URBAN RESOURCE INSTITUTE - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Internal Auditor
• Treasurer, Board of Trustees

Adrienne Peterson has been a career Internal Auditor for over two decades. She is currently employed as an Operational Risk Senior Audit Manager at HSBC Bank (large global bank / financial institution). She has also held varying prior management positions in IT and Operations Audits at other major financial institutions including Prudential and Wachovia Securities. Adrienne received a Bachelor degree from Howard University and a Master degree from Long Island University. She is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA).

Job Titles:

• Chairman of Moses & Singer 's Management Committee, Chair
• Chairman, Moses & Singer, LLP

Alan Kolod is Chairman of Moses & Singer's Management Committee, chair of the firm's Corporate Trust practice group, and a partner in the Business Reorganization, Bankruptcy and Creditors' Rights and the Banking and Finance groups.

Job Titles:

• Co - Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Champions for Philanthropy

Alycia M. Powell has built a wealth of practical expertise over the past decade in the business, legal and nonprofit fields as both an entrepreneur, and through her work with corporations, family offices, nonprofits, and athletes. In 2017, Alycia co-founded Champions for Philanthropy (CFP), a consulting agency that works with professional athletes to both launch and manage their charitable endeavors. As Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Alycia has worked with athletes, entertainers and influencers to establish and launch their nonprofit foundations, manage their existing foundations, and create other charitable vehicles and initiatives for giving back. CFP has worked with both current and retired professional athletes from sports leagues such as the NBA, WNBA, MLB, and the NFL, as well as international athletes. Drawing on her extensive skill set and business and legal background, Ms. Powell has also consulted with professional athletes on their business, branding and marketing endeavors. While at New York Law School (NYLS), she held myriad leadership positions, where she oversaw the execution of events, programs, and initiatives for hundreds of members across various organizations. Alycia also founded the NYLS Sports Law Society and the NYLS Sports Symposium, serving as President and Chair. The Symposium continues to attract top sports law and sports business speakers from across the United States. After graduating from law school, Alycia started her own consulting firm, working with clients including entrepreneurs, nonprofit organizations, and entertainers. During this time, Alycia honed her business, management, marketing and strategy skills. Later, she went on to develop competencies in the family office space while working with the head of a west coast-based family office. Ms. Powell also worked in the legal department of an international fashion retail brand, where she focused on intellectual property matters, tax law, compliance, marketing and general corporate law. In addition to her Juris Doctorate, Alycia earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology with a minor in African and African American Studies from Fordham University. With a propensity for giving back, Alycia has served on multiple nonprofit boards throughout her career. Ms. Powell is also a proud member of the Links, Incorporated.

Job Titles:

• Vice President of Programs for Homeless Families

Angela Thompson is the Vice President of Programs for Homeless Families at Urban Resource Institute. In this role, Thompson is responsible for the strategic direction, design, implementation, and operation of URI's programs for homeless families, including transitional housing and comprehensive services. She is a leader with a personal mission and passion for strengthening individuals and families by empowering them to self-sufficiency. Thompson has over twenty-five years of experience in leadership in non-profit and government organizations in homeless services, mental health, developmental disability, and geriatrics. Thompson leads from a trauma-informed and strengths-based approach in practice and policy implementation, providing a space of opportunity for families and staff to flourish through a deep commitment to serving with integrity. Her experience working within the public and private social services sector has established partnerships and created an ability to shape and drive systems to achieve quality service delivery. Thompson is highly motivated and a driven team player with strong leadership skills and managerial skills that motivates by maximizing individual strengths and developing leaders. Thompson understands the vision of achieving sustainable independence through service engagement and leads with purpose in fulfilling the mission of URI through commitment and dedication. She holds a Master's in Social Work from Lehman College.

