companies and their C-suites. At Argot Partners, Deborah counsels public and private companies with diverse therapeutic areas and at varying financial and drug development stages. Her work spans internal and external communications, digital strategy, patient advocacy, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental, social and governance (ESG). Prior, Deborah worked at FleishmanHillard on the healthcare team, Society for Neuroscience, Sabin Vaccine Institute and a reputation management agency. Deborah holds a B.A. in international affairs and a minor in art history from The George Washington University and an M.P.S. in public relations and corporate communications from Georgetown University. Deborah also prioritizes volunteering. Currently, she is active in the NYC life sciences community, serving on the Council of Champions for Life Science Cares New York and as a pro-bono advisor to HYPOTHEkids, a STEAM education nonprofit.
Elizabeth English-Blanco, Vice President of Equity Capital Markets Operations and ECM Team COO, Madison International Realty
Elizabeth English-Blanco is Vice President of Equity Capital Markets Operations and ECM Team COO at Madison International Realty. In her current role, Ms. English-Blanco leads a wide range of operational initiatives to support the firm’s global capital raising and investor relations functions. She is also an active member of Madison International Realty’s Women of Madison Affinity Group as well as the firm’s Social Impact Committee. Prior to joining Madison in 2014, she worked on the Investor Relations & Business Development team at Blackstone. Ms. English-Blanco earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.
Marry Ferreira, Senior Manager, Communications and Global Accountability, Global Fund for Women
Marry Ferreira is a trilingual communications strategist and advocate with extensive experience in gender justice, human rights, and intersectional advocacy. She is the Senior Manager of Communications and Global Accountability at Global Fund for Women, where she leads external communications and ensures financial resources reach grassroots organizations led by historically marginalized groups.
Marry co-founded Kilomba Collective, the first U.S.-based organization supporting Black Brazilian immigrants through mentorship programs, workforce development, and emergency initiatives. She has collaborated with grassroots movements and NGOs across Latin America, designing impactful campaigns and fostering transnational solidarity.
Originally from Brazil, Marry holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Universidade Federal Fluminense and a Master’s degree in Public Media and Strategic Communications from Fordham University. In her free time, she enjoys visiting farmers’ markets, traveling, exploring new cuisines, and spending time with her newly adopted kitten.
Sarah Gastelum, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Mayor, Office of the Mayor, City of New York
Sarah Gastelum has over 11 years of experience in New York City Government, dedicated to supporting low-income and vulnerable communities. She currently serves as Deputy Chief of Staff to the Mayor, where she leads the development and execution of citywide policies and initiatives related to emergency response and operations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she oversaw critical efforts in testing, vaccine distribution, and public health mandates. Since October 2022, she has played a key role in addressing the sheltering needs of over 54,000 asylum seekers in the City’s care and managing operations across more than 200 emergency shelter sites.
Prior to her tenure at City Hall, she served as a finance analyst for the New York City Council, where she conducted budget oversight and provided policy and legislative analysis for city agencies tasked with delivering safe, high-quality, and affordable housing. She is a first-generation American and college graduate and holds a bachelor’s degree from UCLA and a master’s degree from NYU.
Erin Gehant, Senior Advisor to the Deputy Chancellor for Operations and Finance, NYC Public Schools
Erin is the Senior Advisor to NYC Public Schools’ Deputy Chancellor for Operations and Finance. She facilitated both the Fair Student Funding Working Group and the Class Size Working Group and co-leads strategy for NYC Public Schools’ implementation of a class size law, which requires class size reduction across all public schools within NYC. Erin also supports the Office of Food and Nutrition Services, the Office of School Health, and the Division of School Facilities. Erin has also helped develop and implement an initiative to invest more capital dollars into underserved districts through an innovative, community-centered approach that has now impacted four districts across NYCPS. Outside of work, Erin enjoys spending time hiking and sailing with her husband and two daughters.
Pamela Hower, Director of Marketing and Communications, El Museo del Barrio
Pamela Hernández Hower is dedicated to crafting narratives and building high-performing teams that amplify an organization’s mission and impact.
As the Director of Marketing & Communications at El Museo del Barrio, Pamela leads public relations, website management, email marketing, social media, advertising, signage, and internal communications, ensuring cohesive and impactful messaging across all platforms. With over 15 years of experience, she has held prominent roles at esteemed institutions such as the Central Park Conservancy, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
In 2012, she co-edited a book profiling over 50 international philanthropists, showcasing her commitment to storytelling with purpose.
