Meet the StreetWise Team

Executive Team

Shari Krull
Chief Executive Officer

  • Shari (she/her/hers) joined StreetWise Partners in 2015, after serving as the Executive Director of Grace Institute, a workforce development organization that trained women to enter the health care sector. Shari spent her early career supporting vulnerable families within the foster care and mental health systems.  Shari served as an advocate for the District Attorney’s office in Brooklyn where she empowered survivors of domestic violence. In the early 2000’s, Shari transitioned into the mentoring field, spending 11 years with Bigs and Littles, where she held positions of Program Director, Development Director and Managing Director.

    Shari has a Masters degree in Social Work from Columbia University and she served as an Adjunct Professor for New York University. She is a member of the Board of Trustees for the New York City Employment and Training Coalition and the Ready Foundation.  Shari works in New York City but lives on Long Island with her two children, 5 fish and their beloved bearded dragon. In her spare time, Shari enjoys dancing, traveling and embarrassing her teenage sons.

Lauren Silberstein
Chief Program Officer

  • Lauren Silberstein (she/her/hers) joined StreetWise Partners in November 2015 and oversees all aspects of programming. She is a Licensed Masters Social Worker (LMSW), receiving her Masters degree in Social Work from Columbia University. Lauren started her career supporting survivors of domestic violence and quickly recognized how important financial stability is for survivors and their families. She also became deeply aware of the opportunity gap that prevents communities from obtaining financial stability and became a strong advocate for closing that gap. Overall, Lauren has 20 years of management and program development experience working in non-profit organizations that serve underrepresented communities, 15 years have been in workforce development. Lauren lives on Long Island with her husband, three daughters, and her labradoodle named Charlie.

Nicole Carrea
Chief Partnerships Officer

  • Nicole (she/her/hers) is a demonstrated fundraiser with over a decade of experience, primarily in corporate philanthropy. She joined StreetWise Partners as a volunteer mentor in 2016 and was incredibly inspired by the talent and drive of the mentees she met. Motivated by the opportunity to expand that impact, Nicole joined as an employee in 2019 to envision and build the corporate partnerships program. As a first-generation college graduate and daughter of an immigrant small business owner, Nicole is passionate about creating opportunity and access for every individual to pursue their dreams. She is honored to do that work alongside the amazing community at StreetWise Partners.

Sherrie Streit Ager
Chief Development Officer

  • Sherrie (she/her/hers) is a skilled team leader, advisor and strategic philanthropy specialist, with extensive experience in the fields of media, strategic fundraising and non-profit management. She recently held leadership positions at UNICEF USA, where she managed the New York regional market and then expanded their fundraising nationally into new markets. She also held leadership roles at International Crisis Group and Independent Diplomat, where she served as Chief Development Officer.

    Sherrie brings nearly 20 years of fundraising experience working with non-profit institutions in the fields of international development, education, health, conflict resolution and social advocacy. Sherrie held leadership fundraising roles with two private independent schools in Manhattan, where she served as Deputy Director of Development. Sherrie served as an executive consultant with CCS Fundraising, a fundraising consulting firm that manages fundraising campaigns for non-profits. During her time at CCS, Sherrie managed several capital campaigns and development initiatives, including playing an integral role in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s $200 million dollar capital campaign.

    Before her career in fundraising, Sherrie worked in the media sector as a reporter and producer, covering international business, economics, and international politics. Sherrie earned her Master’s Degree from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs and Bachelor’s Degree from George Washington University.

Stephanie Hudson
Chief Marketing Officer
Fractional Consultant

  • Stephanie (she/her/hers) has been leading Marketing at StreetWise since January 2023 and is passionate about the mission and power of mentorship. She is the Founder and CEO of Hudson Crossings, a fractional CMO and marketing strategy consultancy. Stephanie's career combines strategic vision, expansive thinking, operational excellence, and leadership skills. Her marketing expertise includes audience engagement, brand development, digital marketing, website and social media strategy, customer marketing, customer experience research, corporate and donor communications, customer advocacy, and more.

    Stephanie spent many years in both the business world and non-profits, having been a founding Board President, and led multiple advisory boards and committees. She loves to travel, enjoying delicious food and wine wherever she goes. She also golfs, scuba dives, skis, dances her heart out, practices meditation and yoga, cooks, paints, makes pottery, and takes photographs to express her creative energy.

New York Program Team

Dave Font
Senior Program Director

  • Dave (he/him/his) joined StreetWise Partners in January 2019. He holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from Rutgers University – Newark and a master’s degree in Human Resource Development from Clemson University. Dave has spent his entire career working in nonprofits, spending most of his time working in youth development before finding his way to StreetWise Partners. Dave is passionate about using his experience and background in putting together high-quality program and learning experiences that help jobseekers improve their job search skills. Dave is an avid reader, loves spending time with his wife and kids, and spends too much money on comic books.

María Elena Fraga
Client Services Manager

  • María Elena (she, her, hers) joined StreetWise Partners in May of 2017. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Duquesne University and is a New York University certified coach. Previous to making the switch to the non-profit sector, she had experience working in the television, fashion and beauty industries. She is passionate about leveling the playing field and connecting underrepresented communities with career advancement opportunities. María Elena enjoys traveling, salsa dancing and finding mid century modern treasures at vintage shops.

