Institutional Advancement

Kwesi Blackman, MD
Attending Physician
New York Presbyterian Methodist Hospital

Dr. Kwesi W. Blackman was born in Georgetown, Guyana and raised in Flatbush, Brooklyn, NY. After graduating from Clara Barton High School in June 2001, Dr. Blackman joined the United States Army in September 2001. Dr. Blackman served as a Field Artillery Sergeant in the United States Army 10th Mountain Division, deploying twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2003-2004 (Kirkuk, Iraq) and 2004-2005 (Baghdad, Iraq). After being honorably discharged from the United States Army, Dr. Blackman earned his Associate's of Science degree in Biology from Kingsborough Community College (‘07), in Brooklyn, NY, and his Bachelor's of Science degree in Biology from Northeastern University, in Boston, MA. He is a graduate of Howard University College of Medicine in Washington, DC. He also holds a Masters of Business Administration from Long Island University, in Brooklyn, NY. Dr. Blackman completed his medical training in Internal Medicine at SUNY Downstate/Kings County Hospital, and currently works as an Attending Physician in the Department of Internal Medicine at New York Presbyterian-Brooklyn Methodist Hospital serving the Brooklyn community. Dr. Blackman currently resides in Brooklyn with his wife, son, and twin daughters.

Rachel Forsyth
Senior Division Director, Partnership Schools
Good Shepherd Services

Rachel Forsyth, Senior Division Director, Partnership Schools, joined the Good Shepherd Services (GSS) leadership team in January 2004, when she took immediate leadership of opening a Bushwick Academy Off-Site Suspension Program. In that position, Rachel had overall responsibility for the operational management of community-based programs and worked with program staff to develop and integrate new program models into the current community-based structure, as well as monitor the effectiveness of current services. In 2005, as GSS launched our transfer school replication activities, Ms. Forsyth became Director of Transfer High Schools. In 2015, she became Senior Division Director, Partnership Schools, and in 2017, she began to supervise GSS' Brooklyn LifeLink, Young Adult Borough Centers, and Rebound programs. In this capacity, Rachel provides overall leadership in the running of GSS partnership high schools and the above-mentioned programs as well as GSS' intermediary role in supporting the agency's transfer high school model at non-GSS schools. In addition, Rachel assesses service delivery needs, makes recommendations for change, initiates new program development and oversees budgeting. Prior to joining GSS, Rachel spent four years as Director of Crisis Services, and a member of the Executive Council of Covenant House. Her career at Covenant House began in 1994 as a Resident Advisor for older male youth, and she held progressively more responsible positions each year, including being Deputy Director of Research from 1997-1998, Deputy Director of Outreach from 1998-1999, and Director of Program Development from 1999-2000. Rachel has both a Master of Public Administration Degree, with a concentration in Finance from Columbia University, School of International and Public Affairs, and a Master of Social Work Degree from Fordham University. Rachel is also a certified Social Work Field Instructor for Fordham University.

Domenico Ciaccio
Vice President in charge of CRA (Community Reinvestment Act) and Business Banking
Ridgewood Savings Bank

As a Vice President in charge of CRA (Community Reinvestment Act) and Business Banking for Ridgewood Savings Bank, Domenico joins the Board with the desire to align with our mission and pursue opportunities to share the good works of the foundation. He is committed to helping individuals in their educational journey. Born in Sicily and living in New York since 1996, Domenico’s free time is spent with his lovely wife Vincenza and two beautiful daughters Alessia and Arabella.

 

Nancy Lee Sánchez-Badillo, EdD
Vice President of Institutional Advancement
Kingsborough Community College

Nancy Lee Sánchez-Badillo, Ed.D. is the Vice President of Institutional Advancement at Kingsborough Community College. A KCC alum, Dr. Sánchez-Badillo is a former board member and now the Executive Director of the Kingsborough Community College Foundation and has a long history with KCC. VP Sánchez-Badillo has over 20 years of expertise providing greater access to higher education, improving the college experience, and supporting leadership among low-income, under-represented and nontraditional students through collaborative partnerships and services that directly target factors affecting degree-attainment gaps.

