Mentor Coaches

Maloni Goss, 2010 Mentor Coach

Chanel, Associate Director

Strategy

Spelman College, BA, 2001; Columbia University, MBA, 2008

After volunteering for over a year, NYNY has had a huge impact on my life.  Though I joined to give retail industry exposure to the Fellows involved in this program, they in fact inspire me on a regular basis.  These students have overcome so much and still manage to produce excellent grades and obtain top internships. It’s an honor to be a part of the NYNY community and the continued development of the Fellows.

Kristin Grimm, 2011 Mentor Coach

MetLife Bank, Senior Business Consultant

Baruch College, BA, 2008

In 2008, a conversation initiated in an elevator led to a discussion reviewing my career and then a lunch that focused on redefining my future. What all began as a few words to a stranger ended with a new career plan and a decision to return to school. This stranger has become a mentor who helps to push me outside of my comfort zone and provides insight beyond my perspective. I am excited to give back as a Mentor Coach and develop the same support network and growth expectation for my Fellow.

Zheng Guo, 2010 Mentor Coach

Goldman Sachs, Associate

Securities Division

Bentley University, BS, 2007

I became a Mentor Coach because I'm a first generation college graduate as well. Relating to that experience, I understand the value of college education and how it can drastically impact one's life.

E. Ashley Harris, 2011 Mentor Coach

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, Associate

Brown University, BA, 2005; Harvard University, JD, 2008

I applied to become a Mentor Coach after hearing about the impactful relationships between NYNY Mentor Coaches and Fellows. I enjoy being able to give back for the mentorship I have received throughout my life while sharing my own experiences with the Fellows. I also appreciate that NYNY provides an opportunity to meet and learn from a diverse and highly talented community of Fellows, Mentor Coaches, volunteers and staff.

April Hattori, 2011 Mentor Coach

EdisonLearning, Vice President, Communications

University of Illinois, BS, 1986; Columbia University, MA, 1989

New York Needs You provides me an opportunity to help students learn from my experiences as a first generation college graduate. I have been energized by the talent of the students in NYNY and the progress they are making. One of my favorite quotes is “Good luck is the result of good planning.”  My goal is to help NYNY Fellows with the planning of their careers, which I hope will enable them to create their own luck and success.

Matt Heiman, 2011 Mentor Coach

McKinsey & Company, Business Analyst

Columbia University, BA, 2009

I originally became a Mentor Coach because I was extremely impressed with the organization. The Fellows are inspiring and I wanted to help out in any way I could. My current Fellow is interested in pursuing a career in financial services. Prior to joining McKinsey I was an analyst at JPMorgan and I hope to draw on my experiences there to help him launch a successful career.

Eric Hoffman, 2010 Mentor Coach

Centerbridge Partners, Associate

University of Pennsylvania, BS, 2008

The NYNY program is unique in that it harnesses the talents and experiences of young professionals to benefit motivated young people. I feel it provides the best venue to give my time and see a meaningful impact in another's life and career. I'm grateful to the program for my experience and look forward to having the privilege of working with more talented students in the future.

Alison Hunter, 2011 Mentor Coach

Raines International, Research Manager

Colgate University, BA, 2010

Working at an executive search firm, I have become very aware of the opportunities the corporate world has to offer and consequently of the road blocks that prevent people from accessing them. At New York Needs You, Mentor Coaches can genuinely make a personal connection with their Fellows, and I feel I can utilize the knowledge I have gained to help the well-deserving Fellows surpass some of these barriers. 

Vittal Kadapakkam, 2011 Mentor Coach

KKR, Associate

Private Equity - Media and Financials

Princeton University, BA, 2009

I became a Mentor Coach because I have a strong appreciation for the guidance and mentorship that I have received throughout my education and professional career, and I enjoy the opportunity to pay it forward. As a Mentor Coach, I have been exposed to the inspiring stories of other Mentor Coaches and, particularly, of Fellows. It is extremely rewarding to work with talented and ambitious students and help guide and shape their career paths.

Katie Kaplun, 2011 Mentor Coach

Teach For America, Manager, Consumer Insights

Marketing

Georgetown University, BA, 2008

I became a Mentor Coach in order to find a more enriching and rewarding way to give back to the community. I've been really inspired by the experiences of the NYNY Fellows, and have felt that I can learn even more from them than I could share from my own experience. That being said, I hope to relay what I've learned in my personal and professional journey with others and hopefully inspire them to achieve their goals and reach their full potential.

Debra Kerr, 2011 Mentor Coach

Edelman, Account Supervisor

Change and Employee Engagement

University of Pennsylvania, BA, 2008

As a communications professional, I provide strategic counsel to senior executives, helping them articulate their vision, mission, and goals in a way that resonates across audiences. These skills enable me to provide Fellows with guidance and direction on how to bring their personal and professional stories to life in a meaningful way. I am excited to leverage my Edelman, Penn, and personal networks to help Fellows identify future internship opportunities and achieve their career ambitions.

Bryan Kim, 2011 Mentor Coach

Invus, Director

Harvard University, BA, 2002

For me, the greatest appeal of NYNY is its ability to provide opportunities to people who truly deserve them. As proven by NYNY’s rigorous selection process, its Fellows are young adults who have already exceeded society’s, if not their own, expectations. I became a Mentor Coach because I want to ensure that the Fellows have the opportunity to realize their goals and achieve their career ambitions.

Neha Krishnamohan, 2010 Mentor Coach

Goldman Sachs, Associate

Investment Bank - Healthcare

Duke University, Bachelor of Science in Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Economics, 2008

I became a Mentor Coach to provide career guidance to Fellows in order for them to be able to make decisions about what they would like to pursue professionally. This is something that I was fortunate enough to have received in college which helped me make the decision to pursue finance. As an Associate in the Healthcare Group in Investment Banking at Goldman Sachs, I am looking forward to leveraging my personal and professional network to help my Fellow achieve her career ambitions.

