Meet Our Panelists and Moderators

Cassandra Alvarez ‘09

Cassandra Alvarez currently serves as the Chief of Staff and Chief Diversity Officer for the NYC Department of Veterans’ Services. As a key member of the executive leadership team, Cassandra oversees press, communications, partnerships, fundraising, grant administration, community events, and citywide outreach. She also serves as primary liaison to City Hall leadership and the Mayor’s front office team. In addition, Cassandra serves as a strategic advisor to the Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, and other senior leaders. As Chief Diversity Officer, Cassandra oversees the agency’s MWBE outreach and contract spending in an effort to ensure the vendors the agency works with reflect the communities that DVS serves.

Prior to serving in her current role, Cassandra served as the Associate Commissioner of Policy and Strategic Partnerships for DVS. Under her leadership, DVS became a partner in the nation’s first-ever, veterans-focused Pay For Success project—Veterans CARE—which focuses on improving employment and health outcomes for veterans with service-connected PTSD.

Before joining DVS, Cassie served as the Associate Director of Sponsorship and Development with the Mayor’s Office of Special Projects and Community Events where she designed and launched the office’s first strategic partnership program. Before joining city government, Cassie launched an individual giving program and strategic plan for NPR’s StoryCorps. Prior to that, she worked in development at a number of different NYC nonprofit organizations, including the SS United States Conservancy, Migraine Research Foundation, and Brooklyn Historical Society.

In 2015, Cassie was named as a Community Innovation Fellow by Re: Gender (formerly the National Council for Research on Women). Cassie is a member of the Marine Park Community Association, Adelphi University Alumni Council, and has previously served on the advisory board of the United War Veterans Council. She holds an MS in Nonprofit Management from the Milano School of International Affairs, Management & Urban Policy at The New School and a BA in Political Science from Adelphi University. Her 91-year-old grandfather is a proud Korean War veteran and her two great uncles served in the US Army during the invasion of Normandy in World War II.

Barbara Boschert ‘89

Barbara Boschert is Vice President, Executive Search for Nielsen Associates since 2020. Nielsen Associates is a national Executive Search firm that specializes in placing professionals within the fields of Human Resources, Finance/Accounting and Marketing.

Barbara’s extensive and successful career has been within Human Resources and Management.  She began her career as a Human Resource Specialist for Revlon, Inc. Her HR career progressed throughout the mid-1900s, managing several HR functions. She worked for Philip Morris/Altria Group, Citigroup, JPMorgan Chase, and The NPD Group Inc.

After working 7 years as an HR Consultant and Executive Recruiter, she was recruited to lead Henry Schein’s Talent Acquisition function in 2012. Following Henry Schein, she was Global VP of Human Resources at Drive DeVilbiss Healthcare, then Head of HR at Summit Security Services.

Barbara specializes in Executive Recruitment, Organizational Development, Executive Coaching, Employee Relations, Performance Management, and Communications.   She has a BS in Management and Communications from Adelphi University.  She also attended NY Institute of Technology and received her SPHR certification; she later earned her SHRM-SCP certification.

Linda Chan, MBA

Linda Chan is Vice President, Information Technology at Amphenol Corporation (NYSE: APH).  Amphenol is one of the world’s largest providers of high-technology interconnect, sensor and antenna solutions.  Amphenol’s products Enable the Electronics Revolution across virtually every end market including Automotive, Broadband Communications, Commercial Aerospace, Industrial, Information Technology and Data Communications, Military, Mobile Devices and Mobile Networks.

Prior to joining Amphenol in 2020, Linda spent five years at The Nature’s Bounty in a number of high-level IT roles including VP, Digital and Commercial Solutions. Prior to working at The Nature’s Bounty, Ms. Chan worked for fourteen years at Veeco Instruments, most recently as Global Senior IT Director. Ms. Chan also spent time as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of the Department of Information Systems and Business Analytics at the Zarb School of Business at Hofstra University.  She has a Master of Business Administration from Hofstra University and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Binghamton University.

Linda’s passion is to drive innovation and modern technology towards transformational change. Working in the Information Technology field and Cybersecurity for her entire career, Linda has experience in a variety of industries in both the private and public sectors.