Job Titles:

• Chief Financial Officer

Anthony B. Edwards is Chief Financial Officer at Urban Resource Institute, where he has overall financial management responsibility for the organization, including developing and implementing strategies that promote the continued financial health of URI. He is also responsible for assisting in the management of organizational risk, including but not limited to the development, implementation and monitoring of financial controls, safeguarding against loss and ensuring that financials are executed in accordance with management's authorizations and U.S. GAAP. As CFO, Anthony is also accountable for the overall management of the Finance and Accounting Division. Anthony is a dedicated executive with over 25 years of experience and a record of achievement by improving the financial processes and performance of several nonprofits. Anthony most recently served as CFO and Senior Vice President at Sheltering Arms, which for 190 years has provided services for children, youth and families. Prior to joining Sheltering Arms, he was CFO at Brooklyn Community Services for a decade, and previously served as the Director of Research Administration and Operations at the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, where he played a pivotal role in improving research administration and grant management. Anthony has also worked at 1199/Employment Training & Job Security Program, and Beth Israel Medical Center in an accounting and financial management capacity. Anthony received his MBA from Dowling College and a BS in Accounting at Brooklyn College. He is a member of the Global Academy of Finance and Management, certified as a Master Financial Planner, Accredited Management Accountant, and Accredited Financial Analyst. He is also a member of the American Academy of Financial Management, certified in Corporate Finance and is a Master Financial Manager.

Job Titles:

• Chief Operations Officer

Beverly M. Riddick is Chief Operations Officer at Urban Resource Institute where she is responsible for providing strategic leadership for the Operations Division by working with the CEO and senior management to establish and execute the goals, strategies, plans, and policies of the Operations Division. Prior to joining URI, Ms. Riddick served as Executive Director at Ready To Work Business Collaborative where she built and launched a national nonprofit organization that connected employers to upskilled but overlooked members of the work force to help them achieve their profit and performance goals. Riddick spent the prior twenty years as Executive Director championing Montclair, NJ community values through affordable housing development and community revitalization. She holds a Master's of Arts degree in Public Policy Analysis from Claremont Graduate University. Riddick earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Urban Studies from Mount Holyoke College.

Job Titles:

• SVP, Creative Development - Content, Product & Inclusive Strategies, Disney Parks Experiences Products Walt Disney Imagineering

Job Titles:

• in 2017 As the Vice President of Operations
• Senior Vice President, Asset Management

Charles Carroll joined Urban Resource Institute in 2017 as the Vice President of Operations. In 2020 he was promoted to Senior Vice President, Asset Management. He is responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of all Urban Resource Institute's 27 properties throughout the New York City. Mr. Carroll negotiates and administers lease agreements and manages capital projects for the construction and renovation of office space and transitional housing facilities. Prior to joining URI, he served people living with HIV/AIDS for 22 years, including eight years at Harlem United where he held multiple positions beginning as Associate Vice President for Adult Day Healthcare programs, eventually advancing to the role of Chief Operating Officer. He holds a Bachelor Science degree from Saint Thomas Aquinas College.

Job Titles:

• Finance
• Vice President of Accounting & Finance

Chinedu C. Ifudu is Vice President of Accounting & Finance for Urban Resource Institute. Reporting to the Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Ifudu is responsible for the overall strategic financial leadership, goals, objectives, and controls at URI. In his role, he oversees the activities and directs the development and management of operating and capital budgets, while protecting the financial assets of the organization. Prior to joining URI, Chinedu worked with Women In Need Inc. where he was responsible for coordinating Contracts & Budget and Financial teams and supervised the General Accounting and Accounts Payable teams. He also worked 13 years at 1199SEIU National Benefit & Pension Funds. Mr. Ifudu obtained his MBA from St John's University, and holds a CPA License.

Job Titles:

