WILMA ALVARADO-LITTLE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, OFFICE OF PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICE For over 25 years, Wilma Alvarado-Little has been a strong voice advocating for linguistically and culturally-appropriate healthcare services. She worked as a medical interpreter and a trainer, and has been instrumental in the implementation of hospital and clinic based interpreter programs. Wilma worked tirelessly to educate healthcare institutions on the implementation of hospital and community-based interpreter programs and the role of the medical interpreter. She participated in efforts led by the Joint Commission, American Medical Association and the Office of Minority Health and serves on various state and national advisory boards. In addition to the Fellowship, Wilma also serves as Director of Community Engagement and Outreach at the Center for the Elimination of Health Disparities, University at Albany where she researches access and barriers to healthcare for populations in smaller cities. Wilma is pursuing a Master in Social Work, University at Albany. At the New York State Department of Health, Wilma continues to examine issues she is most passionate about. PAULINA BERRIOS NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF TEMPORARY & DISABILITY ASSISTANCE, BUREAU OF REFUGEE & IMMIGRANT ASSISTANCE A native of Chile, Paulina was recognized by the government of Chile as being among its future leaders in guiding the country s higher educational system. She researched and taught Gender, Human Rights, and Multiculturalism, and advised the Chilean government on several projects related to women s rights. Paulina is pursuing a doctorate in Educational Administration and Policy at the University at Albany s School of Education. She is the recipient of several awards and Fellowships including the Chilean Council for Higher Education award and the School of Education s Harbison Fellowship, awarded to graduate students of outstanding promise. Paulina wishes to return to Chile upon completion of her doctorate to advance women s equal participation in the community, civil society and government. At the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, Paulina is researching and recommending policies related to the prevention of bullying and hate crimes in New York State schools.
GRACE EGBE INTERGOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS Originally from Cameroon in West Africa, Grace Egbe was born and raised in a community where she was directly affected by discrimination against girls and women. She decided at an early age to acquire the education and skills needed to promote positive cultural and structural change. To fulfill that promise, Grace came to the United States to further her education on International Human Rights Law, after obtaining her bachelor s degree in Law in Cameroon. She attended Howard University School of Law in Washington DC, where she obtained a Master in Law. Grace s interest in public affairs and human services has led her to work and volunteer for several not-for-profit organizations in New York State. She has a keen interest in workforce development issues and a passion for advocating for the rights of disconnected youth, domestic violence victims and immigrants. At the New York State Department of Labor, Grace is deepening her understanding of these issues, which will strengthen her ability to provide critical services to at-risk populations. KAREN GALVIN NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, CENTER FOR COMMUNITY HEALTH Karen is pursuing a Masters of Public Health at the School of Public Health, University at Albany. Karen began her professional career working for a human resources consulting company in Boston, MA. During this time she volunteered monthly at a local women s shelter, as well as weekly with the AIDS Action Committee. Through her volunteer and professional experiences, Karen realized her passion was working with marginalized communities to promote positive health outcomes. She recently completed two internships, one examining childhood obesity with children enrolled in the Troy, NY Head Start program, and the other implementing a syringe disposal program in Greene County, NY. These experiences have deepened Karen s desire to work on positively influencing health outcomes through responsive public policy. Karen continues her work in public health with the Center for Community Health, NYS Department of Health.
