CUP FELLOWS PROGRAM

Empowerment through Civic Leadership Development!

The CUP Fellows Program is a non-partisan project of The Council of Urban Professionals dedicated to training and developing minority civic leaders and to providing board access opportunities. Our goal is to ultimately increase minority representation in public leadership positions and boards in the New York City region.

CUP Fellows are talented, highly-motivated minority and women professionals, aged 25 to 45, who have demonstrated leadership potential and who want to become political or civic leaders for their communities.

Want to Nominate a Candidate?

1) Submit nominee name
2) Include resume/CV of nominee
3) Provide a personal statement of 250 words or less from nominee

Email all information by January 15, 2009 to: fellows@nycup.org.
For more information please email agibson@nycup.org.

2009 CUP Fellows

Kwad Acheampong

Kwad Acheampong joined Goldman Sachs & Co. in 2006 as an equities trader in the US Listed Shares Trading Group. The group is primarily focused on providing liquidity for hedge funds, mutual funds, and other institutional investors in US-domicile shares as well as managing the risk of trading positions.

Kwad is also a member of Chess-In-The-Schools, a nonprofit educational organization dedicated to improving academic performance and building self-esteem among New York inner-city public school children. As an alumus of the program, Kwad is leading the alumni effort to reinvest in the organization.

Kwad Acheampong graduated from Duke University with an AB in Public Policy Studies.

Janco Damas

Janco Damas is a Principal at NOUVEAU BANC Corp., an independent investment bank that facilitates equity sales for small to mid size private companies. At its inception, the firm primarily brokered these deals to larger investment banks until establishing a pipeline of private equity buyers. Janco was previously an Analyst in the Private Capital Markets Group at Lehman Brothers Investment Bank and Director of Business Development at Barretto Securities Investment Banking Group.

Originally from Petit-Guave, Haiti, Janco moved to Florida and graduated Florida State University with a degree in Finance, minors in Economics and French from The London School of Economics London, UK and L’Institut Catholique Paris, France.

He is a Eucharistic Minister at his home church in West Palm Beach, Florida, an HIV/AIDS peer educator with the American Red Cross and a youth mentor at Brotherhood Sister-Sol After School Program in Harlem, New York.

Angela Fernandez, Esq.

Angela Fernandez, Esq. is the Deputy Director of the Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights - Bronx Project. NMCIR works with over 6,000 families a year on issues such as immigration and citizenship, focusing on keeping families together and integrating immigrants into our community. Ms. Fernandez is a graduate of Columbia University School of Law whose legal experience includes a combination of public interest and corporate work, including work with the Center for Human Rights Legal Aid in Cairo and pro bono work for the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Ms. Fernandez’ nonprofit management experience includes successfully opening and running elementary charter schools in the South Bronx and in Washington DC. She has also worked as a Women’s Studies instructor for the LCC Inmate Education Program at Rikers Island, an Off-air Reporter for ABC News and a staffer for former United States Senator Bill Bradley.

Christina Grant

Christina is the Deputy Executive Director for the Office of Charter Schools with the New York City Department of Education. There are currently over 100 charter schools authorized in New York City serving over 24,000 students. Her work sits at the edge of innovation and is an integral aspect of urban education reform in New York. Christina also serves as the Director of Charter School Development and personally manages the authorization process for schools chartered by the New York City Department of Education. Christina's work impacts all stakeholders involved in the New York City charter schools movement.

Christina holds a BA in Political Science and a B.A. in African American Studies from Hofstra University. She hold a M.S.T in Adolescent English from Fordham University and an Ed.M in Organizational Leadership from Teacher's College at Columbia University. Christina is a licensed Teacher and Principal in New York State.

Originally from New York, Christina joined the education world as a 2003 Teach For America corps member teaching first at I.S. 172 in Harlem, NY. Driven by her initial experiences in middle school education she went on to teach at KIPP Academy Charter School in Bronx, New York. Realizing that she could have broader influence and reach more undeserved children she entered the administrative side of urban education as an Associate Director of Recruitment for Uncommon Schools Inc. Interest and commitment to the assurance that quality schools provide quality options for parents and students of undeserved communities is what has led her to her current work with the New York City Department of Education.

Christina is very committed to urban education and continues to seek out innovative ways to give voice to the often voiceless parents and students in New York City.