• Owner, Strong Power Consulting

DeCosta Headley, Sr., a Brooklyn, New York native, is an award-winning philanthropist and entrepreneur with a long career as a leader in East New York and Brownsville. His numerous posts include District Leader for the 40th Assembly District in the East New York section of Kings County, where he was an active grassroots organizer and trained hundreds of community residents interested in serving on political campaigns. Mr. Headley also served on Community School District 19 School Board for 16 years and implemented the first bi-lingual education program in that district. He has served on various local boards, including Community Board 5, and was the founder of the community's first Local Development Corporation and the Federation of Block Associations for East New York. He remained focused on the needs of his constituents, including employment opportunities, affordable housing, increased public services, college scholarships, access to health care services, and an extensive network of social services. Mr. Headley spent several years as a social worker, and in the late 1970's became the executive director of numerous group homes for adolescents within the East New York/Brownsville communities, and established the Federation of Addiction Agencies to provide a drug-free treatment program for the area. He is currently owner of Strong Power Consulting. His prior construction companies built medical and dental facilities and new housing, and he aided New York City churches acquire land for the use of building senior citizen housing and youth centers for communities in need of urban renewal. Mr. Headley also serves as a liaison to assist HMOs in providing healthcare through facilities in lower income communities, and he works with doctors, churches and community-based organizations to aid in the implementation of affordable healthcare programs for the underprivileged. Mr. Headley is the recipient of numerous community service awards as well as numerous citations and proclamations from a broad range of social service organizations. He graduated from Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Behavioral Science.

Job Titles:

• Deputy General Counsel

Deepal S. Chadha is Deputy General Counsel of Urban Resource Institute. In his role, he advises on matters of corporate governance, procurement, finance, real estate transactions and projects, and labor relations and employment. Deepal also provides counsel to senior management and staff on legal issues relating to programs, including legislative and regulatory issues affecting the organization's delivery of services. He holds a BA in Mathematics from Cornell University and a JD from Fordham University School of Law, where he served on the Fordham Law Review and was Co-President of the South Asian Law Student Association. Prior to joining URI, Deepal was Assistant General Counsel of Safe Horizon, Inc., a leading victim assistance non-profit, where he served as Co-Chair of both the Anti-Racism Steering Committee Policy Subcommittee and the Persons of Color Leadership Affinity Group. Before joining Safe Horizon, he was an Associate at Stroock & Stroock & Lavan LLP and served as an extern with Hon. Denny Chin, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in New York City.

Job Titles:

• Chief
• Program Officer
• Member of the Counseling Psychology Program of Lehigh University

Amanda Eckhardt, Ph.D. is Chief Program Officer for Urban Resource Institute, leading the Programs Division, setting the strategy and overseeing implementation of the comprehensive portfolio of trauma-informed, client-centered services for those impacted by domestic violence and homelessness. She will direct the full range of prevention, intervention, education and direct services programs. Dr. Eckhardt is deeply committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and ensuring that staff deliver culturally sensitive, trauma-informed services. She is also committed to the professional development, growth and training of staff members. A researcher by trade, she is impact driven and leverages data analytics as a key tool of programmatic operations and excellence. Dr. Eckhardt brings a wealth of experience and expertise to URI. She was most recently Executive Director for Restore NYC, Inc., an agency that provides client services, housing (emergency, transitional, and independent living), and economic empowerment to individuals who have experienced human trafficking, which overlaps with the issues of domestic and intimate partner violence and homelessness. She previously served as Chief Program Officer and Director of Programs for the agency. In addition to her professional experience, Dr. Eckhardt is an adjunct faculty member of the Counseling Psychology Program of Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and has frequently presented research and papers in academic and professional settings on issues related to trafficking, family violence and crime victims. She holds a Doctorate in Counseling Psychology and a Masters of Education in Counseling and Human Services, both from Lehigh University, and is a licensed Psychologist.

Job Titles:

