Brooklyn Org Nonprofit Conference 2025

CEO, BoardStrong

Megan Allen is CEO of Board Strong, Inc. (BoardStrong), a NYC-based nonprofit that works nationally to create a vibrant and healthy nonprofit sector by strengthening and improving the governance and management of charitable organizations. BoardStrong provides comprehensive and integrated board-building solutions that are distinctive in the marketplace, including board education and development; board recruitment, including an online platform that enables nonprofits to recruit talented board candidates from outside their network and helps qualified individuals find board placements; and related legal and consulting services.

Megan is also CEO of the New York Council of Nonprofits, Inc. (NYCON), which serves more than 3,100 nonprofit organizations throughout New York State and promotes a vibrant nonprofit sector across New York State through advocacy, education, and leadership. BoardStrong is an affiliate of NYCON.

Megan became CEO of both organizations in 2022 following 20 years of experience in service creation, communications and development for nonprofits and school districts. She has an MBA and is a board member for the Capital District Women’s Employment & Resource Center. Megan lives in the Capital Region with her husband and daughter.

President & CEO, Nonprofit New York

Jacqueline M. Ebanks (Jacqui) joined Nonprofit New York in November 2024 as Interim President & CEO. An innovative manager and policy maker with extensive experience in the public, private, philanthropic, and non-profit sectors, Jacqui has worked for over three decades to promote economic and social justice for women, girls, and marginalized communities. She has served as the Executive Director of the New York City Commission on Gender Equity, where she led New York City’s efforts to dismantle barriers to gender equity within the city’s workforce and across all sectors.

Prior to joining city government, Jacqui was the Executive Director of Women Creating Change where she guided the civic-engagement organization into its second century of activism; served as the Vice President of Programs at the New York Women’s Foundation; worked at Citigroup as their Vice President and Director of U.S. Partnerships and Program Development for the Global Community Relations Division and their Regional Community Relations Director for the Northeast and Puerto Rico, and was the Vice President for Community Investment at the United Way of New York City.

Jacqui began her career at citywide and community-based service organizations in New York City serving as Child Welfare Policy Analyst at the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies (now FPWA), Director of United Neighborhood Houses’ Staff Development and Human Resource Management Initiative, Director of Program Development and Quality Assurance at the Society for Seamen’s Children, and Director of Development at Harlem United Community AIDS Centers.

In 2022, Jacqui was named one of AM Metro NY and Politics New York, Power Players, Power Women and, in 2018, she was named one of Good Housekeeping’s 10 Humanitarians over 50, and Women’s E-News, 21 Leaders for the 21st Century. Jacqui holds a B. A. in Government from Anderson University, Indiana and an M.S. in Policy Analysis and Public Management from Stony Brook University.

Board Chair, Brooklyn Org

Michael Gillespie is a retired corporate partner at Debevoise & Plimpton, where he was a member of the firm’s Mergers & Acquisitions, Corporate Governance and Family Enterprise Groups. Mr. Gillespie advised senior management and boards throughout the world, including the United States, Latin America, India, Russia and various other jurisdictions, on a range of strategic transactions and related matters, including critical governance, compliance and risk management issues.

He also served as a leader of the firm’s Technology, Media & Telecommunications and Latin America Groups. He received a B.A. from Amherst College in 1982 and his J.D. from Harvard Law School in 1986. He joined Brooklyn Org’s Board of Directors in May 2017.

Board Member, Brooklyn Org

A native New Yorker who has built her career on serving New York City’s most vulnerable and underserved communities, Lesleigh “LIU” Irish-Underwood, is the first-ever Chief External Relations Officer (CXO) & Head of Brand of Vibrant Emotional Health. In this role, Irish-Underwood advances all elements of the nonprofit’s external-facing strategy, including establishing a best-in-class business unit that will encompass integrated marketing & communications, stakeholder engagement, national and state policy, fundraising & development, strategic partnerships, and social impact.

