Staff
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.
Joanna Munoz
Program Director
Joanna Munoz returns to Futures and Options in a new role. After receiving her Master of Public Administration from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs in May 2016, Joanna began as Futures and Options' Program Director. As we seek to implement a growth strategy striving to give more New York City teens access to our high quality career-readiness, internship and college guidance programs, she will be a vital leader on our team. In addition to helping Futures and Options reach more youth, Joanna will work to enhance program quality, effectiveness and impact. She will supervise our growing program team to ensure success in achieving programmatic goals and grant objectives; oversee tracking and analysis of program data; assist with programmatic strategy and development; support foundation grant writing and reporting, and collaborate on business engagement and strategic partnership initiatives.
Joanna first joined Futures and Options in October 2011. She graduated from Cornell University with a B.S. in Industrial and Labor Relations. After attending Cornell, Joanna joined Teach For America, an organization that recruits college graduates to teach in under-resourced schools throughout the country. Joanna became a Special Education teacher in Philadelphia for two years, working with middle school students in both Learning Support and Autistic Support classrooms. While teaching she obtained a Master of Special Education from Chestnut Hill College.
Upon completing her Teach For America commitment, Joanna moved back to New York City and became a Program Coordinator for Futures and Options, working with our youth across our key career development programs: Career Essentials, the Internship Program and the College Guidance Initiative. Her main responsibilities included designing specialized program, recruiting and interviewing students, providing ongoing support for interns and facilitating career development workshops.
In 2013, Joanna was promoted to Strategic Partnership Manager, responsible for implementing a partnership strategy aligning with Futures and Options' mission and goals for program growth. She worked with our program coordinators to learn the strengths and needs of the students, and leveraged that insight to engage prospective business partners, facilitating internships, career exploration trips and access to resources.
We are delighted to have Joanna back on our team. Her considerable experience in education, youth development, and career-readiness programming coupled with her effective leadership skills, positive energy and fantastic sense of humor make her our ideal Program Director. Our entire team is already enjoying Joanna in this new role.
Catherine Dodge
Grants Manager
Catherine joined Futures and Options in November 2010, and became the Grants Manager in spring 2016. She is passionate about leveling the playing field for young people in New York City and empowering them to envision exciting futures and to achieve their goals.
Before New York, Cat lived in Iowa City, Iowa for two years. There she worked at a social service nonprofit by day and stage managed for Riverside Theatre by night. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Literature from Bard College, where she mentored and tutored high school students through the college application process. In 2014, Catherine completed her Master of Public Administration in Urban and Social Policy from the School for International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. She grew up in Lyme, Connecticut.
Corey Ogilby
Business Engagement Manager
Corey joined the Futures and Options team in February 2014 as a program coordinator and transitioned to the role of business engagement manager in March 2016. Corey is excited to continue supporting and providing access to New York City's young people and vibrant workforce.
Before Futures and Options, Corey worked at Success Academy Charter School in Harlem as a second grade teacher, gaining valuable experience teaching New York City youth. Prior to teaching, Corey received her Bachelor's degree in government from Connecticut College in 2012, and her Master's degree in general education and special education from Touro College in 2013. While at Connecticut College Corey specialized in education policy, its relationship to social issues and its effect on families and children. She expanded upon her studies by interning for U.S. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree and Maine House of Representatives Majority Whip, Seth Berry, as well as numerous other politicians and political organizations.
Program Staff
Lily Downing
Program Coordinator
Lily joined the Futures and Options team in March 2016. Prior to joining Futures and Options, Lily was the Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive at Prep for Prep, a leadership development program that offers promising students of color access to a private school education. Before that, Lily spent two years working in Advertising Sales for Discovery Communications. There, she worked on the Hispanic Networks and Animal Planet as a Sales Assistant and on the Science Channel and the American Heroes Channel after her promotion to Sales Planner.
Lily graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2013 where she majored in Human and Organizational Development and minored in Child Development. She specialized her major by choosing a Health and Human Services track. She expanded upon her studies by interning at Deirdre's House, a center for sexually, physically, emotionally abused children and adolescents as well as with Women's World Banking, a Microfinance non-profit focused on educating women and children living in rural countries on the basics of money management and investing. Lily currently volunteers as a Writing Coach with the Posse Foundation where she helps students hone their writing and discussion skills in preparation for college.
James Gurney
Program Coordinator
James Gurney joined the Futures and Options team in June 2015. Prior to joining Futures and Options, James taught an undergraduate course at the University of Georgia on diversity and multiculturalism in American schools, developed curriculum for an online textbook transformation grant, and worked as an academic mentor for student-athletes.
