2022 Women Build Luncheon Registration

Ebony Young

Deputy Borough President, Queens

Ebony Young has spent over 20 years working in the Nonprofit sector as an Executive Leader at institutions like the Long Island City YMCA, TF Cornerstone, the Black Entrepreneur Initiative and the Ladies of Hope Ministries (LOHM). She has been charged with leading, organizing, facilitating and operating nonprofit organizations to the highest efficiency levels, specifically in the areas of youth development, healthy living and social justice reform. She’s also spent time in the private sector as a Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility.

She’s previously served on several Queens boards, task forces and advisory committees, serving youth, adults, seniors, athletes, artists and environmentalists in her local Queens community. Giving back to the community with confidence, passion and innovation has led her to be a true communal builder, connector and educator.

Ebony received her Bachelor of Science in Communications-Rad/TV/Film from Indiana State University and is also a graduate of Indiana Tech where she received her Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership.

Ebony is also a motivational speaker and certified life coach. She resides in Woodside, Queens with her husband and three children.

Sherry Wang

Managing Director, Goldman Sachs
Co-Head, Urban Investment Group

Sherry is co-head of the Urban Investment Group (UIG) within Asset Management. She serves as a member of the UIG Investment Committee and as a member of the Sustainable Finance Group Steering Group. Established in 2001, UIG is a domestic, multi-asset investing and lending business that has committed more than $10 billion to community and economic development investments, serving as a catalyst in the revitalization of underserved, predominantly minority communities. Previously, Sherry worked in the Investment Banking Division. She joined Goldman Sachs as an analyst in 2007 and was named managing director in 2017. Sherry serves on the New York Advisory Board of Enterprise Community Partners, a nonprofit focused on improving low-income communities. Sherry earned a BA in Mathematics and Economics, magna cum laude, from Yale University in 2007.

Doreen Bartoldus

National President, National Association of Women in Construction and
Manager of Projects, Jacobs

Ms. Bartoldus has over 45 years experience as a civil/environmental engineer and construction manager. She has managed complex construction contracts. Ranging from $1 million to $1.4 billion in construction value.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil and Environmental engineering from the Polytechnic Institute of New York University (now Tandem School Of Engineering) and a MBA in Sustainable Business from Green Mountain College. She is a registered Professional Engineer in New York, a Certified Construction Manager, a LEED Green Associate, and an Envision Sustainability Professional. Bartoldus was also an adjunct Professor at Stevens Institute, teaching “Project Controls  for the Enhanced Built Environment” to CM Masters students.

She  has served on the CMAA Metro NY/NJ Board of Directors as Long Island Director and Director of Professional Development. She served NAWIC Locally and Nationally as Regional Director 2016-2018, National Treasurer for 2018-2019 and President Elect 2020-2021.

Also Co-Chaired for the New York Building Congress Council of Women’s Organizations from 2013 – 2015, a member of the  Hofstra Engineering School advisory Board 2019 – 2021.

Ms. Bartoldus is now NAWIC National President for the 2021-2022 year.

Rev. Kimberly Council

Assistant Pastor
Greater Mount Pleasant Baptist Church

Rev. Kimberly Council is a Law Librarian, Assistant Pastor at Greater Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, former non-profit executive, and mom of two. She was licensed on February 23, 2003 and ordained on April 2nd 2006, at Berean Baptist Church under the leadership of the Rev. Dr. Arlee Griffin Jr.

Rev. Council has dedicated her life to community service, led by her faith in the Lord. As a child, she was inspired by her mother and aunt, both preachers, and her grandfather, a Bishop. She has served as Superintendent of the Young Adult Sunday school Department, on the Board of Christian Education, and Minister to both the youth and Young Adult populations at Berean Baptist Church.

Since then, her service has spanned issues and borders. She has led programs to build affordable housing, organize food pantries, develop youth enrichment activities, violence prevention programs and was appointed to serve on the HBCU International Task Force by the International President of Alpha Kappa Alpha.

