Jada Abdullah is a Legislative Analyst at Hollis Public Affairs specializing in legislative tracking, political analysis, and budget processes, developing accurate and insightful research and reporting on developments and proposals relating to education, health care, and nonprofit policy. Drawing on her experienced background in state government and government affairs, Jada helps to guide clients through the advocacy process, providing support and clarity every step of the way. Jada previously held the role of Legislative Director for Assemblyman Sterley Stanley [BS1] in the 18th Legislative District in East Brunswick, New Jersey, where she assisted the Assemblyman in a number of key areas, including research, analysis, and legislation development and advancement. Jada also served as an intern in the Office of Governor Phil Murphy in New Jersey, Assemblyman Joe Danielsen of the 17th Legislative District in NJ, and 2020 U.S. Senate Democratic Primary Candidate Betsy Sweet of Maine, providing her firsthand experience in political advocacy across multiple levels of government. Jada holds a BA in Political Science and an MA in Political Science focusing on the United Nations and Global Policy Studies, both of which were earned from Rutgers. As an Eagleton Fellow and Undergraduate Associate, she developed a deeper understanding of public policy through her coursework, live seminars, and hands-on learning experiences.

Keren Abina-Sotomayor is VP of Insights & Impact within JPMorgan Chase’s Corporate Responsibility department, where she uses emergent learning and knowledge-sharing practices to glean insights from the firm’s social impact work and supports the organization’s mission of advancing an equitable economy. For over a decade, Keren has held leadership roles in program design, performance management, learning, and evaluation in the social and public sectors. She previously held leadership roles in planning, learning, and evaluation at the Office of Training and Workforce Development at the NYC Administration for Children’s Services, the Center for Employment Opportunities, FEGS Health and Human Services, and the Committee for Hispanic Children and Families. What she enjoys the most about leading learning and evaluation activities is engaging with colleagues and stakeholders to explore the effectiveness of strategies, interrogate how programs work, and use that information to support continuous learning for greater impact. She earned her master’s degree in psychology from New York University and her bachelor’s degree from the University of Puerto Rico. Originally from Puerto Rico, Keren is married and has two wonderful daughters. She is enthusiastic about sustainability and serves on the board of Friends of Arlington Park, a member of the Jersey City Parks Coalition, to improve parks and green spaces in her town.

Silvia Alvarez is a seasoned communications professional with three decades of experience in media relations, brand management, crisis communications, strategic messaging, and positioning. She is a veteran of New York City politics, media, and government and an expert in multicultural engagement with an intimate understanding of New York City’s diverse communities. Currently, Silvia is the Acting Communications Director for the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA), providing timely strategic communications counsel to all levels of the organization. Before joining the MLBPA, she led communications strategy and execution, corporate social responsibility, and charitable giving as Senior Vice President and Director of Corporate Communications for the nationally recognized and fully integrated regional financial services firm, First Horizon National Corporation. Silvia’s communications career includes working as the Acting Associate Commissioner of Marketing & Communications for the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs. She managed the Department’s communications efforts, including developing digital content and public awareness campaigns geared toward targeted audiences throughout New York City. As the director of multicultural & charitable communications for Major League Baseball, Silvia developed the press strategy for national events and community initiatives, including the League’s annual All-Star Game and World Series.

Ruth Burgos is a Vice President leading a team of bankers for City National’s Park Avenue Branch, building beneficial relationships while helping high-net-worth individuals and businesses meet their financial goals. She is committed to delivering exemplary service, providing solutions to client needs, and maintaining operational integrity. Ms. Burgos has more than 20 years of banking experience in various roles, leveraging her skills and background to achieve results for both the client and the bank’s bottom line. Ms. Burgos is involved with multiple community organizations, such as board members of the Washington Heights Chamber of Commerce and board chair of the Community League of the Heights. She has worked with organizations such as Union Community Health Organization, Madison Square Boys and Girls Club, Bronx Chamber of Commerce, and the Bronx Woman’s Chamber of Commerce.

A community leader with decades of experience. She currently serves as the Director of Operations for the Neighborhood Housing Services of Queens CDC Inc. Her role in leading operations has supported the organization’s impact, where they serve nearly 9,000 households. Last year, she began freelance work providing instruction for English as a second language for the Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrants Rights (NMCIR). Diana received her Masters in Public Administration – Inspection and Oversight from John Jay College (CUNY) and holds a Bachelor of Science in Fraud Examination and Financial Forensics.

Miguelina earned her BA in Accounting from Hunter College, where a sociology course on Hunger in America sparked her commitment to food security advocacy. She currently serves as the Senior Manager of Food and Benefits Access at United Way of New York City (UWNYC), where she oversees efforts to connect eligible households to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Before UWNYC, Miguelina played vital roles at Hunger Free America, leading initiatives to enhance SNAP access by overcoming application obstacles, raising awareness about federal nutrition programs, and advocating for food access in underserved communities. Her previous work with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Shop Healthy Program involved partnering with local food outlets to improve access to nutritious food in areas with high obesity rates. Miguelina is dedicated to supporting community-driven planning and promoting equitable neighborhoods. In recognition of her impactful work, she was honored as one of the 40 under 40 Rising Food Policy Stars in New York City by the Hunter College Food Policy Center in 2022.

