Executive Director and Senior Staff

Carolyn McLaughlin, Executive Director

Carolyn McLaughlin has been BronxWorks’ Executive Director since 1979. She received her master’s degree in social work (MSW) from Columbia University. Prior to joining BronxWorks, she held positions at the Human Resources Administration (HRA), the now-defunct Mt. Eden Senior Center, and the Vacation Camp for the Blind (now Visions).

Under her guidance, BronxWorks has progressed from a single two-person office to a large settlement house with programs that serve residents throughout the South Bronx. Included in this growth is the 1995 merger with the Girls Club of New York, our takeover of the BronxWorks Community Center, and our membership into United Neighborhood Houses (UNH), the umbrella organization for the city’s settlement house system.

She has advised senior staff for every mayoral administration on social service policies going back to the days of Ed Koch. Ms. McLaughlin is revered by her peers in the settlement house system and by nonprofit executives in New York City. She is considered by many to be an expert on growth in the nonprofit sector and has advised several city government administrations on concerns related to welfare policies, homeless and homelessness prevention services, and aid to vulnerable populations (e.g., seniors, domestic violence victims, and children).

Ms. McLaughlin currently sits on the boards of the Mid-Bronx Senior Citizens Council and the Nonprofit Coordinating Committee. She chaired the Bronx Cluster of Settlement Houses for two years and has overseen cluster-wide community building activities since 1997.

Senior Staff

Scott Auwarter, Assistant Executive Director

Scott became BronxWorks’ Assistant Executive Director for Case Management Programs in 2002 after serving as a department director for seven years. He is an alumnus of the State University of New York at Cortland and has a Masters degree from the Hunter College School of Social Work. After graduating from college, he served for two years in the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone. Scott first joined BronxWorks as a student intern in 1986 and has been a full-time staff member since 1988. His portfolio includes BronxWorks’ street homeless services, family shelters, HIV/AIDS services, and foster care prevention programs. Scott created our Homeless Outreach Team, oversaw BronxWorks’ foray into the homeless services arena, and is widely recognized as an expert on homelessness.

Julie Belizaire-Spitzer, Homelessness Prevention Department Director

Julie started working for the Girls Club of New York in 1992 and transferred to BronxWorks before the two organizations merged in 1993. She became the Department Director for Homelessness Prevention in 2005, and recently began supervising access to benefits programs as well. Julie is responsible for 28 contracts valued at $3 million. She holds a bachelors degree from SUNY-Albany and an MSW from Hunter College, and is a licensed social worker.

Noel Concepcion, Director of Adult Homeless Services

Noel joined BronxWorks in 1995 and has served as director of the Living Room homeless drop-in center since 2001. He also oversees BronxWorks’ Homeless Outreach Team and our stabilization bed program. Noel graduated from Southwestern College and has an MSW from the Hunter College School of Social Work. Along with five of his staff, he is certified in Homeless Mobile Crisis Intervention.

Karen Courtney, Director of Planning

Karen’s duties as Director of Planning include providing staff support for the Executive Director, board of directors, and several board committees. She launched BronxWorks’ Workforce Development unit, creating services that help more than 700 people secure employment annually, and coordinated our strategic planning processes. Prior to joining BronxWorks in 1997, she worked at the Community Development Research Center and the U.S. Department of Energy. She holds a Masters degree in Management and Urban Policy from the New School for Social Research.

Sara Farimani, Director of Workforce Development

Sara has been the Director of Workforce Development, running BronxWorks’ employment center at the Hub, since 2000. In this position, she oversees an operating budget of $1.5 million and a staff of 25 that serves nearly 1,500 Bronx residents annually. She has a BA from National University (Tehran, Iran) and an MA in Economics from the New School for Social Research. Previously, she was Director of Member Relations for the American Camping Association and an Administrative Coordinator at the Queensborough Community College of the City University of New York.

