Hudu Ahmed, MSB

Controller

Accounting and Taxation have been my area of special interest. I oversee the CHF accounting department. I am responsible for the preparation of Financial statements, Budgeting and Reporting. I am responsible for preparing audit schedules, and compliance with (GAAP). I have overseen the implementation of accounting software and AP software, payrolls and pensions. During my tenure with the Children’s Health Fund, I implemented cost-savings measures, payroll and pension reporting improvements, as well as streamlining audit analysis. I was part of the team that worked on several grants, such Bush Clinton Katrina, Idol Gift donation Budgets and reporting.

I am also an IRS Enrolled licensed Agent to represent individuals with tax issues / Tax preparation and consults with Intuit to help tax customers during tax season.

Peggy Castor, LMSW

Content & Training Manager, Healthy and Ready to Learn

I began working at Child Health Fund in late March 2022. I am a licensed clinician who has been in the field for 11 years. I made the transition from an Outpatient Mental Health Therapist collaborating with patients who experience severe mental illness (at the height of the pandemic) to functioning as our Training and Content Manager via Healthy Ready to Learn. My clinical expertise spans multiple populations, including extensive work with disenfranchised children and families.

In my career as a Licensed Social Worker, I have worn various hats as a therapist, clinical substance counselor, ACS consultant, and supervisor who oversaw families within the ACS system mandated to a final treatment intervention (therapy that supported mitigation of risk factors that impinged child and family development). As the Training and Content Manager, I continue to use my expertise to support mental illness and trauma education, specifically during early childhood. </p?

Kevin Chung

Systems and Network Administrator

I am the Systems and Network Administrator for Childrens Health Fund. In my current role in our Information Systems and Technology department, I contribute to the success of the organization, supporting its entire mission. Prior to joining The Childrens Health Fund, I worked for Charter Schools where I served as Director of Information Technology throughout the Tri-State area. In addition to my career, I was also honored as Technician of the year for the Central Islip School District. I earned an A.S from LaGuardia Community College and a B.S from Farmingdale State University. Over the years, I have earned multiple certifications and experience to fit my values and growth.

Heather Cunningham

Project Manager, Development, Communications, and Archives

A seasoned arts administrator, I joined CHF in 2019 working with the Development and Communications department as a Coordinator. Realizing that the organization lacked an organized archive, I began creating one and in 2022 became a Project Manager and Archivist. I have a B.F.A. in Theatre Performance from Denison University, and work as both an actor and artistic director of the award-winning Indie Theater company, Retro Productions.

Shay Gines

Senior Administrative Director

I have over 20 years of experience in administration, office management, facilities, human resources, and IT. I have previously worked for Montefiore Medical Center in the cardiology department and at the National Center for Disaster Preparedness.

Angelika Gutiérrez, MPH

Senior Manager, Research, Evaluation and Learning

I currently lead the organization’s equity-focused monitoring and evaluation projects, annual data reporting collection periods, and efforts to conduct multisite research. I received my master’s in public health from Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, with a concentration in mixed-methods research, and I have conducted quantitative, qualitative and evaluation projects both domestically and abroad, in English and Spanish. My work within research has been dedicated to using my mixed-methods skills to advance programs aimed at improving health outcomes of children and families from underserved communities similar to my own.

Chanya Holness, MPA

Coordinator, Policy and Advocacy

I research, write about, and advocate for policies that improve access to healthcare for children growing up in under-resourced communities. In this role, I meet with legislators and child health and education organizations to advocate for school-based Medicaid expansion and other policies that seek to advance health equity.

During my time at CHF, I co-authored an op-ed published in the Opinion Pages about racial, ethnic, and income-based inequities in the child vaccine roll-out. I additionally served as a panelist on a Zoom briefing about the impact of gun violence on youth.

I have previous experience as a Community Development and Conservation intern at Greenburgh Town Hall, a casework intern in the office of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and a Development intern at My Sisters’ Place.

I received a B.A. in Sociology from Stony Brook University and am currently pursuing an MPA (Health Care Policy concentration) from Baruch College.

Rebecca Kalejaye

Foundations & Corporate Relations Director

I serve as the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations where I am responsible for building innovative and impactful partnerships with corporations and foundations that further CHF’s vision and mission. I have over 20 years of experience formulating successful strategies, and securing gifts from corporations and foundations. Prior to CHF, I was the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations at William Paterson University, and Manager of Corporate and Foundation Relations at Saint Peter’s University, and Foundation Manager at UNICEF USA.

I hold a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) focused in Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies from Sarah Lawrence College.

Elizabeth Mahon

Executive Assistant, Office of the President & CEO

I’m an Executive Assistant with years of experience working for investment banks, non-profits, and media conglomerates. I joined Children’s Health Fund in 2017, working for the Office of the President and CEO and with the Board of Directors. I have a B.S. in Drama from Syracuse University. A former actress and producer, I’m also a published author with works including Scandalous Women and Pretty Evil New York.

Maisel Mazier

Manager, Development

After earning my Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from Syracuse University, I entered the non-profit world to explore my passion for relationship development and project management. In addition to my primary job functions as the Senior Development Manager where I help steward our institutional donor relationships, I am acquiring digital marketing skills to help advance the important mission of Children’s Health Fund. I currently live in New Jersey with my lovely wife and our two toddler sons. When I am not keeping busy you can find me spending time with my family, reading, and working out.

Zakaria Nagi

Coordinator, Finance

I am an account payable specialist who provides financial and administrative support for the Children’s Health Fund. I have played a role in improving payments, reporting, and audit-friendly processes.

