The UNA-SNY Young Professionals Board
Melinda Richardson - Chair
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Melinda Richardson has served on the UNA-SNY Young Professionals Board of Directors since 2012, serving initially as Director of Marketing Communications before being elected Chair in 2014. In addition she is the Vice President of Communications on the UNA Southern New York Division Board. Previously, she participated in the United Nations Internship Program working at the UN Democracy Fund and the UN Office for Partnerships where she focused on communications and grants management. Melinda holds a B.A. in Philosophy and Political Science from Boston University and a Master's degree in Political and Social Sciences from the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain. She sits on the board of Young Professionals Healthcare Network (YPHN) and is a UN Foundation Shot@Life Champion working to advocate to protect children worldwide by providing life-saving vaccines where they are most needed. She is currently a Communications Consultant for nonprofits and socially conscious startups.
Melinda Richardson has served on the UNA-SNY Young Professionals Board of Directors since 2012, serving initially as Director of Marketing Communications before being elected Chair in 2014. In addition she is the Vice President of Communications on the UNA Southern New York Division Board. Previously, she participated in the United Nations Internship Program working at the UN Democracy Fund and the UN Office for Partnerships where she focused on communications and grants management. Melinda holds a B.A. in Philosophy and Political Science from Boston University and a Master's degree in Political and Social Sciences from the Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain. She sits on the board of Young Professionals Healthcare Network (YPHN) and is a UN Foundation Shot@Life Champion working to advocate to protect children worldwide by providing life-saving vaccines where they are most needed. She is currently a Communications Consultant for nonprofits and socially conscious startups.
Nicole Diaz - Vice Chair
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Nicole Diaz is the Vice Chair for the UNA-SNY Young Professionals and has been on the board since 2012, initially as the European Affairs Committee Director of the organization before being elected Vice Chair in 2014. In addition to Nicole's B.A. in Classical Languages and History from Wake Forest University, she studied Classics and European History at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. She recently completed her MSc in International Relations at Kingston University London. Nicole currently works at the British Consulate-General in New York as a Business Development Manager focused on Information Technology, Creative, and Media. She has a strong interest in cross-cultural interactions and how they affect diplomacy and international relations. She studied Latin for nine years and is proficient in Spanish. When she is not working Nicole greatly enjoys traveling and volunteering with the special needs population.
Nicole Diaz is the Vice Chair for the UNA-SNY Young Professionals and has been on the board since 2012, initially as the European Affairs Committee Director of the organization before being elected Vice Chair in 2014. In addition to Nicole's B.A. in Classical Languages and History from Wake Forest University, she studied Classics and European History at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland. She recently completed her MSc in International Relations at Kingston University London. Nicole currently works at the British Consulate-General in New York as a Business Development Manager focused on Information Technology, Creative, and Media. She has a strong interest in cross-cultural interactions and how they affect diplomacy and international relations. She studied Latin for nine years and is proficient in Spanish. When she is not working Nicole greatly enjoys traveling and volunteering with the special needs population.
Conor Moran - Secretary
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Conor Moran is a financial technology executive responsible for business development with leading alternative asset managers.
Previously, Conor worked in business development at several niche firms that catered to the traditional and alternative asset management community around research, trading, and financial technology. He is an active participant in many New York area organizations including Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, the United Nations Association, the Carnegie Council, Network 20/20, iMentor, the American Alpine Club, Upwardly Global, New York Cares, and the Four Diamonds Fund. He has also attended the United Nations Association's Worldview Institute.
Conor Moran is a financial technology executive responsible for business development with leading alternative asset managers.
Previously, Conor worked in business development at several niche firms that catered to the traditional and alternative asset management community around research, trading, and financial technology. He is an active participant in many New York area organizations including Young Professionals in Foreign Policy, the United Nations Association, the Carnegie Council, Network 20/20, iMentor, the American Alpine Club, Upwardly Global, New York Cares, and the Four Diamonds Fund. He has also attended the United Nations Association's Worldview Institute.
Anthony Fiorino - Treasurer
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Anthony Fiorino has been the Treasurer of UNA-SNY Young Professionals since May 2014. He earned his Professional Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Notre Dame in 2010. During his third year of studies, he lived abroad in Rome for two semesters, which gave him the opportunity to travel extensively throughout Italy and Europe. With these experiences, he became interested in the organization and originally joined as the Treasurer and Marketing Officer of the European Affairs Committee in 2012. Born and raised in Yonkers, NY, he now lives in Brooklyn and currently works at an architecture firm in Manhattan while pursuing to obtain his architectural license.