Pamela holds a Master’s in Arts & Cultural Management from Pratt Institute, a Digital Marketing certificate from Columbia Business School, and a Bachelor’s in Media and Communications from Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City. Her expertise spans brand strategy, content development, public relations, digital innovation, audience engagement, and crisis management.
Mariya Ilyas, U.S. Foreign Service Officer, U.S. Department of State
Mariya Ilyas is a career U.S. diplomat. As a political-coned Foreign Service Officer, she is currently serving as the Staff Assistant to Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in New York. Her previous assignments include political-military officer in the Office of Regional Security and Arms Transfers in the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs in Washington D.C., non-immigrant visa chief at the U.S. Embassy Doha, and vice consul at the U.S. Embassy Amman. Prior to joining the U.S. Foreign Service as a Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellow in 2018, she taught English as a Fulbright Scholar in Turkey and worked as a data analyst at Liberty Mutual Insurance in Boston. Mariya holds a master’s in security studies and maritime affairs from The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and a bachelor’s in mathematics from Bowdoin College. Mariya volunteers her time as the co-chair of U.S. State Department’s employee organization Muslim Americans and Friends at State (AMFAS) and as a board member of the nonprofit organization Muslim Americans in Public Service (MAPS). She is natively proficient in Arabic, Urdu, and Hindi and conversational in Turkish and Spanish. Mariya is an avid writer and hiker.
Tobi Jaiyesimi, Vice President, Real Estate, Kasirer
Tobi Jaiyesimi is Vice President of Real Estate at Kasirer, where she supports a diverse portfolio of clients with advancing residential and mixed-use development projects across New York City.
Prior to joining Kasirer, Tobi was Assistant Vice President of Real Estate and Community Relations at Empire State Development. She led the successful approvals of the World Trade Center Site 5 development project, and managed the Atlantic Yards Project, and Queens West Development Corporation.
Earlier in her career, Tobi was Chief of Staff for Assemblymember Walter T. Mosley, and Deputy-Chief of Staff for Assemblymember Hakeem Jeffries.
Tobi is a product of the public school system holding a Bachelor’s in Political Science and Master’s in Urban Affairs from Hunter College.
A proud Nigerian immigrant, Tobi has a goal of visiting at least 100 countries; she enjoys reading, listening to live music, and walking faster than the estimated travel time on Google Maps.
Krista Kaszycki, Director of Operations, AlphaRidge
Krista Kaszycki serves as Director of Operations at AlphaRidge, an IT and cybersecurity firm, where she spearheads strategic initiatives and operational excellence. With extensive experience in operations management, market strategy, compliance and cybersecurity, she excels in driving organizational success through process optimization and cross-functional collaboration. Krista is currently pursuing her Executive MBA at the Zicklin School of Business (Class of 2025) and has shared her insights as a panelist at industry events such as AFCEA STEMpowerment Forum and RaicesCon. She is passionate about leveraging her expertise to empower more women in leadership roles across technology and cybersecurity sectors and achieves this through her service as Chief of Staff for Latinas in Cyber, a non-profit dedicating to fostering the next generation of cyber leaders.
Kritika Kharbanda, Head of Sustainability, Henning Larsen
As the Head of Sustainability for Henning Larsen, Kritika spearheads the global sustainability team’s initiatives, strategies, and growth. She contributes by developing sustainability goals and methodologies for achieving those goals for diverse projects worldwide, from educational, cultural, and civic buildings to labs, offices, and masterplans. Her work lies at the intersection architecture, sustainability, and technology. With a masters specializing in Energy and Environments from Harvard Graduate School of Design with cross-enrollment at MIT, Kritika was a Social Innovation and Change Initiative Fellow at Harvard Kennedy School. Her commitments within the broader building science community include contributing to the global Carbon Leadership Forum, International Building Performance Simulation Association (IBPSA), and local carbon-focused policy efforts in Boston and New York City. She also is serving on the ULI New York’s Climate and Sustainability Council and is part of the Young Leaders Group.
Valerie Leon, Executive Director, Mitchell-Lama Portfolio, NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development (HPD)
Valerie León is a Bronx native and first-generation college graduate with over two decades of leadership in affordable housing and community development. As Executive Director of the Mitchell-Lama Portfolio at NYC’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), she oversees 43,000 affordable housing units, ensuring their long-term affordability. Previously, she led HPD’s Hurricane Sandy Recovery Program, rebuilding 250 homes through strategic leadership and navigating complex regulatory requirements.
