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Meet The Team

Who We Are

Stephanie DiBrienza

Executive Director

Ms. DiBrienza was born and raised in Brooklyn and still lives there today. Stephanie graduated from Rider University, majoring in Communications with a minor in Event & Meeting Organization. Stephanie started her career in events at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Stephanie has spent the last 12 years at the CUNY institution moving up the ranks holding a vast variety of positions from development associate, alumni engagement, and annual fund specialist, to associate director of events.

718.270.2675

Rhoderick Brian Van Steen 

Finance Associate

Rhoderick Brian Van Steen was born in Westchester County, New York grew up in Rye, and attended Saint Thomas Aquinas College majoring in Business Administration and Accounting.  Brian first entered the world of non-profit organizations at the New York Botanical Garden in the mid-1990s, where his Aunt worked as the Director of Special Events.  He has since worked with many organizations including The Make A Wish Foundation, Albert Einstein Medical College, The Museum of Natural History, Amnesty International, Marymount Manhattan College, and many others on a consulting basis. 

718-270-4516 

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Ashanti Emmanuel

Administrative Assistant / Social Media Manager

Ms. Emmanuel was born in Brooklyn, NY, where she spent most of her early childhood. She then relocated to Florida where she attended the University of Central Florida and received her bachelor’s degree in Human Communication with a minor in Dance. In 2017 she moved to Sitges, Spain where she attained her master’s degree in dance at the Institute of the Arts Barcelona. Ashanti previously worked for The Andrew Mellon Foundation.

 718-270-4635

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