Natasha Holiday

Natasha currently works as a financial advisor with Scott Balice Strategies, a financial advisory firm that advises a number of the largest city and state governmental agencies and leaders in the development of capital plans, debt management, financial modeling and public private partnerships. She has worked on economic development projects in New Orleans, Providence, San Diego, and Cleveland, and formerly worked with Goldman Sachs municipal finance group where she helped structure debt financings for cities and states to develop public infrastructure - schools, road improvements, airports and stadiums.

Natasha studied at the University of California, Berkeley and is a graduate of Xavier University (OH) where she received her BA in History and BS in Political Science, and Harvard University where she received a Master’s Degree in Public Policy.

Natasha resides in the East Flatbush community of Brooklyn with her husband, Aaron where they work with local leaders to improve the neighborhood’s quality of life. They are members of Harlem Church of Christ.

Leslie-Bernard Joseph

Leslie-Bernard Joseph is the founding Dean of Students at Coney Island Prep, the first public charter school in South Brooklyn.

Born in Brooklyn, raised in Queens, and currently residing in Harlem, Joseph began his career teaching fifth grade in the Bronx with Teach for America. In the classroom, he led students to significant academic gains, co-coached flag football, and started after-school writing programs. He took each of his classes and over 200 fifth graders to his alma mater, Princeton University, for annual inspirational field trips. Passionately committed to his students’ futures, Joseph secured college scholarship pledges for seven of his highest achievers through the I Have A Dream Foundation.

For his efforts, he was nominated for Teach for America’s Sue Lehman Excellence in Teach Award and has been publically commended by New York City Schools Chancellor Joel Klein. He has been featured in the New York Times magazine article “Why Teach for America” and photographed for Newsweek and other publications.

Joseph received his A.B. in Politics and African-American Studies from Princeton in 2006, and served as both student body and Black Student Union president.

Dr. Terri Kennedy

Dr. Terri Kennedy is CEO of PWR Brokers Incorporated, a charitable organization whose mission is to build corps of volunteers to educate, engage, and empower their communities around health and self-development providing culturally-specific strategies and solutions. The author of three books, she also manages Power Living Enterprises, Inc., a lifestyle media and consulting company which produces content, educational programs, and experiences around Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability.

With a dual BA in Sociology & Design from Wellesley College, an MBA from Harvard, a Ph.D. in World Religions, and multiple certifications in Holistic Health and Yoga, Dr. Kennedy offers a unique multidisciplinary approach to crafting an authentic, healthy, and purposeful life. She speaks across the country on leadership, health literacy, personal empowerment and youth development. She is a national spokesperson for the American Heart Association and sits on the New York State Advocacy Committee for the American Heart Association.

She is also on the faculty at the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, has served as Chair of the Board of Yoga Alliance, and is on the Education Working Group for the Academic Consortium for Complementary and Alternative Health Care. A former Vice President at MTV Networks, she has been featured in media around the world including Oprah’s book Live Your Best Life! In 2009, she was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum.

PJ Kim

PJ Kim is an independent consultant to anti-poverty initiatives, including serving as a Senior Advisor Single Stop USA (SSUSA), where he was previously Vice President for Programs and part of the start-up team. SSUSA is an innovative national campaign to provide "one-stop shopping" for low income families to receive benefits screening and enrollment, free tax preparation, financial counseling, and legal services. PJ was previously at FoodChange, where he led the country's largest free tax preparation campaign for the Earned Income Tax Credit, serving 43,000 low-income New Yorkers. His previous professional experience includes working for McKinsey & Company.

He received his MBA and MPA at Harvard Business School and the Kennedy School of Government and his AB from Princeton University, where he was president of the student government and served as a Trustee. He currently serves on the Executive Committee of Princeton’s $1.75 billion Capital Campaign and on Manhattan’s Community Board #1, overseeing Lower Manhattan, with assignments on the World Trade Center Redevelopment Committee and the Quality of Life Committee.

Johnita Walker Mizelle

Johnita is responsible for the development, coordination and implementation of the strategic marketing and sales plans for the products offered to Progress’ clients and prospects within the corporate pension plan, endowment and foundation sectors. Prior to joining Progress, Johnita worked for over 10 years in financial services. Most recently, she was principal of The Williams Capital Group, an investment-banking firm, where she was responsible for all aspects of business development in the Midwest region, including corporate finance activity and brokerage operations. In August of 2002, she opened and managed the firm's Midwest office in Chicago.