June Collison ‘81, MBA ‘84

June Collison has served as the President of Community Hospital of San Bernardino since 2012. As the leader of this 343-bed acute care hospital, she is working to meet the demands of health care reform and the challenges of the local economy.

Collison is no stranger to the Inland Empire and understands the issues impacting its communities. She served in top leadership roles at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center in Colton from 2000-2007, first as chief operating officer and then as chief executive officer. Since that time, she has served as chief operating officer at Olympia Medical Center.

A seasoned senior health care executive with more than 35 years of experience, Collison’s health care career began in finance, serving as a controller and chief financial officer. She has an MBA in Corporate Investment and Finance, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Banking and Money Management, both from Adelphi University. She has received many honors/awards including Woman of the Year for the City of Pasadena. She is a former internationally ranked sprinter and was an Olympic contender in the 1984 games. She is also a former chairwoman of the California State Athletic Commission.

Marian Conway, PhD

Dr. Marian Conway is the Executive Director of NY Community Bank Foundation which has provided a total of $33 million dollars since 1997 to nonprofits on Long Island.

Marian’s Bachelor’s degree in writing, and her Master’s in Arts and Liberal Studies, are from SUNY Empire State. Marian received her PhD in Public Policy & Administration – specializing in Nonprofit Management.

Marian’s employment included major economic sectors: a corporation, a sole owner small business making custom car brake systems, the NY State Parks at Belmont, a family horticulture business, and then a nonprofit. She can tell you all about the different grass seeds’ germ rate in a mix and name the components of your car’s brake system. Marian has been with the NY Community Bank Foundation for over 21 years.

Marian has lived almost her whole life in Lindenhurst. She is a member of the Lindenhurst Economic Development Committee and past president of the historical society. The by-laws of the NY Community Bank Foundation encourage the staff and board to be on other nonprofit boards to see how they really meet the needs of the community from the inside. Being a member of a variety of boards is an enriching part of her work day. The current list: Cleary Foundation for the Deaf; Community Development Corp. of Long Island; SUNY Empire State Foundation; Long Island Arts Alliance; Queens Chamber Foundation, and the St. Johnland Nursing Center. It was particularly rewarding to be a member of the Unmet Needs Roundtable for Superstorm Sandy recovery, 2013-2017 at Health and Welfare Council of L.I.

Marian is a member of the Energeia Partnership class of 2012 and participates on the advisory board.

Along with being a wife, mother, grandmother, and quilter, Marian squeezes in writing articles for Nonprofit Quarterly and teaching nonprofit and business courses as an adjunct professor for SUNY Empire State University.

Sharon Cunningham ‘90

Sharon has dedicated her entire career to providing highly customized life stage financial planning and investment growth strategies to individuals, families, organizations, and nonprofits. Her approach includes a thorough planning process and a commitment to providing outstanding service and impactful financial advice delivered with passion and integrity.

Sharon has been focusing on women’s financial issues since she began working as an advisor in 1990. Recognizing that women were often excluded from financial discussions, she set out to change the industry norm, and has dedicated much of her efforts to empowering women through workshops designed specifically for them. More recently, she is credited with creating the HER Way initiative at Morgan Stanley- a community providing women with access to financial education and lifestyle resources along with professional connectivity to help them live their best lives. Sharon has also taken an active role through her philanthropic work in supporting women’s organizations, such as Mothers2Mothers, Women for Women International, and the Girl Scout Council of Greater New York.

As a Senior Portfolio Management Director and fiduciary at Morgan Stanley, Sharon places the best interests of her clients first when making recommendations and assuming investment selection responsibilities.  Appropriate strategies are suggested only after she conducts a thorough assessment of a client’s comprehensive financial picture and resources.  As an Investing with Impact Director with the firm, Sharon is keenly aware of the potential social and financial benefits of integrating Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) best practices into one’s investment decision-making process. Her team has devoted significant time and resources towards understanding how investing with impact can drive social change and greater gender equality, while also improving financial outcomes for clients.

