Advisory Board

Thomas Conigliaro, Chair, Goldman Sachs
- Thomas Conigliaro is a managing director of the Equity Products Group in New York. He is primarily focused on building and developing global soft dollar, directed brokerage, and other third party clearing arrangements across GS and SLK. Tom joined Goldman Sachs in 2003 to manage and lead this effort.
  
  Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, Tom was employed by Merrill Lynch for 16 years where he was involved in derivative sales, equity sales trading and most recently headed the global soft dollar and directed commission businesses. Tom also had responsibility for running sales across the Institutional clearing/custory division of Merrill Lynch.
  
  Tom earned his undergraduate degree from Widener University in 1985m an M.B.A. from the University of South Florida in 1986 and was designated with the Chartered Financial Award (C.F.A.) in 1994.
Yovanka Bylander Arroyo Student Sponsor Partners
- Yovanka Bylander Arroyo is the Director of Development of Student Sponsor Partners (SSP), a non-profit organization she joined in January of 2006. Prior to transitioning to the non-profit sector, Yovanka was a Senior Vice President at Fox-Pitt, Kelton Inc., where she specialized in European and Latin American financial equities. She also spent three years at Morgan Stanley as a Latin American bank analyst, and three years at Thomson BankWatch (now part of Fitch-IBCA) as a Latin American bank analyst. Yovanka has been a guest lecturer at Columbia University's Graduate School of Business, as well as a featured speaker at conferences hosted by The Economist and the Risk Management Institute. Her articles on banking have been featured in publications such as Latin Finance. An honors graduate of Boston University's School of Management, Yovanka is a native Spanish speaker who also speaks French and Portuguese.
Mihir Bhanot Goldman Sachs
- Mihir is an analyst in StockLoan Technology group within Global Securities Services at Goldman Sachs. He joined the firm in New York in 2004.
  
  He received a B.S. from Rutgers College (Rutgers University), double majoring in Computer Science and Economics with a Math minor and currently resides in New Jersey. He is actively involved in recruiting for Goldman Sachs at his alma mater.
Avanish Bhavsar Goldman Sachs
- Avanish Bhavsar is presently a Vice President at Goldman Sachs. He leads the firm's effort to distribute distressed convertible bonds. Avanish has been with Goldman Sachs for the past seven years. In addition, Avanish has directed the Financial Analyst Training Program for the Equities Division on several occasions. Prior to joining Goldman Sachs, he was a Business Analyst with McKinsey and Company. Avanish is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Business School.
Charissa Collazo Sponsor for Educational Opportunity
- Charissa Collazo is a native New Yorker of Puerto Rican decent raised in East Harlem. She is a high school graduate of the Catholic educational and holds a Masters Degree in Urban Education with a specialization in curriculum from Fordham University. She is also a registered nurse.
  
  Presently, she is the Director of Internal Program Audits at SEO. In her position, she is responsible for leading and coordinating on a yearly basis the strategic goals document for the entire organization, ensuring that the departments remain strategically aligned and integrated with SEO's mission, and documents the outcomes and efficacy of the organization's programs and projects. SEO operates a college preparatory program, and she has been a key advisor in implementing changes and locating resources that have enhanced and retooled the program and demonstrated increased outcomes.
  
  Prior to her employment at SEO, Ms. Collazo dedicated ten years as Executive Program Officer to developing and implementing the conceputal framework for the first Hispanic Women's Center in New York City with funding from the Carnegie Corporation. The Center brought together Hispanic women and their families from all economic levels on the premise that they can share resources and support each other in increasing educational and career access for all. In this role, she developed grants and implemented The Bilingual Microcomputer Training Project, for low income and single mothers in 1980, the Business Refresher Courses in 1982 for displaces workers, and the Cuban Entrant program for Mariel refugees in 1984 among many other Center activities. As a fundraiser, she raised one million for the Hispanic Women's Center.
  
  Earlier in her career, she trained as an elementary educator and worked in the New York City school system and in private educational corporations. Presently, Ms. Collazo volunteers in a church soup kitchen and is a member of a crisis team.
  
  The single thing that she is most passionate about is helping young people achieve their full potential.
Sheldon Gilbert Gilbert Systems, Inc.
- Sheldon Gilbert's broad set of interests in science, international politics, philosophy, and literature can be attributed to his eclectic background and upbringing. A native of the Caribbean island-nation of St. Lucia, Sheldon spent the latter part of his childhood in New York City where he attended The Horace Mann School after graduating from Prep for Prep. Thereafter, he attended Yale University where he developed his interests in genomic research majoring in Molecular Biochemistry and Biophysics and conducting research at leading biomedical institutes in the Northeast and abroad in Brazil. Immediately after Yale, he served as a White House Summer Intern before returning to New York to conduct biomedical research at The Rockefeller University and Cornell Medical College. Currently, he is the Founder and CEO of Gilbert Systems, Inc.
  
