2023 NTL Graduates

An education leader with over 18 years of service, Tanya currently serves as the Executive Director and Coordinator of the Mid-State Regional Bilingual Education Resource Network at OCM BOCES. With a background in fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion, Tanya holds degrees in Broadcast Journalism, TESOL Education, and Educational Leadership. Engaged in leadership, she guides teams and collaborates on strategic planning. Tanya helped expand the NY State Seal of Biliteracy program in CNY and supporting the first dual language program in Utica.

As a former School Board Member overseeing a district of 5,300 students, Tanya contributed to the DEI Committee. Her diverse roles, from ENL Teacher to Testing Coordinator, reflect her dedication to creating a positive and inclusive educational environment. Tanya continues her educational journey with ongoing doctoral studies and remains involved in community commitments by serving as the Secretary of the Mid-Level Administrators Association at OCM BOCES.

Email: trosadobarringer@gmail.com

I am a Caribbean born and Syracuse based human rights advocate who happens to have extravagant differences (my coined term for disabilities). In my 20+ years of community service, I have worked with former County Executive Joanne Mahoney on her Education Task Force and served on Former Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner’s Citizen’s Cabinet. I have taught the voter registration trainings for poll workers and assisted in writing the trainings regarding sensitivity and accessibility trainings for the DSS. I currently serve on the Onondaga County Aging Advisory Board, Onondaga County Human Rights Commission, and the Vaccine Equity Taskforce.

I have been awarded the 2013 Martin Luther King Jr. Award, 2021 National Council of Independent Living Advocate of the Year Award, as well as the 2012 Onondaga County Bell association in which I was the only non-lawyer and person with extravagant differences to be honored. I look forward to continuing growing and learning in my work as a board member.

Email: agnesmccray@gmail.com

Lisa’s passion for wellness began at a young age when she was diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder that resulted in infertility and health challenges. As a woman of color, Lisa’s firsthand experience with the lack of accessible and affordable wellness services for her family and self-ignited her passion to be an agent and facilitator of change in the wellness and healthcare industry. Lisa believes that individualized care that takes into consideration the WHOLE person and our systems is key to healing ourselves and our communities. Lisa is the founder and CEO of Thrive in Healing, Co-Founder of The Syracuse Yoga Collective, Counselor, Wellness Practitioner, Consultant, and Yoga Alliance Certified Trauma-informed Yoga & Meditation Instructor.

Email: thriveinhealing@gmail.com

I bring to the table over 20 years of financial experience ranging from payroll management, grant billing, financial reporting, and cash management. My greatest passions are strengthening, encouraging, inspiring, and impacting marriages, families, youth, and community. I am dedicated to making our community a better and safer place for our children by helping them reach their potential and see beyond their environment.

Email: Freddie200@twcny.rr.com

I am a mother, grandmother, and retired nurse. I grew up on the southside of Syracuse where I still reside today. I am an advocate that spends my days bringing the voices of families affected by childhood lead poisoning to the table with decision makers on the local, state, and federal level.

I have spent time serving on some very diverse boards including the Syracuse Land Bank as well as youth sports and grassroots agencies. I am passionate about improving my community and city and opening up opportunities for everyone.

Email: olfair233@gmail.com 

I am an Educational Administrator dedicated to creating equitable systems for all. I provide Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion professional learning to academic and business administrators. I am a dynamic keynote gifted with the ability to connect with people through kindness and storytelling.

Publications include A True Story, Repeated Word for Word As I Lived It published in the 2013 Mark Twain Annual and Our Students Need Culturally Relevant Education – It Starts with Training Teachers (Parents.com 2020). My awesome daughter Hannah and gifted daughter Abigail remind me daily of the importance of creating spaces where everyone feels a sense of belonging.

Email: ah.belonging@gmail.com

Zeeshan James brings experience ranging from time spent in the banking and healthcare sectors as well as performing interfaith and youth work. He has served as a development consultant and cultural sensitivity expert and has worked extensively with the refugee and immigrant communities in Syracuse.