A former Peace Corps Volunteer in Thailand, Valerie promoted community-based development and cross-cultural collaboration. She serves on the Board of Directors at Women in Housing and Finance, Inc., and is a member of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee at the Urban Land Institute. Valerie holds an MPA from Columbia University, a BA in Government from Wesleyan University, a Real Estate Finance Certificate from Baruch College and is a Certified Life Coach. Valerie is passionate about mentoring emerging leaders in housing and public service, inspiring the next generation to create meaningful change in their communities.
Jenni Majumdar, Assistant Professor Assistant Specialty Director, Nurse Anesthesia Adult Gerontology Acute Care DNP Program, Hunter College, City of University of New York
Jennifer Majumdar, PhD, CRNA (she/her), is a leader in Nurse Anesthesia with over a decade of clinical experience and expertise in education, research, and mentorship. As the founding Assistant Specialty Director of the Nurse Anesthesia DNP program at Hunter College, she has been instrumental in developing and accrediting the program, building strong clinical partnerships, and designing evidence-based curricula to prepare future nurse anesthetists.
As a Nurse Scientist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK), Dr. Majumdar leads research on perioperative symptom management for oncology patients. Her work explores the effects of preoperative anxiety on postoperative outcomes, including nausea, pain, and unplanned admissions, and her PhD dissertation identified critical periods of heightened distress in women recovering from breast cancer surgery.
Dr. Majumdar’s research has been widely published in leading journals, and she frequently presents at national conferences, contributing to advancements in anesthesia and oncology care.
Maia Molina-Schaefer, Leadership Fellow, Amplify Her
Maia Molina-Schaefer is a transitioning Military Officer with two decades of experience in building high-performing teams and advocating for gender equity. A master at pivoting in life, Maia started in the boxing ring at the U.S. Naval Academy and went on to serve in the Marine Corps and Army. Skillfully adept at navigating complex cultural landscapes, Maia has served in key roles in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe as an Intelligence Officer and Military Diplomat, and most recently as an Assistant Professor at West Point. Driven by a deep commitment to advancing gender equity, Maia is an active community advocate, speaker, and author who believes when women succeed, communities succeed. She is currently serving as a Leadership Fellow with the Amplify Her Foundation, where she is excited to assist in the mission to support women and girls from underserved communities to become transformative changemakers.
Megan O'Toole, Deputy Director of Research, Everytown for Gun Safety
Megan O’Toole is Deputy Director of Research at Everytown for Gun Safety, where her work focuses community and police gun violence prevention. She previously worked at the Vera Institute of Justice and John Jay’s Research and Evaluation Center, honing skills in applied research and program evaluation. Her work is published in peer-reviewed journals, online reports, and dashboards intended for use by policy-makers and community leaders. Dr. O’Toole holds a PhD from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, where she also serves as an adjunct professor.
Kyndall Osibodu, Director, Organizational Health, Operations, + Learning, Grantmakers for Girls of Color
Kyndall is an operational leader, facilitator, and writer committed to advancing values-driven philanthropy and building cultures of care. She serves as the Director of Organizational Health, Operations, and Learning at Grantmakers for Girls of Color. She is also the Founder of Kadence, a consultancy centering maternal leadership and creativity through coaching, speaking, and writing. Prior to her philanthropic work, she served as a high school educator, researcher, and community organizer. Her work has been featured in Inside Philanthropy and Ms. Magazine.
Kyndall studied human and organizational development and Africana studies at Vanderbilt University and earned her masters in education and gender studies from the University of Pennsylvania.
She is a certified mindfulness instructor through MNDFL. She is training for the 2025 NYC marathon, her very first.
Originally from the US South by way of Chicago, she makes her home in Brooklyn, NY with her husband, son, and extended village.
Jilliene Rodriguez, Managing Member of Abintus LLC & Associate Dean for Diversity and Community Engagement, School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University.
Jilliene values the transformative nature of education to shape and change lives and has dedicated her career to making post-secondary education more inclusive, affordable, and equitable. Her ability to cultivate effective change management is a result of her varied experiences – working on Capitol Hill, non-profit advocacy organizations, multiple institutions of higher education, and as a consultant. As a Managing Member of Abintus LLC, she utilizes her expertise to support the evolving needs of diverse communities and organizations to achieve organizational effectiveness and wellness. She also serves as the Associate Dean for Diversity and Community Engagement at the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University where she actively advances diversity, inclusion and belonging to ensure all members of the community feel seen, valued, and supported in their studies, research, and work. Jilliene received her Bachelor of Arts from the College of Wooster and a Master’s Degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration at the University of Vermont.
