2018-2019 Coro Fellows Amber C. Bolden Bachelor of Science and Arts in Chemistry and Foreign Affairs University of Virginia, 2018 Amber Bolden is passionate about ensuring that the voices and concerns of underrepresented and marginalized people are heard and addressed. Born and raised in New York City, to a Puerto Rican and African American household, social injustices were never far from her view and have remained a constant source of motivation in her choice of study, work, and organizations. At the University of Virginia, she majored in Chemistry and Foreign Affairs and held memberships in a number of minority-based organizations in order to better understand the unique issues faced by different communities. Through these organizations, she also held social, political, and educational events which highlighted the different experiences of minorities for the public. She has worked at the United States Court of Appeals of the Second Circuit SA Office, the Charlottesville Legal Aid Justice Center, and in the Albemarle County Police Department Victim Witness Assistance Program in order to further her understanding of how laws and policies are affecting the people governed by them. As a Coro Fellow, she hopes to continue learning about the ways in which she can utilize her opportunities and skills to aid the people who need it most and lead change. Devika Kapadia Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy Columbia University, 2018 Devika developed her interest in inclusion and justice through education as a student in her hometown, Mumbai, where she was directly exposed to huge asymmetries in access to and quality of education. In India last summer, she worked as a research intern at Central Square Foundation to communicate data and policy recommendations to the National Education Ministry on the working conditions and outcomes of over 5,000 government teacher trainers. As a John Jay Scholar studying philosophy at Columbia, her thinking gained nuance through her work with the Harlem Community Justice Program, where she facilitated discussions with formerly-incarcerated youth on topics such as race, government, and knowledge. She also assisted with a faculty-led project to create a syllabus for Columbia’s compulsory core curriculum focused on histories, legal practices, and narratives of criminal justice. A passionate writer, she worked as co-Editor-in-Chief of the Columbia Journal of Literary Criticism, helping to lead a team of 20 editors. Through effective communication and sensitive, data-driven, and collaborative work, she hopes to contribute to institutions and pipelines of equity. She is excited to gain a grounded understanding of the systems that undergird social change in New York City through the various opportunities Coro offers. The Fellows Program in New York is generously supported by Accenture, BerlinRosen, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Capalino+Company, Goldman Sachs, HR&A Advisors, The Hudson Companies, The May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation, Related Companies, Scopia Capital Management, and the Senator Roy M. Goodman Fund.
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2018-2019 Coro Fellows
Amber C. BoldenBachelor of Science and Arts in Chemistry and Foreign AffairsUniversity of Virginia, 2018
Amber Bolden is passionate about ensuring that the voices and concerns of underrepresented and marginalized people are heard and addressed. Born and raised in New York City, to a Puerto Rican and African American household, social injustices were never far from her view and have remained a constant source of motivation in her choice of study, work, and organizations.
At the University of Virginia, she majored in Chemistry and Foreign Affairs and held memberships in a number of minority-based organizations in order to better understand the unique issues faced by different communities. Through these organizations, she also held social, political, and educational events which highlighted the different experiences of minorities for the public. She has worked at the United States Court of Appeals of the Second Circuit SA Office, the Charlottesville Legal Aid Justice Center, and in the Albemarle County Police Department Victim Witness Assistance Program in order to further her understanding of how laws and policies are affecting the people governed by them.
As a Coro Fellow, she hopes to continue learning about the ways in which she can utilize her opportunities and skills to aid the people who need it most and lead change.
Devika KapadiaBachelor of Arts in PhilosophyColumbia University, 2018
Devika developed her interest in inclusion and justice through education as a student in her hometown, Mumbai, where she was directly exposed to huge asymmetries in access to and quality of education. In India last summer, she worked as a research intern at Central Square Foundation to communicate data and policy recommendations to the National Education Ministry on the working conditions and outcomes of over 5,000 government teacher trainers. As a John Jay Scholar studying philosophy at Columbia, her thinking gained nuance through her work with the Harlem Community Justice Program, where she facilitated discussions with formerly-incarcerated youth on topics such as race, government, and knowledge. She also assisted with a faculty-led project to create a syllabus for Columbia’s compulsory core curriculum focused on histories, legal practices, and narratives of criminal justice. A passionate writer, she worked as co-Editor-in-Chief of the Columbia Journal of Literary Criticism, helping to lead a team of 20 editors. Through effective communication and sensitive, data-driven, and collaborative work, she hopes to contribute to institutions and pipelines of equity. She is excited to gain a grounded understanding of the systems that undergird social change in New York City through the various opportunities Coro offers.