I am Laura Fierro. I am a third-year student majoring in International Management at Peter J. Tobin College of Business at St. John’s University, minoring in international studies and Italian. I currently participate in the in-Hope College Leadership Program (HCLP) and work at Hollis Public Affairs as an Administrative Coordinator. Part-time, I work as a hostess at a restaurant. At school, I am taking the study abroad program in Rome. I am also a committee member of the SJU marketing and finance club. I have a passion for working in marketing and working to grow my community. I was born and raised in Queens, New York.

Experienced Branch Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the banking industry. Nearly two decades of experience in the banking industry have allowed her to become highly skilled in Negotiation, Banking, Loans, Leadership, and Customer Service. Strong sales professional graduated from Universidad Tecnológica de Santiago UTESA) focused on Business Administration and Management.

Director with luxury-level experience in fabric processes required to build collections from concept
development to the production phase. Work style reflects the ability to maintain high
productivity and efficiency while upholding the season’s creative vision and brand integrity. In her
current role as Fabric Director for Carolina Herrera, she works to design and develop fabrications for
RTW, Bridal, and VIP clients. She manages seasonal fabric budgets, creates seasonal fabric calendars, and works closely with a design team to ensure adherence. She frequently visits Italian mills and attends critical New York, Milan, and Paris trade shows. She received her Bachelor of Science in Fashion/Apparel Design from Syracuse University and studied abroad at the University of the Arts in London.

Mariela Jimenez is a distinguished Latinx professional, a first-generation American, and the eldest daughter of Mexican immigrants. Born in Brooklyn and raised in East Harlem, Mariela’s upbringing as the oldest of six siblings instilled a deep sense of responsibility and leadership. She takes immense pride in her heritage and the values imparted by her parents. Mariela holds a master’s in Youth Studies, the foundation of her impactful career in education and nonprofit organizations. She works at United Way of New York City as a Health Educator Specialist for their Health Equity Unit’s Connect2Care program. Her passion lies in being a catalyst for change within her family and community, focusing on advocating for non-English speaking Latino populations. Inspired by her parents, who immigrated to the United States in search of better opportunities for their children and future generations, Mariela’s work is driven by a profound sense of duty and commitment. She strives to honor their legacy while building her own by championing the rights and opportunities of marginalized communities, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met.

I’m Sabrina, a Talent Engagement Partner at Paramount. My role involves partnering with recruiters and hiring teams to understand unique talent needs and implement diverse sourcing strategies. I bring a wealth of knowledge as a professional with over eight years of experience in talent acquisition, sourcing, and recruiting. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University. My commitment and expertise lie in conducting research to develop innovative recruitment strategies and cultivating solid relationships with potential candidates and hiring teams. Driven by a desire for continuous learning and growth, I am eager to participate in career advancement training events to enhance my skills and expand my professional network. Outside of work, I am passionate about traveling and exploring new places.

A professional with excellent interpersonal and social services skills. Solid knowledge of the needs, problems and the attitudes of the target population and awareness of the community environment and health care organizations in New York. She currently serves as a Senior Manager, Strategic Partnerships and Experiential Marketing for MetroPlusHealth. She has held a number of roles there over the decade she has grown with the company. She has also been a strong community advocate with past experience working for the General Consulate of Ecuador. In 2006, she co-founded Organización Juventud Ecuatoriana (JUVE), a nonprofit organization that empowered the Ecuadorian and Hispanic community by providing seminars, workshops, and forums in education, leadership, financial management, human and civil rights, and other valuable areas to succeed in this society.

As a dedicated Supply Chain, Finance, and Strategy executive, I take pride in being recognized as a transformative change agent. Here are some highlights of my recent achievements: Successfully led a $150M reduction in excess inventory at Estée Lauder, simultaneously enhancing brand equity, increasing trial, and elevating customer service levels from 76% to 95%; Directed a portfolio of corporate initiatives resulting in $120M in savings through operational excellence and process redesign; PMO for vital corporate projects, including the launch of a Workforce Management System for over 4,000 freelancers (reducing errors in scheduling and payroll) and the implementation of SAP Ariba
eSourcing platform to manage $1.4 billion in spending. I am a passionate advocate for Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity, having initiated the first sponsorship program for Executive Women at Estée Lauder – the “Open Doors Women Leadership Program,” which has seen over 100 graduates.

Currently a Senior Lead Control Management Officer at Wells Fargo, where she focuses on compliance control. Jennifer has over a decade of experience in the banking industry previously serving as a Vice President at JPMorgan Chase. Prior to entering the banking industry, she worked at General Motors where she focused on asset management. Jennifer received her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Fordham University. She hold a Master of Studies in Law in Corporate Compliance from Fordham University School of Law.

