YPB Members

Anna Sargeantson (she/her), Logistics & Events Committee
Paralegal, Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
Fun Fact: I maintain a spreadsheet ranking the best New York City pizza joints. However, New Haven-style still reigns supreme in my book.
My Why: I joined the Urban Justice Center’s YPB because it allows me to support a wonderful organization doing important work to alleviate systemic discrimination and inequality. As a member, I am able to contribute to the community while learning about pressing social justice issues. I share the organization’s values and plan to devote my career in law to advocating for the historically underserved. Support my annual goal!

Anushka Kumar (she/her), Outreach Lead
CEO, The Promise We Share
Fun Fact: I try to watch the sunset at least once a week.
My Why: I joined the YPB as a means to learn more about the awesome approaches that UJC takes to comprehensively fight the poverty cycle. As a younger member, I am excited to grow my network, provide support to the team as I can, and connect UJC to student populations. Support my annual goal!

April Cardena (she/her), Events Lead
Founding Partner, Premier Strategies Inc
Fun Fact: I have national titles in Tae Kwon Do.
My Why: I joined YPB because A lot of us that grow up in poor urban areas don’t “make it out”. The institutions we grow up in limit our social mobility, prevent us from obtaining social equity, and force many into welfare programs or the criminal justice system. As a person of color, I know that institutions are stigmatized and biased – I also know how hard it is to find adequate help within our communities. It is my personal mission to work with institutions such as the Urban Justice Center, to fight for individuals who have been unjustly treated by our system and to ensure that equitable resources are distributed among all our people. Support my annual goal!

Avani Tandon (she/her)
Middle School House Advisor, The Dalton School
Fun Fact: My favorite pair of earrings have Aaron Rodgers’ face on them.
My Why: I joined the Urban Justice Center’s YBP because as an educator I believe we must model the values we wish to impart onto students. Raising awareness around social inequities is not enough; our awareness must impel action. I hope to use my privilege and platform to prioritize and amplify the voices of individuals whose rights have historically been undervalued and overlooked. Support my annual goal!

Cara Hall (she/they), Logistics & Events Committee
Senior Privacy Program Manager, Etsy
Fun Fact: I don’t have a sense of smell – not COVID-related!
My Why: My favorite part of YPB is getting more folks aware of this incredible organization! Support my annual goal! 

Cathleen Jeanty (she/her), Marketing Lead
Innovation Fellow, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Fun Fact: I’m a leftie!
My Why: I joined YPB to serve as an ambassador for the most vulnerable in New York City. I was really drawn to The Urban Justice Center’s mission to build a just, fair, and decent society, and I wanted to be a part of it. Support my annual goal!

Elsa Ramesh (she/her), Strategy & Fundraising Chair
Product Marketing Manager, Microsoft
Fun Fact: I recently published a Queer South Asian anthology, I Hope You’ll Still Love Me, that was featured in an international Pride campaign, compiling the stories of 20 Queer South Asians from around the world!
My Why: I joined YPB to create tangible, institutional change that empowers intersectional communities across New York City. My favorite part of YPB is growing my community of thought leaders who are passionate about co-creating and fighting for an equitable future for marginalized communities in New York City. Support my annual goal!

Georgia Hill (she/her), Marketing Committee
Partner & Executive Producer, STORYMARQ Productions
Fun Fact: I grew up outside of Portland, OR, and have lived in 5 other states since 2003! (Including three cross country moves!)
My Why: I joined YPB because I want to be more instrumental in advocacy and support for those who need it most. I am drawn to the work that UJC does within communities whose voices have historically been silenced and want to use my privilege and skills to enact change. Additionally, I wanted to connect with others who are dedicated to UJC’s work and expand my professional and personal network. I’m excited to join this talented and passionate group of individuals! Support my annual goal!

Gregory J. Kirsopp (he/him), Partnerships & Outreach Committee
Chief of Staff, NYS Assembly
Fun Fact: I am actually a classically trained singer who attend performing arts high school before switching gears into politics and civics!
My Why: I joined the UJC Young Professional Board as I have always had, not just a passion for activism, but an innate desire to see a reformation within our criminal justice system that shifts the dynamic away from punishment and, instead, towards a system of true rehabilitation and restitution. Joining the Young Professional Board and working alongside the larger network of the UJC has offered me an opportunity to work with peers and communities to seek a more equitable and just society. It is an honor to be able to serve. Support my annual goal!

Haley Weinreich (she/her), Co-Chair of Engagement Committee
Attorney, Dog Walker, Urban Garden Manager
Fun Fact: I’m certified to prune street trees in New York City and I love camping, fishing, birding and foraging.
My Why: I joined YPB because I love living in New York City and want to help those who make the city as great as it is. New York and the people who live here are my reason for joining the Urban Justice Center’s Young Professional Board. I wanted an opportunity to help support those who make this city as excellent as it is, and I don’t think there’s an organization that does that better than UJC. Serving on the YPB has given me so many opportunities to contribute to UJC’s mission to make New York a more just place, which has been an absolute honor. Support my annual goal!

Hanan Hassan (she/her), Engagement Committee
Private Equity Associate, Argand Partners
Fun Fact: My favorite fast casual place to eat in NYC is Naya. If you haven’t been, run, don’t walk!
My Why: I joined YPB because I want to join others in giving back to the city I now call home and play a role in improving it for all New Yorkers. Support my annual goal!

Isabel Fields (she/they), Logistics & Events Committee
ESG Coordinator, Hearst
Fun Fact: If I didn’t work in corporate responsibility, I’d open up a bakery.
My Why: I joined YPB because I wanted to be more involved with nonprofits in NYC. I started my career at the Urban Justice Center as a development associate, so giving back to UJC is a homecoming. Working at UJC gave me insight into how nonprofits work which set me up to work on nonprofit partnerships at various companies throughout my career. I’m excited to give back to a phenomenal organization that means so much to me. Support my annual goal!