Originally from Virginia, Johnita received her undergraduate degree from Spelman College and MBA from Harvard Business School. Also, she is a member of the National Association of Securities Professionals, former member of the Executives Club of Chicago Young Professionals Board and advisory board member of Perspectives Charter School in Chicago, IL.

Outside of work, Johnita’s interests range from golf, international travel and urban education. Johnita is an avid fundraiser for her alma mater. Over the years, Johnita has designed the curriculum and taught both high school and college students fundamentals of finance through programs such as NASP’s FAST Track Program and the Veritas Financial Group – a Harvard University student club.

Chinwe Onyejere

Chinwe Onyekere is the Executive Director for Project HEALTH New York. Project HEALTH’s vision is to mobilize the nation's first corps of student volunteers to connect low-income patients with the resources they need to be healthy and, in doing so, create the next generation of leaders committed to tackling this country's greatest health challenges.

Before joining Project HEALTH, Chinwe served as a Program Officer at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF). During her tenure at RWJF she focused on reducing health care disparities, reversing the childhood obesity epidemic, and identifying innovative ideas for breakthroughs in health and health care. She also has research and program expertise in pediatric chronic care issues, social determinants of health and international health. Chinwe serves as a Board Member for Sustainable Mt. Airy, a Philadelphia-based community coalition dedicated to creating a thriving, walkable, urban community.

She received an M.P.H. from Columbia University, Division of Sociomedical Sciences, and a B.A. in political science from Wellesley College in Massachusetts, as well as a Certificate in Business Essentials from Wharton School of Business.

Rebecca Rodriguez

Rebecca Rodriguez is Senior Associate Director for Entrepreneurship at The Center for Technology, Innovation and Community Engagement (CTICE) at the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. Within the first six months of development, the Program has launched to be one of the most high-profile programs on Columbia’s campus. She serves as an advisor to student entrepreneurial groups and manages a social entrepreneurship internship program. Rebecca is also Director of a newly launched Columbia-Harlem Small Business Development Center, where she works to develop the strategic placement of Columbia University’s resources in serving as an economic development tool for the community, as well as conducting small business workshops and individualized counseling.

Along with her experience at Columbia, her professional background includes strategic planning, budget and events management, program design and administration. Rebecca is also Executive Director of her own small business enterprise. She devotes time to community engagement through a multitude of organizations and serves as a mentor to underrepresented high school students. Rebecca attended Long Island University for a Bachelor’s in International Studies, with a concentration in cross-cultural management.

Israel Rosario

Israel joined the NYC Human Resources Administration's Office of Child Support Enforcement in January of 2009. As Executive Director of the newly-created Parent Resources Division, he oversees and manages two major departments, Employment Services and Outreach. The Employment Services Unit assists non-custodial parents who cannot afford to pay child support due to under/ unemployment via a vendor-based workforce development initiative. The Outreach Services Unit is responsible for developing relationships with key stakeholders, including other government agencies, community-based and faith-based organizations, providing paternity establishment services and organizing forums on responsible parenting.

Israel began his career in the non-profit sector with Credit Where Credit Is Due, an economic development corporation, which provides affordable financial services and financial literacy to the Northern Manhattan working-class and immigrant community. He later joined the NYC Department of Education working to implement the initial Children First Reform efforts. Most recently, Israel served as Special Assistant to the County Manager in Maricopa County, Arizona, where he worked on helping to develop an affordable housing trust fund, human resources policy and inter-departmental process improvement. Israel holds a Bachelors of Business Administration from Pace University and a Master in Public Administration from Bernard M. Baruch College's School of Public Affairs, and was a National Urban Fellow.

Nate Saint-Victor

Nate Saint-Victor is a Vice-President in the Legal and Compliance Division of Morgan Stanley. Nate provides advice to the Global Wealth Management department on issues pertaining to the laws, rules and regulations applicable to investment advisers and brokers-dealers. Prior to his current position, Nate was an associate at the law firm of Davis Polk & Wardwell where he worked on corporate mergers and acquisitions, corporate real estate transactions and, as legal counsel to sponsors and registered and unregistered investment advisers, he provided assistance with the formation and structuring of domestic and offshore private funds.