Dr. Sánchez previously served as the executive director of Kaplan Foundation and most recently as the chief opportunity officer for Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) International Honor Society, where she was responsible for strategic development aimed at increasing the number of students served; built a sustainable donor base that included corporations, major donors, and partner organizations; established an alumni organization and partnerships with colleges resulting in more than 30 colleges guaranteeing reduced or no cost tuition for students. She also secured a $3 million grant from corporate foundations that targeted degree completion for community college students. She supervised a portfolio of $245 million in transfer scholarships and corporate partnerships and private donors that support $1.5 million in annual scholarship funds.

Dr. Sánchez has served as a selection judge for multiple scholarship programs, including the Dell Scholars Foundation, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, and the Coca-Cola Scholars through Phi Theta Kappa. She also served as the chairman of the board for New York Math Academy and Coaching Services.

A 2014 National Hispanic Executive Leadership Fellow, Dr. Sánchez completed an executive leadership program at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government and a leadership development program at the Center for Creative Leadership. She holds an Ed.D. in innovation and leadership from New York University Steinhardt School of Education, an M.A. in sociology from Brooklyn College, CUNY, a B.A.Sc. in elementary education from Long Island University and an A.S. in early childhood education from Kingsborough Community College.

Suri Duitch, PhD
President
Kingsborough Community College

Most recently, Dr. Duitch served as dean of the Tulane University School of Professional Advancement. Dr. Duitch also held the additional title of vice president for academic innovation, and played a leadership role in the development and deployment of nefw digital courseware and learning platforms for the university as a whole. Under her leadership, the school took a fresh look at how it (and Tulane University) could best meet the needs of working adults and employers in New Orleans and beyond, through both classroom-based and online courses and degree programs.

She joined Tulane from the City University of New York, the nation’s largest urban public university system, where she was an administrator from 2004 to 2016. At CUNY, she was University Dean for Continuing Education and Workforce Development, as well as the deputy to the senior university dean for academic affairs. Her portfolio there included continuing education, workforce development, adult literacy and language courses, programs for students on public assistance, several student employment initiatives and special projects, such as CUNY’s Early Childhood Professional Development Institute as well as its Creative Arts Team. The total annual enrollment in all these endeavors was over 250,000 students.

Prior to joining CUNY, she held policy and program oversight positions in New York City government agencies, and worked with nonprofits and private foundations to conduct research in areas such as the arts and economic development, children’s health services and nonprofit advocacy.

Her passions relate to opening up higher education, and the life-transforming benefits of the knowledge, skills and credentials gained from college to people who wouldn’t otherwise have that access. She is also deeply committed to helping adult students gain knowledge and skills to advance in their careers and to further develop as members of their families and communities.

Dr. Duitch holds a B.A. in English literature from Columbia College, Columbia University, an M.S.W. in community organizing from Hunter College–CUNY, and a Ph.D. in urban education from the CUNY Graduate Center.

Kinta Alexander, PhD
Director of Infection Prevention and Control
NYC Health + Hospitals

A KCC alumnus, Dr. Alexander is the director of Infection Prevention and Control at New York City Health and Hospitals/Harlem, having previously worked in infection control at Mount Sinai Health System. In addition, she is an adjunct lecturer in biology at KCC. Born and raised on Union Island, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Alexander came to the U.S. to pursue her college education.

After graduating from KCC in 1998 with a degree in biology, she earned a bachelor of arts in biology/chemistry from Hunter College, a master of public health from East Stroudsburg University, a master of science in medical microbiology from Richard L. Conolly College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and a doctorate of public health from New York Medical College Graduate School of Health Sciences and Practice & Institute of Public Health. As director of Infection Prevention and Control, her duties require that she research, evaluate, and incorporate evidence-based protocols into routine practice. She also consults and collaborates with community health organizations and local, state, and federal public health officials to advocate for patient safety, health worker safety, and safe practices.

Tiffany Bacchus, MSN, FNP-BC, RN, NEA-BC

Tiffany Bacchus brings more than two decades of clinical, leadership, and community health experience to her service on the Kingsborough Community College Board of Trustees. A lifelong Brooklyn resident, she was raised in Flatbush by immigrant parents from Trinidad and Guyana. Her early exposure to the healthcare system, combined with strong family support, shaped a deep and enduring commitment to service, equity, and public education.

