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Meet the People Behind the Mission
At CHLDC, our leadership reflects the communities we serve. From longtime neighborhood advocates to forward-thinking professionals, our teams are united by a shared commitment to creating opportunity, supporting families, and investing in the future of Brooklyn. Together, our board members, executive leaders, and program managers work to ensure community voices remain at the center of everything we do.
EXECUTIVE TEAM
Leading With Purpose. Building With Community.
Our Executive Leadership Team drives the organization’s mission forward by creating bold strategies, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring CHLDC continues to meet the evolving needs of the communities we serve. Their leadership reflects our commitment to investing in people, expanding opportunity, and building a stronger future for Brooklyn families.
Michael G. Johnson
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Michael G. Johnson will join Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation as Executive Director on February 2, 2026. He brings more than 25 years of leadership experience across community development, philanthropy, public administration, and human services. Most recently, Michael served as President & CEO of the Harlem Educational Activities Fund (HEAF), where he led college access and career pathway programs supporting more than 600 students annually across New York City. He has also held senior leadership roles at The Community Builders, JPMorgan Chase & Co., and the New York City Housing Authority, advancing place-based strategies, affordable housing, and economic opportunity for families and neighborhoods. Michael is a recipient of MIT’s Martin Luther King Jr. Leadership Award and holds degrees from MIT, the CUNY Graduate Center, and the University of Virginia. A lifelong Brooklynite, he resides in Bedford-Stuyvesant with his wife and three children. michaelj@cypresshills.org (845) 328-2636 ext. 5123
Emily Van Ingen
Deputy Director
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. emilyv@cypresshills.org (845) 328-2393 ext. 5124
Gaudi Polanco Mendoza
Chief Financial Officer
Gaudi joined CHLDC in September 2019. She is a Certified Public Accountant with extensive nonprofit, affordable housing finance and property management accounting experience. gaudim@cypresshills.org 718-647-2800 ext.111
Joseph Brown
Chief Human Resources Officer/Director of Facilities Management
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. josephb@cypresshills.org (718) 647-2800 ext. 100
Elaine Mahoney
Deputy Director for Community Development, Housing & Organizing
​​Elaine is the Deputy Director for Community Development, Housing, and Organizing. Her work has been at the intersection of affordable housing and climate policy with the federal, state, and local government over the last decade. Elaine has a Masters in Urban Planning from Pratt Institute and enjoys biking and reading in her spare time. elainem@cypresshills.org
Tania Rivera
Division Director, Fund Development & Strategic Initiatives
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. taniar@cypresshills.org (718) 647-2800 ext. 117
LEADERSHIP TEAM
Supporting Programs. Strengthening Impact.
Our leadership oversees the day-to-day operations and programs that connect thousands of residents to resources, education, career pathways, housing support, youth services, and community opportunities each year. Together, they help turn CHLDC’s mission into meaningful impact across every corner of the community.
Michelle Neugebauer
ADVISOR
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. michellen@cypresshills.org
Shalina Akoko
Assistant Division Director of Elementary Programs
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. shalinaa@cypresshills.org (917) 451-8575 ext. 5137
Jessica Bartolini
Director of Community Development
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. jessicab@cypresshills.org
Benjamin Carey
Division Director, College Success Programs
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. benc@cypresshills.org (917) 451-8573
Elizabeth Cuebas
Deputy Director of Fund Development
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.​​​​ elizabethc@cypresshills.org (718) 647-2800, Ext. 119
Lowell J. Herschberger
Division Director, Career & Education Programs
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. lowellh@cypresshills.org (845) 328-2760 ext. 5109
Erica Oquendo
Division Director, Youth & Family Services
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. ericao@cypresshills.org (347) 954-0323 ext. 5135
Shawn McCauley
CHENY Community Center Site Director
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. shawnm@cypresshills.org 845-328-2740
Nicole Sanchez
Assistant Director of Career & Education Programs
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. nicoles@cypresshills.org (845) 328-2569 ext. 5107
Basil Reyes, Jr.