Nate received his law degree from Georgetown University Law Center in 2002 and his undergraduate degree from Duke University in 1998. He is a member of the New York State Bar Association and sits on the Committee on Minorities in the Profession for the New York City Bar. Nate also sits on the External Board of Advisers for the Alliance of Securities and Financial Educators, the Early Care and Education Sub-Committee of Pipeline Crises: Winning Strategies for Young Black Men, and enjoys mentoring his talented 10th grade rising superstar through Legal Outreach.

Anka Twum-Baah

Anka Twum-Baah joined American Express Company as Manager within the Global Merchant Services group in August 2008. In this role, she is responsible for developing both long-term and short-term strategies to leverage key information assets for profitability reporting and merchant marketing. Anka also serves as a liaison between global marketing, technology, and sales force groups to execute reporting and marketing capabilities.

Anka is originally from New York City and has lived in several countries throughout the world. She holds a BA in Political Science from The University of Chicago and MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. In addition to these earned degrees, Anka has studied at The London School of Economics through their International Management Exchange Programme and at Université François Rabelais de Tours through their French Literature and Culture Exchange.

Prior to business school, Anka worked for McMaster-Carr Supply Company managing supply chain and operations logistics for top-tier industrial client accounts. During her tenure at McMaster-Carr, she led a team to execute a $240M expansion project. With her for-profit experience, Anka has also worked in the non-profit arena lobbying for education reform and smaller learning environments within Chicago Public Schools.

2008 CUP Fellows

Jeanine Conley

Jeanine Conley joined Baker Hostetler in October 2006. She is a member of the Litigation Group and focuses her practice in the areas of white collar and corporate criminal matters and general commercial litigation.

Before joining Baker Hostetler, Jeanine clerked for the Honorable William G. Bassler in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Association of Black Women Attorneys and has been a member of the organization since 2003.

Jeanine also is secretary of the Committee on Minorities in the Profession of the New York City Bar and is a member of the National Bar Association and the American Bar Association. In 2007, Jeanine received the Stakeholder 100 Award, which was awarded to top performing minority attorneys from law firms across the country.

Bernel Hall

Bernel is a Senior Associate with Goldman Sachs & Company's Urban Investment Group (UIG). UIG is a real estate private equity vehicle within Goldman Sachs' Merchant Banking Division whose mission is to revitalize and improve the urban environment by making catalytic investments in underserved, transitioning or distressed neighborhoods. In 2004, Bernel earned a MBA from the Harvard Business School.

Bernel is also a member of the TEAM Academy Charter School Board of Newark, New Jersey, the Foreign Policy Association, and the Real Estate Executive Council.

Originally from North Carolina, Bernel Hall received a B.S. in Business Management from North Carolina State University. Upon earning a degree from North Carolina State, Bernel moved to Charlotte to work for Bank of America in the Firm's construction lending and investment banking divisions. During his tenure in Charlotte, Bernel served as a two-term Treasurer of the Young Democrats of North Carolina and Mecklenburg County. Bernel was also an active member of Charlotte-Mecklenburg County's Voter Registration Association.

Adrienne Harris

Adrienne works in the public sector as a policy advisor and as a District Court judicial clerk. Previously, Adrienne worked in the private sector at Sullivan & Cromwell, LLP as an Associate and as a Coordinator of the Pipeline Crises: Winning Strategies for Young Black Men. Adrienne serves on the Board of Boys Speak Out, Inc., and in her spare time she enjoys running.

Born in the Boston area, but raised in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Adrienne attended Georgetown University where she graduated with honors with a BA in Government and Spanish. She then went on to earn her JD from Columbia Law School where she was a member of the Columbia Law Review.

Toni Irving

Toni Irving is Assistant Professor of English at the University of Notre Dame where she conducts research and teaching at the intersection of law, literature, social policy and the public constitution of entitlement.

Last year she was the first Visiting Scholar at the Center for Race, Crime and Justice at John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Outside of academe she consults on criminal justice policy and education. Dr. Irving has published several articles and is currently working on a monograph titled, Founding Fathers/Single Black Mothers: Disciplined Bodies and Sexualized Citizenship from Dred Scott to the Patriot Act.

Sandra Lespinasse

Sandra Lespinasse is Principal Law Clerk to the Hon. Troy K. Webber in the Bronx County Supreme Court, Criminal Term. Sandra is a member of the Citizens Union Local Candidates Committee, the Democratic Leadership for the 21st Century, Community Service Society and the New York County Lawyers' Association.