With over 10 years of experience in philanthropy, grantmaking, economic research, and data analysis, I am a Vice President in Global Philanthropy at JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPMC), where I support the firm’s investment in education and workforce training systems. My mission is to promote economic opportunity and reduce inequities in labor market outcomes for groups historically facing significant barriers to access opportunity. As part of the central national strategy team, I contribute to designing, implementing, and evaluating innovative and impactful programs that align with the firm’s philanthropic goals and activities centered around Jobs & Skills. I also leverage my previous experience as a Philanthropy Advisor for the J.P. Morgan Private Bank’s Philanthropy Centre, where I provided
strategic advice and insights to clients across the United States and Latin America on how to achieve their philanthropic objectives. I am passionate about scaling proven programs, workforce development,
opportunity youth, economic empowerment, transformation of communities, education policy, and Latin America.

Dynamic Human Resources professional specializing in Domestic and Global Mobility, successfully managing process management, vendor relationships, negotiations, and technology. Leverages expertise to effectively develop and implement processes and procedures, enhancing tax compliance and optimizing operational efficiency. Works collaboratively with key stakeholders, driving organizational
excellence. As an experienced Mobility professional, I believe that policies and programs should adapt to current trends and environments to strengthen your program. With over 19+ years of experience, I believe that no one day is the same in relocation, and I enjoy the challenges that come with these experiences

I am the Coordinator for the Store Operations Systems Dept. at Coach. My interest has been in customer service, and for over ten years, I was in a sales/service position assisting clients face-to-face and finding products that best fit their needs. I am now in an operational/administrative role, which allows me to understand all back-of-house systems and provide communication regarding future policies and projects. When I’m not on the job, I love traveling and learning about new cultures; I have a mild obsession with novels and trying new restaurants.

Lissa Rivers is a skilled banking professional. With nearly two decades of experience in banking, she understands firsthand the importance of financial literacy and access. In her current role as Vice President of Senior Business Banking Relationship Manager, she works to introduce business owners to the suite of resources available at City National Bank. Prior to working at City National Bank, Lissa worked at TD Bank Group and Capital One. She graduated from Queens College with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Government.

Sandra Rodríguez Pham is the Lead Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) supporting the CIBBanking leadership team. Sandra provides strategic HR consulting and comprehensive human capital strategies to help leaders across the banking sector based out of New York City. She is passionate about talent management and DE&I. She also serves as the HR Advisor for the CIB DE&I Council, the Diverse Representation action team, and the Northeast Regional Deputy Director for the Hispanic/Latino Connection. Sandra joined Wells Fargo in 2022 from Deutsche Bank and brings with her almost 20 years of human resources experience in the finance industry, partnering with C-suite executives to develop strategic business objectives and plans. She has extensive expertise in driving initiatives that build capabilities in staffing, identifying and building talent, performance management, diversity & inclusion, employee engagement, manager effectiveness, reward and recognition, and defining organizational structure. Previously, she was an HRBP for infrastructure organizations and corporate banking clients.

An intentional and tactical senior political and social justice philanthropic consultant, helping bridge the gender parity gap in political leadership and fighting for immigrants to be treated with dignity and respect. As an experienced strategist, Monica has served in executive leadership, campaign advisory boards, and leading initiatives to build a more inclusive democracy rooted in gender and social equity. Having grown up as a DREAMer in a mixed-status family supported by the immigrant and social justice movement, Monica’s work is grounded in tackling the issues we face today with the voices of communities on the frontlines and actions that last beyond the moment.

I was born and raised in Mexico City, the capital of Mexico. I took classes related to Sociology and Computer Science, but my true passion has always been and will always be journalism. This led me to pursue communication studies at the Metropolitan Autonomous University-Xochimilco. In addition, I took English lessons in a private school called The Anglo. Following an internship at the Mexican State News Agency (Notimex), I was hired as a news editor and later promoted to reporter, totaling nine years of experience in journalism. I was enrolled in an English conversation club with an American instructor during my second year working at the News Agency. I attended three courses related to American English for Journalists at the United States Embassy in Mexico. During my nine years of career in journalism, I covered all over Mexico’s local and federal elections. I was in charge of reporting on culture, politics, migration, and climate change, and I had trips to write new stories about political issues in Chile, USA, and Russia. I relocated to New York City in March of last year and am currently an intern in the Digital Literacy and Project Help programs at Neighborhood Housing Services of Queens (NHSQ).

Alexis is an enthusiastic Entertainment Legal Assistant with a genuine passion for navigating industry complexities. Known for meticulous organization and streamlined support, she facilitates seamless project execution and effective document management. Committed to ongoing growth within the dynamic realm of entertainment law, Alexis aims to play a valuable role in the success of creative ventures.