Staff Members
Patty Machir
Executive Director
Patty was named Executive Director of Futures and Options in April 2007. Patty's lifelong passion has been helping children and youth in her community. Whether in Dallas, Texas, Washington D.C. or her birthplace of New York City, she has found a way to help those youth who might not receive help otherwise.
Since becoming Executive Director of Futures and Options, Patty has worked tirelessly to improve the long-term sustainability of the organization through board development and strategic planning, as well as through organizational growth and development in the areas of program, fundraising and marketing. Patty's passion for the youth and the program's mission is coupled with commitment to excellence in all areas, which ensures continued improvements and growth in the program, infrastructure and sustainability.
Before coming to Futures and Options, Patty was Director of Volunteer Services at The Children's Aid Society, one of the oldest and largest children's welfare agencies in New York City, and was responsible for the oversight of the recruitment, training and management system for over 300 volunteers each year, as well as the corporate strategic partnership program and annual fundraising gala. From 2003 to 2005, Patty was Executive Director of Variety International – The Children's Charity, a multi-national, volunteer-driven organization aligned with the movie industry, which supports programs for children with special needs, children with serious medical concerns and children who live in the midst of poverty. In Dallas, Texas, Patty was president of the Board of Directors for Dallas for Children, a start-up, volunteer-run fundraising organization that supported selected intervention and prevention programs for needy children, from birth through six years old.
Patty has always been a strong advocate on behalf of children and youth, whether as a volunteer or paid employee. She served on the Dallas Commission for Children and Youth for three years, was a member of the Adolescent Pregnancy Board in Fort Worth, Texas for three years, and also served as director of Rockville Community Nursery School in Rockville, Maryland. She is the mother of three sons and one daughter, all of whom are living in New York City. Patty received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Georgetown University, and her Masters of Arts in Education: Early Childhood/Special Education from George Washington University.
Serena Handley
External Affairs Manager
Serena joined Futures and Options in July 2007. As External Affairs Manager she is responsible for event planning, creating the annual report, content and updates for the website, compiling content and designing monthly e-newsletters, social networking outreach, marketing and assisting with fundraising, specifically working on the annual appeal, the Youth, I.N.C. Celebration Program and special events. Serena assists the Executive Director in her work with the Board, its committees and grant writing. Serena is part of a team that is working to create the communications, marketing and fundraising strategies for Futures and Options. Serena is also responsible for office and financial management.
Serena was previously the Volunteer Coordinator for Jumpstart Boston at Suffolk University and Emerson College, where she recruited and trained volunteers who committed to short and long term service in aid to the disadvantaged preschoolers of Boston. Serena's experience also includes writing articles for The Ojai Valley News and the Ojai Valley Youth Foundation. Originally from California, Serena traveled East to attend Emerson College, where she graduated Cum Laude with a degree in Print and Multimedia Journalism.
Program Staff
Digmarie Ruiz
Program Coordinator
Digmarie first came to Futures and Options in 2000 as an intern when she was a graduate psychology student at Pace University. In 2001, Digmarie joined The Children's Aid Society as a School-to-Career Coordinator at Manhattan Center High School for Science and Math. In 2003, she returned to Futures and Options as an assistant to the Program Director, with responsibility for reviewing Futures and Options student applications and interviewing, matching and placing students in the most compatible internships. In 2006, Digmarie added to her responsibilities by becoming the coordinator of the Urban Leadership Fellows Program, a specialized summer internship program for graduating high school seniors who are interested in the finance industry, which is sponsored by The Municipal Forum of New York. This program enables the interns to learn the day-to-day workings of marketing, trading, and underwriting of municipal bonds. In fall 2007, Digmarie was named a Program Coordinator for Futures and Options with increased responsibility for the internship programs, the pre-internship program and the college guidance initiative. Digmarie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Russell Sage College and Masters of Arts in Psychology from Pace University.
Tyran Williams
Program Coordinator
Tyran was recruited from The Children's Aid Society in October 2007 to be a member of Futures and Options' program staff. As one of our Program Coordinators, Tyran works closely with our youth and our partners from schools, community-based organizations and internship sites. As part of her responsibilities in the Futures and Options' Internship, Pre-Internship and College Guidance programs, she designs and facilitates the workshops and career enrichment activities. At Children's Aid, Tyran was the Assistant Director of the E.X.C.E.L. Program, a college prep/scholarship program for eighth grade through college-aged youth. She advised junior and senior high school students on the college search, application and selection processes, developed and facilitated life skills and educational workshops, weekend retreats and college trips ,and worked closely with the participating community schools' faculty and counselors . Prior to joining The Children's Aid Society, Tyran was a Camp Assistant at New York Scores Summer Camp where she coached soccer and taught creative writing and theater. Before coming to New York, she worked in several capacities at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago: Teen Reach Coordinator, Social Recreation Coordinator and Keystone Advisor. Tyran received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Chowan College, where she played Division III soccer and was named MVP for three years.
Stefanie Jones
Program Coordinator
Stefanie joined the Futures and Options staff in October 2008. As an integral member of our Pre-Internship Program team, Stefanie recruits and works with our youth in the program, builds partnerships with school personnel and corporate volunteers, and facilitates the program's career readiness workshops . Prior to joining Futures and Options, Stefanie was an Advertising Sales Associate for Fast Company magazine, assisting the Publisher and managing educational and tech accounts. Stefanie began her career in marketing and sales at Scholastic Inc., where she worked as a Marketing Assistant under the Classroom and Library group coordinating the development of marketing promotions for the educational division. She then joined Shiseido USA as a Sales Analyst for Shiseido Cosmetics America and the Cle' de Peau Beaute' brands. A native of Houston, Texas, Stefanie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Clark Atlanta University and is an alumni of In-Roads, a nationwide high school internship program.
Janaris Torres
Administrative and Program Assistant
Janaris first came to Futures and Options in October 2006 as an intern while she was a senior at Murry Bergtraum High School. As an intern she assisted the program coordinators and executive director. In January 2009 Janaris was promoted to Administrative and Program Assistant. She is responsible for receptionist duties, general office management, as well as managing our intern and alumni database. Janaris assists the program coordinators by calling students to schedule interviews, tracking new interns, managing interns' hours and intern payroll. She also assists Serena and Patty on fundraising events and other external affair projects. She is currently attending the New York City College of Technology and intends to pursue a degree in health care. Her passion is to communicate and help others.