Carmen Hernandez, Controller

Carmen has been BronxWorks’ Chief Financial Officer since 1997. Her Fiscal Department manages and monitors a $33 million budget, over 100 government contracts, and payroll for nearly 600 employees. Under Carmen’s guidance, BronxWorks has accomplished an impressive history of clean audits. She has a BBA in Accounting from Baruch College and an MS in Public Health Administration with a major in Business Administration from Pacific Western University. Previously, she was the Vice President of Finance & Administration at Women In Need.

Elisa Istueta, Children & Youth Department Director

Elisa has been BronxWorks’ Department Director of Children and Youth Programs since 2004, overseeing contracts totaling $3 million. Previously, she was a Deputy Director at The Valley, Inc., where she supervised all family counseling programs, and has worked at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, Safe Horizon, and Little Sisters of the Assumption Family Health Service. She graduated from Wesleyan University and received her Master’s degree in Developmental Psychology from Columbia University Teachers College. Elisa spearheaded BronxWorks’ co-founding of the Jill Chaifetz Transfer School for over-age, under-credited students.

Bibi S. Karim, Positive Living Department Director

Bibi joined BronxWorks in 1992 and has been the director of BronxWorks’ Positive Living Department, which provides HIV/AIDS services, since 2004. She also oversees our foster care prevention programs. Bibi, who immigrated from Guyana in 1978, has spent her entire professional life at BronxWorks. She received her BA from Hunter College and is a licensed MSW with a degree from Fordham University. Bibi is responsible for supervising 10 contracts worth $3 million.

Maria Rivera, Senior Services Department Director

Maria has been our Director of Senior Services since 2005. She began work at BronxWorks in 1999, serving as director at two of our senior centers. Prior to joining BronxWorks, she was director at the Older Adults Luncheon Club Senior Center, sponsored by Bronx Community College. Maria obtained her MSW from the Hunter College School of Social Work. She started the food pantry for community residents that operates out of our Morris Senior Center and helped create the Roberto Clemente Senior Services Office in River Park Towers.

Ken Small, Development Director

Ken has been Development Director since 1995, overseeing BronxWorks’ fundraising activities, communications, and special events. He has a BA in Economics from Fordham University and an MA in Economics from Long Island University. Prior to joining BronxWorks, he was a researcher and economist with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics and then the Director of Planning and Evaluation with the National Urban League. Since joining BronxWorks, private support has increased from $400,000 to over $1.8 million. Through his efforts, we have received coverage in a variety of media coverage.

Doreen Straka, Director of Operations

Doreen was Director of Workforce Development, running our Bronx Works employment center, from 1998-2000. She rejoined us in 2006 as our Director of Operations. In her current position, she oversees facilities, information technology, procurement, and maintenance. Doreen has played an important role in BronxWorks’ supportive housing initiative and has administered several interior renovation projects. She graduated from George Washington University and has an MSW from the Hunter College School of Social Work. Previously, she was a senior program director at the Corporation for Supportive Housing.

Eileen Torres, General Counsel

Eileen started at BronxWorks as Assistant to the Executive Director in 1995, soon becoming Administrative Counsel and then General Counsel in 2003. Her responsibilities include providing advice and guidance on legal matters; overseeing the human resources and training departments; reviewing and negotiating contracts; representing BronxWorks on employment matters; reviewing policies and procedures; and acting as liaison with outside counsel. Eileen has a B.S. from Pace University and a J.D. from the Northeastern University School of Law.

John Weed, Assistant Executive Director

John joined BronxWorks in 1990, becoming a department director in 1995 and serving as Assistant Executive Director for Community Programs since 2002. His duties include oversight of programs that serve immigrants, families, and senior citizens. John created BronxWorks’ Early Childhood Learning Centers, our Avenue St. John walk-in office, and several entitlements programs. His portfolio includes 33 contracts that serve over 16,000 people from 15 locations. John has worked at the Latin America Women’s Network, the NYC Commission on Human Rights, and the Peace Corps, serving in the Dominican Republic. He graduated from the University of New Mexico and holds an LMSW from the Hunter College School of Social Work.