Edda Santiago, SVP, Deputy General Counsel, Covenant House International
Edda Santiago is the Senior Vice President, Deputy General Counsel at Covenant House International, a multinational nonprofit organization that supports children, adolescents and young people experiencing homelessness and survivors of sexual abuse and human trafficking across 34 sites in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, and Honduras. Prior to joining Covenant House, she was a tenant rights attorney at the Legal Aid Society and also served as counsel to the Amplify Her Foundation.
Edda earned a J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law in 2014. In 2018, she completed an Advanced Professional Certificate in Taxation from New York University School of Law. In 2024, Edda was named one of the Hispanic National Bar Association (“HNBA”) Top Lawyers under 40, recognized as the Impact Award honoree by the HNBA New York and was the recipient of the St. John’s Law School Women in the Law Outstanding Alumna Award.
Rebecca Scott, Director of Programs, FASPE (Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics)
Rebecca has taught a wide variety of history and writing courses, and designed several courses on genocide, human rights, and the history, literature, and philosophical implications of the Holocaust.
Alexandra Siclait, Director of Fiscal Sponsorship, Proteus Fund
Alexandra (she/her/hers) is the Director of Fiscal Sponsorship at Proteus Fund, where she oversees emerging initiatives, implements strategies, drives new business development, and provides stewardship for social justice enterprises. With over a decade of experience across the corporate, nonprofit, and public sectors, Alexandra has discovered her passion for coaching and advising leaders and organizations. She helps leaders unlock their highest level of performance, scale operations, and navigate strategic support during periods of change.
Her career portfolio is diverse and fulfilling, including roles at the Bush Foundation, Creative Capital, the City of Atlanta’s Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, Meridian International Center, and Arnold & Porter, LLP.
She has advanced degrees from Syracuse University and a bachelor’s degree from George Washington University. She has served on various boards on the East Coast and the Midwest, including Pollen Midwest, Minnesota Humanities Center, and Burnaway, an Atlanta-based digital magazine of contemporary art and criticism from the American South. Alexandra enjoys photography, graphic design, and traveling in her free time.
Millie Symns, Data Strategy and Analytics Consultant, Illoominus
Millie Symns is a data science and analytics professional with over 7 years of experience across non-profit, higher education, tech, and e-commerce. Millie uses her unique blend of expertise in data, social psychology, and digital art to make insights accessible and impactful.
Currently leading data strategy and analytics at Illoominus, she previously supported analytic engineering efforts at Thinx Inc., driving analytics in customer engagement and experience initiatives. At IBM, she led the data and analytics for their global corporate social responsibility education and workforce model in 28 countries. She has also led research teams and provided program evaluation support at the City University of New York (CUNY) on dual enrollment and early college initiative programs across New York City.
Millie earned her B.A. in Sociology from Randolph College, formally Randolph Macon Woman’s College, and her M.A. in Human Development and Social Intervention from New York University.
Alethia Wong, Social Enterprise Consultant & Advisor, Independent
Alethia Wong is an advisor and consultant in the social enterprise and innovation space working directly with social enterprises, non-profits, and foundations to advance their strategies and impact. She mentors social entrepreneurs through accelerator programs run by the Miller Center for Social Entrepreneurship and New Ventures Mexico, with a focus on Latin America and the Caribbean.
Alethia spent more than a decade designing and scaling social business models that benefit rural communities, holding multiple roles at the Clinton Foundation and Acceso, most recently Senior Director, Programs where she oversaw farmer-focused and agritech programs in Colombia, El Salvador, Haiti, Mexico, and Guatemala. She serves on the Board of Bean Voyage and Advisory Board of Pomona Impact’s Escala program. She began her career as a CPA working with KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Alethia holds an MBA from the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School and Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Toronto.
Vishney Ambalavanar, Senior Investigator, U.S. Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration
Vishney Ambalavanar (she/her) has 10 years of experience in employee benefits regulatory law working for the Employee Benefits Security Administration at the U.S. Department of Labor. As a Senior Investigator, she protects the retirement and healthcare benefits of American workers by ensuring that employers, investment advisors, health insurance companies, and other parties comply with federal statutes like ERISA and ACA. She also conducts investigations on cutting edge issues in cybersecurity and data monetization, safeguarding American workers’ rights in a growing technological landscape.