The Fellows Program in New York is generously supported by Accenture, BerlinRosen, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Capalino+Company, Goldman Sachs, HR&A Advisors, The Hudson Companies, The May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation, Related Companies, Scopia Capital Management, and the Senator Roy M. Goodman Fund.
Emma Dunlap Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and HistoryMiddlebury College, 2018
Emma, a Seattle native, recently earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History from Middlebury College. She developed a strong interest in local government, urban challenges, and data-driven public policy while working as a research assistant for Middlebury’s Political Science department. This interest led her to an internship with Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Government Innovation team, working to support innovative solutions to urban challenges through public-private partnerships and strong local leadership. Prior, she worked in the Careers Center at a women’s college in Rwanda where she discovered her passion for increasing economic opportunities for women through education, empowerment, and advocating for jobs by building partnerships with local businesses.
Given these experiences, Emma is eager to learn how to think critically about policy solutions to issues such as unaffordable housing and financial inclusion and to become an advocate for gender parity in leadership positions. In addition, she is excited to engage with solutions to other issues, such as criminal justice reform, and embrace Coro’s “city as a classroom” approach. Through Coro’s experiential learning platform, Emma is ready to expand her knowledge of public affairs, learn how to ask critical questions, and gain practical skills needed to tackle urban challenges across sectors.
Eric DanowskiBachelor of Arts in American StudiesBrandeis University, 2018
Eric Danowski is committed to creating and sustaining spaces that build community and belonging in urban environments. A Queens native with a deep devotion to the borough, Eric has experienced how an organizational dedication to arts, education, and recreation can strengthen neighborhoods and create opportunities to thrive. He is a graduate of Brandeis University with a major in American Studies.
Eric’s fascination with space—both theoretical and physical—has been the impetus for pursuing community based work in New York. He has worked with arts driven organizations at the Jamaica Center for Arts and Learning and the Asian American International Film Festival, supporting spaces for community building and arts activism. More recently, he was an interviewer with the Brandeis Admissions Office and worked in development at the Scholars Strategy Network. Eric continues to volunteer with Y Tu Tambien, a program mentoring NYC high school students in preparation for college applications.
As a Coro Fellow, Eric hopes to develop a wider, more experienced understanding of NYC. He aspires to learn how to better foster community and create opportunities in spaces everywhere from parks to libraries to subways—especially with groups that have been historically disenfranchised.
The Fellows Program in New York is generously supported by Accenture, Capalino+Company, BerlinRosen, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Goldman Sachs, HR&A Advisors, The Hudson Companies, The May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation, Related Companies, Scopia Capital Management, and the Senator Roy M. Goodman Fund.
Jillian FreeBachelor of Arts in Political Economy University of California, Berkeley, 2018
Jillian is a passionate advocate for greater equity in institutions of power and aspires to disrupt social norms through public policy work. A proud first generation college graduate, Jillian grounds herself in the values gained from her blended, working class Southern California family and her diverse UC Berkeley education.
Jillian chose to examine through her studies the intersections of economic, environmental health, and racial inequality. Committed to putting theory to practice, Jillian spent her four years advocating for social justice through policy work, direct service, and social impact consulting. As the campus-elected ASUC Student Advocate, Jillian implemented the university’s first emergency housing fund for supporting homeless students, led a successful campaign for disabled students’ community space, and advocated for critical student needs to campus leaders and beyond. Jillian also served for four years as a caseworker to students accused of violating the code of conduct. Additionally, as Project Manager for Net Impact Berkeley’s consulting chapter, Jillian crafted a workforce development engagement strategy targeting underrepresented communities in tech.
Jillian is excited to learn through the Coro Fellowship how to build and disrupt institutions while leveraging the privileges she holds in order to rebalance the spaces she enters.