  In recent years, Sheldon became involved as one of the founding teachers of the I-LEAD program where he and his counterpart from MIT, Bradley Pitts, developed a multidisciplinary and interactive science course, BIO-Pod Racing, which entailed the creative application of various concepts in biochemistry and physics into a final project that was featured and defended a final team competition. While no longer serving as an instructor, Sheldon has remained involved with I-LEAD as a mentor, tutor, and, more actively, as the liaison that established the partnership with another program which has been a major force in his life, The U.S. Experiment in International Living. After receiving an outbound ambassador scholarship to live and study abroad in Ascoli Piceno, Italy during high school from the celebrated cross-cultural exchange program of World Learning, Sheldon has served as a three-time group leader to Italy and remains a very active spokesman for the Outbound Ambassador scholarship component.
  
  He is most appreciative that he has been given the chance to share his rich and expansive view of the world with his students whether it be in his lectures about electrophysiology of bioluminescent marine life or cultural immersion programs in Ecuador, Australia, and Japan. At present, he serves as lead database programmer and director of data mining services at a leading firm in the information technology sector. He intends to return to academic research in the near future combining his interest in molecular biology, computer programming, and teaching in efforts to develop advanced gene-based therapeutics in the emerging field of bioinformatics.
Aparna Jaiya Goldman Sachs
- Using her father's formula of "99 percent perspiration and one percent good luck", Aparna Jaiya graduated from Carnegie Mellon not only with a broad knowledge of computer science, but also a broad understanding of her own capabilities. Today she is a Technology Analyst for Goldman Sachs & Company in New York City.
  
  "Carnegie Mellon taught me how to use computer science as a tool to solve complex business problems in various walks of life: from the trading desks' requirements at work (designing a Zero Coupon Swaps trading system within a week), to those at home (designing the optimal model mortgage loan portfolio for buying real estate)."
  
  Aparna's multi-faceted life includes running marathons, Indian classical dancing, and mentoring high school students preparing for college.
Fern Khan (Ex-Officio) Bank Street College of Education
- Fern Khan is Dean of the Division of Continuing Education at Bank Street College, where she provides leadership and overall management of programs, personnel and budget for the wide range of programs within the Division of Continuing Education established in 1989. These programs include professional development through courses, workshops, Institutes and consultations for educators, social workers, paraprofessionals and other professionals working with children and families as well as direct service programs like the Liberty Partnerships Program for students at risk of dropping out of school, the Goldman Sachs Scholars Program, an academic enrichment college prep program, and the Bank Street Head Start Program, initially designed to serve families in transition. Ms. Khan has also been more recently involved in designing professional development programs to meet the needs of after school staff and represents Bank Street as a member of an eight college consortium providing courses, consultation and other resources to female inmates in a New York State correctional facility.
  
  Prior to working at Bank Street College, Ms. Khan worked for 18 years at LaGuardia Community College, where she was the Associate Dean for the Division of Adult and Continuing Education. There she implemented and institutionalized the first program in New York City to provide deaf adults access to continuing education courses and programs. She also developed and implemented the College for Children Program and a City University-wide education program for paraprofessionals working in the New York City Public Schools. She is acknowledged as an innovator in program development in public and private post-secondary education. Her programs, many of which began as pilot projects, have been replicated throughout the city, state and country. At LaGuardia she also developed the first training program in New York City for homeless families located on a college campus.
  
  Providing information, referrals to resources and access to cutting edge opportunities for underserved and low income populations continue to be one of Dean Khan's goals in implementing her vision for Continuing Education programs which make a difference. She serves on the President's Cabinet at Bank Street College and is on several non-profit boards in New York City.
  
  Ms. Khan received a B.S. in Sociology and a Master's Degree in Social Work from New York University.
Dr. Lonnie Morrison Syracuse University
- Dr. Lonnie Morrison is Director of Metropolitan Admissions Programs at Syracuse University and Adjunct Associate Professor at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. He is responsible for the planning, development, and implementation of the university's recruitment, admissions, and financial aid activities in the New York Metropolitan area. Among the administrative positions held during his career, he was the Assistant Dean to the College of Arts and Sciences at the State University of New York At Oswego, and Director of the Educational Opportunity Fund Program at the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
  
  He received a Bachelor of Science Degree from the State University of New York at Albany, a Masters of Science Degree from the State University of New York at Oswego, and a Ph. D. in Higher Education from Syracuse University. He has a strong interest in public policy issues that pertain to urban public education.
Terry March Midwood Securities, Inc.
- Terry March is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Midwood Securities, Inc. He has been a securities industry professional for more than 35 years, with senior-level responsibilities in finance, marketing, investment banking, and strategic planning.
  Mr. March acquired Midwood in 1988 and molded it into a New York headquartered broker-dealer with a philosophy centered on building long-term relationships with institutional investors upon independent guidance, integrity, confidentiality, reliability, and quality.
  
