Emerging Nonprofit Leadership Accelerator - 2020 fellows

​Rhonda Daniel, Northern Rivers Family of Services
​Rhonda Daniel a native of Jackson, MS. Rhonda serves as the Student Intern & Volunteer Specialist at Northern Rivers Family of Services. There she is responsible for the recruitment and on-boarding of volunteers and student interns placed in various programs within the agency. Rhonda also chairs the Board of Directors at In Our Own Voices, an organization that autonomous organization dedicated to addressing the many needs of the LGBT People of Color communities.
​Caleb Eick, The Sembrich
​Caleb Eick is an active musician and arts administrator in the greater Capital Region. He is currently the Director of Outreach for The Sembrich in Bolton Landing, a museum and performance venue dedicated to classical music and the Polish-American opera singer Marcella Sembrich. Mr. Eick also works as the Director of Operations for the Lake George Music Festival where he oversees festival operations and the summer internship program. An active classical musician in the greater Capital Region, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Music from The College of Saint Rose and a master’s degree in Voice Performance & Pedagogy from East Carolina University.
Rhett Eubanks, Rainbow Access Initiative Inc.
Rhett currently works as the Clinical Administrator for the Rainbow Access Initiative Inc. here in Albany, NY. RAI is a non-profit social service organization that is dedicated to the elimination of health disparities for underserved lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, nonbinary, and queer (LGBTQ+) people, families, and communities. Rhett is a graduate of The University of Albany's MSW program. He has experience working with the LGBTQ community here in Albany, New York. His focus is in queer studies, work within transgender/non-binary populations, and sex therapy. He has a background in Special Education from the University of West Georgia. Rhett is from Charleston, South Carolina and his hobbies include frisbee, fishing, and the great outdoors.
Vanessa Gonzalez, In Our Own Voices
​Vanessa Gonzalez is the lead LGBT Case Manager of In Our Own Voices. Vanessa received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from State University of New York at Cortland College in 2003. Ms. Gonzalez has 13 years’ experience in the mental health field. In her capacity at In Our Own Voices, Vanessa is primarily responsible for providing direct services to LGBT victims/survivors of crime which include, advocacy, court accompaniment, supportive counseling, and case management. Vanessa also engages with community partners on a local and regional level by attending coalitions to assist in identifying the barriers faced by LGBT victims and to assist providers with identifying ways to address them to create safer spaces.
​Eric Guzman, IPH
Eric has held roles in the non-profit sector for more than seven years. Today, Eric is the Assistant Director of Development at IPH, leading fundraising, annual fund, events, and donor relations activities. Eric also serves on the board of the local chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, where he has held roles in communications, conference planning, and now President-Elect. Recently, Eric was named Outstanding Young Professional Fundraiser at the AFP National Philanthropy Day in November 2019. Eric earned his bachelor’s degree in Marketing/Management from Siena College. Originally from Long Island, Eric now lives and works in Albany.
Julia Horn, SEAT Social Enterprise and Training Center
Julia Horn is from Baltimore and moved to Schenectady in 2017. She came to the nonprofit field through a background in outdoor education and has focused her work on providing quality educational programs for students who have not been served well by traditional education. Julia is now the Training Coordinator at SEAT where she can develop innovative programs to help young adults meet their own educational and career goals. She holds a Bachelor’s in Natural Resources Planning from the University of Vermont and a Master’s in Education Policy with a concentration in Diversity and Equity from the University of Illinois.
Jennifer Lawrence, Wildwood
Jennifer has been with Wildwood Foundation for the last 4 years and currently serves as the Annual Fund and Events Manager. She is passionate about advocating for individuals with developmental disabilities and supporting Wildwood’s families. In her role she works to create an awareness of how their goals and needs are met through philanthropy. Jennifer implements creative strategies to engage donors, corporate partners and community members through premiere events, meaningful committee work, and giving campaigns. Originally from Central Massachusetts, Jennifer moved to the Capital Region to attend the College of Saint Rose, where she graduated with a degree in Social Work, and now resides in Castleton with her husband.
Samantha Mahoski, Hart Cluett Museum/Historic Rensselaer County
Born and raised in the Capital Region, Samantha Mahoski is an archivist and public historian dedicated to advocacy, outreach, and accessibility. Presently, Samantha is the curatorial assistant and outreach coordinator at the Hart Cluett Museum at Historic Rensselaer County in Downtown Troy, where she sees to the preservation and care of historic materials and assists in outreach efforts such as educational programming and donor relations. She earned her dual Master’s degree in History and Information Science from the University at Albany in 2018 and currently resides in Troy, NY.