Anthony Fiorino has been the Treasurer of UNA-SNY Young Professionals since May 2014. He earned his Professional Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture from the University of Notre Dame in 2010. During his third year of studies, he lived abroad in Rome for two semesters, which gave him the opportunity to travel extensively throughout Italy and Europe. With these experiences, he became interested in the organization and originally joined as the Treasurer and Marketing Officer of the European Affairs Committee in 2012. Born and raised in Yonkers, NY, he now lives in Brooklyn and currently works at an architecture firm in Manhattan while pursuing to obtain his architectural license.
Anna Keye - External Affairs and Partnerships Director
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Anna Keye is a Program Assistant in the Advocacy and Policy program at the International Women's Health Coaltion (IWHC) where she works on advocacy campaigns at the UN related to sexual and reproductive health and rights and coordinates trainings for youth advocates from all over the world. She is currently very involved in the Post-2015 Development Agenda process at the UN. Prior to IWHC, Anna worked in Special Events at the American Red Cross and consulted for the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders, where she contributed to UN advocacy campaigns, research projects, and policy briefs. While at GNWP she worked with activists from Colombia, Guatemala, Liberia, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone, among other countries. Before earning her Master's, Anna also worked as an Office Manager at Pro Mujer, a Latin American economic development organization and as an ESL teacher in both New York City and Ciudad de Oaxaca, Mexico. Anna holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from the City University of New York and a B.A. in Urban Studies from Eugene Lang Liberal Arts College at The New School.
Anna Keye is a Program Assistant in the Advocacy and Policy program at the International Women's Health Coaltion (IWHC) where she works on advocacy campaigns at the UN related to sexual and reproductive health and rights and coordinates trainings for youth advocates from all over the world. She is currently very involved in the Post-2015 Development Agenda process at the UN. Prior to IWHC, Anna worked in Special Events at the American Red Cross and consulted for the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders, where she contributed to UN advocacy campaigns, research projects, and policy briefs. While at GNWP she worked with activists from Colombia, Guatemala, Liberia, Rwanda, and Sierra Leone, among other countries. Before earning her Master's, Anna also worked as an Office Manager at Pro Mujer, a Latin American economic development organization and as an ESL teacher in both New York City and Ciudad de Oaxaca, Mexico. Anna holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from the City University of New York and a B.A. in Urban Studies from Eugene Lang Liberal Arts College at The New School.
Ana Cecilia Smolka - Fundraising Director
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Ana Smolka has been a member of the United Nations Association since 2007. She has participated in the Worldview Institutes seminars in 2008 and 2013. In 2013 she joined the European Affairs Committee and became its Deputy Director. Born and raised in Brazil with European grandparents, she has always been connected to the international community. Ana holds a B.S in Marketing and Advertising from Emerson College and a Post-Graduate degree in Business Management from PUC- Rio de Janeiro. She is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, and has advanced knowledge in French. Ana is very passionate about the global issues and is engaged with them volunteering to its various causes. In her free time, there is nothing she enjoys more than traveling around the world and learning about different cultures.
Ana Smolka has been a member of the United Nations Association since 2007. She has participated in the Worldview Institutes seminars in 2008 and 2013. In 2013 she joined the European Affairs Committee and became its Deputy Director. Born and raised in Brazil with European grandparents, she has always been connected to the international community. Ana holds a B.S in Marketing and Advertising from Emerson College and a Post-Graduate degree in Business Management from PUC- Rio de Janeiro. She is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, and has advanced knowledge in French. Ana is very passionate about the global issues and is engaged with them volunteering to its various causes. In her free time, there is nothing she enjoys more than traveling around the world and learning about different cultures.
Jenny Lee - Membership Director
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Jenny Lee has a strong committed passion to play a pivotal role in making a difference in society. Prior to her position as the Membership Director, she was a part of the UNA-SNY Young Professionals Economic Development Committee supporting social media. She is currently a candidate for a Master’s of Science in Global Business and Finance at Brooklyn College and is in her last semester of graduate studies. She is also taking a graduate Marketing Management course that will strongly complement her role. Prior to attending graduate school, her work with the United Nations also included securing an internship with UNICEF as a Recipient of the Jewish Foundation Education of Women Award and was awarded a stipend from her school upon completion of the summer internship.
