Staff

Leadership Team

Sophia Stewart (Office Coordinator)

Sophia has been with NGO CSW/NY since May 2011. She received her B.S. in Health Science, concentrating in Emergency Disaster Management, from Stony Brook University. Sophia has spent the last 6 years working in the private sector as a Manager in Office Administration. She also holds a Masters Degree in Nonprofit Management concentrating in International NGOs and Strategic Planning from the Milano School of International Affairs, Management, and Urban Policy at The New School for Public Engagement. This past spring, Sophia completed her thesis, Changing The Game: Preparing the Next Generation to Fight Violence Against Women. She is currently starting an anti-violence and abuse prevention center for women and girls in New York. While her interests range from children’s rights, human trafficking, women’s rights, and conflict management, she is committed to serving and advocating on the behalf of all whom are disenfranchised.

Lyna Castillo-Javier (Communications Coordinator)

Lyna has a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Florida International University, and received a Master of Arts in Religion from Fordham University. Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, Lyna has lived in Puerto Rico and her studies have taken her to spend time in Italy and Egypt. She is currently a volunteer for the Make-a-Wish Foundation of Metro NY doing special events and assisting with out-of-state wishes taking place in New York City. Lyna is also a member of the International Alliance of Women and the Advocacy Committee for the UN Women Metro New York Chapter. She joined the NGO CSW/NY in 2011, and her focus is on human rights, women’s issues and education.

Maureen Shaw (Electronic Media Manager)

Maureen holds a Master’s degree in Human Rights from Columbia University with a focus on Women’s and Gender Rights, and is the founder of sherights.com. She also writes for FeministsforChoice.com. When she’s not busy blogging about women’s issues, she is advocating for the women and girls of New York City in her role as Director of Volunteers for the National Organization for Women’s NYC Chapter.

Fall 2012 Interns

Morgan Eubank (Handbook)

Morgan moved to Tampa, Florida from Johannesburg, South Africa in 2004 to attend the University of South Florida, where she received a B.A. in Psychology and is currently finishing a Master of Art in Women’s and Gender Studies, with a focus in African refugee women’s rights. While at USF, she was able to work as an assistant instructor and instructor of record for undergraduate courses including Women, Environment, and Gender, Human Sexual Behavior, and Female Experience in America. Her focus is on women’s empowerment, violence against women, Africa, comprehensive sex education, and feminist pedagogy.

Danielle L. Osentoski (Event Planning)

Danielle is currently pursuing her Masters degree at the Whitehead School of Diplomacy and International Relations at Seton Hall University, with specializations in Global Negotiation and Conflict Management and International Law and Human Rights.  She completed her Bachelor of Arts in International Relations at Grand Valley State University of Grand Rapids Michigan.  She has previously volunteered with the Underground Railroad of Saginaw, Michigan where she assisted in domestic violence work and has been a member of the Human Trafficking Task Force of Michigan.  Danielle has been with NGO CSW/NY since October 2012, and her concentration is on women’s rights and gender equality issues.

Vanesa Gutierrez (Event Planning & Membership)

Vanesa is a law student at Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana in Medellin, Colombia. She has previously worked as a research assistant of International law and contributed efforts to the Youth Olympic Games Committee to bring the games to her hometown.  She also worked as an English teacher for four years at EAFIT University in Colombia.  Additionally, she has been a TV presenter for a regional channel where she interacted with well-known social and cultural figures and representatives.  She is fluent in Spanish, English and French. Her interests focus on gender equality and violence against women, which she will pursue in her postgraduate studies.

Vanessa Sayajon (Event Planning)

Vanessa has been with the NGO CSW/NY since June 2011. Born and raised in Bergenfield, New Jersey, she currently is pursuing a Master of Science in Urban Policy and Management degree at the Milano School of International Affairs, Management and Urban Policy at the New School for Public Engagement. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in International Affairs from Northeastern University, Boston. While at Northeastern her studies took her to various parts of China such as Beijing, Nanjing and Shanghai. Her focus is on women’s issues and youth education.