Vishney received her J.D. from the New York University School of Law and her bachelors’ degrees in Marketing and English from the University of Maryland. Raised in a diaspora by Sri Lankan Tamil parents, she is a lifelong Bharatanatyam dancer and an avid traveler who has visited over 30 countries. She is also an aspiring creative writer and an active member of three different book clubs.
Sasha Bartashnik, Head of Data & AI, Vendelux
Sasha Bartashnik is the Head of Data & AI at Vendelux, a tech startup based in NYC. She leads teams to build data technology products that meet true customer needs and drive business impact. Prior to entering the startup ecosystem, Sasha worked in eCommerce and healthcare, where she built her expertise in data, analytics, machine learning, and experimentation.
Sasha holds an MA in management science from the University of Cambridge and a BA in mathematics from Pomona College. She is passionate about AI transparency, supporting women in data, and data for good.
Mary Kate Boughton, Director, Digital Strategy, Carnegie Corporation of New York
Bio coming soon!
Filippa Christofalou, Founder and Lead Educator, Museum Education & Public Engagement, The Drama Science Lab
Filippa Christofalou is the founder and director of Education and Public Engagement for a pioneering initiative that bridges art, science, and education, including the first sciart festival in the United States. With over 20 years of experience in education and a multidisciplinary background, Filippa is a recognized expert in designing transformative learning experiences in art museums and other informal learning spaces.
Their work integrates somatic practices, trauma-informed approaches, and participatory methodologies to foster inclusive and meaningful engagement. As a doctoral candidate at Teachers College, Columbia University, Filippa researches body-based pedagogies and institutional epistemologies in art museums.
Filippa mentors future museum educators, shaping cultural leaders to navigate complex sociopolitical landscapes. She has collaborated with prominent institutions such as the Saatchi Gallery, Art Institute of Chicago, Whitney Museum, and Hauser & Wirth, bringing a unique perspective that blends theory and practice in the service of education and engagement.
Rumsha Hada, Marketing Growth Analyst, Meta
Rumsha (she/her) is a marketing professional dedicated to driving positive change through her work. As a first-generation Pakistani American, she brings a unique perspective shaped by her multicultural background and global experiences.
Throughout her 17-year career, Rumsha has been driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact. She has worked to develop innovative marketing strategies that drive results, while also prioritizing social responsibility and community engagement. Her commitment to these values has earned her recognition as a leader in her field.
When she’s not working, Rumsha can be found volunteering at local senior centers, supporting community events, or participating in action programs focused on safety and resource distribution. She is also passionate about traveling and using her experiences to help communities around the world. In Mexico, she volunteered for environmental conservation efforts, and during her travels, she has supported various initiatives that promote education, healthcare, and economic development in underserved communities.
Through her participation in the Women inPower Fellowship, Rumsha aims to further develop her leadership skills, drive innovation in the marketing industry, and serve the community to inspire others to do the same.
Dana Huber, Director, Programs and Strategic Learning at the New York Women's Foundation, The New York Women's Foundation
Dana Huber (she/her) is the Director, Programs & Strategic Learning at The New York Women’s Foundation. In her role, she focuses on a range of areas, including disability justice, economic justice and strategic learning. Earlier in her career, Dana worked on several efforts related to women’s health at Rabin Martin, the Avon Breast Cancer Crusade, and the Social Science Research Council.
Dana holds an MPH from the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and an MA in International Relations from the University of Chicago. Currently, Dana is a PhD Candidate at the CUNY School of Public Health.
Justine Jones-Smith, Special Education Teacher/Special Education Department Co-Chair/IEP Coordinator, Harvest Collegiate High School - New York City Department of Education
Justine Jones-Smith (she/her) is a Special Education Teacher at the New York City Department of Education. She currently serves as a Special Education Department Chair and IEP Coordinator at her current school. Through her work, Justine advocates for students and families within the school system and makes sure that the needs of students with disabilities are met.
Justine also has experience and training in Culturally Responsive Education, Restorative Justice, and Equity Teamwork among other educational practices. In 2010, Justine earned her BA in Sociology and Latin American Caribbean Area Studies along with her BS in Human Development from SUNY Binghamton. In 2015, she earned her Masters of Science in Students with Disabilities grades 7-12.