• Deputy Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Carla Smith is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Urban Resource Institute, where she is responsible for leading the day-to-day operations of URI, the largest provider of domestic violence shelter services in the U.S., and a leading service provider for homeless families. She joined URI in 2015 as Senior Vice President of Programs, quickly rising to Chief Program Officer and now Deputy CEO during a time of dynamic organizational growth. In her role, she oversees Executive Team members responsible for the Operations, Finance and Programs Divisions of the organization, which includes more than 20 shelters across New York City housing more than 2,200 adults and children each night. She shares responsibility to facilitating the development and execution of trauma-informed programming, impacting over 40,000 individuals annually through direct service, prevention, and intervention programs. Dr. Smith has been instrumental in developing and expanding URI's innovative, impactful programs by working to secure funding for each of these initiatives. Two of these include trauma-informed Abusive Partner Intervention Programs (APIP), which are both accountability program for individuals who cause harm - one for individuals mandated to participate by the criminal justice system and one for nonmandated individuals. Both are designed to reduce future incidents of domestic violence and promote engagement in healthy relationships. Dr. Smith was also integral to securing a 5 million dollar grant that allowed for the expansion and redesign of the economic empowerment program, which allowed for the provision of services to homeless families in addition to the URI domestic violence clients. She also continues to partner with leadership and staff to expand and increase awareness about the landmark People and Animals Living Safely (PALS) program, the only NYC program that offers co-living for survivors and pets, including expansion within the URI shelters and technical assistance nationwide to shelters wishing to adopt the program model. In the sphere of prevention and breaking the cycle of violence, Dr. Smith has helped drive the visibility of URI, the mission and programs, by speaking about the programs such as PALS, at NYC City Council, the Department of Criminal Justice Conferences and through CUNY's Institute for State and Local Governance Technical Assistance Initiative. Dr. Smith provides valuable commentary on individual and societal impacts of intimate partner violence, notably featured recently in media such as The Telegraph (UK), ABC News, and Bustle. She utilizes her professional background as a platform to passionately speak publicly about domestic violence and to advocate for New York's underserved and underrepresented populations. Specifically, she has worked in the Bronx with law enforcement leadership to discuss the rise in intimate partner homicides over the years, and developed a collaborative community response to address this issue. Dr. Smith's career spans 25 years devoted to social services, during which her personal goal has been to serve New York's most vulnerable populations. She has worked to improve the lives of domestic violence survivors, homeless individuals and families, individuals with HIV/AIDS, and victims of hate violence and sexual assault. Dr. Smith completed her Doctorate of Education in Executive Leadership from Saint John Fisher College in 2014, while working full time, electing to focus her dissertation on Examining Shelter Access Barriers for Transgender Identified Survivors of IPV. This work and her commitment to ensuing an open access model of care, enabled her to spearhead URI's effort to reduce barriers, enhance shelter access and initiate the provision of culturally competent services for members of the LGBTQIA+ community through the development of ongoing staff training and institution of protocol revisions. In 2020, Dr. Smith received an appointment to the Advisory Panel for the Lubin School of Business Transformative Leadership Program at Pace University.

Job Titles:

• Executive Leader at Health and Hospital

Dr. Vivien L. Salmon has more than two decades of experience in healthcare and has led a wide range of engagements as an executive leader at Health and Hospital, New York City. Her experience extends across acute care and mental health facilities that are publicly recognized as a level I and level II trauma centers with over 90,000 annual visits. Under her leadership, she has led a combination of modernization projects to improve patient care, patient experience, and revenue cycle initiatives to improve financial outcomes at Health and Hospital - Harlem. In March 2020, Vivien earned her Ph. D., from Walden University, and transitioned to Health and Hospitals-Bellevue to work close with the emergency department to ensure operational standards, patient, and staff safety are met. Vivien had previously served in various roles at Woodhull Medical Center Emergency Department, a Level II trauma center, with over 120,000 annual visits in Brooklyn, New York and at Kaiser Permanente in Santa Clara, California. Vivien is currently a Trustee, Grace Baptist Church, Mount Vernon, New York, Board President for the Mount Vernon Day Care Center, Board of Directors for Ujamaa/Grace Community Development Corporations, Member of the NAACP-Mount Vernon Chapter, Member of the National Action Network, Life and Legacy Member of the National Council of Negro Women Inc., District Leader #65, Mount Vernon, New York, Member Westchester Black Women's Caucus, and Past President of the New York Regional NAHSE (National Association of Health Services Executives). Vivien earned a Ph.D. from Walden University - College of Health Services, Master of Science in Healthcare Administration, and Bachelor of Arts in Communication both from Iona College, New Rochelle, New York.

