Senior Leaders Network (SLN)

Dorcas Amoah is a nonprofit leader with over a decade of experience in youth development, crisis intervention, and community empowerment. As Director of Youth Development at the Fiver Children’s Foundation, she oversees education, career, and family support programming serving more than 400 youth and 700 alumni across New York City and central New York. Dorcas previously held leadership roles at Queens Community House and brings deep expertise in case management, mental health support, and college and career readiness. Passionate about equity and opportunity, she is committed to expanding pathways for young people to thrive in school, work, and life.

Janell Bartley (she/her) is Chief of People and Operations and a first-generation college graduate and proud Afro-Latina from Panama, raised in Brooklyn, New York. With more than 20 years of nonprofit experience in mentoring and after-school enrichment, she has advanced through multiple leadership roles while helping organizations stay aligned with their mission and values. Janell takes a holistic, people-centered approach to operations, championing creativity, respect, and inclusion across teams. She is deeply committed to supporting young adults from under-resourced communities in setting goals and overcoming barriers. She holds a BA in Psychology and an MBA in Nonprofit Leadership from New England College.

Thanh Bui is the Chief Program Officer of Youth Programs at Grand Street Settlement, where she leads strategy and operations across 26 sites serving youth and families in Manhattan and Brooklyn. With more than 20 years of experience in youth development, she oversees multi-site programming, supervises senior leaders, and manages contracts and budgets exceeding $11 million annually. Over her tenure, Thanh has advanced from College Advisor to Chief Program Officer, developing deep expertise in program design, compliance, and cross-sector partnerships. She holds an MS in Urban Policy Analysis and Management from The New School and is bilingual in Vietnamese and Cantonese.

Sasha Chait is Executive Development Officer at BioBus, where she has led fundraising, government relations, and communications since 2015. She architected the strategy and systems that more than quadrupled annual operating revenue and supported organizational growth from nine to over 30 staff. As a member of the executive leadership team, Sasha helps set strategic direction and drive key decisions. She brings deep expertise in nonprofit revenue strategy across earned, contributed, and government streams, and applies an equity-centered approach grounded in Community-Centric Fundraising and DEIB principles. Sasha holds a B.A. in International Development and Social Change from Clark University.

Meredith Dean, LCAT, RDT/BCT, ICADC is Chief Operating Officer at Drive Change and a seasoned executive, creative arts therapist, and educator with over 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience. She has worked extensively with justice-involved youth, incarcerated individuals, survivors of violence, and adults navigating substance use and mental health challenges. Meredith brings a healing-centered, people-first approach to operations and systems leadership. She is co-founder of Drama Therapy Review, a lecturer at NYU, a graduate supervisor at Lesley University, and maintains a private therapy and consulting practice. Her work reflects a deep commitment to equitable employment pathways and community-driven change.

Eddie Fitzgerald most recently served as Senior Program Manager at the New York City Urban Debate League, the nation’s largest urban debate league, supporting more than 4,000 students in accessing the transformative power of debate. With over 20 years of experience, Eddie is deeply committed to helping young people find and express their voice as effective advocates. Previously, he was Director of Speech and Debate at Poly Prep Country Day School, where his teams earned state and national recognition, and he also led DEI professional development initiatives. Eddie holds a Master’s in Urban Education from New Jersey City University.

Melissa Friedman is Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director of Epic Theatre Ensemble, where she has spent over 20 years advancing theatre as a vehicle for youth development and civic engagement. An accomplished actor, director, playwright, and teaching artist, she previously worked with BAM, Roundabout, and Theatre for a New Audience. Melissa created Epic’s nationally recognized Shakespeare Remix program, recipient of the National Arts and Humanities Youth Program Award presented by First Lady Michelle Obama. She also leads Epic Next, a theatre training and mentorship initiative for NYC public high school students. She holds a BA from Oberlin College and an MFA from the University of San Diego.

Dr. Lynda Kennedy is Vice President of Education & Evaluation at the Intrepid Museum, bringing over 30 years of experience in museum education and public scholarship. She has held leadership roles at the Lower East Side Tenement Museum, Museum of the Moving Image, and New York Public Library, and has served as adjunct faculty at Hunter College and FIT. At Intrepid, she has led major National Science Foundation and NEH-funded initiatives, including The STEM Effect and programs advancing girls’ leadership in STEM. Dr. Kennedy holds degrees from NYU, Bank Street College, and CUNY and is dedicated to expanding equitable access to cultural learning experiences.

Mawia Khogali, PhD, is Director of Research and Evaluation at The Fresh Air Fund, where she leads organization-wide efforts to align data, strategy, and program excellence in service of stronger outcomes for young people. She partners with senior leaders and program teams to build systems that translate mission into practice and elevate youth voice in decision-making. With over a decade of experience in research, evaluation, and organizational change, Dr. Khogali previously served as Senior Director of Innovation and Incubation at the Center for Policing Equity. She is committed to advancing equity and building cultures of learning and impact across the youth services sector.

Jessica Lizzio is the Director of Medical Engagement at Reach Out and Read of Greater New York, where she leads partnerships with more than 230 pediatric clinics and hospitals to integrate early literacy into routine care. She oversees training, quality assurance, and equitable access to culturally and linguistically responsive books for families. With a decade of experience in early childhood and early intervention—including roles at Boston Children’s Hospital—Jessica is committed to strengthening early relational health. A first-generation immigrant from Colombia, her bilingual background informs her dedication to culturally responsive care and family-centered literacy initiatives.

Victor O. Olds is Chief Legal Officer of Good Shepherd Services, where he oversees legal strategy, litigation, and organizational risk management. Previously, he served in a mayoral appointment as New York City’s Chief Procurement Officer and Director of the Mayor’s Office of Contract Services (MOCS), following several years as the agency’s General Counsel. At MOCS, he led a citywide procurement overhaul, increased Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise utilization to over $1 billion annually, and helped establish a global PPE supply chain during COVID-19. Victor holds a BA from Cornell University and a JD from Fordham University School of Law.

Andrew Roitstein is an arts leader, bassist, arranger, and educator dedicated to expanding access to high-quality music education. He serves as Director of Education and Community Engagement at Orchestra of St. Luke’s, where he leads free school concerts, a youth orchestra serving NYC public school students, and a mentorship-based workforce development program for emerging musicians. Formerly Senior Music Curriculum Specialist for Juilliard Global K–12 Programs, Andrew helped design Juilliard Creative Classroom, now used in schools worldwide. A founding member of the Toomai String Quintet, he performs internationally and is a prolific arranger of Latin American music. He holds degrees from The Juilliard School.