Meet the StreetWise Team
Executive Team
Lauren Silberstein
Interim Chief Executive Officer
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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.
Anna Verdiyan
Incoming Chief Executive Officer
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Anna Verdiyan (She/Her/Hers) is the incoming Chief Executive Officer of StreetWise Partners, a national nonprofit advancing economic mobility through career development and mentorship.
A development economist with over two decades of experience across the nonprofit, public, and private sectors, Anna has built a career defined by launching and leading distinguished national initiatives that advance economic mobility through workforce development, career advancement and mentoring, healthcare access, technology and AI-driven digital literacy, and asset building.
Anna has secured, launched, and led some of the nation’s first Affordable Care Act implementation programs, won multimillion-dollar federal funding to expand children’s health insurance and support dislocated worker re-employment during the Great Recession, and built technology solutions to expand access to public benefits nationwide. She has also secured and led Veterans employment and Responsible Fatherhood initiatives, while directing large portfolios of anti-poverty, asset-building, and workforce grantees funded through major philanthropic partners, including the Robin Hood Foundation.
As Chief Operating Officer and Chief Program Officer, Anna has partnered with higher education systems, philanthropic organizations, boards, employers, and government agencies to scale career-readiness and mentoring programs, helping thousands of first-generation college students graduate with pathways to employment. She has also led industry-focused regional career centers recognized for exceptional employment outcomes and Veterans services.
Most recently, as Chief Growth and Strategy Officer at The Knowledge House (TKH), Anna led fundraising, strategic growth, and technology innovation, driving revenue expansion across multiple regions, advancing AI-enabled program delivery, and developing new fee-for-service and technology partnerships. She regularly represented the organization before corporate, government, venture, and philanthropic leaders to advance inclusive innovation in the age of AI.
Anna holds an MPA from NYU’s Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and an MSc and BSc degrees in Economics from Yerevan State University.
Nicole Carrea
Chief Development Officer
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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.
New York Program Team
Dave Font
Senior Program Director
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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
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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.
Todd Gayle
Volunteer Services Manager
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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.
Lyra Yang
Program and Events Lead
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Lyra (she/her/hers) joined StreetWise Partners in May 2023. 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.
Iban Vazquez
Talent Services Lead
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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.
D.C. Metro Program Team
Bina Carroll
Senior Program Director
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Bina (she/her) joined StreetWise Partners in May 2025, bringing over 13 years of experience in talent acquisition and program management across both enterprise and startup environments. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Film and Media Studies from Stanford University. Throughout her career, Bina has been driven by a passion for creating pathways to opportunity—advancing the careers of individuals from underserved communities through thoughtful recruitment strategies and impactful programming. Outside of work, she enjoys catching the latest blockbusters, writing, and drawing.
Camille Shannon
Volunteer Services Manager
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Camille (she/her/hers) joined StreetWise Partners DC location in February 2024. 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.
Hannah Kelly
Program Recruitment and
Community Partnerships Lead
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Hannah Kelly (she/her/hers) joined StreetWise Partners in December 2025, driven by a commitment to removing barriers and expanding access to educational and career opportunities. Her professional background includes nonprofit work focused on workplace culture and access to opportunity, after-school program management, and qualitative research and consulting across the educational lifespan.
In her recent work, Hannah has focused on elevating lived experience, shifting power dynamics within research, consulting, and program settings, and gathering participant feedback for continuous program improvement. She is especially motivated by supporting people on their paths toward agency and self-determination, and by helping demystify the often unspoken rules of navigating a rewarding career.
Outside of work, Hannah enjoys visiting local yarn stores, sipping iced matcha or decaf coffee, practicing yoga, and taking long walks through Rock Creek Park in Washington, DC.
Development Team
Yiechia Warren
Manager of Corporate and Employer Partnerships
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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.
Breana Lockett
Donor Engagement Manager
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Breana Lockett (she/her/hers) joined StreetWise Partners in November 2024. Her background of being raised and educated in multicultural environments inspired Breana’s passion for creating and nurturing a world where our differences are our greatest strengths. Her commitment to leading with compassion, seeking to understand, and dedication to impactful change has resulted in nearly 10 years of successfully cultivating community and connection in both the corporate and nonprofit sector. As a purpose-driven professional, Breana is honored to join a mission-driven organization like StreetWise Partners and is eager to utilize her prowess for building meaningful and impactful connections to expand the impact in the DC region. In her free time, Breana enjoys baking, reading, watching live music, and practicing and teaching yoga.
Liliana Cepeda
Manager of Corporate Partnerships
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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 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 career mobility for under-server communities. Liliana also enjoys reading and traveling!
Operations Team
Luka Bushurishvili
Senior Director of Operations
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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.