Welcome 2024-2025 Workforce Academy for Policy and Advocacy Fellows!

Congratulations to the selected members of the 2024-2025 Workforce Academy for Policy and Advocacy! We're excited to welcome this esteemed group of workforce professionals from across New York to the program.  

MEET THE FELLOWS

Garrett deGraffenreid (He/They)
STRIVE

A graduate of the NYU Robert F. Wagner School of Public Service, Garrett holds a Master of Public Administration in Public and Nonprofit Mangement. He currently serves as the Public Policy Associate at STRIVE, a Harlem-based nonprofit that provides career development and workforce training to communities who have faced barriers to employment.

Tim Drawbridge
Capital Region Workforce Development Board

My name is Tim Drawbridge and I'm the new Assistant Director for Business Workforce Development Services - Capital Region Workforce Development Board. My position entails supporting our regional employers in their talent attraction, employment retention and training needs. In my previous positions, I've built an extensive history of developing public relations campaigns and assisting community organizations in developing messaging that builds further engagement, but also includes a long career as an on-air meteorologist/multi-media journalist and play-by-play broadcaster for local sporting events. My ability to create and maintain strong relationship-building, communication connecting, and strategic business development skills is providing me the avenue to ensure that our regional employers will have the tools to continue to grow and prosper. Businesses are the center of the workforce development system and I look forward to continuing to build on the support of our area employers. I look forward to participating in the Policy and Advocacy Academy.

Petal Fogenay-Foster (They/Them)
Osborne Association Inc

My name is Petal Fogenay-Foster, and I have 15+ years of experience as a Social Worker. Petal is an accomplished therapist and counselor, and they enjoy using their skills to contribute to the exciting social/grassroots advances that happen every day in the world of Non-Profit work. Petal graduated from Adelphi University, 2010 with an MSW degree, subsequently they graduated in 2012 from Brooklyn College with their MPA respectively. While in school, they earned awards for exemplary “academic performance and leadership skills." They have been described as a powerful force in the workplace who uses their positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard and succeed. Petal is inspired daily by their family, which includes their two grandchildren ( amazing grandson and granddaughter). Petal likes to run and ride motorcycles during their free time and is an avid reader.

Mary E. Kerr (She/Her)
City Of Rochester

Mary E. Kerr is the Compliance Analyst and Workforce Development Program​ Analyst for the City of Rochester. Born and raised in the 19th Ward, she​ graduated from Nazareth Academy High School. She earned her bachelor’s​ degree in Organizational Management, with a concentration in Economics for​ Public Decision Making and Local Government Policies and Procedures, from​ Roberts Wesleyan College. With a passion for community development, Mary’s​ desire to address residents' needs—such as housing and economic vitality—has​ been evident throughout her 29 years of service with the City of Rochester's​ Department of Neighborhood Development. Before her current role, she served​ as the liaison for several HUD-funded programs, including the LEAD Emergency​ Removal Program, the Emergency Roof Grant Program, the First-Time Home​ Buyers Program, and the 15K Home Renovation Grant Program. Mary also​ monitored compliance for general contractors involved in the City’s CDBG​ funding initiatives. Through her work, Mary has championed equity and fairness,​ striving to provide individuals with opportunities for a stronger financial future.

Karen Kwandrans (She/Her)
Niagara University

Dr. Karen Kwandrans is the Associate Vice President for Strategic and External Relations. In her current role she advocates for an equitable ecosystem through civic engagement and leads the university's revitalization efforts in the City of Niagara Falls. In addition, she provides leadership to the Office of Sponsored Programs, Levesque Institute for Civic Engagement, Government Relations, and Bi-national Professional Credentials. In addition to her work at Niagara University, Dr. Kwandrans serves as the Director of the City of Niagara Falls Workforce Development Consortium and is also a board member for the New York State Association of Training and Employment Professionals. She is a committee member on the Local Waterfront Revitalization Committee as well as member of the Niagara County Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee. Before joining Niagara. Karen served as the Assistant Vice President of Academic Affairs over Workforce Development at SUNY Niagara. She also directed programs in Career and Technical Education and Workforce training at Buffalo State College, D’Youville University, and Orleans Niagara BOCES. Dr. Kwandrans earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing, a master’s degree in education, and a doctorate in executive leadership. She has more than 20 years’ experience designing and delivering workforce development programs tied to industry need. She has extensive grant writing experience and has delivered presentations to local and national audiences on the topics of leadership, collaboration, workforce development, youth mentoring programs, and positive youth development.