Jenny Lee has a strong committed passion to play a pivotal role in making a difference in society. Prior to her position as the Membership Director, she was a part of the UNA-SNY Young Professionals Economic Development Committee supporting social media. She is currently a candidate for a Master’s of Science in Global Business and Finance at Brooklyn College and is in her last semester of graduate studies. She is also taking a graduate Marketing Management course that will strongly complement her role. Prior to attending graduate school, her work with the United Nations also included securing an internship with UNICEF as a Recipient of the Jewish Foundation Education of Women Award and was awarded a stipend from her school upon completion of the summer internship.
Ann Babe - Editorial Director
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Ann Babe has served on the UNA-SNY YP board of Directors since May 2014, first as the Asian Affairs Committee Director. She is a reporter and travel write, previously working as the Projects Coordinator at Techonomy. Ann earned her Bachelors degree from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in Journalism, Political Science, and History. She is a new media enthusiast with a conviction that communications can promote cross-cultural understanding and effect positive change. In her spare time she volunteers as a tutor at the Alliance for International Women's Rights.
Ann Babe has served on the UNA-SNY YP board of Directors since May 2014, first as the Asian Affairs Committee Director. She is a reporter and travel write, previously working as the Projects Coordinator at Techonomy. Ann earned her Bachelors degree from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in Journalism, Political Science, and History. She is a new media enthusiast with a conviction that communications can promote cross-cultural understanding and effect positive change. In her spare time she volunteers as a tutor at the Alliance for International Women's Rights.
Marielle Ali - YP Social and Humanitarian Affairs (YP-SHAC) Director
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Marielle Ali serves as the Director of the Social and Humanitarian Affairs Committee. As a passionate human rights advocate, she has interned and worked at international non-profits, the U.S. State Department and the United Nations including UNDP, UNICEF and UN DESA. She also served as the Representative to the UN at World Evangelical Alliance for two years. She is fluent in Spanish and French and possess beginner Arabic skills. She holds a Bachelor of Science in International Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the State University of New York at Fredonia. She also holds a Master of Science in Global Affairs from New York University. She currently serves as a Global Youth Ambassador with A World At School. In her spare time, she volunteers with Organizing for Action and RESULTS.
Marielle Ali serves as the Director of the Social and Humanitarian Affairs Committee. As a passionate human rights advocate, she has interned and worked at international non-profits, the U.S. State Department and the United Nations including UNDP, UNICEF and UN DESA. She also served as the Representative to the UN at World Evangelical Alliance for two years. She is fluent in Spanish and French and possess beginner Arabic skills. She holds a Bachelor of Science in International Studies and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the State University of New York at Fredonia. She also holds a Master of Science in Global Affairs from New York University. She currently serves as a Global Youth Ambassador with A World At School. In her spare time, she volunteers with Organizing for Action and RESULTS.
Bill Quinn - YP Sustainability and Economic Development Committee (YP-SEDC) Director
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Bill Quinn has served as an active member of the UNA-SNY Young Professionals for several years and has active with the YP Economic Development Committee since 2014. He became Director the YP-SEDC in 2015. Bill spent five years as an economics and government teacher with the New York City Department of Education and is currently consulting with the Impact Network which builds and operates schools in rural Zambia. His interest in international development started after working at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Utah. He went on to receive an MA in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations from CW Post. He also earned a certificate in Central and Eastern European Governance from The Leuphana University of Lüneburg in Germany. In his spare time he enjoys hockey, skiing and board games.
Bill Quinn has served as an active member of the UNA-SNY Young Professionals for several years and has active with the YP Economic Development Committee since 2014. He became Director the YP-SEDC in 2015. Bill spent five years as an economics and government teacher with the New York City Department of Education and is currently consulting with the Impact Network which builds and operates schools in rural Zambia. His interest in international development started after working at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Utah. He went on to receive an MA in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations from CW Post. He also earned a certificate in Central and Eastern European Governance from The Leuphana University of Lüneburg in Germany. In his spare time he enjoys hockey, skiing and board games.