Mrs. Bacchus began her nursing career at an early age after attending Clara Barton High School for Health Professions, where she earned her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) credential and entered the profession at just 18 years old. She completed her undergraduate nursing education at Lehman College, earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), and later obtained her Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) from SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University. She has since built a distinguished career spanning acute care, community and ambulatory health, nursing administration, population health, and advanced practice nursing. She is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Executive and Nurse Educator.

In her role as Trustee, Mrs. Bacchus is committed to advancing CUNY’s mission of access, opportunity, and student success. As a proud product of the CUNY and SUNY education systems, she brings a practitioner-informed perspective to governance, with particular interest in workforce development, healthcare education pathways, student retention, and community-college–to-career pipelines. Her professional background enables her to contribute meaningfully to discussions related to academic quality, institutional accountability, and alignment between education and labor market needs.

Mrs. Bacchus is especially dedicated to supporting first-generation, immigrant, and historically underserved students—many of whom reflect her own lived experience. Her service on the Kingsborough Community College Board of Trustees represents a full circle commitment to public higher education and to ensuring that CUNY continues to serve as a transformative engine for social mobility and community impact.

Joan Bartolomeo
Legacy Signature Bank

Joan Bartolomeo joined Signature Bank as Assistant Director of the Community Development Department in October 2013, after serving for 29 years with the not-for-profit Brooklyn Economic Development Corporation (BEDC), the last 23 years as its president. Her many years of expertise in community and economic development enhanced Signature Bank’s understanding of the banking and financial needs facing the organizations and communities within the Bank’s service area. In 2022, she was named Director of Community Development, Vice President, managing Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) programs in New York, California, Connecticut and North Carolina.

In March 2023, Signature Bank merged with New York Community Bank and Flagstar Bank, NA to form a new corporate entity under the Flagstar banner.

Joan serves on the boards of Bio BAT and the SUNY Downstate Technology Center, both devoted to the establishment of a thriving biotechnology sector in Brooklyn; as a Board member of Bridge Street Development Corporation; and as a founding member of the Brooklyn Public Library’s PowerUP! Business Plan Competition committee.

Joan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and a Master of Science degree in Urban Studies. She is a Brooklyn native, residing in Windsor Terrace.

Lorenzo Daughtry-Chambers
Founder | CEO
One Global Pay

As the Founder/CEO of GlobalPay, an innovative app revolutionizing digital backend and global payment systems, Lorenzo’s primary focus lies in creating seamless and secure digital solutions for individuals and businesses worldwide. With a passion for leveraging technology to drive global connectivity, he is dedicated to ensuring that digital transactions and engagements are efficient, convenient, and inclusive.

Simultaneously, as an executive life coach, Lorenzo’s commitment extends beyond the realm of technology. He prioritizes empowering high-achieving individuals to unlock their full potential, achieve extraordinary success, and lead with excellence.

Lorenzo founded the social enterprise called the GDI (Global Development Initiative). The GDI serves as a catalyst for positive social change, addressing critical societal challenges through innovative initiatives. By leveraging the power of technology, entrepreneurship, and collective action, the GDI strives to create a more equitable and sustainable world.

Mary Dawson, PhD
Associate Provost and Dean of Health Programs

Dr. Mary Elizabeth Dawson, a Brooklyn native, joined the KCC faculty of biological sciences in 1993. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a full professor and eventually chair of the department. Dawson has served as Kingsborough Community College’s associate provost and dean of health programs since February 2024. She has responsibility for all curricular and assessment matters and oversees high school partnership programs.

As dean of health programs, Dawson responds to trends across education and the healthcare landscape by identifying new health programs to meet workforce demand, developing new program proposals and innovative forms of program delivery, and implementing a comprehensive plan to achieve strategic expansion and enrollment growth in health programs.

Throughout her 30 years of teaching, she has dedicated herself to student success and public education. Notable contributions include her involvement in KCC Learning Communities since 2004, participation in the Writing Across the Curriculum Program, and conducting formal biology review sessions for the clinical nursing program’s entrance exam. She has also been a faculty advisor to Phi Theta Kappa, KCC’s two-year college international honor society chapter, for over a decade.