Job Titles:

• Senior Vice President
• Senior Vice President of Commercial Banking, Capital One

Job Titles:

• Chief Compliance Officer
• General Counsel

Heidi L. Hamilton is General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer for Urban Resource Institute, overseeing legal and in-house corporate affairs, policy initiatives and real estate projects. The legal division team designs, implements and manages agency-wide risk management systems supporting URI's legal, financial, programmatic, strategic and operational integrity. Heidi strives to create systems that are accessible and client driven. She previously served as the Chief Operating Officer and then Chief Real Estate, Facilities & Legal Officer for Amber Charter Schools, overseeing school-based operation systems and capital improvement projects. As a commercial law attorney admitted in New York and Connecticut, she has negotiated real estate transactions and litigated cases in state and federal courts. An avid believer in not-for-profit capacity building, Heidi serves on the board of Calvin Hill Day Care, Boundless Literacy, Inc. and TruFund Financial Services. She also advises Barbershop Books, Inc, an organization fostering reading for fun among Black boys. Heidi holds a JD from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law and a BA in Political Science from Wellesley College.

Job Titles:

• Vice President of People
• Vice President of People and Culture

Jacqueline Gibbons is Vice President of People and Culture. In her role, she is responsible for advising and strategizing with the executive and leadership teams around all employee matters. She will partner with URI leadership to champion HR initiatives that drive employee engagement and satisfaction and develop innovative strategies to address recruiting and retention challenges; build a learning culture that includes staff and management training and development; and create equitable programs and practices. Prior to joining URI, Jacqueline spent 21 years working for Catholic Charities Brooklyn and Queens and Affiliate Agencies, where she held progressively senior positions in the Office of Human Resources. Jacqueline advanced to the role of Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer where for the past 13 years she was responsible for developing HR plans and strategies to support business objectives. She provided leadership to the HR function by overseeing talent acquisition, employee relations, employee learning and development, compensation, and benefits. Jacqueline holds a Master of Science in Industrial and Labor Relations from Baruch College and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Barnard College. She also holds the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification from HRCI and is a Society of Human Resources - Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP).

Job Titles:

• Senior Vice President of Domestic Violence Residential and Legal Programs

Jennifer White-Reid is the Senior Vice President of Domestic Violence Residential and Legal Programs at Urban Resource Institute. In this role, she is responsible for the strategic direction, design, implementation, and operation of URI's domestic violence emergency and transitional shelter programs, and legal services. Jennifer has over 20 years of leadership, management and advocacy experience working for the advancement of underserved children, individuals and families. She has extensive experience with project management, program development, community engagement and education, policy analysis and staff development. Prior to joining URI, she served as a Senior Staff Attorney at South Brooklyn Legal Services where she represented survivors of domestic violence in matrimonial, family court and immigration proceedings. Jennifer has spoken publicly about intimate partner violence throughout her career, and has served on various boards and committees, including the Steering Committee of the NYC Coalition of Domestic Violence Residential Providers, and the NYS Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Jennifer obtained her Juris Doctorate (JD) from Fordham University School of Law, where she was a Stein Scholar. She also obtained her Bachelor's degree in psychology and a Certificate in Executive Leadership in the Not-for-Profit Sector from New York University.

Job Titles:

• Retired Chief Financial Officer, Eileen Fisher

Kenneth Pollak was the Chief Financial Officer of Eileen Fisher, Inc., a woman's branded apparel company selling to department stores and specialty stores and operating 60 stores of their own stores. He previously had a 22-year career in public accounting with BDO, LLP, where he was an audit partner and worked on family-owned entrepreneurial companies, mostly in the apparel, textile, and retail business. Mr. Pollak served as the audit partner on the Eileen Fisher account. Mr. Pollak holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from Bowling Green State University. He is a Certified Public Accountant.

Job Titles:

• Chief of Staff to Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal
• Vice President of Government Affairs

Lauren Schuster joined Urban Resource Institute after serving as Chief of Staff to Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan) for more than 11 years. In that role, Lauren was instrumental in drafting and helping to pass more than 100 pieces of legislation into law. Managing a small but nimble legislative and community staff, Lauren and her team built and lead winning coalitions on myriad issues, while providing strategic guidance on many others. She is deeply familiar with the Albany budget process and knows how to navigate the state legislative and regulatory processes. Before that, Lauren worked at the New York Public Interest Research Group (NYPIRG) in a variety of roles of increasing responsibility, including Staff Attorney, Environmental Campaign Coordinator and Voting Empowerment Project Coordinator. Lauren is passionate about housing and homelessness, harm reduction, social justice and racial, gender and socioeconomic equality, along with animal welfare issues. Lauren received her Juris Doctorate from St. John's University School of Law and graduated from New York University's College of the Arts and Sciences, with a BA, cum laude, in political science. She is a New York City native; she lives with her spouse, Jeremiah and daughter, Vivian - and their two cats - in Staten Island, New York.