Over the years, Sharon has been recognized for her commitment to her clients and the organizations she supports. The Cunningham Group, led by Sharon, was named to the inaugural Forbes/SHOOK Research Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams list in 2023.  In 2023 and over the past six consecutive years, Sharon was named on the Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors and Best-In-State Women Advisors lists which recognizes experienced Financial Advisors across the country who are setting the standard for professionalism, dedication, and exceptional client service.  Sharon was also recognized on the 2021 Forbes America’s Top Women Advisors list, and by Working Mother Magazine & SHOOK Research’s as a Top Wealth Advisor Mom from 2017 through 2021. This honor is given to a select group of women who, while pursuing careers as successful Financial Advisors, also juggle the responsibilities of having one or more children at home. At Morgan Stanley, Sharon’s commitment to giving back, mentorship, and advancing women’s issues earned her a spot in Morgan Stanley’s MAKERS “Class of 2018”, a platform celebrating the firm’s trailblazing women. Sharon was also the recipient of the firm’s 2014 John J. Mack Leadership Award. This honor, named on behalf of Morgan Stanley’s former CEO and Chairman of the Board, is bestowed upon individuals who are making a positive impact on their colleagues and communities.

Sharon’s career began in 1990 as a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ with the financial planning subsidiary of America Express. A graduate of Adelphi University with a degree in Business Management and Finance, she obtained her certificate in financial planning from New York University. Sharon currently resides in Rye Brook, NY, with her husband, Brian, and their two children, Olivia and Griffin.

Anita D’Amico, PhD ‘84

Dr. Anita D’Amico is an experimental psychologist who has built a career by applying her skills in research methods and analysis to the field of cybersecurity. She is both a researcher, with many internationally cited publications, and a successful business executive.

Anita is one of the few innovators who have completed the journey that starts with a novel idea, progresses to prototyping and early sales, and then completes the climb to a successful commercial product. As founder and CEO of Code Dx, Inc. she grew the business from a six-month research project into a venture-funded commercial supplier of B2B application security software, and eventual acquisition by a large publicly traded company.

As a Vice President at Synopsys, Anita led the Products team responsible for product management, engineering, and research behind a $400M/year application security product portfolio. She went on to lead their software supply chain security business strategy, as well as the product strategy for the secure adoption of Artificial Intelligence in the software development lifecycle.

Anita started Cotopaxi Consulting LLC to offer services to other entrepreneurs and startup investors who wish to commercialize nascent technology into usable and widely adopted products.

Alissa Desmarais

Alissa Desmarais is the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of the Financial Women’s Association, a non-profit organization that proudly supports and promotes the professional development and advancement of all women through education, mentorship, scholarships, networking, and alliances across the financial community.

With 20 years of nonprofit leadership Alissa is a community-focused executive who accomplishes with integrity, innovation and efficiency. Her strengths include management, partnership building, strategic planning, analysis and fundraising.  Previous roles consist of prominent NYC institutions such as High Water Women Foundation, City Parks Foundation, The Synergos Institute and New York Public Radio.

Alissa holds a degree in U.S. History from the University of Connecticut. A highlight of her education includes a summer in Israel for an archeological excavation. She and her wife Kelly live in Great Neck with their dog Gracie and cat Lucy.

Alex Gilbert

Alex is a New Yorker, a Mets fan, a speaker, a mom, and a brunch enthusiast. She also has dyslexia and ADHD.

Alex’s career in leadership development inspired her to become a career coach for adults with ADHD and dyslexia. Cape-Able Consulting has since expanded to support adults with learning disabilities across the spectrum, bringing together her lived experience with a passion for supporting neurodiverse adults in their day-to-day so that they feel supported and are able to reach their highest potential.

Alex aims to change the stigma surrounding learning disabilities by showing people what they Cape-Able of in their work and personal lives.

Kevin Goodman ‘00, MBA ‘02

Kevin Goodman is the Global Director of Go To Market, at LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network and a division of Microsoft. Throughout his nearly two decades of corporate leadership experience, Goodman has driven revenue growth, innovation, and business transformation for Fortune 100 and mid-market companies. Before LinkedIn, he was senior vice president of business operations, marketing, and strategy at INAP, a global provider of hybrid technology infrastructure solutions. He also previously served as vice president of mergers and acquisitions portfolio integration and strategic innovation at NTT, a global technology services company. Goodman is also an executive coach, founder, and adviser for startups and cryptocurrency initiatives. Elected to the Adelphi University Board of Trustees in 2022, Goodman was a member of Adelphi’s President’s Advisory Council from 2019 to 2022. He earned his BS in Business and his MBA from Adelphi and is known among Panthers as having been co-captain of one of the University’s most successful men’s basketball teams.

