Michelle was the first full-time employee of CHLDC, beginning in 1984, and she has guided the organization’s growth from a budget of $35,000 with one program to its current status. Michelle serves on the Board of Directors of the Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development and of United Neighborhood Houses. Michelle earned a BA in Urban Studies from Barnard College and MS degrees in Social Work and Urban Planning from Columbia University.

Emily joined the organization in 1994 as the Director of Youth and Family Services, and she held that position for six years. In 2003, after supervising youth programs at Good Shepherd Services, she rejoined CHLDC as the Director of Development. She became the Director of Programs in 2004. She supervises five Division Directors, including the Directors of College Success Programs, Career and Education Programs, Community Organizing, Housing Counseling, and Youth and Family Services. She has an MSW from Columbia University School of Social Work and a BS degree in Human Services from Springfield College.

Shalina Akoko is the Assistant Division Director of Elementary Programs. Shalina joined the agency in 2015 as the Assistant Community Learning Center Director and transitioned into the role of Director in 2017, overseeing 2 middle school programs and our Middles School Success Center.  Shalina has a Bachelor's Degree from Hofstra University and has had a long career commitment to the youth development field.  Shalina's work in serving the children of the Cypress Hills Community continues with her dedication to creating strong programs and partnerships with the Elementary School Leadership Teams and Parents to better serve our youngest community members. 

Joseph joined CHLDC in 2013 as our first-ever Director of Human Resources. He has over 20 years of human resources management experience at large and small nonprofit agencies and for-profit businesses. Joseph has a Bachelor’s degree in Human Resources Management from Baruch College.

Jessica joined CHLDC in 2022 as our Director of Community Development. Jessica manages our affordable housing development/preservation, asset management, community planning, Verde and emergency response work. Jessica has years of housing experience both at the citywide level at the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development and the local level. Jessica also has a background in youth development.

Benjamin Carey joined CHLDC in October 2024 as the Division Director of College Success Programs. In his role he oversees the Student Success Centers at Franklin K. Lane and Thomas Jefferson, the Community Schools at Franklin K Lane as well as the College STEPs program. He has a Masters in Liberal Studies from the CUNY Graduate Center and has been working in community-based college access and student success programs since 2008. 

Elizabeth Cuebas joined CHLDC in 2014 as a Development Associate and was promoted to Assistant Director of Fund Development in 2017. In her current role, she supports the agency's efforts in maintaining a large, diverse portfolio of government, foundation and corporate grants. Elizabeth has years of fund development experience, including three years of fundraising for youth development programming. She has a Bachelor's degree from Buffalo State College and a Master's degree from the Milano School of Policy at the New School.

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Lowell joined CHLDC in 2003. He oversees all employment training, placement and retention services and adult education programs. He has a B.A. in Social Work from Cedarville University and a Master's of Social Work from Ohio State University.

Gaudi joined CHLDC in September 2019. She is a Certified Public Accountant with extensive nonprofit, affordable housing finance and property management accounting experience. 

Erica Oquendo joined CHLDC in 1999 and has extensive experience in our Youth and Family Services Division as the ExpandEd After School Program Director at PS 89. She was Promoted to Assistant Division Director in 2015, and Division Director in 2019. She has a BS in Psychology from Hunter College and a Master's Degree in Education. Erica also attended our after school and Beacon programming while growing up in Cypress Hills.

Tania Rivera joined CHLDC in 2017. She oversees all of CHLDC’s fundraising efforts and agency communications. She has a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from Columbia University and spent nine years working at Columbia University Medical Center in fundraising and development. Tania grew up in Cypress Hills, attended local public schools and worked in CHLDC’s Inter-generational Services program through SYEP.

Shawn joined CHLDC in September 2022. Shawn has built his career in a variety of roles managing youth and adult employment programs as well as family shelters. He has experience in providing employment training, housing, and counseling  services within the community. He has also emphasized staff development to assist in creating new leaders within the nonprofit sector.

Nicole joined CHLDC in 2014. She has served as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction for YouthLEAD, Director of Potencia NOW (ESL program) and most recently the CHAMPION Network where she has served our community's young adults as they chart a new career pathway. Nicole is a firm believer in empowerment through education. She has a BA in Psychology from Rutgers University-Camden’s Honors College and Master’s degree in Education from Mercy College.

Basil joined CHLDC in 2014. He is responsible for researching and evaluating data on CHLDC’s programs and outcomes. He has a BA from the University of Texas at Austin and an MPH from the Mailman School of Public Health at Columbia University.

Tanya Walker joined CHLDC in May 2021 as the Community Learning Center Director and where she led the Middle School After school programs and the Middle School Student Success Center (MSSSC). Since joining the organization, Tanya has supported re-engaging the community and students in in-person programming and the expansion of the MSSSC program services. In January 2023, Tanya joined the leadership team of the Youth and Family Services Division in the role of Assistant Division Director, overseeing all Middle School Programs. Tanya received her MSW from Hunter College Silberman School of Social Work with a concentration in Health and Mental Health and her B.A. in Sociology from LeMoyne College.

Rene joined CHLDC in 1992 as a Job Matching Program Coordinator, and he was promoted to his current position in 2002. He oversees our programs in first-time homebuyers counseling and education, mortgage foreclosure prevention counseling and financial literacy counseling.