Lyra Yang
Program Coordinator

  • Lyra (she/her/hers) joined StreetWise Partners in May 2023. She currently provides administrative support for the program, assists with mentee/mentor recruitment and employment services. Hailing from China, Lyra holds an MFA degree in Writing for the Screen and Stage from Northwestern University and has worked as an educator and writer before joining StreetWise. As an artist, she strives to promote visibility and equality for marginalized communities, and she feels very privileged to be a part of StreetWise, where she can contribute to making this a reality in the workforce. Outside of her professional and artistic pursuits, Lyra enjoys traveling, meeting new people, and binge-watching her favorite shows.

Todd Gayle
Volunteer Services Manager

  • Todd Gayle (he/him/his) is a native New Yorker with a passion for community building. He joined Streewise Partners is the fall of 2023 as the Volunteer Services Manager. Before coming to Streetwise Partners his career journey has taken him from hospitality services to community engagement and many points in between. Todd strives to help provide the professional and economic resources his community has historically lacked. In his free time Todd loves podcasts, sports, music, and the movie theater experience.

D.C. Metro Program Team

Camille Shannon
Senior Program Director

  • Camille (she/her/hers) joined StreetWise Partners in February 2023 as the Sr. Program Director for the DC location. Originally from Miami, Florida, Camille came to the DC region to attend Howard University and found her love for Workforce Development and Career Development. Realizing there are many ways for people to become successful. Camille has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 20 years working with various populations to include re-entry, Welfare to work, Dislocated Workers and Young Adults. Camille approaches everything with a positive demeanor and creatively thinks outside the box to get things done. She has obtained her Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF) certificate and is trained in Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT). In her free time, Camille enjoys traveling, spending time with her husband and engaging in DIY projects around the house.

Simitha Gopal
Volunteer Services Manager

  • Simitha joined StreetWise Partners in September 2017. She manages the White & Case and Gallup programs in addition to mentee recruitment for the D.C. region. Prior to StreetWise Partners, she was the Program Specialist at Northern Virginia Family Service in the housing department where she aided homeless and low-income clients to obtain rental assistance. Simitha holds a Master’s degree in Commerce from the University of Mumbai in India. Simitha is enthusiastic about volunteerism and has coordinated special events such as the International Yoga Day on the National Mall. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, meditation and cooking.

Dwayne King
Client Services Manager

  • Dwayne King (he/him/his) joined Streetwise Partners on June 4th, 2024. He started his career in the Higher Education arena and has worked in a variety of roles for over 12 plus years where he impacted the lives of hundreds of students. He later transitioned into the Workforce Development arena where he helped to build and maintain lasting relationships with Government agencies, Non-Profits and Community Based organizations, Colleges/Universities and Private Sector organizations. He also recruited and qualified numerous candidates for Occupational Skills Training, Work Experience and On-the-job training programs for roughly 6 years.

    Dwayne considers himself to be an advocate for changing lives, and firmly believes in the saying, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”. Dwayne also enjoys spending time with family, outdoor activities, traveling, working in his yard and completing DIY projects.

    Dwayne is very excited to be on the Streetwise Partners team and looks forward to contributing to the continued growth of the organization.

Brianna Brown
Program Support Coordinator

  • Brianna Brown (she/her) is a first-generation Jamaican-American and a recent Virginia Tech graduate. While pursuing her B.S. in Psychology, Brianna uncovered her passion for social justice, advocacy, and community building through several mentorship and leadership roles. These passions led her to StreetWise Partners in July 2024, as she found appreciation in the company wide mission to foster economic equity. Brianna served as a Communications Assistant for the Virginia Rural Health Association (VRHA) where she was tasked with disseminating useful information and resources pertaining to the welfare and unique disparities of rural Virginia communities in order to raise awareness and support ongoing initiatives.

    During undergrad, Brianna served as President for Virginia Tech’s chapter of The Association of Black Psychologists (ABPsi). In this role, Brianna successfully curated an inclusive space for Black psychology majors across campus. As a devoted Thai food connoisseur, Brianna spends her weekends frequenting various Thai spots in the DMV with friends and family.

Talent Services Team

Olivia Martinez
Talent Development Lead

  • Olivia (she/her/hers) graduated from Fordham University with a bachelor's degree in international political economy and minors in business administration and economics. Before joining StreetWise Partners in 2021, she completed a year of service through the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and AmeriCorps. Olivia worked at an employment resource center in Phoenix, Arizona where she assisted people who were experiencing homelessness with their job searches. At StreetWise, she provides individual coaching and hosts group events each month to assist program alumni during their job or internship searches. She loves to empower others to achieve their goals and become more confident in their capabilities. During her free time, you can find Olivia strolling in Riverside Park, exploring a museum, or cooking delicious food for her friends and family.