Kees Leunes, PhD ‘07

Dr. Kees Leune is an associate professor at Adelphi University. He currently chairs the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, and also serves the university as its Chief Information Security Officer.

As a management of the IT Leadership team, Dr. Leune has a strong interest in defensive cybersecurity, in risk management, and in business continuity planning. As a researcher his interest lands on the intersection of Enterprise Modeling, Cyber Threat Intelligence, and Threat Modeling. Dr. Leune has developed several graduate and undergraduate courses for Adelphi, including Digital Forensics, Cyber Threat Analysis, Applied Cryptography, and more.

Prior to coming to Adelphi, Dr. Leune was a senior cybersecurity consultant in The Netherlands, where he worked for clients in the utilities sector, the telecommunications sectors, the healthcare sector and in the financial sector. He obtained his PhD from Tilburg University in the Netherlands, where he played a pivotal role in establishing a university computer security incident response team in the mid 1990’s.

As a self-described builder, Leune loves to face new technical challenges and embraces any chance to build sustainable enterprise solutions.

Channing Martin

Channing Martin is IPG’s Global Chief Diversity and Social Impact Officer. In this role, she is responsible for advancing IPG’s diversity, equity and inclusion objectives and continuing to strengthen the company’s progress to being one of the world’s most diverse and inclusive companies.

Reporting to the CEO, Channing leads IPG’s strategy on all diversity-related matters, including the continued diversification of IPG’s senior ranks and talent pipeline, collaboration and partnership with IPG’s full network of agency brands, CEOs and DE&I leadership community. In her role, she also supports the advancement of social impact strategies and practices in partnership with the leadership of IPG’s integrated ESG team.

Prior to joining IPG, Channing was Chief Diversity and Social Responsibility Officer of CSG, a global provider of consumer engagement and digital experience solutions. In this role, she worked across the company to promote and build effective strategies for equity, diversity and inclusion. She was also responsible for environmental, societal and governance (ESG) initiatives, recommending investments, activities and programs focused on sustainable, socially aware business practices that incorporate diverse people and perspectives, voices and ideas.

Channing previously held the positions of Diversity and Inclusion Manager at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and Diversity Lead and Strategic Planner for the US Department of State and the Diversity Recruitment and Assessment Manager for the US Office of Personnel Management.

Throughout her career, Channing has developed and executed measurable diversity initiatives that amplify employee voices, build diverse pipelines of talent, mitigate bias in hiring and performance reviews and strengthen community partnerships to reach new audiences.

Channing holds a BA in Economics from the University of Pittsburgh and an MS in Public Policy and Management from Heinz College at Carnegie-Mellon University.

Eu’Nice R. McCoy ‘14

Eu’Nice R. McCoy is a passionate millennial community leader who is committed to organizations that support the advancement of disadvantaged communities. She currently works as the Director of Event Marketing for the National Urban League, a historic civil rights and urban advocacy organization with 92 affiliates serving 300 communities in 36 states and the District of Columbia. As the Director of Events, Eu’Nice is responsible for managing the National Urban League’s signature events and conferences including its Leadership Summit, Annual Conference, and Whitney M. Young Jr Urban Leadership Development Conference, among other special events and activations.

Eu’Nice has been a dedicated active member of the New York Urban League Young Professionals for the last eight years and served as the 2020-2022 Chapter President, and previous Membership Co-Chair and Membership Chair. She is a current Advisory Board Member for the Project Ready mentor program of the New York Urban League. She has served as a committee member of the National Membership Committee of the National Urban League Young Professionals for five years. Her other leadership activities include having served as the Secretary and then President of the NUL Toastmasters Club, as a Team Leader for New York Cares where she managed Adult Education & Children programs, and having served on the Communications committee for Jelani Girls, Inc., a non-profit dedicated to culturally enriching the lives of young African American girls through a ten-month cultural enrichment program, and international youth service project.

For her passionate community focused work, Eu’Nice was honored by her alma mater, Adelphi University as a young alumnus with the 10 Under 10 Award in 2022. In 2022, she also received the Ann Tanneyhill award from the National Urban League for her dedication and service, and under her leadership as President her Young Professionals chapter won the Eastern Region Chapter of Excellence and the National Day of Service Award in 2022, and the National Day of Empowerment Award in 2021

Eu’Nice has completed two fellowships in the nonprofit industry. She is a graduate of the Community Fellows Program of the Institute for Nonprofit Practice, and the  National Urban League’s Emerging Leaders Program. She currently serves on the Alumni Advisory Council for the Institute for Nonprofit Practice.

A wanderer at heart, Eu’Nice loves traveling, collecting new passport stamps, and finding adventures in ordinary life. She holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Adelphi University in Garden City, New York and she is a proud member of the Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated in Harlem, NYC.

Mari Eva Mendes

Mari Eva Mendes, a seasoned fundraising and communications strategist with over two decades of global experience in philanthropy, currently serves as the Chief Development and Communications Officer at Girls for Gender Equity. She leads a growing team supporting gender and racial justice initiatives while also coaching fundraising professionals through MEM Consulting, advocating for fundraising and philanthropic equity nationwide.

In India, Mari Eva founded Maya for Women, championing inclusion of lesbian, bisexual, and trans women through a Global South feminist advocacy model. Her significant roles in NYC community-based organizations include managing advancement operations at Harlem United, a $50 million public health nonprofit serving Black and Latinx residents experiencing homelessness. And, as NRDC’s first Fundraising Equity Director, she provided technical fundraising assistance to a national portfolio of environmental justice partner organizations with budgets ranging from $3 to $30 million.

Lending voluntary expertise, Mari Eva played a key role in developing the 2023 Community Centric Fundraising strategic plan and is active in nonprofits democratizing technology and development data, such as NTEN.

She is fluent Arabic-speaker who holds a triple-major Bachelor of Arts from Bangalore University and professional certifications in Counseling Psychology, Sexuality and Gender, Professional Fundraising, Women of Color in Leadership, and Restorative Justice Circles. She is based in New York.

Bita Sultan Mir

Bita is a seasoned bilingual school psychologist at Elwood UFSD as well as a consultant psychologist with Nassau BOCES, specializing in adolescence and supporting multicultural families and children. With 18 years of experience, she holds a Bachelor’s from Hofstra University, a Master’s from Adelphi University, and a School Psychology certification from St. John’s University. Fluent in five languages, Bita fosters trust and understanding with diverse clients.

What sets Bita apart is her rich multicultural background, which has shaped her worldview and enhanced her ability to connect with individuals from diverse backgrounds. Having been exposed to various cultures and regions since childhood, she developed a profound appreciation for cultural nuances and the importance of cultural competence in her practice.

As a mother of two teens, Bita empathizes with familial dynamics, enriching her practice. She empowers families and children to navigate challenges and unlock their potential. Beyond her clinical work, Bita is actively engaged in professional development initiatives and community outreach efforts aimed at raising awareness about mental health issues and promoting inclusivity. Throughout her career, Bita has remained dedicated to empowering students to overcome obstacles and achieve their full potential. Her holistic approach, blending clinical expertise with cultural sensitivity, allows her to create inclusive and supportive environments where students feel valued and understood.

Cynthia Pong, JD

Humera Qazi ‘93

Humera Qazi ’93, MBA is a managing director at Morgan Stanley, serving as Head of Wealth Management Operations’ Client Services Group (CSG). The CSG is responsible for collaborating and partnering with WM Operations stakeholders and business partners to develop and execute strategies to deliver world-class service to internal and external clients. Before joining Morgan Stanley, she was a managing director in KPMG’s Management Consulting practice.

Qazi is a vocal advocate for diversity in the workplace. She is the co-chair for Morgan Stanley’s Women’s Business Alliance—the largest employee networking group at Morgan Stanley—and co-led Americas D&I for Morgan Stanley Operations before that. At KPMG, she served as co-chair of KPMG’s Network of Women for Long Island and launched the ATHENA Awards in the New York region. She is co-chair of the Women’s Leadership Conference at Adelphi University and has served on the board of directors of the Women’s Bond Club.