Donate Now Join Our Mailing List Our Mission History Accomplishments Office Listings Executive Director and Senior Staff Board of Directors Financial Information Supporters	Executive Director and Senior Staff Carolyn McLaughlin, Executive Director Carolyn McLaughlin has been BronxWorks’ Executive Director since 1979. She received her master’s degree in social work (MSW) from Columbia University. Prior to joining BronxWorks, she held positions at the Human Resources Administration (HRA), the now-defunct Mt. Eden Senior Center, and the Vacation Camp for the Blind (now Visions). Under her guidance, BronxWorks has progressed from a single two-person office to a large settlement house with programs that serve residents throughout the South Bronx. Included in this growth is the 1995 merger with the Girls Club of New York, our takeover of the BronxWorks Community Center, and our membership into United Neighborhood Houses (UNH), the umbrella organization for the city’s settlement house system. She has advised senior staff for every mayoral administration on social service policies going back to the days of Ed Koch. Ms. McLaughlin is revered by her peers in the settlement house system and by nonprofit executives in New York City. She is considered by many to be an expert on growth in the nonprofit sector and has advised several city government administrations on concerns related to welfare policies, homeless and homelessness prevention services, and aid to vulnerable populations (e.g., seniors, domestic violence victims, and children). Ms. McLaughlin currently sits on the boards of the Mid-Bronx Senior Citizens Council and the Nonprofit Coordinating Committee. She chaired the Bronx Cluster of Settlement Houses for two years and has overseen cluster-wide community building activities since 1997. Senior Staff Scott Auwarter, Assistant Executive Director Scott became BronxWorks’ Assistant Executive Director for Case Management Programs in 2002 after serving as a department director for seven years. He is an alumnus of the State University of New York at Cortland and has a Masters degree from the Hunter College School of Social Work. After graduating from college, he served for two years in the Peace Corps in Sierra Leone. Scott first joined BronxWorks as a student intern in 1986 and has been a full-time staff member since 1988. His portfolio includes BronxWorks’ street homeless services, family shelters, HIV/AIDS services, and foster care prevention programs. Scott created our Homeless Outreach Team, oversaw BronxWorks’ foray into the homeless services arena, and is widely recognized as an expert on homelessness. Julie Belizaire-Spitzer, Homelessness Prevention Department Director Julie started working for the Girls Club of New York in 1992 and transferred to BronxWorks before the two organizations merged in 1993. She became the Department Director for Homelessness Prevention in 2005, and recently began supervising access to benefits programs as well. Julie is responsible for 28 contracts valued at $3 million. She holds a bachelors degree from SUNY-Albany and an MSW from Hunter College, and is a licensed social worker. Noel Concepcion, Director of Adult Homeless Services Noel joined BronxWorks in 1995 and has served as director of the Living Room homeless drop-in center since 2001. He also oversees BronxWorks’ Homeless Outreach Team and our stabilization bed program. Noel graduated from Southwestern College and has an MSW from the Hunter College School of Social Work. Along with five of his staff, he is certified in Homeless Mobile Crisis Intervention. Karen Courtney, Director of Planning Karen’s duties as Director of Planning include providing staff support for the Executive Director, board of directors, and several board committees. She launched BronxWorks’ Workforce Development unit, creating services that help more than 700 people secure employment annually, and coordinated our strategic planning processes. Prior to joining BronxWorks in 1997, she worked at the Community Development Research Center and the U.S. Department of Energy. She holds a Masters degree in Management and Urban Policy from the New School for Social Research. Sara Farimani, Director of Workforce Development Sara has been the Director of Workforce Development, running BronxWorks’ employment center at the Hub, since 2000. In this position, she oversees an operating budget of $1.5 million and a staff of 25 that serves nearly 1,500 Bronx residents annually. She has a BA from National University (Tehran, Iran) and an MA in Economics from the New School for Social Research. Previously, she was Director of Member Relations for the American Camping Association and an Administrative Coordinator at the Queensborough Community College of the City University of New York. Carmen Hernandez, Controller Carmen has been BronxWorks’ Chief Financial Officer since 1997. Her Fiscal Department manages and