Dawson holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Brooklyn College and a Ph.D. in neuroscience from SUNY Downstate Medical College. She brings a wealth of experience to the table, including having served as a trustee at St. Francis College and contributing to health economics research.

Darma Diaz
Associate Commissioner
NYC Department of Homeless Services

A former district leader and longtime community advocate, Diaz is currently the associate commissioner of special initiatives for the NYC Department of Homeless Services. She is also the former New York City councilwoman for Brooklyn’s 37th district, which includes Brownsville, Bushwick, City Line, Cypress Hills, East New York, and Ocean Hill.

“I am a firm believer that education is the key to success. Which is why I am glad to have been chosen to join the Kingsborough family — a family with strong beliefs in providing students with the tools needed to be successful in life,” said Diaz.

“As a board member, I hope to promote the importance of higher education throughout many communities. They deserve the opportunities offered at Kingsborough Community College,” she added.

Born in Brooklyn to Puerto Rican parents, Diaz currently resides in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Cypress Hills. She earned an associate degree in liberal arts from Long Island University and a bachelor’s degree in human services from Boricua College. Her personal experience overcoming homelessness, and as a domestic violence survivor, provides Diaz with a unique insight into addressing the adversities of these vulnerable groups, including the increasing number of CUNY students facing housing insecurity.

Kelynne J. Edmond-Oristel, RN-BC, MS, GNP, APRN-BC, CPht, RPhT, D.Min

Kelynne Edmond-Oristel is a nurse educator, administrator, and workforce innovator with over two decades of experience in nursing practice and education. She has led transformative initiatives that create non-traditional entry pathways into health careers for diverse and underserved populations, ensuring equitable access to education and workforce opportunities. Her career reflects a dynamic blend of academic leadership, clinical expertise, and volunteerism, all driven by a deep passion for nursing and service.

As President of the New York State Health Science Educators Association, Vice Chair of the Council of Practical Nurse Programs of New York State, and Second Vice President of the Haitian Alliance Nurses Association International, Edmond-Oristel advocates for innovative, inclusive educational models. The role of Second Vice President is rooted in service to the nursing profession, supporting nursing education locally and globally. She was appointed to this role after six years of service as President of the Haitian American Nurses Association, Inc. Greater New York Chapter. This progression underscores her experience on boards and her unwavering commitment to community service both locally and internationally.

She is honored to serve on the Kingsborough Community College Board of Trustees, contributing to a vibrant mix of programs that prepare students for success in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape. Her vision for the Board is to ensure members are visible, engaged, and actively connected to the students they serve—creating a culture of accessibility, mentorship, and shared purpose.

Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Nursing Education, her research focuses on cultivating empathy and emotional maturity in students—a cornerstone of her mission to champion student success.

Andres Escobar
Interim Vice President for Finance and Administration
Kingsborough Community College

Andres Escobar is currently serving as Kingsborough’s Interim Vice President for Finance and Administration. He has over 15 years of experience in CUNY, holding various roles. Most recently, Mr. Escobar served as Kingsborough’s Assistant Vice President for Budget and Finance. Mr. Escobar holds a M.S. in Business Administration, a B.S. in Accounting, and a B.A. in Economics. He serves as the Treasurer on the KCC Association and Auxiliary Services Boards, and many other college-wide and CUNY-wide committees.

Jerry Gilbert

Jerry Gilbert is the Principal Broker of Greatest Real Estate, a premier brokerage firm serving the Brooklyn community. With over a decade of experience in real estate, investment, and property management, Jerry has established himself as a trusted advisor and advocate for clients navigating Brooklyn's dynamic real estate market. His journey began with a solid educational foundation at Kingsborough Community College, where he earned his degree in Tourism and Hospitality, before advancing to Baruch College's prestigious Zicklin School of Business to obtain his Bachelor's Degree in Real Estate Investments. In 2013, Jerry ventured into real estate as an agent, quickly distinguishing himself through his dedication to client service and deep understanding of Brooklyn's diverse neighborhoods. His early success laid the groundwork for expansion into the investment side of real estate, where he focused on building affordable homes for low-income families, reflecting his belief that quality housing should be accessible to all. Jerry's expertise spans the full spectrum of real estate services, specializing in rentals, purchases, sales, and investments throughout Brooklyn, supported by vast knowledge of neighborhood trends, property values, and an extensive network of industry connections.