Jordan GreenbergBachelor of Arts in HistoryUniversity of Texas at Austin, 2015
Jordan is passionate about cultivating culturally and linguistically responsive spaces that allow underserved and underrepresented communities to thrive. Born and raised in a Jewish community in Austin, Texas, she was drawn to the study of Arabic language and literature as a way to challenge dominant, xenophobic narratives around Arabic culture. With a B.A. in Plan II Liberal Arts Honors, History, and Arabic from the University of Texas at Austin, she is committed to centering issues of race, class, gender, sexuality, and citizenship in her work. Prior to Coro, Jordan worked in Brooklyn as the Development and Communications Manager at the Arab-American Family Support Center (AAFSC). At AAFSC, Jordan diversified the organization’s funding streams, nearly doubling their net assets, and supported youth-led rallies against anti-Muslim travel bans. She has also served as an Education Pioneers fellow at Brooklyn East Collegiate Charter School. After working at the grassroots level in New York City, Jordan is honored to join the Coro Fellowship program and looks forward to gaining a more nuanced understanding of the interconnected systems that drive inequities in the city. After Coro, Jordan aims to promote strengths-based education policies and practices that holistically serve students and their families.
The Fellows Program in New York is generously supported by Accenture, Capalino+Company, BerlinRosen, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Goldman Sachs, HR&A Advisors, The Hudson Companies, The May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation, Related Companies, Scopia Capital Management, and the Senator Roy M. Goodman Fund.
Mark MerinoBachelor of Arts in Political Science and SpanishBucknell University, 2017
Mark Merino is a proud Los Angeles native, and a transitioning New York City resident determined to make his new city his classroom as he enters the professional sphere. He is a 2017 graduate from Bucknell University with a double major in Political Science and Spanish Language and a minor in History. During his time at Bucknell, Mark served as president of the student body, and participated in incredibly eye-opening service trips to Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic. In the year since graduating, Mark completed a service year as an AmeriCorps Urban Education Fellow at Great Oaks Charter School in New York City, where he served as a full-time tutor for seventh grade students. Following this service year that brought about a love of New York City, Mark is very excited to equip himself with the network and tools that the Coro Fellows Program has to offer in order to best carry out his goal of making a lasting difference here. Mark believes New York City presents a fascinating policy landscape considering the diversity and history of the city, and looks forward to finding solutions to its many challenges along with his cohort.
Michael LukauskasBachelor of Arts in American Culture Studies and Political ScienceWashington University, 2018
Michael is a native of New York City who is interested in how public policy can confront socioeconomic inequality and build equitable communities. Michael attended Washington University in St. Louis, majoring in American Culture Studies and Political Science. During his years as an undergraduate, Michael researched criminality, structural inequality, and gentrification, culminating with an independent research project examining the role of local financial institutions in shaping the development of Harlem’s 125th Street.
As an employee of Chris Koster’s campaign for Missouri Governor, Michael fought for the only candidate advocating for police reform by assisting with the candidate’s debate prep and opposition research. In addition, Michael enthusiastically devoted himself to creating a physical and digital database of promotional materials for HELP USA, a nonprofit providing housing and other social services to combat homelessness in New York City.
Michael is excited to continue developing as a leader and catalyst for change during his time as a Coro Fellow. He hopes to leverage his experiences to effectively serve underprivileged communities and pursue cross-sector solutions to the problems affecting New York City’s communities.
The Fellows Program in New York is generously supported by Accenture, Capalino+Company, BerlinRosen, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Goldman Sachs, HR&A Advisors, The Hudson Companies, The May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation, Related Companies, Scopia Capital Management, and the Senator Roy M. Goodman Fund.
Nicholas StewartBachelor of Arts in HistoryYale University, 2018
A born-and-bred New Yorker, Nicholas hopes to promote inclusivity and social justice in his hometown by leveraging tools of land use, urban planning, and design.
Nicholas graduated Magna Cum Laude from Yale University, where he majored in History with Honors. At Yale, he pursued a longstanding interest in cities through his concentration in Urban Studies. He received a Mellon Forum Grant for his senior essay on atomic-age New York City, and his research—on real-estate development in Abu Dhabi and the nationalization of Havana’s golf courses—was published in the Yale Historical Review and Chicago Journal of History. Outside of the classroom, he served as a Writing Partner for Yale College and a Student Guide at the Yale Center for British Art.