monitors a $33 million budget, over 100 government contracts, and payroll for nearly 600 employees. Under Carmen’s guidance, BronxWorks has accomplished an impressive history of clean audits. She has a BBA in Accounting from Baruch College and an MS in Public Health Administration with a major in Business Administration from Pacific Western University. Previously, she was the Vice President of Finance & Administration at Women In Need. Elisa Istueta, Children & Youth Department Director Elisa has been BronxWorks’ Department Director of Children and Youth Programs since 2004, overseeing contracts totaling $3 million. Previously, she was a Deputy Director at The Valley, Inc., where she supervised all family counseling programs, and has worked at Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, Safe Horizon, and Little Sisters of the Assumption Family Health Service. She graduated from Wesleyan University and received her Master’s degree in Developmental Psychology from Columbia University Teachers College. Elisa spearheaded BronxWorks’ co-founding of the Jill Chaifetz Transfer School for over-age, under-credited students. Bibi S. Karim, Positive Living Department Director Bibi joined BronxWorks in 1992 and has been the director of BronxWorks’ Positive Living Department, which provides HIV/AIDS services, since 2004. She also oversees our foster care prevention programs. Bibi, who immigrated from Guyana in 1978, has spent her entire professional life at BronxWorks. She received her BA from Hunter College and is a licensed MSW with a degree from Fordham University. Bibi is responsible for supervising 10 contracts worth $3 million. Maria Rivera, Senior Services Department Director Maria has been our Director of Senior Services since 2005. She began work at BronxWorks in 1999, serving as director at two of our senior centers. Prior to joining BronxWorks, she was director at the Older Adults Luncheon Club Senior Center, sponsored by Bronx Community College. Maria obtained her MSW from the Hunter College School of Social Work. She started the food pantry for community residents that operates out of our Morris Senior Center and helped create the Roberto Clemente Senior Services Office in River Park Towers. Ken Small, Development Director Ken has been Development Director since 1995, overseeing BronxWorks’ fundraising activities, communications, and special events. He has a BA in Economics from Fordham University and an MA in Economics from Long Island University. Prior to joining BronxWorks, he was a researcher and economist with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics and then the Director of Planning and Evaluation with the National Urban League. Since joining BronxWorks, private support has increased from $400,000 to over $1.8 million. Through his efforts, we have received coverage in a variety of media coverage. Doreen Straka, Director of Operations Doreen was Director of Workforce Development, running our Bronx Works employment center, from 1998-2000. She rejoined us in 2006 as our Director of Operations. In her current position, she oversees facilities, information technology, procurement, and maintenance. Doreen has played an important role in BronxWorks’ supportive housing initiative and has administered several interior renovation projects. She graduated from George Washington University and has an MSW from the Hunter College School of Social Work. Previously, she was a senior program director at the Corporation for Supportive Housing. Eileen Torres, General Counsel Eileen started at BronxWorks as Assistant to the Executive Director in 1995, soon becoming Administrative Counsel and then General Counsel in 2003. Her responsibilities include providing advice and guidance on legal matters; overseeing the human resources and training departments; reviewing and negotiating contracts; representing BronxWorks on employment matters; reviewing policies and procedures; and acting as liaison with outside counsel. Eileen has a B.S. from Pace University and a J.D. from the Northeastern University School of Law. John Weed, Assistant Executive Director John joined BronxWorks in 1990, becoming a department director in 1995 and serving as Assistant Executive Director for Community Programs since 2002. His duties include oversight of programs that serve immigrants, families, and senior citizens. John created BronxWorks’ Early Childhood Learning Centers, our Avenue St. John walk-in office, and several entitlements programs. His portfolio includes 33 contracts that serve over 16,000 people from 15 locations. John has worked at the Latin America Women’s Network, the NYC Commission on Human Rights, and the Peace Corps, serving in the Dominican Republic. He graduated from the University of New Mexico and holds an LMSW from the Hunter College School of Social Work. Rate this page: 1 2 3 4 5 (0 Votes)

	Espanol Success Stories FAQ Privacy Contact Us