Apart from women’s leadership initiatives, Qazi serves on the board of directors for Miracle Corners of the World, an organization dedicated to empowering youth leadership in Africa and around the world. She also serves on the board of trustees at her alma mater, Adelphi University.

Irene Quarshie ‘98

Irene Quarshie is Senior Vice President of Global Supply Chain and Logistics for Target Corporation. She leads the indirect, reverse and third-party supply chain functions, which includes inventory management, transportation, and warehouse operations. Irene also oversees e-commerce returns logistics and end-of-life product disposition strategies. She has general management accountability for Target’s multi-billion-dollar recommerce business.

Previously, Irene was vice president of Product Safety and Quality Assurance where she led a global team responsible for private label manufacturing quality management. Throughout her 16 years at Target, she held numerous leadership positions including roles in Enterprise Risk Management, Government Affairs, Corporate Responsibility and Assets Protection. Prior to Target, Irene spent five years in strategy and management consulting with Booz Allen Hamilton.

Irene serves on the board and audit committee of Fastenal, a publicly traded distributor of industrial solutions and services. She is also on the board of the Executive Leadership Council and Artspace. Irene graduated from Adelphi University with a bachelor’s degree in political science. She also earned a master’s degree in public policy from American University.

Jennifer Rosado

As Chief Customer Officer at JOOR—the world’s premier digital wholesale software platform—Jennifer is responsible for creating, implementing, and overseeing the strategy for the client services teams, with a focus on building brand awareness, sales and growth marketing, and retention. At JOOR, she oversees a team of 35 managers and individual contributors across the brand’s operations organization. Jennifer has 20 years of experience in sales, operations, and marketing management in industries including finance, beauty, and media/technology. Prior to JOOR, Jennifer provided her operational expertise to companies such as JPMorgan, Estee Lauder – Bumble and bumble, and L’Oreal, and to large-scale consumer marketplaces including XO Group.

Arianna Savoca ‘13, MBA ‘14

Arianna Savoca is a manager in the Human Resources department at Grassi, where she specializes in learning and development, campus and experienced hire recruiting, benefits, performance management, employee engagement and resource groups. She is also instrumental in developing and implementing volunteerism and charitable giving programs to enhance employee engagement and maximize the firm’s community outreach.

Since joining Grassi in 2019, Arianna has relaunched the Grassi Women’s Council and formalized Grassi DEI efforts to promote the equality and advancement of the firm’s diverse workforce. She has also assisted in redesigning entry-level and firm wide technical and soft skill training.

Before joining Grassi, Arianna worked in taxation at both a Big Four and a regional public accounting firm. She draws from her experience in client service, employee learning, and tax to make strategic decisions about Grassi’s professional development programs, employee engagement, staff scheduling and other policies and procedures.

Arianna’s passion for equity, inclusion, and community extends beyond the office as well. She is the Long Island Committee Co-Chair for the Financial Women’s Association and a Moxxie Mentor for the Moxxie Mentoring Foundation, a nonprofit created to support and foster the career advancement and leadership development of young women through generational mentoring. She also volunteers with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and is the chair of the Adelphi University Alumni Advisory Council.

A certified public accountant licensed in New York, Arianna is a member of the New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants (NYSSCPA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). She received her master’s in accounting from Adelphi University and is a nationally certified SHRM professional.

Erika Stehl MSW ‘94

Living a purposeful life driven by service, positive intention and gratitude, Erika Stehl is dedicated to fostering community connection.

Upon completion of her MSW in 1994 from Adelphi University, Erika worked for several years in the mental health field. After marrying her husband, Richard, an attorney, she shifted her focus to raising their five children in Port Washington. During these years, Erika volunteered with local non-for-profits, assisted in the organization of school vegetable gardens and completed a degree in organic gardening.

She was inspired to create Growing Love Community Garden, a 501 c3 Not-for-Profit, after visiting a community garden during a trip to Napa. Seeing the bounty of produce and the collaborative efforts of the plot members, Erika strongly believed that her community would also benefit from a similar connective green space. GLCG was established in 2018 with a “mission to connect our diverse community to healthy food, nature and each other.” Once an abandoned dumping ground, today the beautiful garden has 45 plots and continues to grow yearly with a Memorial Garden, a Vertical Garden, a Children’s Garden, a Pergola, and frequently hosts concerts, yoga and other programs.