Guided by the principles of honesty and integrity, Jerry is committed to making sure that every client he works with has their needs met and their expectations exceeded. His approach is built on transparency, clear communication, and a genuine investment in his clients' success, bringing the same level of dedication and attention to detail to every transaction whether working with first-time homebuyers, seasoned investors, or families seeking their dream rental. He honed his excellent customer service skills, ability to problem-solve and multitask, and developed a keen eye for detail that have become hallmarks of his professional approach. Over the years, Jerry has received numerous compliments and referrals in reward for his consistent dedication and strong track record of excellence, making Greatest Real Estate a go-to resource for Brooklyn residents and investors alike.

Tim Gilman-Ševčík, PhD
Director of Strategic Partnerships
RETI Center

Tim Gilman-Ševčík is an artist practicing institutional sculpture, transforming institutions to address social and environmental justice and climate change. He runs RETI Center, a non-profit focused on the future of industrial coastlines, and teaches social impact at NYU Stern’s Business and Society program.

Jeff Lindor
Founder | CEO
Gentlemen’s Factory Inc.

Jeff Lindor is the Founder and the inaugural CEO of the Gentlemen’s Factory, a private 400+ membership community offering physical locations throughout NYC where members conduct business, attend professional development workshops and connect with fellow leaders of color. He has since expanded the vision and created the Factory Company, which serves as a central platform advancing black communities throughout the world. Its portfolio companies include Gentlemen's Factory, the Skill Factory, a workforce development agency training thousands of New Yorkers for in demand jobs and the Investment Factory, a angel fund that invests in early stage minority led startups. Jeff’s work has been featured on The New York Times, CNN, Yahoo Finance and Bloomberg TV. Prior to being a Social Impact Entrepreneur, Jeff served as a Senior Advisor to heads of Agencies in NYC Government. He consulted them in the areas of Criminal Justice Reform, Procurement and Diversity & Inclusion. Jeff earned his Masters Degree in Urban Policy at The New School and lives in NYC with his two children, Jeff Jr and Olivia Lindor.

 

Mary Theresa Ortiz, PhD
Professor, Biology Department
Kingsborough Community College

Mary Theresa Ortiz is a full-time faculty member in the Biological Sciences Department here at Kingsborough Community College. Her degrees include a B.S. in Biology & Mathematics from Wagner College, as well as a M.S. and Ph.D. in Biomedical Engineering from Rutgers University. Before coming to Kingsborough Community College in 1993, Mary was a Research Scientist in Biomedical Engineering and Computer Operations at the New York State Institution for Basic Research, as well as an Adjunct Lecturer at New York City Technical College and The College of Staten Island. She also worked as a Thesis Advisor and Mentor for the Graduate Physician Assistant Program at Wagner College/Staten Island University Hospital. Additionally, she worked for 15 years as an Emergency Medical Technician with the Staten Island Emergency Medical Training Center and served as a Certified Instructor Coordinator. Here at Kingsborough, she has served on numerous departmental and college-wide committees. Currently she is the Course Coordinator of College Now Science. In 2023 she was inducted into the New Dorp High School Hall of Fame.

Evelyn Ortiz
Co-Chief Executive Officer
Opportunities for Better Tomorrow

Evelyn Ortiz recently assumed the role of Co-CEO at Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow (OBT), rejoining the organization where she began her impactful public service career.

With 17 years in the government and nonprofit sectors, she has been a fervent advocate for economic empowerment and workforce development throughout New York State.

Before returning to OBT, Evelyn was appointed as the first Latina to hold the position of Senior Deputy Commissioner for the Suffolk County Department of Labor, Licensing, and Consumer Affairs. In this capacity, she managed workforce training funds of $17 million annually, benefiting over 26,000 Suffolk County residents.

