Catherine Shugrue dos Santos (“Cat”) is a transformational client services executive and social justice activist leading policy change, impactful program development, and strategic alliances to build community and mobilize equity for historically oppressed communities.

Karen oversees FYI’s elementary school Welcome Program located at P.S. 128 where she has built strong relationships with parents and teachers to help our students succeed. Karen earned her Bachelor's degree at City College in Child Psychology.

Before taking on oversight of FYI’s middle and high school programs at our 171st Street site, Maurice founded FYI’s Music Department in 2018, bringing voices and live music to programs where iPods once reigned. Maurice holds an AA in Mathematics and a BA in Music.

Under Susan's leadership, the FYI program at Luperon quickly accelerated into a collaborative school-based program that addresses students' mental health, education, and developmental needs. As of 2020, in her role as Deputy Director, Susan will continue to manage the Luperon program while guiding the replication of the Luperon program model at FYI's other school sites. In addition to her direct work with youth, Susan educates FYI staff at all sites about working with special needs populations, and using the arts to promote literacy. Susan holds an MA in Art Therapy and an MS in Education.

Maria leads FYI’s fundraising team in its foundation, corporate, and individual revenue growth. She also oversees external communications and events. Maria’s wide-ranging background includes work in the private, government, and nonprofit sectors. She holds a BA in Political Science and Women’s Studies.

Andry oversees youth programming for FYI’s Elementary School programs at P.S 128 and Amistad Dual Language School. She is a Washington Heights native and the daughter of Dominican immigrants. As the first in her family to graduate college, her passion is to empower Black and Brown children to make sense of the world, take up space with their joy, thrive and become activists. She has worked as a General Education and Special Education teacher up and down the East coast in schools such as KIPP, DC Bilingual Public Charter School and Mott Haven Academy Charter School. Andry received her dual Master’s in Elementary Education, Special Education and Teaching from Lesley University in 2014.  

Beatriz provides crisis intervention, individual and group counseling to students and families, as well as youth development programming at FYIs Luperon HS site. She has extensive experience working with victims of domestic violence, survivors of childhood abuse, BIPOC LGBTQIA marginalization, and destigmatizing mental health issues in the Latinx community. Beatriz holds a master’s degree in mental health counseling from NYU and is currently pursuing a PhD in Social Work.

Wendy oversees all aspects of youth programs at four sites. Wendy is a passionate advocate for the children that FYI serves, providing intensive supports for their transitions to middle school, high school, and college. Wendy first joined FYI through a two-year apprenticeship with the Public Allies program. Wendy is an alumna of the National Afterschool Matters Fellowship, and a current participant of the CRE Leadership Caucus. Wendy earned her B.A. from The George Washington University.

A staff member at FYI since 2006, Jeremiah has launched numerous sports and service-learning initiatives for FYI participants of all ages. Jeremiah is a natural leader and trains staff in peer mediation, team-building, and FYI’s positive youth development framework. Jeremiah holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology.