Richard Robbins is Founder / CEO of Upper West Strategies. He oversees program strategy, development, and execution for the LifeSci NYC Internship Program, which has placed over 425 college and grad students into paid internships at NYC-based life sciences companies. He has conducted a number of high-level strategy consulting and program development/execution efforts including for New York City’s Economic Development Corporation, New York City’s Department of Education, the National Society of Black Engineers, and other leading mission-driven, governmental, and corporate clients. Previously, he worked for nearly 10 years at AT&T in a range of positions including serving as Director, Social Innovation, where he played an instrumental role in developing the company’s overall social media strategy. He initiated and led AT&T’s groundbreaking partnership with Rock the Vote that engaged 250,000 young Americans via text messaging, and created AT&T’s pledge not to text and drive that has been signed by over 40 million people. Prior to getting his MBA at Columbia Business School, he ran the American Express Gold Card Events program at Festival Marketing, where he implemented strategies to dramatically grow the program’s impact, including through pioneering use of online media. He has extensive experience in strategy, marketing, policy and tech, and deep connections with senior leaders in government, corporations, start-ups, nonprofits and advocacy organizations and especially in the startup community in New York City. He lives on the Upper West Side with his wife and two daughters and serves on Manhattan Community Board 7.
Sharon Albert Kaplan, Senior Program Director. Sharon comes to Upper West Strategies from NYC Autism Charter Schools, where she served as Fundraising Manager for 10 years, generating individual, foundation and government support. She was instrumental in obtaining start-up funding for NYCACS’s second school, which opened its doors in 2017. Sharon has a broad spectrum of knowledge on education issues, particularly in New York City, as well as past experience serving the youth development field. She is enthusiastic about transferring her skills to the higher education sphere, especially as it relates to building pathways for students to obtain career experience, and for the life science industry to benefit from increased access to diverse young talent. Sharon earned a BA in History from Williams College, following which she worked in arts administration and philanthropy. A mother of two, she grew up in Vermont, but has called New York City home since 1990.
Sally Feng, Associate Director of Career Development, came to Upper West Strategies from Salvadori Center, where she taught STEAM project-based learning programs to K-12 students at schools, NYCHA, and temporary housings. Prior to that, she was very involved in research projects focused on animal behavior, coral reef restoration and oyster restoration. She translated her research into community engagement through her work as an environmental educator. Sally earned a BS in Integrative Biology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign where she serves as a mentor to undergraduates in the IB Alumni Mentoring Program. She is excited to continue to positively mold the career of young professionals as part of the LifeSci NYC Internship Program! In her free time, Sally enjoys spending time outdoors and traveling to go on hikes and backpacking trips.
Yangtsel Sherap, Program Manager
John Udara Mendis, Industry / Academia Analyst, came to Upper West Strategies from the University of Maryland, where he was a graduate student researcher developing enhanced throughput single-cell mass spectrometry methods to study questions in developmental biology. Udara has worked in numerous academic and industry labs, including CUNY ASRC, NYU, CCNY, Mississippi State University, Momentive Performance Materials, and Stony Brook University, researching diverse topics ranging from materials science, protein engineering, and diagnostics development. He earned his MS in Bioengineering at the University of Maryland and his BE in Chemical Engineering at CUNY City College/Macaulay Honors College. He is excited about understanding and bridging the gap between universities and the private sector through workforce and student development programs. He is a proud Sri Lankan and native New Yorker. In his free time, Udara enjoys urban exploration, hiking, and trying new restaurants.
Evan Ross, Program Coordinator, comes from the NYC Department of Education where he taught biology and environmental science to 9-12 grade students in Brooklyn. Evan entered the education field through Teach for America and worked with TFA Los Angeles to recruit and support potential corps members through their decision and placement journeys. Prior to teaching, Evan worked in the healthcare field as an EMT and research associate for asthma/COPD experimental trials and volunteered at a specialty animal clinic for geriatric oncology patients. Evan earned a BS in Psychobiology from the University of California, Los Angeles where he focused in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. He is excited to apply his experience and love for science to help students find careers they are passionate about in the STEM industry as a part of the LifeSci NYC Internship Program! In his free time, Evan enjoys playing the piano, doing yoga, and going for long distance runs.
Bill Hamersly, Program Coordinator, came to Upper West Strategies from Saga Education where they directed an Algebra intervention program in a Coney Island high school. Previously, their work entailed program management and direct educational support to youth in foster care. Bill earned BAs in French and English from Franklin and Marshall College. They’re excited to apply their past work coaching and mentoring students and young adults to direct young professionals in the LifeSci NYC Partnership. In their free time, Bill loves to cook and make art.
Anita Kishore, Consultant, specializes in supporting students to find healthcare, consulting, and nonprofit careers. She works closely with dual degree business / MPA / MPH / STEM students and career switchers. She is thrilled to combine all her interests to grow the Life Sciences talent pipeline in New York City through the NYCEDC LifeSci College Internship Program. Prior to her work as a career advisor, Anita worked in positions of increasing seniority in the healthcare industry. Anita followed her passion to increase access to affordable medicines for patients around the world by serving clients in both the private and public sectors. Anita’s interest in healthcare led her to work at Bain & Company, Sandoz (a Division of Novartis), and Pfizer, in strategy and operations in the US and internationally. Anita’s work in nonprofit access to health includes Doctors Without Borders and the Clinton Health Access Initiative, leading global vaccines supply chain logistics. Anita currently coaches MBA students with Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT), serving high-potential underrepresented minorities. Anita holds a BS in chemistry from Yale University, an MSc (with Honors) in chemistry from the University of Melbourne (supported by a Rotary scholarship), PhD in chemistry from the University of Georgia, and an MPA from the Robert Wagner School of Public Service at New York University.
Kathy Marryat (Senior Consultant) is currently consulting with for-profit and not-for-profit organizations, leveraging her experience from her 25-year corporate career to bring value and insights to executives, organizations, and students. Consulting projects have included helping senior leaders create effective business strategies, improve leadership skills, and manage career development. She has also conducted skills training and provided meeting moderation and facilitation services. She has also provided marketing advisory services for non-profit organizations.