Previously, LIU brought executive-level experience and local-market insights to the MetroPlusHealth (MPH) team as its first Chief Brand & External Relations Officer, where she was responsible for the stewardship and execution of MetroPlusHealth’s brand strategy. A catalyst for creativity and collaboration, Irish-Underwood was named one of the Network Journal’s 25 Most Influential Black Women in Business in 2018. Lesleigh is a visionary leader who galvanizes change—with a passion for inspiring people and transforming high-functioning teams. LIU is the former SVP, Chief Marketing Officer for United Way of New York City, and prior to her transition to the nonprofit sector was a 25-year veteran of the consumer publishing industry, where she held leadership roles at the Knopf Publishing Group of Random House, Pearson, and Kensington Publishing.

LIU is a member of Community Board 5 in Brooklyn and an alumna of the American Express Leadership Academy/Center for Creative Leadership and the UWW Advanced Leadership Program. A sought-after conference speaker, moderator and panelist, she generously shares her insight and expertise with a cross-sector of colleagues and business communities. Lesleigh-Irish Underwood earned her B.A. from Stony Brook University, and resides in Brooklyn, NY with her husband (another Stony Brook University Seawolf), their daughter and son. She joined Brooklyn Org’s Board of Directors in February 2022.

Executive Director, Mixteca and Board Member, Brooklyn Org

Lorena Kourousias (she/her) serves as the Executive Director of Mixteca Organization, Inc., where she leverages her extensive experience in advocating for underprivileged communities. With a strong foundation in psychology and social work, Lorena’s expertise particularly shines in her work with Latinx women, addressing the multifaceted challenges they encounter at the intersection of immigration status, culture, class, and race.

Before joining Mixteca, Lorena navigated the complexities of re-establishing her professional credentials after relocating from Mexico to New York City. This personal journey through cultural adaptation and overcoming migration trauma informs her empathetic approach to supporting newly arrived immigrants.

Lorena earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Psychology from the prestigious National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) and holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Hunter College, CUNY. Her academic background is complemented by her real-life experience, starting from her upbringing in an environment marked by gang violence and societal neglect, which she transcended through her commitment to education.

As a testament to her resilience and dedication, Lorena transitioned from her early days in the U.S. as a housekeeper to a recognized leader in the nonprofit sector. Her work has earned her numerous accolades, including the prestigious 2021 Zaragoza Award for her outstanding contributions to the Latinx community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Lorena’s leadership at Mixteca since May 2019 has been marked by a commitment to fostering resilience and empowerment within immigrant communities, driven by her belief in the transformative power of education, community and solidarity.

Lorena joined Brooklyn Org’s Board of Directors in May 2024.

Director of Partnerships, GivingTuesday

Kelsey has boomeranged back to the GivingTuesday team to manage the diverse array of partners that power the work of the Data Commons. She connects data and research partners, movement leaders, and strategic collaborators to build new initiatives and support ongoing research at GivingTuesday. With 10 years of experience at nonprofits and technology companies large and small, Kelsey brings a passion for creating lasting social impact through partnerships, innovation, and the democratization of technology. Outside of work, Kelsey can be found walking – either with her dog, hiking outdoors or exploring a new neighborhood in New York where she’s based.

Chief Program and Impact Officer, Row New York

As an educator, trainer, business developer, entrepreneur, nonprofit executive and field leader, Lou Miceli has thrived at the intersection of the workforce, talent development, youth development, and education fields. Lou’s career began as a volunteer at Covenant House New York after college, in a career-defining role inspired and energized by the young adults he served. Upon this foundation he subsequently held several direct service roles, and then led intermediary organizations advancing workforce development, field building, and young adult professional development in New York City. He is most proud of having founded and led Workforce Professionals Training Institute (WPTI) and JobsFirstNYC. In recent years he has served as an Interim Executive Director at New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care and Reconnect NYC. Presently, he serves as the Chief Program and Impact Officer at Row New York, a NYC-based youth development athletic organization. He has advanced degrees in management and social work from New York University. He lives in Brooklyn, New York with his wife and three children.