Justine is part of the New York Performance Standard Consortium through her current school. She has participated in developing support for students with disabilities during the performance based assessment portions of their high school careers. Justine is looking forward to broadening her scope of impact through earning her School Building Leadership and School District Leadership certifications, an opportunity afforded to her through securing a seat within Brooklyn College’s Leadership Program.
Alexandra Krueger, Director of Museum Administration, The New York Historical
Alex Krueger is a seasoned museum administrator with over a decade of experience at The New York Historical. As Director of Museum Administration, Alex oversees strategic planning, financial management, and policy implementation, driving operational excellence across the museum division.
Beyond administration, Alex contributes to curatorial projects, including the small installation “The Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade: 100 Years of Celebration” and co-coordinating traveling exhibition “Picture the Dream: The Story of the Civil Rights Movement Through Children’s Books.” Her project management highlights include “Harry Potter: A History of Magic” from the British Library, Treasures of the New-York Historical Society for Abbeville Press, and the museum’s digital guide for the Bloomberg Connects app.
With an Executive Master of Public Administration from Baruch College and a background in art history and business, Alex bridges creative vision with practical execution. Alex is passionate about fostering museums as spaces for education, inspiration, and community connection.
Katy Nelson, Deputy Director of Development, The Century Foundation
Katherine (Katy) Nelson is deputy director of development at The Century Foundation. She was previously a grant writer at Dēmos and senior development manager at the Roosevelt Institute. Her journalism has appeared in dozens of travel and lifestyle publications, and her grant writing has supported think tanks, human services agencies, universities, and documentaries.
A creative writer and performer of standup and storytelling, Katy is a graduate student in the MFA in Television Writing program at Stony Brook University Manhattan, where she is writing scripts about living with neurodivergence.
Katy received her bachelor’s degree in political science and English with honors in creative writing from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she was a Morehead-Cain Scholar. She also holds master’s degrees in creative writing from Queens University of Charlotte and journalism from Northwestern University.
Vice President Corporate Engagement, Integrate Advisors
Tracy Powell-Rudy is Vice President of Corporate Engagement at Integrate Autism Employment Advisors, a nonprofit dedicated to helping organizations become truly neuroinclusive. She is a contributing author of The Neurodivergent Candidate: Recruiting Autistic Professionals and co-author of multiple research papers, including the Journal of Intelligence article, Examining the Use of Game-Based Assessments for Hiring Autistic Job Seekers. Tracy also serves on the advisory boards for an NSF-funded research collaboration with Penn State, Carnegie Mellon, and Clemson University, as well as on the Advisory Council for Joshin, a disability-focused care platform.
Before joining Integrate, Tracy was Vice President at a leading global executive search firm specializing in placements from CEO/Board to VP level. Earlier in her career, she managed the Northeast Internal Telecom department for a Fortune 100 corporation.
Tracy holds an MS with honors in Telecommunications and Computing Management from NYU Tandon School of Engineering and graduated summa cum laude with a BS in Psychology from Manhattanville College.
Rona Ramjas, Storyteller, Artist
Rona Sarita Ramjas is a published nature, folklore, and performance writer. Pre-pandemic, she was a restaurateur, honing her already dynamic hospitality background. Her focus has since shifted to living a life in accordance with her artistic dreams. She is a Story Scout for Freedom Tunnel Press and a Contributing Writer at Appetito Magazine. She is currently working on several self-funded writing projects.
Molly Schaeffer, Director, Mayors Office of Asylum Seeker Operations, City of New York
Molly Schaeffer is a seasoned municipal executive with over a decade of experience driving policy, operations, and humanitarian responses at the highest levels of New York City government. As the founding Director of the Office of Asylum Seeker Operations, she managed a $6.4 billion budget and coordinated efforts to shelter and support over 225,000 migrants, expanding the city’s shelter system nearly threefold. She has also served as Deputy Chief of Staff to two mayors, leading cross-agency initiatives, overseeing responses to large-scale emergencies, and working on groundbreaking policies like outdoor dining and mental health responses to 911. With expertise in strategic planning, crisis management, and stakeholder engagement, Molly has built diverse teams and navigated complex regulatory landscapes. A problem solver and advocate for vulnerable populations, she combines a data-driven approach with a deep commitment to public service. Molly was recognized as one of Crain’s New York Business 40 Under 40 in 2024.