Chief Operations Officer, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area
Hometown: Lansingburgh (Troy), NY Currently: Albany, NY
Major: BA in Economics (MPA in Nonprofit Management from SUNY Rockefeller)
Current Involvement:
Troy Kiwanis Club: Board President
NYS Capital Region Extended Learning Opportunity
Involvement while at Siena:
Sister Thea Bowman Center for Women Staff
Men’s Basketball Team Manager
Students In Free Enterprise (SIFE)
How do you involve yourself in your community?
Helping others has always been something that I felt like we were just supposed to do. This is probably why my entire professional career has been in the nonprofit sector. Every day I get to work on something that benefits kids or the people that try to help them succeed. Outside of work I’m the Board President for Troy Kiwanis, which is a local group of volunteers that help support children and child-serving organizations. Through Kiwanis every month my fiancé and I help make a weekend meal for Joseph’s House & Shelter, sort donations with friends at the Regional Food Bank, hop on zoom calls to meet different nonprofit leaders in our community, and a bunch of other different events throughout the year.
Describe a typical day in your life.
As cliche as it might be, it is rare that two days are ever the same for me. The workday goes by quickly from supporting teammates, meeting with people that want to help further our mission, being in programs with kids, and helping develop systems for us to have a greater impact. Most nights I will be volunteering with Troy Kiwanis, playing basketball or watching Jeopardy when I can get home in time. On weekends I spend time with my fiancé to catch up, watch our shows or movies and plan our upcoming wedding this June. I have always been accustomed to moving quickly and having a busy schedule.
How did your Siena education prepare you for the work you’re doing today?
There was a lot that I learned at Siena inside and outside the classroom that help me today. I think the biggest takeaways from professors were the ability to think objectively about situations with data and ways to structure an argument. Something that stuck with me from the first day in one class was that all a GPA does is measure how well you follow directions. Outside the classroom I learned how to collaborate through working with different Clubs. Everything we do in the nonprofit field is stronger, and often only possible, by working with others. Additionally, getting to see the world through a semester abroad, alternative spring break trips and study tours instilled a greater understanding of cultural differences as well as the ability to learn Spanish that I use on a regular basis with our children and families.
Describe your professional progression since leaving Siena.
After graduation I joined the Siena AmeriCorps VISTA Fellows Program where I served for 3 years helping local nonprofits combat poverty within their community. This was an amazing experience, created many different connections that I still use today, and led to my dream job of running a Boys & Girls Club. After AmeriCorps, I joined the Boys & Girls Clubs of Albany as their Director of Operations in 2015. In 2019, we merged with the Troy Boys & Girls Club to form the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Capital Area.
SIENA FAVORITES
Siena Professor: This is impossible! Dr. O’Neill, Deb Kelly, Dr. Trees, Dr. Paciti, Dr. Mandal, Dr. Buff, Dr. Olney, etc. Class at Siena: Econometrics because we got to use data and build different models that looked into understanding community issues. Also, Econ in the Press was a great class to take during the 99 Percent Movement. We made a deal with Dr. Trees that if we found a way to get free transportation, we could be excused from classes to take a trip and learn more about the different people and groups involved. We learned how to negotiate, build community relationships and gain a better understanding of a relevant issue that we were studying. Location: The MAAC basketball courts. Study-break Food: Wraps or chicken tenders at the wrap shop from Melanie. Residence Hall: McCloskey Square (Townhouse 3) Class Year: Senior year was amazing, but if I had to pick just one, I would go with my First Year. Everything was new and exciting. Managing for the basketball team during a MAC Championship year and living in Plassman I had easy access to the gym. I got hired at the Sister Thea Bowman Center for Women as my work study job at the Club Fair. Working with Dr. Shannon O’Neill as a mentor really shaped who I became and helped open doors that led me to where I am today. Food: Any of the cookies or desserts from Miss Diane because I knew they were made with love. She was my childhood friend’s mom and always welcomed us like we were her own growing up. It made Siena feel like home immediately for me. Favorite Siena Memory: There are a lot of great memories that I still talk with about my Siena friends when we get together each year.
Advice for current Saints:
If you’re deciding whether you should go to something or consider stepping outside your comfort zone, do it. Those were the moments that I remember and not showing up results in missed opportunity that you may never knew existed. Take advantage of alternative spring break trips, study tours and if possible, spend a semester abroad.
Career advice for current students:
Break out of the Siena bubble as much as you can and take advantage of every opportunity to get involved on campus. What we learned in the classroom was important, but do not rely on a high GPA alone to help make you marketable for future employment. Start your first year and say yes to as much as possible. Over the course of your Siena journey, you may have to be more selective where you allocate your time and that is okay. If you ever want to get some experience while at Siena with the Boys & Girls Club, I am always interested in connecting with fellow Saints!