Most recently, Nicholas worked on local rezoning and affordable-housing initiatives at the New York City Economic Development Corporation. Previously, at NO Architecture and Architecture Research Office, he contributed to design projects including a worship space in Midtown Manhattan and a proposed satellite city in Giza, Egypt. As a Coro Fellow, Nicholas is eager to engage with facets of urban life he has yet to encounter and to gain deep familiarity with mechanisms of change-making in New York City.
Olivia Zayas RyanBachelor of Arts in Policy Studies Elon University, 2018
Olivia Zayas Ryan recently graduated cum laude from Elon University with a Bachelor of Arts in Policy Studies and minors in Journalism, Leadership Studies and Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies. Olivia served as the Opinions Editor for Elon News Network for three years, where she wrote weekly staff editorials and sparked meaningful conversations on topics such as sexual assault, intersectional feminism and race relations on campus. Olivia completed internships with GLAAD, PR Council and Global Strategy Group where she used her skills in communications to amplify the stories of LGBTQIA people, build community among the public relations industry, and advocate for policies in New York City. She also interned with Elon's Center for Race, Ethnicity and Diversity Education where she worked to build representation and visibility of the Latinx/Hispanic community. Olivia was the recipient of the 2018 Publication of the Year Award by Elon's Gender and LGBTQIA Center for an article published by GLAAD and her work as a Campus Ambassador for the organization. Through Coro, Olivia hopes to better understand the systems influencing public policy in New York and give back to the city that raised her by leading, listening and learning.
The Fellows Program in New York is generously supported by Accenture, Capalino+Company, BerlinRosen, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Goldman Sachs, HR&A Advisors, The Hudson Companies, The May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation, Related Companies, Scopia Capital Management, and the Senator Roy M. Goodman Fund.
William AndreycakMaster of Arts in Teaching, Relay Graduate School of Education, 2015Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, University of Vermont, 2013
After teaching in New York City Schools for five years, William Andreycak enters his Coro year with deeply embedded principles of fairness and access to opportunity, sewn by the children and communities he has had the privilege of working with. Will attended the University of Vermont (’13), where his work studying systems of opportunity and prosperity pushed him toward a profession that was at the very heart of these systems.
Beginning as a Teach for America Corps Member (’13), Will spent two years teaching in the South Bronx. During this time he earned his MA in Teaching, graduating from the Relay Graduate School of Education in 2015, and was elected to serve on the board of A-Home – an affordable housing not-for-profit located in his hometown of Pleasantville, New York – in 2016. After his TFA placement, Will took a position in Canarsie Brooklyn, where he ascended into instructional leadership. His career in education has hardened his commitment to ensuring that systems of opportunity work for his students and not against them. He is humbled to begin his Coro experience, and intends to develop his ability to influence critical leverage points within societal systems that impact pathways of opportunity for children everywhere.
Zakiya BrowneBachelor of Arts in SociologyUniversity at Albany, State University of New York, 2018
Zakiya Browne is a Brooklyn, New York native and recent graduate from the University at Albany with a Bachelor’s degree in sociology. Zakiya’s experiences navigating New York City’s public schools profoundly shaped her interest in the intersection of class, race and educational outcomes. Last summer, she conducted research at Princeton University examining the relationship between gentrification and school choice in Brooklyn. In addition to her academic pursuits, Zakiya also participated in student organizations such as the NAACP that fostered relationships with the local Albany community around racial equity. As the education committee chair for the SUNY Albany NAACP, she was tasked with creating programs that informed the greater campus and formed initiatives with local Albany high schools. Zakiya is most looking forward to leveraging her experience to develop innovative policies that mitigate educational disparities among students of color in New York City.
The Fellows Program in New York is generously supported by Accenture, Capalino+Company, BerlinRosen, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Goldman Sachs, HR&A Advisors, The Hudson Companies, The May and Samuel Rudin Family Foundation, Related Companies, Scopia Capital Management, and the Senator Roy M. Goodman Fund.