Zeeshan currently works as Director of Care Management at RISE. He serves on non-profit boards of healthcare, ethnic community-based organizations, faith-based ministries, and a food pantry. He is also connected with Asian American forums and South Asian networks and was recently appointed as Assistant Superintendent for Asian Village at New York State Fair.
Email: shanijames@hotmail.com

I am passionate about empowering individuals to reach their full potential and committed to helping your agency grow both personally and professionally. As City Manager for Financial Empowerment in Syracuse, I have extensive experience in Social Services, Juvenile Justice, Education, and Neighborhood & Business Development. With a focus on serving underserved communities, I have developed policies and procedures that have made a real difference in people’s lives including establishing access to free HIV/STI testing. I look forward to leveraging my experience to make a positive impact within your organization.

Email: densonj0813@gmail.com 

As a potential board member, I offer a diverse skill set with experience in workforce development, financial mentoring, and education. My strengths lie in strong leadership, effective communication, and adaptability. I hold an associate degree in Business Administration and am pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the same field.

I am committed to continuous learning, and am proud to have earned the Champion of Diversity Award and Alumni Award which reflects my dedication to diversity, education, and community engagement. These attributes position me as a candidate equipped to contribute meaningfully to the objectives of any board.

Email: murjanabdi80@gmail.com

Gregory is an accomplished leader with a proven track record of over 15 years in supervisory roles across various industries in both the private and public sectors. His background includes Fair Housing, Government Housing Services (HCV, PBV, LIHTC), and Pharmacy Retail.

Gregory is the owner and operator of Definitive Triumph Consulting which empowers small businesses and entrepreneurs with technical and business expertise. He also serves on the Board of the Barber Family Foundation – a nonprofit that provides scholarships to children of military families seeking higher education. During his leisure time, Gregory finds joy in exploring his culinary talents, immersing himself in literature, and engaging in friendly rounds of bowling.

Email: DefinitiveTriumph@gmail.com

I was born and raised in Paterson, NJ, and moved to Syracuse eleven years ago. I am a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc and also serve as the Board Chair of Z-HOPE (Zetas Helping Other People Excel) and on the Vera House Board of Directors. For the last three years, I’ve had the opportunity to volunteer and create amazing relationships within the community and work within the non-profit sector.

I am a volunteer and Wish Granter with Make-A-Wish and have volunteered for some amazing events such as Alayah’s Rideathon, Make-A-Wish Star Party, Marshall Man Premiere and more. I volunteer for Paige’s Butterfly Run (Courage Corner) and I participate in their 3k walk every year. I have a passion and purpose as a leader to empower, inspire, and advocate for the underserved people within the community.

Email: nelisha.barron@gmail.com

I am a retired New York City law enforcement officer who is extremely passionate about supporting our youth. I think there are many people who could transform their lives if given the opportunity, and I want to help them get there. I am a lifelong learner, extremely prompt, and committed to making positive social change.

Email: raymond.card@riseabovepovertysyr.org

I am a Healthcare Administrator and former Ronald McDonald House staff member with additional experience in real estate investing and property management with Crossett Property Management. For over ten years I have lived in Syracuse and served as a passionate advocate for economic development, housing, and helping others who have faced medical challenges.

In addition to my professional work, I have served as a director on the boards of several non-profit organizations, including LAUNCH (former Board President), Cayuga County Habitat for Humanity, the Capital Region Chapter of the Stand Up and Play Foundation, and Everyday Warriors.

I have a passion for helping others when health issues get in the way of life, and am eager to network with other non-profits to see where my talents and interests would fit best.

Email: crossettpropertymanagement@gmail.com

The love of learning was instilled in me as a child by my parents, who did not have the opportunity to further their education but ensured that my siblings and I did. This passion has fueled my 20+ year career providing educational services and opportunities to middle and high students throughout Onondaga County and undergraduates at Syracuse University.

My experience as an educator has enabled me to serve on a local K-8 charter school Board of Trustees and simultaneously chair two statewide student conferences. As Program Director for two programs at Syracuse University, I aim to ensure that students have the skills and support to succeed in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), licensure fields, and life in general.

Email: leonese.nelson@gmail.com

I serve as a dedicated instructional coach working in the North Syracuse Central School District, and my journey has been deeply rooted in my own experiences growing up in historically underprivileged neighborhoods in Syracuse. These early experiences have shaped my unwavering commitment to advancing educational equity, both as a personal mission and a professional goal.

My goal is to bring my background and a strong foundation in data analysis, group presentation, and cultivating growth conversations to a non-profit board that shares my passion. I’m eager to contribute my skills and expertise to help shape the organization’s mission and ensure that it makes a lasting impact on those it serves.

Email: richmond.ayanna@gmail.com