Furthermore, Evelyn played a pivotal role as the Deputy Director at the New York Association of Training & Employment Professionals (NYATEP), a statewide association representing 200 organizations. In this capacity, she facilitated the achievement of quality jobs for over a million New Yorkers through job training, education, and workforce development. During her tenure at NYATEP, she spearheaded the establishment, implementation, and execution of the association's policy, advocacy efforts, and equity initiatives across New York State.

During her initial term at OBT, Evelyn’s advocacy efforts led to a threefold increase in government funding for the organization, ensuring the continuation of OBT's essential programs. Evelyn realized the power of advocacy while working for NYS Senator Kevin Parker as the Director of Constituent Affairs. In this role, she came face to face with constituents who were experiencing alarming unemployment rates and risked eviction due to the mortgage crisis and recession. To help strengthen the community she established workforce development initiatives that alleviated her constituent’s financial burdens and enhanced their access to economic success.

Evelyn holds a Bachelor's degree in Health Sciences and a Master's degree in Social Work from SUNY Stony Brook University (SBU). While at SBU, she collaborated with eight Women of Color committed to community impact to found the Alpha Delta Chapter of Sigma Lambda Upsilon, Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority Incorporated. Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in Flatbush, Brooklyn, Evelyn's path is a testament to her profound dedication to social change and community development.

Opportunities for Better Tomorrow

Dina Rabiner
Vice President, Economic Development and Strategic Partnerships Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce
Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce

Dina Rabiner joined the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce in August 2020. Currently she holds the position of Vice President of Economic Development and Strategic Partnerships. In her position she works on projects focused on business retention and expansion, innovation, entrepreneurial and workforce development. She manages the Energy and Sustainability, Real Estate and Development and Healthcare and Life Sciences Committees at the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce. In December 2022, she was appointed to the Mayors Sustainability Advisory Board. In May 2023 she launched the Brooklyn Entrepreneur Academy, a mentorship program aimed at enhancing equality for entrepreneurs of color in the borough. She currently serves on the Advisory Board for Scale for Climate Tech to support entrepreneurs, manufacturers, investors, and startup experts in the hardware, innovation, and clean energy sectors.

Prior to this position, she managed the business education workshops and advised entrepreneurs and small businesses at the NYC Business Solutions Center managed by the Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce.

Her background at the NYCEDC women. nyc program, local news site, Bklyner, and Girl Scouts of Greater New York, includes many years of working with businesses and entrepreneurs in business development, marketing, and partnerships. In her free time, she is the co-president of the Cortelyou Road Merchants Association where she amplifies local businesses, keeps businesses up to date on resources, runs local community events, and looks for new ways to increase membership and participation. Dina holds a Masters in City and Regional Planning from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs and Economics from The George Washington University.

Derby St. Fort
Captain
NYPD

As a native New Yorker and an executive member of the NYPD, Captain Derby St.Fort's advocacy for community engagement and youth well-being has been a driving force throughout his career. He actively champions alternative public safety models that address issues such as public health, poverty, and equity. His leadership is distinguished by his ability to forge strategic collaborations with community-based organizations, service providers, city agencies, and educational institutions. Notably, initiatives such as his youth anti-violence initiative, which was highlighted in The New York Times in 2022, underscore Captain St.Fort's commitment to tackling the root causes of challenges faced by young people, aiming to foster safer and thriving neighborhoods through shared responsibility and collaboration. Through his innovative approaches and collaborative spirit, Captain Derby St.Fort continues to pave the way for transformative change in law enforcement, driving progress towards safer and more resilient communities.

Captain St.Fort currently serves on the board of Strategies for Youth, a nonprofit youth advocacy organization, and also serves as the law enforcement liaison for the Center for Justice at Columbia University. He earned his master's degree in Criminal Justice from John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

 

Scott Stimpfel, EdD
Vice President in charge of CRA (Community Reinvestment Act) and Business Banking
Citi

Dr. Scott Stimpfel oversees Learning & Development globally for Citi's corporate and investment bank. He holds an adjunct faculty appointment at New York University's (NYU) Stern School of Business where he teaches courses on professional responsibility and leadership. Prior to joining Citi, he was the Associate Dean of NYU's School of Professional Studies (SPS) Division of Programs in Business and Assistant Dean of Student Engagement and Innovation for NYU Stern School of Business.

