Our Leadership
Arielle Kandel, founder & Chief Executive Officer
A two-time immigrant originally from France, Arielle proudly continues her family’s legacy of immigration and resilience. Through her experiences, she understands firsthand the trials, tribulations, and triumphs that come with being an immigrant woman in New York.
Abbey Longyear, Chief Operating Officer
Guiding our growth, Abbey ensures that our team is continually enriched with diverse talents. She meticulously crafts strategies that reinforce our culture and values.
Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors unites 12 dynamic women from diverse personal and professional backgrounds. With roots in countries like Haiti, Jamaica, Peru, Iraq, Singapore, and Trinidad, their unique perspectives enrich our mission. Their wide-ranging professional expertise powers our strategy and innovation.
Our Changemakers
Kibel Manzano, Program Manager – Workforce Development
As a Venezuelan immigrant, Kibel breathes life into our workforce development programs, leveraging her experience to guide others on their paths.
Kiara Shepherd, Program Specialist – Clean Energy & Storytelling
Kiara spearheads our efforts to create career pathways in the clean energy industry for immigrant women, and oversees our storytelling initiatives.
Talita DiGiorgio, Program Specialist – Individual & Community Support
Hailing from Brazil, Talita ensures our members receive individual support and cultivates our thriving community initiatives.
Dayra Barona, Program Associate – Company Sessions & Communications
Dayra, originally from Colombia, coordinates the company sessions that are integral to the professional growth of our participants, and manages our communications .
Christine Kim, Employer Partnerships Advisor
The daughter of South Korean immigrants, Christine leverages her unique insights to forge sustainable partnerships with employers and create meaningful opportunities for our community members.
Martha Arbelaez, Program Assistant – Program Support
Originally from Colombia, Martha supports the coordination of job readiness workshops like LEAD, We Speak We LEAD, and Bridge to LEAD.
Our Dedicated Volunteers
In 2023, our efforts were bolstered by over 30 dedicated NWNY volunteers and the invaluable contributions of 100+ one-time volunteers through our corporate partnerships.