Job Titles:

• Vice President of Information Technology

Len Leach is the Vice President of Information Technology at Urban Resource Institute. In this role, he is responsible for the day-to-day operations and strategic vision of IT. Len has more than 25 years of experience managing information technology departments and ran his own IT consulting business where he led, implemented, and supported many for-profit and non-profit organization initiatives in the entertainment, corporate real estate, and non-profit industries. He served as the Chief Information Officer and Vice President of Information Technology and Services for National Minority Supplier Development Council, Inc., and spent 13 years working for MTV as an on-air Technical Director and IT Director. Len earned his an MS in Technology Management from Columbia University and a BS in Computer Science from City College of New York. Len has served as Chair of the Board of Riverside Church and is currently a board member. He is also Treasurer of Teaneck, Englewood, Hackensack, Bogota, and Bergenfield Crime Stoppers.

Job Titles:

• Senior Director of Prevention Services

Luis Matos is Senior Director of Prevention Services at Urban Resource Institute. Since 1999, Mr. Matos has helped lead the country's largest school-based teen Relationship Abuse Prevention Program (RAPP), expanding its pioneer program to both intermediate and high schools and reaching almost 40,000 students every year. He leads URI's Crime Victims Assistance program, which facilitates multi-lingual support groups and case management services for survivors of domestic violence, and also oversees URI's unique Trauma-Informed Abusive Partner Intervention program (APIP). Prior to working at URI, he served as Director of Education and Community Services for 20 years at the Center Against Domestic Violence. An adjunct professor at Hunter School of Social Work's graduate program, Mr. Matos teaches courses in clinical practice with individuals, families, and groups. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Spanish Literature from Colgate University and a Master of Social Work degree from Fordham University Graduate School of Social Work.

Job Titles:

• Chief Executive Officer

As Chief Executive Officer of Urban Resource Institute (URI), Nathaniel Fields is responsible for leading the organization's long-and short-term strategy and the implementation of its vision and mission. Informed by two decades of practical work and achievement in social and human services, Nathaniel has spearheaded the transformation of URI in size, scope and services for vulnerable populations in New York City, particularly victims of domestic violence. Since taking the helm of the organization in 2012, he has transformed it into a dynamic, multi-service agency, nearly tripling the budget and building it into the largest provider of domestic violence shelter services in the country. Under his leadership, URI has focused on innovation, exemplified by groundbreaking programs focused on prevention as well as services, such as People and Animals Living Safely (PALS), Legal Education Advocacy Program (LEAP), Career Exploration Program, Abusive Partner Intervention Program (APIP), and Relationship Abuse Prevention Program (RAPP) targeting youth and teens. To further his vision, Nathaniel is committed to a Culture of Excellence and an environment with data-driven, measurable outcomes. Nathaniel serves in leadership roles for numerous organizations and councils, including: the Human Services Committee of the transition team for NYC Mayor-Elect Eric Adams; the Board of the Human Services Council; NYC Deputy Mayor for Health & Human Services 2020 Nonprofits and Social Services Advisory Council on "reopening" New York City; the special COVID-19 domestic violence task force of the New York State Council on Women and Girls; the COVID-19 Response Work Group of the New York City Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV); the Fatality Review Committee of the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence; and the New York City Mayor's Nonprofits and Social Services Advisory Council. He has led the New York City Coalition of Domestic Violence Residential Providers as co-chair for over ten years. Since 2019 Nathaniel has been named to the annual New York City and State "Nonprofit Power 100" list, landing in the top 20 in 2021. Also in 2021 ,City and State included Nathaniel in the "Responsible 100" leaders of New York, and Crain's New York Business named him to the list of "Notable Black Leaders and Executives" in 2021 and 2022. He holds a bachelor's degree in history with a focus on black and Hispanic studies and a Master of Social Work degree from Fordham University, and completed an executive leadership and certificate program in the not-for-profit sector at New York University. Born and raised in New York, Nathaniel has firsthand knowledge of the challenges affecting New York's most vulnerable communities, as well as the positive work being done to effect structural changes. Working directly with marginalized groups, Nathaniel has seen that when investments are made in communities, they can thrive. At URI, Nathaniel enjoys being part of a community of people committed to improving the lives of others. When asked to identify his vision for URI, he states, "Hope is at the cornerstone of everything we do."