James graduated from the University of Georgia in 2015 with a Ph.D in Social Foundations of Education. His research investigated the implementation of educational policies and the realities of classroom practices in Togo, West Africa. He received his Bachelor's degree from the University of California—Santa Barbara in 2008, where he double majored in International Affairs and Black Studies. After graduation, he spent two years in the Peace Corps working as a Girls' Education and Empowerment Volunteer in Togo. During his service, he taught Life Skills in the local middle school, organized microfinance organizations, and managed grant funding for Water, Sanitation and Health initiatives. He is excited to apply his experiences and skills to create new opportunities for students at Futures and Options.
Sarah Kaufmann
Program Coordinator
Sarah joined the Futures and Options team in February 2015. Prior to joining Futures and Options she was the Social Media Manager at Women's Education Project, a non-profit focused on educating young women in southern India. As a member of the WEP Headquarters staff she also assisted with developing and writing the core curriculum for WEP students, which was implemented in Spring 2014. While passionate about her work at WEP, Sarah is thrilled to be a part of Futures and Options. She is eager to work with New York City students and be more involved in a direct role with students. She strongly believes in Futures and Options mission, and is honored to be a part of this organization.
A New York City native, Sarah attended McGill University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in 2009. Her areas of focus were International Development Studies and Middle East Studies.
Anthony Kuzma
Program Coordinator
Anthony joined the Futures and Options team in October 2016 as a Program Coordinator. Prior to joining Futures and Options, Anthony worked at the Allegheny County Bar Foundation focusing on increasing legal representation and resources for underserved immigrants. Previously, he spent a year as a Fulbright Scholar in Ruse, Bulgaria, teaching English language and college readiness courses to high school students.
Anthony graduated from Boston College in 2014 where he majored in Perspectives of Western Cultures with a minor in International Studies. He also volunteered as a teacher with Generation Citizen and World Teach to garner experience in a classroom setting. Anthony looks forward to using his education and experience to help students build the professional network they need to be successful.
Cameron LeBlanc
Program Coordinator
Cameron joined Futures and Options in March of 2015. Prior to joining the team he was an AmeriCorps VISTA planning a summer internship program for immigrant youths. Before that, he spent two years with City Year New York, working as a tutor, mentor, and role model for students at an underserved high school in Elmhurst, Queens before taking on a leadership role in program planning, communicating with school partners, and managing the day-to-day service of the City Year team working in the school every day. He is passionate about creating experiences for students that are as meaningful and empowering as possible.
After growing up in sunny Temple Terrace, Florida, Cameron attended Emory University in Atlanta, where he published a multimedia research project in a peer-reviewed journal, worked on a multi-volume book project, and did research for a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist. He graduated in 2011 with a degree in American Studies and Film Studies.
Genesis Nunez
Program Assistant
Genesis joined the Futures and Options team in September 2016 as the Program Assistant. Prior to joining Futures and Options, Genesis interned with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Washington, D.C. and the Drug Policy Alliance in New York City.
Genesis graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2016 where she majored in sociology with a concentration in families and populations. She also completed a joint history and legal studies minor. Genesis looks forward to applying her studies and skills to increase career accessibility to students and is excited to be part of the organization.
Brianna Welch
Program Coordinator
Brianna joined the Futures and Options team in August 2016. Prior to joining Futures and Options, Brianna's passion for transforming workplace culture, supporting employees in their talent development, and enhancing diversity and inclusion led her to pursue opportunities in HR. Brianna worked as an HR Business Partner at Societe Generale and previously as a Campus Recruitment Coordinator at Blackstone, where she created their first Women's Mentor Program, aimed at engaging and developing prospective female candidates.
Prior to Societe Generale, Brianna gained invaluable experience working on an early-stage education technology start-up, Internnection. She spearheaded their outreach and business development to achieve their mission of connecting underserved high school students to research opportunities through a web based platform. Her experience working with youth also extends to volunteering with the Girl Scouts, implementing a "Breaking Free From the Mold" program.
After growing up on Long Island, Brianna attended Duke University and received a B.A. in Public Policy and a minor in Women's Studies. Her drive to empower others, as well as her passion for creating positive change in her campus culture, lead her to hold numerous leadership roles. She served as Captain of the Women's Track and Field Team, Mentor to first year athletes, and Co-Founded a new student organization, The Duke Culture Initiative.