Iban Vazquez
Talent Services Lead

  • Iban Vazquez (he/him/his) is a first-generation Latinx American, with a B.A. in Sociology from Hunter College. He joined StreetWise Partners as a mentee in Spring 2021 and later as a staff member for New York’s Program Team. With a career trajectory that spans retail client service, to working for the U.S. Census in the government sector, Iban is honored to align his goals with StreetWise Partners' mission and community. Born and raised in Queens, Iban advocates for the diversity that he sees in his community to be equally reflected in the workforce. Outside of empowering his community, Iban is a nature enthusiast, Funko Pop Collector, and music aficionado.

Partnerships Team

Ori Balaish
Corporate Engagement Manager

  • Ori Balaish (he/him) is a proud Israeli American, having obtained not only an undergraduate degree in Psychology with a Minor in Film Studies from Lafayette College but also a Masters Degree in Global Public Health from Imperial College of London. Presently, he is concluding a graduate program that will culminate in a Master’s degree in Global Public Health, emphasizing Health Equity. Ori embarked on his journey with Streetwise Partners in July 2023 and has since held the role of Corporate Engagement Manager. With diverse professional experiences ranging from his role in the Special Education Division for the NYC Department of Education to his pivotal position at the New York State Department of Health, Ori is deeply committed to Streetwise Partners' mission and its community. Born & raised in New York, Ori champions the belief that diverse communities should be reflected in our workplaces. When he's not advocating for economic equity, Ori immerses himself in the world of film and storytelling, spends time reading and writing, indulges in stand-up comedy and live sports, and passionately works towards breaking mental health stigmas.

Yiechia Warren
Corporate Engagement Assistant

  • Yiechia Warren (she/her/hers) joined Streetwise Partners in April 2024 after a varied career across college access, admissions counseling, and talent acquisition with recruiting across several professional service industries. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication from Texas A&M University. Her background as a first-generation college graduate and passion for giving back to others led her to discover Streetwise Partners at a pivotal time in her personal and professional life. The opportunity to pivot back into the nonprofit world and to join a mission-driven organization was the burst of energy and excitement she was looking for.

    Having spent her youth growing up abroad, her exposure to different cultures, people and environments helped to mold her into an empathetic, progressive and open-minded individual that has strived for equality for all. She is excited to bring this passion and energy into her daily work at Streetwise Partners in helping participants reach their dreams and full potential. In her free time, Yiechia enjoys traveling, going to concerts, reading and listening to podcasts.

Operations Team

Luka Bushurishvili
Director of Operations

  • Luka (he/him/his) is an alumnus of StreetWise Partners Winter 2020 cycle. In July 2021, he solidified his commitment to the organization and its mission by joining the team on a full-time basis. Originally hailing from Georgia, he has proudly considered himself a member of the New York City community since 2013. Luka's deep sense of fulfillment within StreetWise Partners stems from the organization's unwavering dedication to fostering growth, both for the individuals the organization serves and for those who contribute to company mission.

Dee Dee Wilson
Director of People and Community

  • Dee Dee (she/her/hers) is a southern native but enjoys the adventure and excitement of living in the DMV. Her professional background includes customer service, recruiting, and human resource management. These experiences help Dee Dee to understand multiple sides of the business including operations. She specializes in interpersonal relations, problem-solving, and process optimization.

    Dee Dee is a proud first-generation graduate of Colorado Technical University. She holds a Bachelor of Science and Business Administration majoring in Human Resource Management. She spent five years as an HR volunteer for her church leading career services initiatives, including interview preparation, resume writing, and networking.

    Dee Dee is committed to making a positive impact on the community and passionate about mentoring others, particularly underrepresented individuals seeking career services. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her three boys, learning new skills, visiting the beach, and cooking.

Development Team

Liliana Cepeda
Development Coordinator

  • Liliana Cepeda (she/her/hers) first joined the Streetwise Partners community as a mentee in the NYC program in 2020. Her time as a mentee allowed her to recognize her passion for supporting her community and interest in working within the nonprofit sector. She recently graduated from Baruch College with a Bachelors in Business Administration, majoring in Entrepreneurship. Liliana is excited to give back to the Streetwise Partners community and work towards the mission of advancing economic equity for underrepresented communities. Liliana also enjoys reading and traveling!

Marketing Team

Kristen Fitzgerald
Graphic/Web Designer, Social Media Manager, Consultant

  • Kristen (she/her/hers) has been with the StreetWise team since January 2023. She comes to the team as an accomplished web and graphic designer, social media strategist and performance measure expert. She is the owner of Kristen Fitzgerald Design, which creates brand-specific websites, social media campaigns, content strategies, logos, pitch decks, and a wide variety of other marketing materials. Kristen’s specialty is creating digital marketing assets that visually express the power, personality and purpose behind a client’s brand. She is highly skilled at understanding audience engagement metrics and implementing tactical adjustments to achieve targeted objectives. Kristen’s clients range from small businesses, non-profit organizations, and large corporations spanning a variety of industries. Kristen takes a multi-faceted approach to building a client’s brand with deep experience across platforms such as Squarespace, Wordpress, Canva, Adobe Illustrator, Google Analytics, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and more.

    In her personal time, Kristen enjoys hiking with her husband and dog, DIY furniture flips, trying new recipes, studying new formats of art and designs, and diving into true crime books and documentaries.