  Prior to building and growing Midwood, Mr. March, a certified public accountant, held a variety of senior posts at Sanford Bernstein, Dillon Read, and Price Waterhouse.
  Mr. March is active in numerous industry, educational, and community organizations. He is a member of the New York Stock Exchange and former member of the New York area firms advisory committee to the NYSE Board of Directors, past chair of the Securities Industry Association’s Institutional Brokerage Committee, past chair of the New York Areas Firms Committee, a member of the SIA’s Membership Committee, and a Trustee for the Securities Industry Institute at Wharton. He also founded SIA’s Institutional CEO Roundtable. He is Chair of the Board of Susquehanna University, his alma mater, as well as Chair of the Executive Committee. Mr. March is also a member of the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges Council of Board Chairs.
Dr. Aberdeen Allen Colgate-Palmolive
- Dr. Aberdeen Allen Jr. is a senior research scientist at Colgate-Palmolive and has served as the Chemistry instructor for the Liberty LEADS program. As a chemist at Colgate—Palmolive he has responsibility for redesigning global formulations for body wash and liquid hand soaps. He earned both Bachelor of Science Degree and a Masters of Science from the University of Massachusetts at Boston and a Ph.D. in Synthetic Organometallic Chemistry from Brandies University. He has written several papers in peer reviewed journals such as Tetrahedron Letters and Organometallics as a graduate student and has two world wide patents covering some of his work at Colgate and is a reviewer for The Journal of Chemical Education.
  
  Dr. Allen believes that if he could make it with all the stumbling blocks that he faced along the way, then any young person can make it if he or she remains focused and determined on his or her purpose. Dr. Allen firmly believes that the biggest obstacle people, especially young people, confront when striving for a dream is fear. His passion is motivating and “pulling out” the innate capacities of teens and college students to live purposeful, meaningful and effective lives. He spreads his motivational message by speaking nationwide through his down-to-earth style, humor and insightful delivery.
Damayra Duporte Perez Neighborhood Development
Peter Rose Goldman Sachs
- Peter Rose is the director of Media Relations for Goldman Sachs in the Americas. He joined Goldman Sachs in 1987 as a vice president in the Washington, DC office of the Firm. In 1996, he relocated to New York to start the first press office for the Firm in the United States. In 1998, he transferred to Hong Kong as director of Corporate Communications for Goldman Sachs in Asia, before returning in 2003 to his present position in New York. He became a managing director in 2003. Before joining the firm, he was chief of staff to Congressman Mike Synar (D - Okla.) and a partner with Williams & Jensen, a Washington D.C. law firm. Peter earned a B.A. in English literature from the George Washington University in 1974 and a J.D. from the Yale Law School in 1977. He and his wife Alicia Kershaw have three children and live in New York City.
John Shutkin Shearman & Sterling LLP
- John A. Shutkin became the first General Counsel of Shearman Sterling LLP in September 2004. He had been General Counsel of KPMG International since 1999. Previously, he had been Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of Kodak Polychrome Graphics LLC, a company jointly owned by Eastman Kodak and Sun Chemical Corporation. Before that, he was a member of the KPMG LLP (US) Office of General Counsel for over fifteen years, twelve years as a Principal and four years as Deputy General Counsel, and a litigation associate at Cahill Gordon & Reindel. He received an A.B. from Harvard College magna cum laude in 1971 and a J.D. from the Columbia University School of Law in 1974.
  
  Among Mr. Shutkin's current not-for-profit board memberships are: the Partnership for After School Education (PASE), 2005-present; the National Center for Law and Economic Justice, 2005-present; The Spence School Head's Council, 2004-present; and the Columbia Journal of Law and Social Problems (1982-present), of which he is Chair. Previously, he served on the board of The Spence School (1996-2004; Secretary, 2001-2004), the Bank Street College of Education (1986-2002; General Counsel, 1986-1989; Chair, 1989-1996), the Correctional Association of New York (1989-1997), the Mount Sinai Medical Center Research Review Committee (1982-1986), and has been active in the Legal Aid Society and various bar associations. Currently, he is a member of the Professional & Judicial Ethics Committee of The Association of the Bar of the City of New York.
Kate Sussman Opportunity Charter School in Harlem
- Kate Sussman is an alumna of Bank Street's School for Children and the Graduate School, with an MEd in special education. She began as a volunteer at the Liberty Partnerships Program in 1994; she subsequently spearheaded their college prep program, and later coordinated the after school program. Kate left Liberty, but not Bank Street, in 1999, to work with Manhattan public high schools on developing their inclusion programs, only to return to Liberty again a few years later to start up the Liberty Learning Clinic.
  
  Kate has taught for Bank Street's graduate school, is a national Schools Attuned facilitator and Content Enhancement trainer. She is currently the Director of Professional Development at the Opportunity Charter School in Harlem.