SARAH HORAN FAMILY SERVICES, DIVISION OF CHILDCARE Sarah is currently pursuing a Masters of Public Administration at Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy with a concentration in Local Government Management and Public Finance. Sarah s passion for government and public service has shaped her professional and personal pursuits. Motivated by a conviction that healthy democracies are a function of a civically engaged population, she worked with several organizations dedicated to community organizing and positive social change. In 2007, Sarah was a New York State Senate Intern for Senator Caesar Trunzo, where she gained critical knowledge of the political system and the public policy process. Sarah also worked on higher education policy and completed an internship at the New York State Attorney General s Office. At the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Sarah is deepening her knowledge of developing and implementing programs and policies that benefit all New Yorkers. SUFIA KHANAM DIVISION OF LABOR STANDARDS Sufia is currently pursuing a Masters in Economic Forecasting and Statistics at the College of Arts and Sciences, University at Albany. In addition to her graduate studies, Sufia also teaches Macroeconomics at a local college. She has received academic distinction for her strong quantitative analysis skills and her grasp of how economic policies shape the development and economic health of the nation. A native of Bangladesh, Sufia speaks Bengla, Hindi and Urdu. At the New York State Department of Labor, Division of Labor Standards, Sufia works on advancing the Division's mission of enforcing and upholding New York State s labor laws. Sufia holds a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial and Mathematical Science from University at Albany.
SANDRA PABIS FAMILY SERVICES, DIVISION OF JUVENILE JUSTICE AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUTH Sandra is pursuing a Masters in Communication, specializing in Political Communication, at the University at Albany. Prior to attending the University at Albany, Sandra graduated with honors from SUNY Oneonta, where she earned a B.S. in Communication Studies with a concentration in public relations. Sandra s research interests include the unethical use of persuasion in campaigns, the treatment of women in advertising and the media, rhetoric, and the role of communication in the political process. Sandra identifies with the challenges facing contemporary women, and is committed to improving the conditions of underrepresented and misrepresented Americans. Sandra worked closely with special needs children as a volunteer in the Rome City School District, an experience she deeply values. At the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, Sandra is strengthening knowledge and skills necessary to form effective policies that address issues facing women and children. SUSAN PERKINS CAREER DEVELOPMENT AND YOUTH INITIATIVES OFFICE Susan is a lifelong learner who has twenty years of experience in the educational field. Susan s passion is to improve educational outcomes for impoverished children and their families. For most of her career, she has worked for the City School District of Albany as a teacher, department chair and administrator. In 1997 while attending the University at Albany, she received the Graduate Student Organization's Outstanding Student Leadership Award and a Minority Graduate Student Fellowship. During that time, Susan earned a M.S. in Special Education graduating with a 4.0 average. For the past eight years, she provided technical assistance to several educational institutions in the Capital District. She is currently a doctoral student studying career preparation programs in the Educational Administration and Policy Studies program, School of Education, University at Albany. At the New York State Department of Labor, Susan is examining programs that engage disconnected youth.
WENDY PRUDENCIO BUREAU OF IMMIGRANT RIGHTS Wendy s decision to pursue a Masters in Social Work at Columbia University was inspired by her encounter with the hardships that the elderly and the poor face. Her work as a Director of the Henry Street Settlement Senior Center and as a Program Officer for Citymeals-on-Wheels, an organization that serves over 16,000 homebound seniors, deepened her awareness of the complex challenges facing this population and fueled her interest in promoting public policy solutions to these challenges. A passionate advocate for the rights of disenfranchised and vulnerable groups, including older adults, Wendy is also pursuing a Master in Public Administration at Columbia University s School of International and Public Affairs. She wishes to employ her professional experience and academic expertise to advancing policies that ensure the dignity of all groups. At the New York State Department of Labor, Wendy examines the needs of immigrant workers. ALEISE RICHARDS FAMILY SERVICES, DIVISION OF CHILDCARE Aleise is pursuing a Masters in Africana Studies at the University at Albany with a concentration in African American History, specific to education and socioeconomic status. Aleise hopes to pursue a career in social work and implement programs that have a positive impact on children and teens. Driven by her passion for promoting racially and culturally competent educational and recreational programs for youth, Aleise has worked and volunteered for a number of communitybased, youth serving organizations, including the Boys & Girls Club of Albany. As a 2011 Fellow on Women & Public Policy, she hopes to gain a deeper understanding of the policies, programs and services that affect the well-being of children and families throughout New York State. Her work with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services promises to help further her experience in developing and implementing policies, programs and services that promote positive change in underserved communities.