Job Titles:

• Assistant Professor at the Springfield College Department of Social Work
• Assistant Professor, Springfield College School of Social Work

Nina Esaki is an Assistant Professor at the Springfield College Department of Social Work in Springfield, MA and a Research and Evaluation Consultant to Andrus, where she was formerly the Director of Research for the Sanctuary Institute, the training and consulting home of the Sanctuary Model, an evidence-supported trauma-informed organizational change intervention.

Job Titles:

• Principal, E T Partners LLC

Job Titles:

• Retired General Counsel

Phyllis Arnold recently retired from her position as General Counsel at Urban Resource Institute, where she served for four years. Prior to her tenure at URI, Ms. Arnold worked as General Counsel and Deputy Commissioner at the New York City Department of Buildings and litigated for both New York City and New York State Law Departments. She has taught in clinical programs at New York University and St. John's Law Schools, as well as practiced privately as a land use lawyer. Ms. Arnold has also worked in the nonprofit sector. She received her JD from Columbia Law School.

Job Titles:

• Acquisition Entrepreneur, Investor, Technologist

Job Titles:

• Chief Marketing & Communications Officer

Susan Arnot Heaney is Chief Marketing & Communications Officer at Urban Resource Institute. She is responsible for the development and execution of URI's marketing, communications and public relations strategy that contribute to URI's organizational success and mission impact. As CMO, Heaney directly manages communications activities that enhance, promote and protect the organization's brand and reputation, and expand URI's reach, visibility and influence in its mission to enhance the lives of vulnerable populations. Heaney brings corporate and nonprofit experience to the URI role. She held leadership roles at Avon Products, Inc. and the Avon Foundation for Women, including Executive Director of Corporate Responsibility and Director of Communications. During her tenure at the Avon Foundation, Heaney helped create and launch the global Speak Out Against Domestic Violence program and was instrumental in the re-branding and growth of the Avon Foundation from a corporate philanthropy to a 501(c)(3) public charity. Most recently, Heaney was Director of Global Marketing and Engagement for the Rainforest Alliance, an international nonprofit working with leading brands on the environmental, social and economic impacts of agriculture and forestry. Prior, she led marketing, communications and development for The Sustainability Consortium, a global multi-stakeholder organization that develops and promotes the science of consumer product sustainability, including social and environmental impacts.

Job Titles:

• CEO of Williams Exec Solutions
• CEO, Williams Exec Solutions, Inc

Tabitha Williams is the CEO of Williams Exec Solutions (WES) a boutique executive search and consulting firm specializing in helping organizations build and optimize their teams and recruiting functions. Tabitha is an innovative, strategic and results oriented talent acquisition expert who delivers. She is a trusted advisor who is expert at identifying, assessing and hiring executive and diverse talent. Her insights are grounded in data and analytics, and she provides clients with options that help inform hiring decisions, talent management and succession planning. Hiring executive and diverse talent has been at the forefront of her work from the time she started working in executive search at Whitehead Mann (now part of Korn Ferry) and carried through to her in-house experience at JPMorgan Chase and Amazon. She is expert at advising organizations on how to design and build size appropriate recruiting and sourcing teams, along with coaching and training them how to reach optimal performance. Tabitha was the Operations and Sourcing Head for JPMorgan Chase's Advancing Black Leaders team where she successfully designed and executed the external sourcing strategy used to identify and hire a record number of Black executives firmwide. She holds a Master's in Organizational Change Management from the New School, a Bachelor's from Wesleyan University and sits on the Board of Trustees of the Urban Resource Institute.

