Dr. Shakeema North-Albert
Chief Executive Officer, Covenant House New York
Dr. Shakeema North-Albert 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.
Akash Mangar
Chief Financial and Administrative Officer
Akash brings over 20 years of experience in nonprofit and corporate finance to his role as Chief Financial and Administrative Officer at Covenant House New York. Prior to joining CHNY, Akash served as the CFO/COO of All Our Kin, where he oversaw finance, facilities, and technology operations for a growing national nonprofit. He has also held senior leadership roles at BTQ Financial, The Door, and Children’s Aid, where he led large teams and managed complex budgets, audits, and government contracts. Akash is known for developing systems that strengthen transparency, efficiency, and long-term sustainability. He holds an MBA from Dowling College and executive leadership certificates from Cornell University, along with a BS in Accounting from Hunter College.
Vesna Selmanovic
Chief Performance and Strategy Officer
Vesna brings more than 20 years of experience supporting organizations that serve children, youth, and families. Her commitment to this work was shaped early in her career through direct service roles supporting children in foster care. At Covenant House New York, Vesna works with teams across the organization to strengthen internal systems that support both staff and youth. Her work focuses on strategic planning, data and learning, risk management, compliance, and operational improvement. Vesna brings a data-informed, collaborative approach to building systems that support continuous learning and organizational excellence.
Tony Johnson, SCP, JD
Senior Vice President, People & Culture
Tony Johnson, a native New Yorker from Brooklyn and Queens, brings nearly 20 years of experience as a Human Resources leader to CHNY. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania and a Juris Doctor degree from the Cardozo School of Law. Tony’s diverse career spans multiple industries, including Technology, Banking, Entertainment, and Non-Profit, reflecting his commitment to social justice and advocacy.
Before joining CHNY, Tony led Human Resources, internal communications, legal, operations, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, implementing strategies to improve workplace accessibility, equity, and talent acquisition. As the Senior Vice President of People & Culture at Covenant House New York, Tony is dedicated to supporting youth experiencing homelessness and collaborating with staff to create an exceptional employee experience that advances organizational and DEI goals.
Lyndell Pittman
Senior Vice President, Support Services
Lyndell Pittman has dedicated his career to helping young people unlock their potential through education, workforce development, and healing-centered support. Since joining Covenant House New York in 2016, he has led transformative efforts to expand access to employment and vocational opportunities for youth, first as Director of CovWorks and now as Senior Vice President of Support Services. Under his leadership, CHNY has secured new technology resources, scholarships, and corporate partnerships, including a longstanding training collaboration with Delta Air Lines. Known to staff and youth simply as “Pittman,” he brings deep purpose and heart to his work every day. Lyndell holds a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership.
Camden McDaris Black, Esq.
Senior Vice President of Development & Communications
Camden oversees all of Covenant House New York’s fundraising efforts, including foundation, government, and corporate partnerships, and works closely with Covenant House International on shared initiatives. She also leads internal and external communications and oversees the organization’s volunteer program. She brings fifteen years of experience strengthening and expanding nonprofit fundraising programs, building high-performing teams, and developing partnerships that support long-term organizational growth. Her legal background informs her analytical approach and mission-focused storytelling.
Gurucharran (Gucci) Kaloo
Vice President of Financial Operations
Gucci brings more than three decades of experience in the nonprofit sector, where he has directly managed and overseen teams responsible for federal, state, city, foundation, and private grants. Throughout his career, he has provided technical assistance to a diverse range of organizations, including community-based groups as well as city and private hospitals. His expertise includes grants management, the development of robust internal financial controls, and overseeing financial operations. In addition, Gucci has significant experience in the creation and implementation of fiscal policies and procedures.
Cyndi Snyder
Vice President of Strategic Partnerships
Cyndi serves as the VP of Strategic Partnerships at Covenant House New York, where she has spent the last five years building meaningful bridges between corporate partners and the mission to end youth homelessness. In this role, she develops deep-rooted partnerships while overseeing CHNY’s volunteer department and serving as a vital liaison to Covenant House International. A 12-year veteran of the nonprofit sector, she previously managed volunteer initiatives at Women in Need and holds a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from Regis University. By specializing in stakeholder navigation and seamless mission alignment, Cyndi ensures every partnership delivers maximum organizational value.
Steve Ho
Vice President of Compliance
Steve is a career-long administrator with over 30 years of experience in healthcare operations to his new role as VP of Compliance at CHNY. His previous positions include CEO at Access Community Health Center, Vice President of Clinical Services at Hudson River HealthCare, and Vice President of Operations at SightMD, where he managed clinical quality, corporate compliance, and Business Intelligence. He also held leadership roles at Brownsville Health Center, Chai Urgent Care, Maimonides Medical Center leading HIPAA compliance, Joint Commission readiness, and mergers and acquisitions. Steve is recognized for his specialization in strategy planning, project management, as well as policies and procedures development . He holds a Master of Social Work Administration from Columbia University and is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
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:
| David Bocchi Principal Head of Investment Banking Alliance Global Partners |
| 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 |
| William (Bill) Dacunto Executive Vice President Silverstein Properties |
| Fran Glasenberg Foundation Executive Creative Artists Agency |
| Ben Grizzle Managing Director Goldman Sachs |
| Maureen A. Henegan Chair and Chief Executive Officer Henegan Construction Co., Inc. |
| Jason Juliano Managing Partner & Strategic Advisor Digital Bridge Advisors |
| James Karwel Partner/Principal Ernst & Young |
| Pam Lewis Founder and Executive Director Connect Us |
| Mary Mayland |
| 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 |
| Keri Thomson-Yhlen SVP of Stores - East Division Ulta Beauty |
| Rick Van Benschoten Executive Vice President Wealthspire Advisors |
| Ethan Wiener Director, Division of Pediatric Emergency Medicine NYU Langone Health |
| Halim Wise HR Director, GMS |