Lou has had extensive experience leading, developing, training, and overseeing Boards of Directors. As a CEO, he led the Boards of Directors of JobsFirstNYC, Workforce Professionals Training Institute, the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care, and Reconnect NYC. As a volunteer, he has served on numerous boards serving the public interest, and has served in all board officer roles, including Chair, Vice Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary. Over the past 20 years as an independent consultant, Lou has trained Boards in two specific ways: 1. To help boards make the successful transition from founding boards to operating boards; and, 2. To transform operating boards into fundraising boards.

Deputy Director, PennPac 

David has more than 15 years of nonprofit leadership experience. He founded and scaled Pitch In For Baseball and Softball (PIFBS) where he drove the organization’s strategic planning, fundraising, and Board development. Prior to joining the nonprofit sector, David worked in consumer packaged goods marketing with Procter and Gamble and H.J. Heinz.

He currently works as a nonprofit consultant and is an adjunct professor for the Nonprofit Leadership Development Program at Penn’s School of Social Policy & Practice.

David studied undergraduate business and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Georgetown University. He furthered his education studying International Marketing at Brasenose College in Oxford and non-profit fundraising at the University of Pennsylvania. He graduated with Honors with an MBA from The Wharton School.

Chief, New York State Charities Bureau

James Sheehan is the Chief of the New York Attorney General’s Charities Bureau, which oversees compliance and regulation of the nation’s largest Charities sector. Prior to this role, he was the New York City Human Resources Administration’s first Chief Integrity Officer, overseeing audit, investigations, and data analysis for the nation’s largest social services agency. From 2007 to 2011, he was New York’s first Medicaid Inspector General, overseeing the country’s first mandatory compliance program, and New York’s leading role in health care data analytics. Prior to his New York public service roles, Mr. Sheehan was an Assistant and Associate US Attorney in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, where he developed a nationally recognized program working with whistleblowers under the False Claims Act. He is a graduate of Swarthmore College and Harvard Law School.

Co-Founder, Forethought Advisors and Board Member, Brooklyn Org

Timothy “Tim” Simons, is a seasoned executive and co-founder of Forethought Advisors, LLC. With over 20 years of experience in corporate and government relations, he has become a trusted advisor in driving policy and regulatory change for his clients. Tim has built a national network of organizations willing to engage and make their voices heard on critical national policy issues.

Tim has a talent for crafting and implementing legislative and regulatory strategies that yield results. His leadership was evident during his tenure as Vice President and Senior Compliance Officer of the Legislative and Regulatory Affairs Unit at the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco (FHLBSF). Collaborating with Congresswoman Maxine Waters and the Congressional Black Caucus, he was instrumental in the design and legislative creation of the Office of Minority and Women Inclusion in both HERA and Dodd-Frank legislations.

Tim’s commitment to expanding access to capital for historically disadvantaged communities has had a transformative impact. Through his visionary work, he spearheaded the creation of a groundbreaking $100 million Donor Advised Impact Investment Fund at FHLBSF, the Quality Jobs Fund. This initiative aimed to cultivate quality job growth, laying the foundation for a brighter future for the Bank’s customer base. His efforts garnered well-deserved recognition from community groups and Congressional members.

Beyond his legislative and regulatory affairs expertise, Tim has a strong financial and operational compliance background cultivated at KPMG and Cable & Wireless, where he led financial and operational audits in the US, Caribbean, and Latin America.

Tim has an MBA from the University of Maryland and an undergraduate degree in Accounting from Hampton University. He is known for his commitment to the Brooklyn community and has held leadership positions at several organizations, including the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation and the Weeksville Heritage Center. While Tim and his wife, Nicholle, proudly reside in Washington, DC, they hold a deep connection to their hometown of Brooklyn, NY. He joined Brooklyn Org’s Board of Directors in July 2023.

Learn more about our team here.