As a 100 percent volunteer and member driven organization that is also a 501 c(3) certified non-profit, CACNY's elected leadership works to advance the mission of the organization and strengthen the reach and impact of its membership. With the creation of two new board positions and the election of new members to the Board of Directors, CACNY continues a proud and important tradition of being the voice and vehicle for membership engagement and empowerment toward college and career success for all.
Congratulations to the following newly elected members of the CACNY Inc. Board of Directors:
Charisse Taylor: Vice Chair of Policy/Advocacy – Charisse, who currently serves as Director of NYCDOE’s Youth CareerConnect, will be the first Vice Chair of Policy/Advocacy for CACNY. In this role, Charisse will work across a number of sectors and constituents to build CACNY’s brand and establish the network and its membership as a knowledgeable and influential constituency at the city and state level. Questions, suggestions, and concerns should be shared with Charisse by using the following email address: advocacy@cacnyinc.org
Daniel Tejada: Board Secretary – Danny, who currently serves as Beat the Odds Program Coordinator at the Children's Defense Fund, will seek to maintain and improve the documentation of internal and external meetings in addition to working to establish an archive of CACNY’s historical accomplishments, processes, and events as CACNY Secretary. Questions, suggestions, and concerns should be shared with Danny by using the following email address: secretary@cacnyinc.org
Camille Hall: Vice Chair of Meetings – Camille, who currently serves as College Connections Coordinator with the Fresh Air Fund, seeks to continue innovating and elevating the content and exposure of CACNY meetings for more members as Vice Chair of Meetings. Questions, suggestions, and concerns should be shared with Camille by using the following email address: meetings@cacnyinc.org
Malika Harris: Vice Chair of Special Events – Malika, who currently serves as Managing Director of High School and College Bound Initiatives with the YWCA of New York, seeks to continue with CACNY's signature special events while adding a new dynamic of member support and engagement as Vice Chair of Special Events. Questions, suggestions, and concerns should be shared with Malika by using the following email address: events@cacnyinc.org
These new Directors join the following talented Directors:
Felipe Ayala: Board Chair – Felipe, who currently serves as College Coordinator for the Children’s Aid Society - Adolescent Division, previously functioned as CACNY’s Vice Chair of Communication. As Board Chair, Felipe will continue to work to elevate CACNY to new heights with a more robust and engaging meeting and program structure for members. Questions, suggestions, and concerns should be shared with Felipe by using the following email address: chair@cacnyinc.org
Peter Barros: Vice Chair of Membership – Peter, who currently serves as Deputy Director, School Choice and College Success for the East Harlem Tutorial Program, will continue working to grow, retain, and strengthen CACNY membership through continued improvement of member outreach and engagement as Vice Chair of Membership. Questions, suggestions, and concerns should be shared with Peter by using the following email address: membership@cacnyinc.org
Shakira O'Kane: Board Treasurer – Shakira, who currently serves as the Senior Director of College and Career Access for the YMCA, will continue to maintain and account for the organizations funds and operational budget in addition to working on growing CACNY's funding through partnerships and grant opportunities. Questions, suggestions, and concerns should be shared with Shakira by using the following email address: treasurer@cacnyinc.org
Shameek Robinson: Vice Chair of Communications – Shameek, who currently serves as Associate Director, K12 Services for the College Board, will continue to increase the transparency and communication of CACNY through its listserve, LinkedIn and website as Vice Chair of Communications. Questions, suggestions, and concerns should be shared with Shameek by using the following email address: communications@cacny.org
Marilyn Sommer: Vice Chair of College Success: Marilyn, who currently serves as an independent consultant as well as Coordinator - College Access and Success/Clinical Supervisor with NYU Metro Center’s 1199 Workforce/UB Programs, has agreed to serve as CACNY’s first Vice Chair of College Success. In this role Marilyn will be the primary liaison between CACNY, its Board of Directors, and CACNY’s College Success Network. She will also work with other organizations and within CACNY on issues impacting the college success of our students. Questions, suggestions, and concerns should be shared with Marilyn by using the following email address: success@cacnyinc.org
Contact information for all CACNY Board of Director members is available via CACNY's website at https://collegeaccessconsortiumofny.wildapricot.org/Board-of-Directors .
Congratulations again to CACNY's new Board of Director members who join current Directors Felipe, Peter, Shameek, Shakira and Marilyn to continue the vision, mission and work of CACNY and its member organizations.