Division Director, Evaluation and Research
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. basilr@cypresshills.org (845) 328-2630 ext. 5125
Tanya Walker
Assistant Division Director of Middle School Programs Youth & Family Services
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. Tanyaw@cypresshills.org (718)-791-6267
Rosalinda Gutierrez
Division Director of Housing Counseling
Rosalinda Gutierrez joined the housing counseling team in December 2015 and now serves as the Division Director of Housing Counseling. As a HUD-Certified Housing Counselor she leads a multidisciplinary team, overseeing programs like the ENY Small Homes Help Desk and championing efforts to promote housing stability, financial literacy, and racial equity in East New York. Rosalinda is a dedicated advocate for homeowners, fostering partnerships with government agencies, legal providers, and community organizations to ensure equitable access to housing resources and support. Rosalindag@cypresshills.org 718-647-8100
Khalid Azizi
Assistant Director of Finance
Khalid Azizi is the Assistant Director of Finance at CHLDC, where he plays a key role in overseeing budgeting, financial reporting, and operational efficiency. He brings more than two decades of leadership experience in finance, operations, and business development across both nonprofit and private sectors. Prior to joining CHLDC, Khalid served as Chief Finance and Operations Officer at Sana Dietetics, leading a company-wide transformation to expand into luxury health and wellness markets. He also founded and led Jazz and Print as Director of Operations and Business Development, where he scaled the company through strategic process improvements and innovative technology integration. Khalid has also held leadership roles at TNT Express and The Nicotra Group, where he successfully implemented turnaround strategies, compliance systems, and international growth initiatives. He holds a Master of Science in Environmental Science and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the College of Staten Island, as well as a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accountancy (cum laude) from Baruch College’s Zicklin School of Business. Khalid is fluent in English, French, and Arabic. khalida@cypresshills.org 929-564-3459
Yasmin Schwartz, M.Ed
Division Director of United Community Centers
Yasmin Schwartz joined CHLDC in 2014. She started as an after school director at Liberty Avenue Middle School and became the Assistant Division Director of Middle School programs in the Youth and Family Services Division. She was promoted to United Community Centers Division in 2022. She has a BA in Women and Gender Studies from Rutgers University and a Master's Degree in Education from Lesley University. yasmins@cypresshills.org 845-328-2741
Humberto Martinez
Deputy Director, Asset Management & Housing Preservation
Alice Heeger
Program Director, Public Benefits and Food Access
Maribel, Marmol
Senior Director of Business Services
Katty Garces
Executive Director of the Cypress Hills Fulton Street BID
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Community Leaders Guiding Our Mission
Our Board of Directors is made up of dedicated leaders, advocates, and community champions who help shape the vision and future of CHLDC. With deep roots in Brooklyn and a shared commitment to equity, opportunity, and neighborhood growth, the board provides strategic guidance that keeps our work community-centered and forward-focused.
Michael Lawes
PRESIDENT
With a deep connection to the community, Michael's journey with Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation (CHLDC) began in 1994 when he became a youth program participant. From there, he became a staff member and later in 2007, a board member. Since then, he has dedicated over 15 years to serving as a valued board member, contributing his expertise and commitment to CHLDC's mission of community development. Currently, as a Project Director at Equus Workforce Solutions, Michael has been driving successful initiatives and delivering impactful results for some of the city’s most vulnerable residents.
Harold Green
Chair Emeritus
Harold is a longtime resident of Cypress Hills. He is retired from a career in education and social services, and his most recent position was as a special education teacher for the NYC Department of Education. He has a bachelor’s degree from Queens College and a master’s degree from New York University. Harold joined the board in 1999.
Marisol Quiñones
Secretary
Marisol is a Cypress Hills resident and a special education teacher at PS 202. She joined the board in 2004 and serves as the Vice President.
Dr. Sylvia Stovall
President of Our Housing Subsidiaries
Sylvia is a longtime Cypress Hills resident, and she joined the board in 1995. She is retired from a career in education, most recently as a District Administrator for the New York City Department of Education.
Sarita Daftary
Member
Sarita Daftary was a board member of United Community Centers from 2015 - 2024, and the former director of the East New York Farms! project (from 2007-2013). She has been a resident of Community Board 5 since 2017. Sarita now works in organizing, as the Co-Director of Freedom Agenda, a project of the Urban Justice Center focused on member-led advocacy for transformation of the criminal justice system. In recent years, Sarita has supported the organizing efforts of the Coalition for Community Advancement and the East New York Community Land Trust.
Aidan Lanigan
Member
Aidan Lanigan was born in Ireland and graduated from University College Dublin with a Bachelor of Business and Legal Studies and a Masters in Financial Services. Mr. Lanigan has worked in the Financial Services industry since 1999. Mr. Lanigan moved to New York in 2001 with Allied Irish Banks, plc and worked in their Energy and Real Estate Groups. Mr. Lanigan moved to Santander Bank, N.A, in August 2011, where he has held various roles in their Commercial Banking Energy Group, Work-Out Department, and he is currently responsible for their Structured Finance Risk Management within Santander’s Corporate & Investment Banking division, which includes credit risk management responsibility for Santander’s North America Renewables business (wind and solar development). Mr. Lanigan is married and has lived in the East River Housing Co-ops in the Lower East Side since 2006.