Dr. Stimpfel sits on the board of the I Have a Dream Foundation (NYC) and Resources for Educational and Employment Opportunities (REEO). He co-founded REEO, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that is committed to empowering underserved community college students. Dr. Stimpfel is the recipient of the Manhattan Institute's Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award and the NYU-Satter Foundation's Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award.

Dr. Stimpfel attended Pasadena City College before transferring to the University of Southern California. He graduated from the University of Southern California, summa cum laude, with a B.S. in Business Administration. He earned an M.B.A. with a dual specialization in Corporate Finance and Entrepreneurship & Innovation from NYU's Stern School of Business. He holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania's Graduate School of Education.

Dr. Stimpfel is a member of the American Association of Community Colleges, Alpha Gamma Sigma, Phi Kappa Phi, and Beta Gamma Sigma.

Vanessa V. Vales-Lewis

Dr. Vanessa V. Vales-Lewis is the Assistant Dean of the School of Health Professions at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, where she provides strategic leadership focused on student success, educational pathways, and community impact. With more than 20 years of experience across New York City’s K–12 and higher education systems, she brings a deep understanding of how public institutions can expand access, strengthen workforce preparation, and support student persistence.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Dr. Vales-Lewis is a product of New York City’s public education pipeline. She attended Clara Barton High School for Health Professions and continued her academic journey through the City University of New York, first as a high school–college student and later as a graduate and doctoral scholar. During her formative years, she participated in the Health Science Academy at the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health (AAIUH), a Brooklyn-based partnership afterschool program that strengthens educational and career pathways for historically underserved youth by providing early exposure to health careers, mentorship, and academic support. This experience—later expanded through her service as an AAIUH staff member—shaped her commitment to community-rooted education and student opportunity.

In her current role, Dr. Vales-Lewis collaborates across academic and administrative units to strengthen academic programs, align student support initiatives with institutional priorities, and support long-term planning responsive to community and workforce needs. Her previous leadership in academic advisement and student success contributed to scalable retention strategies and cross-college initiatives serving diverse student populations across SUNY Downstate.

Dr. Vales-Lewis earned a PhD in Urban Education from the CUNY Graduate Center, a Master of Arts in Adolescent Science Education from CUNY Brooklyn College, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Northeastern University. Her scholarship focuses on maternal wellness, self, and self-care.

Her service on the Kingsborough Board of Trustees Foundation reflects a shared commitment to public higher education, equitable student pathways, and sustained community impact in Brooklyn.

Dimple Willabus
Owner | President
Rhythm Nation Entertainment

Dimple Willabus is a driven Advocate for the empowerment of the most vulnerable members of our society, through improving accessibility to quality, educational resources and opportunities. Dimple has more than 25 years in the Media and Marketing industry. She utilizes her journalisticand entrepreneurial experiences to specialize in business development and brand management. Under her belt she holds many titles: wife, mother, grandmother, business owner and community leader!

Of her many personal and professional accomplishments, Dimple believes her greatest accomplishment is the development of her family.

Dimple Willabus is the Founder and CEO of Rhythm Nation Entertainment which partners with CEO’s, organizations, entrepreneurs and various government entities, to grow their personal and professional brands and to maximize their effectiveness within their selected industry. Dimple knows that the key to enhancing brand recognition, developing strategic goals, accomplishing progressive outcomes and generating exponential revenue, is not developed in the boardroom—it’s building personal relationships and creating a reliable network, with like-minded people. In short, it’s about bringing people together, highlighting the common bond and truly enlightening them on the benefits of achieving each other’s goals through a coalesced effort! Willabus is the owner of Rhythm Nation Entertainment since 1996, The Stalwarts Youth since 2016 and former owner of Corner Point Wines & Spirits.

Dimple is the Founder and President of the First Responders Lions Club, the Director of Community & Governmental Affairs- Victory Assembly of God Church as well as the Public Relations Officer of the NYPD 71st Precinct Community Council.

Dimple is a 3-time CUNY grad, having earned her AA in Communications from Kingsborough, BA in Television & Radio and MA in Media Studies with a Minor in Marketing & Economics from Brooklyn College.