In 2021, Erika co-founded Ripple Creative LLC with 2 close friends and garden board members to broaden their scope of engagement and reach within the community. Ripple Creative produces cultural events, showcases small businesses and supports community revitalization efforts.

Erika is currently completing her certification as a Health Coach through the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to expand her knowledge of health, wellness and well-being. Erika also enjoys cooking, gardening, pickleball and playing with her two golden retrievers.

Jovi Stevenson ‘95

As a certified Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging practitioner, Jovi guides employers in building diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplaces, ensuring DEIB is ingrained in their organization’s DNA. She uses her advocacy to champion inclusiveness and awareness across cultures in the financial services and nonprofit sectors.

Jovi’s professional experience includes 15 years as a marketing executive, where she leveraged her expertise in brand management, storytelling, and multicultural engagement into a 10+ year career in DEIB.

She is exceptionally proud to be honored as a DEI influencer and to have cultivated community partnerships that have led to award-winning recognition for diverse and inclusive hiring.

Jovi has a BA in Human Resource Management from The Catholic University of America and a MBA in Marketing from Adelphi University. An Afro-Latina whose parents hail from Panama, Jovi enjoys traveling, dancing, reading, and, most importantly, engaging in practices that enrich her faith. She is the proud mom to two beautiful daughters and shares the joys of parenting with her husband of 17 years.

Marc S. Strachan ‘81

Marc S. Strachan ’81 has been elected chair of Adelphi’s Board of Trustees. He joined Adelphi’s board in 2017 and has served as Board Chair since 2022. A generous supporter of our University who established four multicultural scholarships in 2019, Marc is now the first male African American chair of Adelphi’s board. A senior-level marketing and advertising executive, Marc is chair Emeritus of ADCOLOR, an organization that celebrates and advocates diversity in the creative and technology industries. He previously held positions as executive vice president and chief client officer at Publicis Sapient, North America, and vice president of on-premise strategy and multicultural marketing, director of brand marketing for Cîroc Vodka and Tanqueray Gin at Diageo, North America. In 2018, Marc earned a Certificate in Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives from the Harvard University School of Continuing Education. Marc completed the University of South Florida’s Muma School of Business, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion In the Workplace program in 2021. He is the founder and head coach for Coach Marc Consulting and the principal and chief marketing officer of The Adgile Media Group, the nation’s first data-driven Truck-Side Advertising/media company.

Carrie Wen ‘17

Carrie Wen is the President of PERIOD Downtown NYC and serves as the Financial Restructuring Practice Manager at an elite global law firm, Akin Gump. She founded PERIOD Downtown NYC in 2019 to serve, educate, and advocate for menstruators and to remove the stigma associated with periods. Since its foundation, the Downtown NYC chapter has rapidly grown to become one of the largest in the country, delivering tens of thousands of menstrual products to communities in need across New York City. Outside her work with PERIOD, Carrie is a passionate advocate for women’s causes and works closely with several non-profits to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Anna Zinko

Anna Zinko currently serves as the Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs at Adelphi University. In this role, she fosters student development and cultivates a strong sense of belonging for students through her oversight of areas including the Center for Student and Community Engagement, Residential Life and Housing, the Interfaith Center, and the Mindfulness Center.

With over a decade of experience in higher education, Anna has provided leadership in areas such as student leadership, civic engagement, and global learning. She earned her B.A. in Women’s Studies and English from SUNY Plattsburgh in 2009, followed by an MA in Higher Education and Student Affairs from New York University in 2011. Anna is currently pursuing her doctoral degree in Higher Education Administration through New York University’s E.d.D. program, focusing her research on supporting retention efforts for first-generation college students.

Anna has received several regional awards for her contributions to higher education, including the W.E.B. DuBois/Nelson Mandela Commitment to Dialogue and Education Award in 2011 for her work at New York University. She volunteers in various higher education organizations, including NASPA Region 2 and the Long Island College Student Personnel Association, and regularly presents her work as a higher education administrator at regional and national conferences.

Excitingly, Anna is expecting her first child in April 2024 and eagerly anticipates adding the title “Mom” to her bio very soon.