About Our Work Newsroom Take Action DONATE Staff RAHSAAN HARRIS Chief Executive Officer Pronouns: he/him/his Hablo español Dr. Harris has more than 20 years of experience leading nonprofits and international grant making, partnering with communities to make local investments and promote community improvement. He is a transformative leader and role model who has been a New York City public school teacher, board member of various Harlem-based organizations, devoted Big Brothers Big Sister mentor, and Peace Corps environmental education volunteer in South America. He received his doctorate in Public and Urban Policy from the New School, where his dissertation was on understanding how socio-economic diversity in the African-American community affects their philanthropic interests. He also holds a Master in Management and High School Science Education from New York University and Columbia, respectively, and a Bachelor of Arts from Princeton University. Connect with Rahsaan through Instagram, Twitter, and Clubhouse! EMAIL: info@citizensnyc.org SARAH ADAMS Operations Manager Pronouns: she/her/hers Sarah is an adventurous, well-traveled, young professional who earned her BA in Hospitality Management from the New York City College of Technology (CUNY). During her studies, she was catapulted into the event industry, where she fused customized and creative ideas for both social and corporate events. Additionally, Sarah took her extensive background in Food & Beverage Management and opened her own LLC as a Virtual Assistant for restaurant and cafe owners. Sarah’s passions include giving back to her community by helping to combat the issue of food-deserts in low-income neighborhoods. With her diverse skill set, her goal is to help CitizensNYC execute projects and meet organizational objectives that deliver impactful and memorable experiences for residents and business owners across New York City. EMAIL: SAdams@citizensnyc.org TRICIA ANDERSEN-VIE SVP Finance and Operations Pronouns: she/her/hers Tricia is a seasoned professional with over 20 years experience in finance, operations and program management. Prior to joining the CitizensNYC team, she served in various marketing and management roles including Operations Manager and Director of Finance in Texas, Washington DC, and New York. Tricia graduated from The University of Texas El Paso magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Multidisciplinary Studies. Driven by excellence, she takes pride in using her skills to effectively advance the mission of CitizensNYC. Tricia is excited by the opportunity to work together with diverse communities to help rebuild New York City. EMAIL: TAndersenVie@citizensnyc.org CAROLYN BERNAL Director of Operations Pronouns: she/her/hers Carolyn has almost two decades of experience in finance, audit, and project management in financial services firms managing teams on strategic projects and finance operations. She has managed audit teams, financial controller groups, and technology projects across multinational organizations. She excels when collaborating in a team to harness their collective strengths to accomplish goals. Carolyn earned a Master of Science in International Management from EM Lyon Business School in Lyon, France, a Master of Science in Secondary Education from St. John’s University in New York, and a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.. She is excited to join CitizensNYC to help the team in rebuilding New York City. EMAIL: CBernal@citizensnyc.org LESSIE BRANCH Director of Programs Community Relations Pronouns: she/her/hers Dr. Branch is a Racial Policy Scholar and a Fulbright Specialist in Race, Ethnicity and Religion in Politics, and Director of The Think Tank at The Thinkubator. Her scholarship and practice examine the gulf between Black optimism about group progress and the actual data on continuing disparities, through the transformative application of rhetorical criticism to interrogate narratives that structure social practices in ways that privilege some and marginalize others. Lessie is a graduate of Fordham University with a BA in Political Science and earned her Ph.D. and M.Phil in Public and Urban Policy from Milano School of International Affairs, Management, and Urban Policy as well as an MA in Political Science from the New School of Social Research. She is the author of Optimism At All Costs: Black Attitudes, Activism, and Advancement in Obama’s America with University of Massachusetts Press. EMAIL: LBranch@citizensnyc.org DIANA CARTAYA Development Associate Pronouns: she/her/hers Hablo español Diana is a social impact professional with experience in the nonprofit and the international development sectors who works to amplify CitizensNYC´s knowledge management, research, and communications initiatives. Diana has a B.A in Anthropology and Environmental Policy from Fordham University and a M.Sc in International Relations, Global Health, and Sustainable Development from Northeastern University. She is very interested in supporting local communities and in all things sustainability. EMAIL: DCartaya@citizensnyc.org DI CUI Program Manager Pronouns: she/her/hers 我说中文 Di is a storyteller who uses writing, photography, and videography to tell stories about social justice. Her first documentary film Song of Ourselves: Cultural Activism in Whitman’s New York premiered at the International Whitman Week in celebration of Walt Whitman’s bicentennial. She recently completed her Master’s degree in Historic Preservation at Pratt Institute, where she explored cultural heritage, public history, gentrification, and other urban issues. In her work with different communities in New York City and community-based organizations, she always brings a creative touch and empathy. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology and Art History from Macalester College. EMAIL: DCui@citizensnyc.org KATIE GRASSLE Program Director Pronouns: she/her/hers Katie works with the programs team supporting grassroots community groups through project planning assistance, workshops, and grant management. Katie originally served with CitizensNYC as a Civic Corps member, and is excited to rejoin the team after leaving to complete a master's in Conservation Medicine at the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University. Her thesis focused on the mutual benefits of community gardens for human health and butterfly conservation in four South Bronx gardens. She also earned a Bachelor's degree in Anthropology from Bryn Mawr College. Katie is passionate about environmental justice, and hopes to continue using a local, grassroots approach to addressing human health issues as a result of disproportionate environmental degradation. EMAIL: KGrassle@citizensnyc.org MELAINE MORGAN Content and Social Media Manager Pronouns: she/her/hers Melaine is a Radio/Podcast Producer & Voice Over Actress. She's worked with companies like SiriusXM, Apple Music, and Entercom. Working behind the scenes, she found her passion for voice over while she was writing copy for her stations. Melaine cracked the mic about four years ago and has not looked back since. She currently runs her own production company (Connected By Mel, Inc) and is signed to CESD Talent Agency in NYC and LA. Some clients that she's voiced stuff for include: Casper Mattress, Pillsbury, Cigna and iHeartMedia. EMAIL: MMorgan@citizensnyc.org GINA RAMCHARAN Neighborhood Business Grants Consultant Pronouns: she/her/hers Gina is the Chief Idea Curator of Idea Manufacturer, a boutique business consultancy that specializes in small business creation and strategy. Gina has a client roster that spans eight industries. She has successfully worked with entrepreneurs, companies, and nonprofits, with a special emphasis on women and Black owned businesses. As the architect and Program Director for THE LILLIAN PROJECT, Harlem’s first business incubator for African American women, she helped make entrepreneurial dreams reality for more than 125 women. SHIRLEEN ROBINSON Strategic Communications Consultant Pronouns: she/her/hers Shirleen works in the communication department, where she sharpens CitizensNYC grantees' compelling stories to engage audiences across our social media channels. Previously, she has worked as a college literature professor, a public library services worker, a sensitivity reader, and copyeditor. A daughter of Jamaican immigrants, her first-gen Caribbean upbringing sparked her passions in NYC community building, immigrant outreach services, and migration storytelling. She holds two Masters of Art degrees in African American literature from Cornell University (A.B.D.) and Columbia University, and also a Bachelor of Arts degree from Princeton University. ANDY SHERMAN Program Associate Pronouns: they/them/theirs Bio coming soon! EMAIL: asherman@citizensnyc.org ALEGRIA SANCHIS Social Media Consultant Pronouns: she/her/hers Hablo español Alegría is a graphic designer, content creator, and social media manager who works to celebrate, elevate and amplify CitizensNYC’s community and mission. Alegría has a BA in media and communication from the University of Navarra in Spain. She is currently based in Ecuador, where she is originally from. She co-wrote and directed the short film, Walking the Way, and was the cinematographer of the student-led documentary, Silence Sam, which followed the most recent movement to remove the confederate monument from UNC-Chapel Hill’s doorstep. Alegría conceives communication as a tool to influence positive change in society and the world. SCOTT YOUNG VP of Development and Communications Pronouns: he/him/his Scott is a fundraiser and storyteller who works to amplify the work of our grantee partners, and to raise funds necessary to achieve the mission of CitizensNYC. With over a decade of development experience at organizations including New York City’s LGBT Community Center, The Joyce Theater Foundation, and Walnut Street Theatre, he is dedicated to providing opportunities for donors who want to make an impact. Intentional fundraising, strategic messaging, grassroots change, and the resilience of New Yorkers are just some of his passions. Scott holds a BA from Southern Utah University. EMAIL: SYoung@citizensnyc.org MARIA SANCHIS Social Media Consultant Pronouns: she/her/hers Hablo español María is a marketing strategist, content creator, and social media manager who works to celebrate, elevate and amplify CitizensNYC’s community and mission. María has a Bachelor in culinary arts and business administration. Nonetheless, she has dedicated her professional life to work in the marketing field. She has served various companies and helped them achieve their commercial goals, and is now working with nonprofits to enhance their mission through digital marketing. She is currently based in Ecuador, where she is originally from. María believes in the power of persuasion to build long-term loyalty towards a brand, organization, or cause. PAIGE TRAVIS Director of Communications and Public Affairs Pronouns: she/her/hers Paige comes to NYC from the nation's capital where she worked alongside Washington’s leading communications strategists and helped launch a host of issue advocacy campaigns including 51 for 51 DC Statehood Coalition, the grand opening of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, Protect the Investigation and Southern Black Women & Girls Consortium. During the 2020 presidential election, Paige served as an ad writer for the Biden-Harris campaign and served as Sr. Comms Manager during the 2018 midterm elections with Color of Change PAC. She managed media outreach for the Obama administration's rollout of the Affordable Care Act with the PR firm Weber Shandwick, and started her career working for NBC News. Paige graduated from journalism school at the University of Missouri and is originally from Chicago, IL. EMAIL: PTravis@citizensnyc.org Citizens Committee for New York City 30 East 125th Street, #189 New York, NY 10035 212-989-0909 Contact Us Our Work About Impact Annual Report Stay Connected Follow Facebook Instagram LinkedIn Twitter Youtube