Nicholas Russo
Member
Nick Russo is a long-time real estate finance professional who works in J.P. Morgan’s Corporate Client Banking and Specialized Industries Real Estate Group. Nick is a 15 year resident of New York City who joined the board in 2018.
George Torres
Member
George Torres is an award-winning bilingual social media strategist and consultant whose portfolio includes Sofrito Media Group, Radio Capicu, and Capicu Poetry and Cultural Showcase. Most recently, he is part of the co-founding team for Capicu School of Poetic Arts which brings low-cost arts education to underserved communities. He lives in Brooklyn and joined the CHLDC Board in 2016.
Florence Charles
Treasurer
Florence grew up in East New York, and she joined the CHLDC board in 2011. She is a senior tax accountant at Mitchell & Titus, LLP, where she works on multi-billion dollar hedge funds in ensuring compliance with Federal Law, tax planning, and researching tax consequences for possible investments around the world.
Melodye Harvey
Assistant Treasurer
Melodye is a Cypress Hills resident. She is an audit and compliance coordinator at City University of New York, and she joined the board in 2012.
R.D. Gentzler
MEMBER
R.D. is an architect with his own firm, Framework Architecture. He has experience in the design and construction of small and large-scale building projects and has taught architectural studio at Columbia University. He joined the Board in 2014.
Crystal Lopez
MEMBER
Crystal Lopez joined the board in March 2025, bringing expertise in digital asset management (DAM) and knowledge strategy. With a background in visual media and information management, she has optimized digital ecosystems for major agencies and global brands. Crystal holds a Bachelor's Degree in Photography from the Art Institute of Philadelphia and a Master of Science in Library and Information Science from St. John's University. Her career began at the Brooklyn Museum, where she developed a passion for digital preservation and metadata management. She has since implemented enterprise DAM solutions for companies like Walgreens, Conagra Brands, Philips, and UPS, working with agencies such as VML, Hogarth Worldwide, and Ogilvy. Currently, as Knowledge Manager at MediaLink, Crystal leads the development of "InfoLink," the company’s central knowledge repository, enhancing content accessibility and AI-driven knowledge management. Her expertise in digital strategy and process optimization makes her a valuable asset to the board.
Alexis Sanchez
MEMBER
Alexis is a former long-time resident of Cypress Hills with deep family ties to the community. After a successful 20-year career at a healthcare insurance company, she transitioned to overseeing the day-to-day operations of her family’s small business in Brooklyn. Alexis has served as a board member since 2011.
Nnamdi Ude
MEMBER
Nnamdi is a Treasury Management Officers at J.P Morgan, with a focus on Real Estate companies, and he has been in the banking industry for 13 years. He is a resident of Queens and enjoys serving his community in different ways. He was first exposed to Cypress Hills in 2016 through the College Success Program, and he kept up with the organization since then. Nnamdi joined the board in 2024.
Michael Golan
Member
Michael Golan joined UCC as a youth member many years ago and has been a member of the UCC Board for more than 10 years. Michael was previously a board member in charge of Camp Hurly, an overnight camp once owned by the United Community Centers, and was the director of Puppet Theater, part of a program that brought children's entertainment to Public Schools on weekends in East New York. As a board member, Michael has made annual contributions to the United Community Centers above Cypress Hills required amount and has additionally obtained approved excess supplies and loaned equipment from Brooklyn College and Teachers College. His College Degree is from Herbert H. Lehman College CUNY in Urban Studies. Graduate Studies at Columbia University in Urban Planning. In the past, Michael lived in Community Board 5 in Starrett City and Fairfield Towers but at present does not.
Mirian Rodriguez
Member
Mirian was an investment banker at JPMorgan Chase for several years, and she became Vice President of Credit Risk Management. She is now a full time stay-at-home mom. A long-time Cypress Hills resident, she joined the board in 2010.
Amory Sanchez
Member
Amory is a former long-time resident of Cypress Hills, whose parents and daughter still live in the neighborhood. He an Account Executive for DHL Express, and, along with his wife, Alexis, he joined the board in 2011.
Tanisha Ritter
Member
Amory is a former long-time resident of Cypress Hills, whose parents and daughter still live in the neighborhood. He an Account Executive for DHL Express, and, along with his wife, Alexis, he joined the board in 2011.