Jack Lancaster (he/him), Marketing Committee
Consultant, Bain & Company
Fun Fact: I ran a team of 15 Bain volunteers to support the next frontier of UJC’s marketing strategy as they keep up the fight for social justice!
My Why: I joined YPB to feel connected to my community in NYC and to support the work that UJC does to uplift and support communities in NYC that are marginalized and their legacy of fighting for justice everyday. Support my annual goal!

Kevin O’Brien (he/him), Partnerships & Outreach Committee
Vice President, Alliance Bernstein
Fun Fact: I was born and raised in Atlanta, but my mom, dad, sister and brother are all from New York. Ironically I am now the only one living here.
My Why: My family and I have always been a big supporter of UJC and I can think of no greater privilege then to work with the amazing individuals of the YPB and do what I can to grow the cause. Support my annual goal!

Lia Newman (she/her), Logistics & Events Committee
Office Manager & Paralegal, Brafman & Associates, P.C.
Fun Fact: I slept in a tent at Mount Everest base camp!
My Why: I joined the Urban Justice Center’s Young Professionals Board to collaborate with like-minded young professionals in furthering social justice initiatives both within my community and beyond. While it is difficult to select just one favorite part of YPB, I value the amount of responsibility that we are awarded in effecting meaningful change. Support my annual goal!

 Manuel Pereira-Arias (he/him), Co-Chair of the Young Professional Board
Investment Analyst, World Bank Group
Fun Fact: My first job was as an actor on a Spanish film set at the age of 8. 
My Why: I joined YPB because I wanted to advocate for a more fair and just society. As the son of a Queens-native, I have always felt a strong bond to the diverse and vibrant communities that make up New York, and through YPB I have the incredible opportunity to give back and tackle critical causes that affect the everyday lives of thousands of people across the city. Support my annual goal!

Matthew Thornburg (he/him), Partnerships & Outreach Committee 
Associate, Schulte Roth & Zabel LLC
Fun Fact: Before starting work I through-hiked the Superior Hiking Trail, a 300 mile path along the coast of Lake Superior.
My Why: I joined YPB because I wanted to involve myself more in different communities throughout New York City and especially one that is aimed at serving New Yorkers. At the same time, I wanted to leverage my career to make a difference in ways that I would not normally have the opportunity to. Support my annual goal!

Michael Ogoszewski (he/him), Partnerships & Outreach Lead
Senior Manager State & Local Tax, Ernst & Young
Fun Fact: I am a six time NYCOED Soccer champion (surpassing Brazil’s record for World Cups).
My Why: I joined YPB to both learn about and contribute to the ways that UJC makes a difference in New York City communities. Being part of the YPB will also help me make an indirect impact on the work the UJC does in my community. Support my annual goal!

Morgan Rubin (she/her), Co-Chair of Engagement Committee
Director of DEI Communications, NFL
Fun Fact: When I was a consultant at an agency right out of college, UJC was my client (and one of my favorites)!
My Why: I joined YPB because I wanted to find new ways to support UJC’s incredible work. UJC’s multi-faceted approach to fighting for vulnerable and marginalized communities is something I’ve long admired, and I look forward to helping in any way I can. Support my annual goal!

Nati Yemane (she/her), Board Coordinator
Senior Solutions Architect, MongoDB
Fun Fact: I am originally from Addis Abeba, Ethiopia; I moved to the United States at the age of 4.
My Why: The pandemic magnified the various degrees inequality, particularly in how laws effect minorities and those in underprivileged communities. I joined YPB because of the work of UJC and its commitment to making legal representation accessible to underserved communities while fighting for social justice reform. Support my annual goal!

Pamela Azard (she/her)
Operations Program Manager, Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School
Fun Fact: I’m a freelance photographer (love taking pictures of people) and love a good film/series. My goal is to direct a movie or series one day!
My Why: I joined Urban Justice Center’s Young Professional Board because I take pride in being from NYC (Brooklyn) and value being a part of an organization that prioritizes social justice issues. I want to use my Criminal Justice expertise to raise awareness about the effects of incarceration, economic disparities and mental health crises that are often ignored in the communities I identify with. Support my annual goal!

Princess Sutherland (she/her), Co-Chair of the Young Professional Board
Account Executive, LifeSci Communications
Fun Fact: I’ve traveled to 20+ countries!
My Why: I joined the young professional board at the Urban Justice Center because I want to make a difference in the lives of the young men and women in the city who have been affected by the justice system, especially underserved youth who are disproportionately affected. I felt this would be a great opportunity to take action in an area that I am passionate about and learn more about the initiatives that could result in better outcomes for all those affected within the community. Support my annual goal!

Sam Peinado (he/him), Partnerships & Outreach Committee
Senior Product Manager, Voltus Inc.
Fun Fact: I was a child actor and am a SAG-AFTRA union member.
My Why: I joined YPB to engage my community around poverty as an urgent crisis in NYC. My hope is to learn more about the challenges, solutions, and systems behind why this problem continues to exist in our city, one of the richest and most liberal in the world. Support my annual goal!

Tess Adams (she/her), Logistics Lead
Events Coordinator, José Andrés Group
Fun Fact: I was a child performer and grew up singing with symphony orchestras around the country.
My Why: I joined YPB in order to aid rehabilitation efforts in my home city, especially witnessing the effects on at-risk and marginalized populations following Covid-19. Additionally, I believe in the organization’s efforts to empower our communities through accessible legal resources and education. I am excited to be part of a community of young people who share a similar passion for social change and to hear directly from community leaders. Support my annual goal!