Dior Lunsford (She/Her)
The Department of Youth and Community Development

Dior Lunsford has cultivated a diverse and impactful career at the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, where she has held various positions, including Senior Program Manager, Program Manager, and Program Supervisor. In these roles, she managed relationships with City agency partners and community-based organizations, ensuring programmatic effectiveness and compliance. Her expertise extends to representing the department at Mayoral events, Community Action Board meetings, and local television interviews, where she advocates for youth initiatives and raises awareness about available resources. Dior’s responsibilities also include managing an internal database to track and report program outcomes to stakeholders, facilitating contact compliance through data-driven insights. Her strong skills in stakeholder management, data analysis, program management, people management, and public speaking have contributed to her effectiveness in these roles. In addition to her work at DYCD, Dior has demonstrated leadership and commitment to community service through her experiences as an undergraduate research assistant for women's economic rights, Chairman of Community Affairs for the NAACP, and an intern at the American Civic Association for immigration services. These diverse experiences have equipped her with a comprehensive skill set and a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in youth workforce development.

Melissa Palomo (She, Her, Hers)
CareerWise New York

Melissa Palomo is a passionate advocate for social justice with over seven years of experience working to support underserved populations in various nonprofit organizations. As a proud first-generation American, she specializes in strategic development and communication, dedicated to amplifying the voices of those in need. Serving as the Director of Strategic Partnerships on the CareerWise New York team. In her role, she cultivates relationships with partners to create innovative pathways and supportive services for students entering the workforce, while also championing systemic change through program development. Before joining CareerWise New York, she was the QA and Policy Supervisor at an Office of Refugee Shelter, where she crafted policies to support program growth and advocated for the rights of unaccompanied minors. With a strong background in the nonprofit sector, Melissa is committed to empowering students and is always focused on driving impactful change. Melissa holds a Bachelor’s in Sociology from Moravian College and a Master’s in International Affairs with a concentration in Development from The New School. Her dedication to social equity continues to inspire her work and the communities she serves.

Jonathan Pirro (He/Him)
Transfr VR

Jonathan Pirro served the New York State Legislature for 16 years as a Regional Constituent Liaison, Senior Budget Analyst on the Assembly Ways and Means Committee focused on Agriculture, Environment, the Energy Sector, Tourism and Legislative Affairs, Senate Majority Policy Director to the Senate Social Services Committee and Clerk to the Senate Education Committee.  Jonathan was also a member of various entities including agricultural, small business and manufacturing task forces, a special task force on fighting the opioid pandemic, and serving individuals with mental health and addiction issues.  

During the COVID 19 pandemic, Jonathan served as the liaison between a Senator's Office, the Executive Chamber and State agencies, to address the needs of Upstate New York during the crisis.  In May of 2022, he joined Transfr Inc as Northeast Government Relations Manager for 9 States from Maine down to Delaware, including his home state of New York.  Jonathan’s position has since expanded into the Legislative Director for Transfr, overseeing their entire team of lobbyists across the country and serving as an expert policy and government relations resource in any given state.  Currently, Transfr is building out their evolving legislative agenda while establishing coalitions across the country, promoting Transfr’s innovative approach to workforce readiness. 

Tiffany Richardson (She/Her)
Workforce Development Board / Working Solutions Inc.

Tiffany is committed to promoting diversity and inclusion in her local community. Her workforce experience is grounded in personal experience of trying to find work and opportunity in a city that has lacked diversity. She has worked with the Health Department, local DSS, NYSDOJ and local nonprofits to identify the barriers faced by women, minorities and impoverished people. She is a board member of Johnson Park Center, Upstate Family Health Center and Zonta International. These organizations focus on giving opportunities and second chances to people that society has written off. It is her goal to share her experiences as a local girl with limited means who has managed to contribute to society. She is passionate about providing opportunity and information to enrich the lives of her community. 

Daniel Veliz (He/Him)
Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow

Daniel Veliz is the Director of External Affairs at Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow (OBT), where he oversees communications, outreach, and partnerships across the agency. A proud Mexican-American and longtime Brooklyn resident, Daniel lives in Sunset Park. He holds an Associate of Science in Multimedia Programming and Design from Borough of Manhattan Community College. His journey with OBT began as a student in their GED and clerical job training program. After obtaining his GED, he landed an internship with OBT’s marketing director. Since then, Daniel has held multiple roles within the organization, including Recruitment and Outreach Associate, Marketing Coordinator/Executive Assistant, and Communications Coordinator, before taking on his current leadership role.

Sarah Wessel (She/Her/Hers)
COOP Careers

Sarah Wessel has spent over a decade building and overseeing corporate employer partnerships and directing teams within the workforce development sector. In her current role as Managing Director of Partnerships for COOP Careers, Sarah oversees a national team responsible for building relationships with employer partners to create onramps to upwardly-mobile careers for first generation college graduates. Since joining COOP in January of 2020, Sarah has driven COOP's corporate engagement strategy and helped employers across the country build robust, diverse pipelines of talent. Outside of work, Sarah is a mother to an energetic toddler, a certified yoga instructor, and enjoys spending time outdoors in the Mid-Hudson Valley where her family resides.