As an account payable specialist, I oversee payments and control expenses by receiving, processing, verifying, and reconciling invoices. I am also responsible for end-of-month reporting, credit card transaction authentication, and bank reconciliation. During my tenure at the Children’s Health Fund, I led the transition to become a paperless department while utilizing new systems to improve payments, invoice approvals, financial record keeping, and budget reports. I received a B.S. in accounting from Lehman College.

Madison Newton, MPP

Program Officer

I joined CHF as Program Officer in 2020 upon completion of my Master of Public Policy from the University of Toronto. In my role, I support our national network partners through project planning, grant management, program evaluation, and advocacy support. I am committed to amplifying community voices within healthcare policy and programming, which I demonstrate through my leadership of CHF’s Community Health Equity Convenings series. I collaborate with national network providers and external partners to facilitate opportunities for knowledge sharing and the development of proven practices to improve the quality of care across our network. Prior to CHF, I worked for the Ontario Ministry of Indigenous Affairs, advising on legislative solutions to support Indigenous social and economic advancement.

Bryan Olmstead, MS

Senior Research Programmer

I administer and develop CHF’s enterprise systems including data warehouses, school-based health information systems, custom reports and analytics, web-based administration and operations tools, data integrity and security along with systems administration and network design and implementation. While working at CHF some of my projects have included creating CHF’s EHR pseudo-asynchronous replication system, immunization registry interfaces, , and city-wide reproductive health and high risk behavior information management systems. I have also managed mobile clinic information systems, clinical information technology for our academic medical center partner programs, and developed first responder telecommunications systems.

I received my Masters degree in Medical Informatics at Oregon Health and Science University.

Mehul Patel

Desktop Support Specialist

I am an experienced and highly motivated Desktop Support Specialist with a passion for helping others. I have over 10 years of IT experience working with both hardware and software troubleshooting. My primary role has been within the healthcare sector, primarily providing technical support to health & Admin professionals ensuring their computers are running smoothly, securely, and efficiently.

I am currently employed as a Desktop Support Specialist for the Children’s Health Fund (CHF). With CHF, I provide quality customer service and technical assistance in regards to computer set up and maintenance. My duties include troubleshooting back-end systems, user management issues, application errors/issues etc., as well as offering advice to users regarding best practices for safe computing. My certifications include Comptia A+, Comptia Network+, and Comptia Security+. Additionally, I stay up-to-date on emerging technologies that can improve system performance or security standards at our organization’s locations.

Jennifer Pruitt

Assistant Vice President, Information Systems and Technology

I specialize in public health technology, heading the development of innovative clinical data collection systems, web-facing clinical tools, and data models. In my current role, I have also overseen a substantial upgrade of CHF’s systems architecture and software, modernizing the organization’s approach to operational technology.

During my long tenure with CHF, I have been responsible for heading an implementation team for electronic health record systems, overseeing trainings in clinical technology around the US, and working with departments of health and other organizations to improve quality, consistency, and accountability in patient care. I have also developed award-winning health literacy tools and websites and led the team implementation of CHF’s online course delivery system. I received a B.S. in Medical Anthropology from the University of Alabama.

Jill Reinhardt

Senior Director, Individual Giving and Development Operations

I am a development generalist with 20 years of experience creating and implementing development strategies for organizations with community-based, citywide, national, and global reach. I began my career at J.C. Geever, and have held senior development positions at The New School, CUNY School of Professional Studies, Services & Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE), and Bronx Charter School for the Arts. I hold a B.A. in psychology and sociology from Miami University in Ohio.

Sandhya Sewnauth

Coordinator, Programs

I am privileged to be part of the team that supports healthcare providers in under-resourced communities across the country. In my current role, I develop language for grant applications and manage deliverables for our clinical partners. In supporting the national network, I have created an educational series for clinicians focused on incorporating mental health care in primary care. I also regularly update our internal site with resources and plan CHF’s annual conference, which encourages knowledge sharing and community building across partner sites. I assist our department with executing exciting projects to address social drivers of health, including our community health equity convenings.

As a native New Yorker and the daughter of immigrants, I have been drawn to the field of public health from an early age. With interests in building equitable, sustainable solutions to health challenges, and understanding the importance of community pediatrics, my values immediately aligned with those of CHF. I received a B.A. in Neuroscience from Middlebury College.

Chloe Smith, MPH

Director, Programs

I am the Director of Programs at Children’s Health Fund. I support National Network partners in their efforts to promote health and wellbeing among children and families in marginalized communities. I earned a Masters in Public Health from the Mailman School of Public Health in 2017, before which I worked at a not-for-profit legal and social work services organization supporting parents and families involved with Child Protective Services in New York City.

Angie Vega

Assistant Director, Healthy and Ready to Learn

As the Assistant Director of the Healthy and Ready to Learn (HRL) Initiative at the Children’s Health Fund, I play a pivotal role in overseeing the grassroots operations of our program in order to address universal needs within the school communities we serve. Driven by the belief that each of us can thrive when we foster a climate that is fair, just, free, and healthy I specialize in boosting community engagement by elevating voices and building strategic partnerships with the goal of generating important information that strengthens the school’s community capacity to face health challenges rooted in socioeconomic disparities. At the College of New Rochelle, I majored in Psychology and Communications while earning a BA in Liberal Arts.

Anthony Vila

Senior Database and Research Manager

I focus on data systems, development, prospect research, and data hygiene for our financial systems. In my current role I am accelerating the turnover in how fast we receive gifts, process them into our database, and give recognition to our donors.

Before working with CHF, I have worked on congressional and presidential political campaigns, progressive consultancies, and healthcare unions in the northwest. I built the data architecture behind an award winning website that showed the interconnected web of donors in the 2008 presidential campaign. I received a B.A. in Government and Economics from Harvard University.