Job Titles:

• Vice President of Quality
• Vice President, Quality Improvement, Evaluation and Training

Tania Jospitre is the Vice President of Quality Improvement, Evaluation, and Training at the Urban Resource Institute. In her role, she is responsible for measuring program quality and effectiveness, and manages the development and implementation of client-centered, trauma-informed staff training. Prior to joining URI, Tania was the Assistant Commissioner of Quality Management and Control at the New York City Department of Small Business Services. She led the quality assurance, outcome validation, and fiscal management teams within the workforce development division. She has extensive experience evaluating program data to assess impact, improve performance, and drive future programming for domestic violence and workforce development programs. She holds a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from John Jay College, a Master of Public Administration from Baruch College, and is certified in Customer Experience Management by the Medallia Institute.

Job Titles:

• Chief Development Officer
• Chief Development Officer at Urban Resources Institute

Vicky Hernandez serves as Chief Development Officer at Urban Resources Institute and leads the Development team. In this role, Vicky will especially focus on the expansion and diversification of URI's private philanthropic efforts, with a focus on corporations, foundations, and individuals, as well as event fundraising, along with grant proposals for government programs at the local and national levels. Vicky comes to URI with 25 years of leadership experience in the areas of external relations, fundraising, and program leadership. Having dedicated her career to the areas of affordable housing, community development, and community services, Vicky is pleased to join the URI team to support their work on the issues of domestic violence and homelessness. For the past ten years, Vicky has held leadership roles at community-based organizations in New Jersey. She served as Executive Director of Ironbound Community Corporation, and as Chief Program Officer at New Jersey Community Development Corporation. Prior to her work in New Jersey, for more than 15 years, Vicky led fundraising programs at Enterprise Community Partners in New York, and at Neighborhood Housing Services of New York City, where she raised tens of millions of dollars to support affordable housing programs throughout New York City. Vicky is a graduate of Dickinson College, where she earned her B.A. She is also a graduate of New York University's Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service, where she earned an M.P.A. with a concentration in community development.

Job Titles:

• Retired Business Administrator, Berean Baptist Church

Vivian Y. Bright worked as the Business Administrator for Berean Baptist Church in Brooklyn for more than two decades. She has also served as a lobbyist for United African American Churches. In addition, Ms. Bright's professional career includes Community Outreach Development, the development and maintenance of Industrial Parks in the East New York area, the development and implementation of the "World of Work Program" for the high school students in the ENY community and coordinator of the "New Horizon Village" development of 255 new homes in Brownsville, Brooklyn. Ms. Bright has extensive leadership experience and community involvement as a Lifetime member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority - The National Council of Negro Women, President of Congressman Ed Towns Women's Caucus and Business Manager of Concerned Women of Brooklyn, Inc. Recognized for her dedication to her communities, Ms. Bright has received numerous awards such as Who's Who of American Women, Congressional Record, The Sojourner Truth Award of the National Business & Professional Women's Club and New Horizon's Village Homeowners Leadership Award. Ms. Bright holds a Bachelor of Science from Brooklyn College and a Master of Science from the New School For Social Research.

Job Titles:

• Executive Director at JP Morgan Chase

Whittaker Mack III is an Executive Director at JP Morgan Chase. His primary focus is leading a group of advisors and managing all day-to-day administrative, supervisory and operational aspects for the investment business in order to achieve their strategic objectives within the Westchester County, New York area. He previously served at several top financial firms including Merrill Lynch, LPL, and Guardian. Prior to his financial career, Whittaker held leadership positions for more than 19 years controlling operations and relationship management in the pharmaceutical industry mainly with Pfizer, Inc. In addition to serving as Chair of the URI Board of Trustees, Mr. Mack's community leadership is extensive and includes serving on NYC's Gotham Health Advisory Board and chairs of the Duke University Alumni Advisory Committee for Orange and Rockland Counties. He is also a lifetime member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Mr. Mack holds an undergraduate degree from Duke University, and MBA from Gabelli School of Business at Fordham University.