Dr. Shakeema North
Executive Director, Covenant House New York
Shakeema North is a servant leader with a passion for youth and community development who has committed her life’s work to empowering young people to reach their fullest potential, despite the challenges many of them have faced. She has an exceptional ability to develop holistic and inclusive youth development initiatives that are strengths-based, trauma-informed, healing centered, and geared toward serving marginalized youth in search of hope and healing. Shakeema is skilled at designing strategic programs, preparing thought-provoking workshops and seminars, facilitating community-based campaigns, and improving overall organizational productivity. Prior to joining Covenant House New York in 2015, Shakeema worked for over 10 years as a marketing and production professional with HBO. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from North Carolina A&T State University and her Master of Divinity degree from New York Theological Seminary. She is a 2017 Faith and Justice Fellow at the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, and a 2014 Fellow of the Black Theology and Leadership Institute at Princeton Theological Seminary. In May 2020, Shakeema received the Doctor of Ministry degree in Leadership in the Christian Tradition at Duke Divinity School.
Simone Hawkins
Chief Financial and Administrative Officer
Simone has dedicated her life to public service supporting New Yorkers. Simone has held leadership positions at the NYC Department of Education, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) and the Children’s Aid Society, and served as Budget Director for Letitia James during her tenure on the New York City Council. Simone received a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Economics from SUNY Oneonta, and her Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership from Fordham University.
Lisa Crook, LMSW
Chief Program Officer
Lisa has devoted her career to supporting young people. Lisa formerly served as VP of Justice for Youth and Family Programs at Rising Ground, where she oversaw all residential and community-based juvenile justice program. She also led the design and implementation of multiple system reform efforts in her previous roles at the NYC Administration for Children’s Services (ACS) and the Department of Juvenile Justice. Lisa is a licensed social worker with a Bachelor of Social Work from the University of Kansas and a Master of Science in Social Work from Columbia University.
Vesna Selmanovic
Chief Planning and Performance Officer
Vesna Selmanovic has 15 years of progressive leadership experience with data, compliance, and quality improvement for at-risk youth programs, and she is responsible for ensuring high-quality services and client outcomes for all programs at CHNNY. Prior to her work here, she was the Director of Quality Improvement and Compliance at New Alternatives for Children.
Maria (Rannie) Morota
Vice President of Operational Controllership
Maria “Rannie” Morota joined Covenant House New York in September 2019 as a Controller and assumed the position of VP Operational Controllership in January 2021. She brings over 20 years of experience in finance and accounting in non-profit organizations such as Teach for America, Turnaround for Children and Environmental Defense Fund. She also had IT experience as a Consultant for IBM projects . Rannie is most proud to be involved in organizations that promote children and youth education and well-being.
Camden McDaris Black, Esq.
Vice President of Development & Communications
Camden McDaris Black oversees all of Covenant House New York’s fundraising efforts, including foundation, government, and local corporate grant-seeking, as well as fundraising collaborations with Covenant House International. She is also responsible for oversight of all internal and external communications, as well as Covenant House New York’s volunteer program. Camden brings over a decade of fundraising experience to her role, as well as an extensive prior professional writing background.
Jayne Bigelsen, Esq.
Vice President of Advocacy
Jayne Bigelsen’s background is a mixture of law, psychology, communications, non-profit management and public policy. She is a dedicated advocate committed to assisting vulnerable populations, including young people experiencing homelessness and survivors of human trafficking and domestic violence, as they find their way to freedom.
Board of Directors
Covenant House New York is governed by a Board of Directors, to whom our Executive Director reports. The Board of Directors plays a critical role in helping transform the lives of runaway and homeless youth. The Board of Directors is Covenant House New York’s governing body, caring for the fiduciary aspects of our organization, and ensuring fulfillment of our mission.
Current Members:
| Libby Cantrill Managing Director, Head of Public Policy PIMCO |
| Sezin Cavusoglu Senior Vice President, NBC TV & Streaming |
| David Cornish Executive Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer & Corporate Controller Santander, USA |
| Virginia (Ginny) Elliot Vice President, Airport Operations Delta Airlines |
| William (Bill) Dacunto Executive Vice President Silverstein Properties |
| Ben Grizzle Managing Director Goldman Sachs |
| Maureen A. Henegan Chair and Chief Executive Officer Henegan Construction Co., Inc. |
| James Karwel Partner/Principal Ernst & Young |
| Pam Lewis Founder and Executive Director Connect Us |
| Mary Mayland |
| Sandy Logan Mullman Registered Nurse |
| Anna Osborn Chief Revenue Officer Exiger |
| Lou Rauchenberger General Auditor/Member of the Operating Committee J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. Covenant House New York Board Chair |
| Matthew Schmeelk Senior Executive Vice President Kensington Vanguard National Land Services |
| Brian Strong Global Head of Communications Bloomberg Media |
| Alan Thomas Managing Director Morgan Stanley |
| Rick Van Benschoten Executive Vice President Wealthspire Advisors |
| Ethan Wiener Director, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine NYU Langone Health |
| Halim Wise HR Director, GMS |