Mariel Kriss, 2011 Mentor Coach

Chanel, Marketing Assistant

Emory University, BA, 2010

New York Needs You is a very special organization and it has been a true pleasure to be a Mentor Coach. Though I applied because I thought my experience in luxury marketing would offer unique insights to the numerous Fellows interested in careers in creative industries, I have already gained much more from the program than I could have imagined. Many of us take our networks and career skills for granted. My involvement in NYNY has made me realize the true value of mentoring and the fantastic opportunities which await the Fellows when they walk through our open doors.

Tofi Lakhani, 2011 Mentor Coach

Dataprise Inc., Technical Project Manager

Richard Stockton College of NJ, BS, 1993

As time goes by and life's hurdles become harder, we get better at jumping over them. I realize that I could have benefitted if I had someone advising me and helping me through those roadblocks. That's why I decided to become a Mentor Coach. I put myself through school, which was hard work, but the end result was sweeter because of it. When I look at others going through the same I can't help but try and be there for them. Hopefully, my assistance will help them succeed.

Christine Leach, 2010 Mentor Coach

BlackRock, Associate

Corporate Strategy

Duke University, BA, 2007

NYNY has introduced me to a fantastic community of bright, motivated and interesting people: Fellows, Mentor Coaches, Volunteers, and Staff. The experience has well exceeded my expectations!

Tracy Li, 2010 Mentor Coach

Ziff Brothers Investments, Analyst

Investments

Harvard University, BA, 2009

I became a Mentor Coach because I believe in the power of mentoring. I’ve been fortunate to have role models in my life who’ve provided invaluable advice through my academic, professional and personal decisions. As a NYNY Mentor Coach, I hope to pay it forward. In my experience thus far, I’ve been ceaselessly impressed and inspired by the Fellows and other Mentor Coaches. I feel fortunate to be part of such an outstanding organization of people.

Iolani Lightbourne, 2011 Mentor Coach

Morgan Stanley, Diversity Campus Recruiter

New York University, BA, 2008

As a recruiter in the financial services industry, I am able to use my background in coaching college students to help my Fellow effectively articulate and ultimately realize her career ambitions. By drawing upon a variety of experiences such as being a part of an analyst rotational program at Lehman Brothers/Barclays Capital, performing in a dance company, and college internships in advertising and law, I hope to build her self-confidence and help my Fellow reach her maximum potential.

Vivian Liu, 2011 Mentor Coach

OrbiMed Advisors, Private Equity Analyst

Private Equity-Healthcare

Stanford University, BA, 2008

Being a Mentor Coach is a tremendous privilege. It has been such a rewarding experience to work with the motivated, curious, ambitious students in the NYNY Fellows class. My Fellow's enthusiasm is inspiring, and I hope he learns as much from me as I do from him.

Kia J. Lowe, 2011 Mentor Coach

L'Oreal, Management Development Program

Marketing

University of Virginia, BA, 2001; Columbia University, MBA, 2011

I became a Mentor Coach because I recognize how important having a strong network can be to career success. I want to be involved with an organization that provides exceptional academic, professional and personal resources for students that may otherwise not have them. NYNY provides the Fellows with opportunities that will hopefully change the course of their life and will provide unlimited upside potential for their future.

Alexis Maule, 2010 Mentor Coach

Credit Suisse, Global Industrials Analyst

Investment Banking

Harvard University, BA, 2008

My mother is a Colombian immigrant who came to the US for a better education. She was first in her family to attend college, heading to a state school, when her guidance counselor suggested she apply to Harvard. That suggestion changed the course of her life.  I became a Mentor Coach to help guide first generation college students, like my mother, who have high achievement and intellectual curiosity but need tools and resources to fulfill their career aspirations and develop as professionals.

Jon McKenzie, 2010 Mentor Coach

Entrepreneur,

Georgetown University, BS, 2006

The fellowship class to me represents New York. The diversity, the drive - it's refreshing. I remember being in their shoes at one point. Resume blank, no specific skills or experience to offer, except an ability and desire to learn. NYNY addresses this challenge by providing the Fellows with an audience to display their ability and an opportunity for them to earn a seat in the field of their choice. This is what makes NYNY a special organization to be a part for me.

Zoila Mendez, 2010 Mentor Coach

J.P. Morgan, Originator

Community Development - Tax Oriented Investments

Fordham University, BS, 2007

Management Leadership for Tomorrow INROADS

My Fellow, Maria, is interested in a career in social justice. She is passionate and dedicated to absolving the world’s problems. Our passions for social impact are aligned. Currently, I work in community development, providing financing for social and economic projects in low income communities. I have learned to combine my interests with realistic career functions. I hope to pass on the same knowledge to Maria so she can accomplish all her personal and professional goals.

Alma Mends, 2011 Mentor Coach

PricewaterhouseCoopers, Senior Associate

Tufts University, BA, 2003; Columbia University, MBA, 2009

I became a Mentor Coach because I believe that there are many talented and motivated young people who need career guidance, but may not have the support or resources necessary to achieve their goals. NYNY provides an excellent opportunity to provide direction to college students and also offers great career preparation opportunities. Being a Mentor Coach has not only allowed me to share my experiences with the Fellows, but has also provided me with a new source of inspiration.

Lamar Myers, 2010 Mentor Coach

Alvarez & Marsal, Associate

Real Estate

Baruch College, BS, 2006

When asked about what drives me to get out of bed in the morning, my answers have always been my family, building a successful career and giving back to my community. I am a Mentor Coach with New York Needs You because I am driven to give back to a high-potential college student in New York City.