Sandra graduated from Binghamton University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy. She then received her Juris Doctor from Boston College Law School.

Claire Lim

Claire is a Director at Citi where she is responsible for building the affluent business proposition in over 40 countries.

Prior to this role, she was part of the Global Consumer Group Management Associate program, designed to develop a pipeline of future business leaders with cross-business, cross-functional exposure and a broad management knowledge and network across the Consumer Group. Her assignments cross domestic and international markets including New York and Miami as well as Sao Paulo and Manila.

Robert Munroe

Robert Munroe joined American Capital Strategies in April 2007 as an investment professional in their high yield investment team and is focused on second lien, mezzanine, and other secured or unsecured fixed income investments typically involved in Leveraged Buyouts.

Robert began his career at Mckinsey & Company where he advised the senior management of Fortune 50 companies challenging issues including global expansion, operational efficiency, and mergers and acquisition strategies. He then went on to become the Head of Business Development for WorldStrides, a private equity sponsor owned company and the largest company in the educational student travel industry with ~$200 million in revenue. Robert serves as a Board Member for the Parent-Child Home Program and is a sponsor to a 10th grade student in the Bronx through the Student Sponsor Partner program.

Suzette Recinos

Suzette Recinos is Senior Counsel, International for Pitney Bowes Inc. and is responsible for all legal affairs in Latin America, the Caribbean and Canada.

English is Suzette's first language but she is fluent in Spanish, French, and Italian. She currently resides in Rowayton, Connecticut with her husband, Darryl Thompson and their five children, Gabriela, Annick, Luke, Maria Cristina and Diego. Suzette enjoys serving on the board of the Childcare Learning Centers of Stamford.

She holds Bachelor of Music and Juris Doctorate degrees from the University of Iowa.

Robert Rodriguez

Robert Rodriguez is an investment banker and financial advisor for A.C. Advisory Inc. a minority-owned financial advisory firm, where he advises and executes debt financings on behalf of issuer clients. Recently promoted to Vice President, Robert has served as a financial advisor for clients that include Chicago Public Schools, the State of Connecticut, and the City of New York on over $11 billion in debt issuance since 2005.

Robert is a product of the New York City public schools, and is a graduate of Yale University and has an MBA from New York University. While at NYU, he was awarded a Toigo Fellowship. The Robert Toigo Foundation Fellowship is awarded to exceptional minority MBA candidates pursuing careers in finance.

Migna Taveras

Migna Taveras currently works as a Policy Analyst in the New York City Council on the Committee on General Welfare where she assists in performing oversight on the programs administered by the Human Resources Administration/Department of Social Services; Department of Homeless Services; and the Administration for Children Services. In this capacity, she has crafted legislation to care for the city's neediest people.

Migna serves on the Grants Advisory Committee of the New York Women's Foundation; a grant making organization committee to creating an equitable and just future for women and girls in New York City.

She graduated from Barnard College with a double major in Political Science and Sociology. She is currently pursuing a degree in Strategic Communications at Columbia University.

Aprill Turner

Aprill Turner joined CooperKatz Public Relations as a Senior Account Executive in March 2007. Aprill has a wealth of communications experience in political campaigns, public policy and nonprofit organizations. She supports such clients as Coldwell Banker, Zipcar and ASCAP (the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers).

Aprill holds a bachelor's degree in legal communications from Howard University and a master's degree in campaign management and fundraising from The George Washington University. Ms Turner also serves on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ).

Paul Whyte

Paul Whyte was promoted to Principal at New Beginning Family Academy in April 2008. Before joining New Beginning, he taught Mathematics, Science, and Technology at Park East High School in New York City and was the program director for the Reach for the Stars Program at SCAN (Supportive Children's Advocacy Network) - New York, a community based family service agency that provides career and college preparation for 200 young people.

Paul has also directed math/science education for Interfaith Neighbors Inc., a non-denominational center for early adolescents. Earlier, as founder and executive director of Young Voices Initiative, Paul turned two years of research into a comprehensive education and athletics program for 200 teenagers in New Haven, CT.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Yale University and a Master of Education in Administration, Planning, and Social Policy (APSP) from Harvard University Graduate School of Education.