Joseph Mastroianni, The Arts Center of the Capital Region
As a professionally trained artist, educator, and arts administrator, Joseph is focused on breaking down the creative barriers within the Capital Region to make art accessible to everyone. Currently, as the Director of Programs at ACCR, Joseph continues his mission by developing art education classes/events for his local community. Joseph received his B.F.A in 2010 from the University at Albany and his M.F.A from the State University of New Paltz in 2012. Beyond the arts, Joseph is actively involved within the local running community, an avid Disney enthusiast, and a proud resident of Troy, New York.
Lisa Petruzzelli, Albany Community Land Trust
Lisa Petruzelli is the Program Director for Albany Community Land Trust, an organization dedicated creating and maintaining long-term affordable housing throughout the City of Albany. Petruzzelli oversees the rehabilitation of vacant, often red “x”, buildings into affordable rental and first time home ownership opportunities. In addition to housing, Petruzzelli is passionate about the Historic Trades & Craftsmanship, having served as an Instructor for the Historic Trades Program offered through the Work Force Development Institute at Hudson Valley Community College. Petruzzelli holds a Master’s of Science in Historic Preservation from the University of Vermont, and a Bachelor’s Degree from the State University of New York at Albany. She currently lives in Albany’s Pine Hills Neighborhood with her husband, daughter, and their two dogs.
Shanna Schuster, Destroyer Escort Historical Museum - USS SLATER
Shanna Schuster is the Visitor Engagement and Program Manager at USS SLATER, the Destroyer Escort Historical Museum. She has held this position since 2015 when she moved to the Capital Region from Montana. In Montana, Shanna earned a history degree from Montana State University. Her plan was to teach middle and high school students within school walls, but she has found love in teaching visitors of all ages about the history of WWII through this unique museum ship. She finds it so satisfying to take a very specific aspect of WWII, destroyer escorts, and open the eyes of children, adults, and even veterans to the crucial role these small ships played in history as we know it.
Francis Sengabo, Refugee and Immigrants Support Services of Emmaus (RISSE)
Francis Sengabo came to Albany from Rwanda under refugee status in 2007. Mr. Sengabo came well qualified, with Bachelor’s degrees in both Economics and in Logistics and Materials Management, from Africa. He also has a wealth of experience, formerly serving as a coordinator at Mkugwa Refugee Camp Middle Schools in Tanzania and a refugee relief manager in Africa via the International Committee of the Red Cross(ICRC)),United Nations High Commission for Refugees(UNHCR) and United Nations Intentional Children's Emergency Fund(UNICEF).Mr. Sengabo is fluent in English, French, Kinyarwanda, Swahili, and Kirundi.
He was instrumental in the founding of the Emmaus Intervention Project, the initiative that would eventually become Refugee and Immigrants Support Services of Emmaus (RISSE). At its inception, the program had 15 students and a combination of paid and volunteer staff. Mr. Sengabo rose through the organization from driver, to Project Director, to Operations Director and during his tenure, the program has grown to serve over 80 youth and 100 adult students each year.
At RISSE, Mr. Sengabo is responsible for all aspects of transportation, a key component of the RISSE program. He oversees family interactions, such as home visits, navigation of the social service systems, and job application, interview and follow-up processes. Additionally, Mr. Sengabo is responsible for statistics reporting as required by the Albany County Department of Social Services and other regulatory organizations.
Melody Tien, Prevent Child Abuse NY
Melody Tien hails from Bayside, New York and currently resides in the heart of the Capital Region. Melody moved to Albany in 2013, to pursue her passion in human services and earned her degrees through the University at Albany’s combined BA/MA program in Criminal Justice. Melody is the Prevention Development Coordinator at Prevent Child Abuse New York and is excited to share and engage community members in the five Protective Factors. As a hands-on individual, Melody enjoys event planning and decorating. Melody thanks Pam and the ENLA team for their efforts and the opportunity to participate in this year’s cohort.
Imari Wilson, Youth Power! of Families Together in NYS
​Imari Wilson advocates for young people who have been labeled and are seeking change. Networking regionally and statewide for that change to positively impact their communities. As an openly Trans Jamaican-American man, Imari is committed to advocating for marginalized communities, sharing his story, and lending a helping hand in strengthening communities. Imari believes it should always be the goal to set future generations on the path of positive progression and equitable change. It is his mission to bring this goal into the ways he advocates for others and their communities.
​Evy Yergan, Wellspring
​Evy Yergan grew up in Saratoga Springs New York, and attended Skidmore College where she earned a degree in theater. After graduating she began working as a wardrobe assistant at The Capital Reparatory Theater in Albany. When she started considering moving in the direction of human services, she moved to Louisville Kentucky and accepted a job as a counselor working with adolescent girls. That experience inspired her to apply to become a Victim Advocate at Wellspring, assisting victims of intimate partner violence. She now works in Wellspring’s housing program and loves serving the community in that way.