Rev. Council has served as the Executive Director of the Berean Community & Family Life Center, President of the East Brooklyn Housing Development Corporation, she is currently Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Local Development Corporation of East New York and she sits on the Executive Board of Women of Faith Advocating Change, a partnership of female pastors, clergy leaders, community service providers and elected officials. All this while working her day job as a Senior Reference Librarian at Sullivan & Cromwell, LLP for the past 24 years. She was previously the President of the Law Library Association of Greater New York.

In December of 2021 Rev. Council accepted the call to serve as Assistant Pastor of Greater Mount Pleasant Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Randy L. Ware. Rev. Council received a Bachelor of Arts degree from North Carolina Central University and a Master of Science in Library Science from Pratt Institute. She lives in Cypress Hills with her daughter and son.

Voncille Chaney

I Am Queen JVC LLC, Habitat NYC and Westchester Homeowner

Voncille Y. Chaney is an Author, Innovator, and Motivational Speaker who has a passion for helping others reach their highest potential. Her mission is to empower individuals and groups of people by providing them with the skills they need to effect change in their communities. In January 2011, she joined the National Urban League Young Professionals and, later that year, co-founded Girls Advocating and Innovating the Nation (G.A.I.N), along with her sister Francesca. In early 2018, Ms. Chaney created I Am Queen JVC LLC, a consulting company that empowers people to master life through consulting, public speaking, and one-on-one coaching. She has written and published the children’s books “I Am Queen Ruby” and “Queen Iris Gets Her Crown.” Ms. Chaney obtained both an Associate’s and Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. She also holds a Master’s Degree in Urban Affairs from Queens College. Ms. Chaney resides in Queens.

Karen Haycox, Panel Moderator

CEO, Habitat for Humanity New York City and Westchester County

Karen Haycox is an experienced leader in the affordable housing space who joined Habitat NYC and Westchester as CEO in August of 2015. During her tenure at Habitat NYC and Westchester, Karen has instituted a bold new vision for the organization, with a goal of increasing the number of families served through construction and preservation from 550 to 2,021 by the year 2021. She has also overseen the groundbreaking of Sydney House, a 56-unit co-op in the north Bronx, which will be Habitat for Humanity’s largest single-structure, multi-family development ever built.

Previous to Habitat NYC and Westchester, Karen served as Vice President, Fund Development at Southwest Solutions and held a number of senior positions with Habitat for Humanity International in Atlanta. At Habitat for Humanity International, Karen served in leadership roles on the organization’s annual Carter Work Projects and on international and domestic disaster relief efforts, including the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, Hurricanes Katrina & Rita, the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Midwestern tornados in Texas, Missouri and Oklahoma as well as Superstorm Sandy.

Karen is deeply involved in New York’s LGBTQ+ and housing communities. She has served on the boards of Stonewall Community Development Corporation, an organization dedicated to providing New York’s LGBTQ seniors with supportive, affordable and safe housing options, and Rainbow Railroad, an international organization helping LGBTQ+ individuals around the world to escape state-sponsored violence, and find safety and freedom from persecution.

She also serves on the boards of the New York City-based Housing Partnership, which assists in the development, promotion, and revitalization of New York City’s affordable homeownership and rental housing and, the New York State CDFI Coalition providing advocacy and resources for New York State Community Development Financial Institutions.

Karen received her degree in Creative Cinematography, Film & Television from Humber College in Toronto, Canada, and enjoyed a successful career as a producer in advertising, film and communications before she transitioned to the affordable housing sector.

She lives in the New York City area with her dog Finnegan and cat Pepper.

Aria Nadège

Aria Nadège is a soul Goddess from Greenwich Village, NYC. Born in Philadelphia and raised in Brooklyn, her upbringing on Philly sounds and soul had a huge impact on her journey and direction as an artist.

Many compare the soulful songstress to Billie Holiday, Jill Scott, Sarah Vaughan and Erykah Badu. A multi-talented spirit with vocals, acting chops and dance skills combined make her a triple threat. She honed her talents at the renowned Stella Adler Drama Academy and the Alvin Ailey School. With film, stage and commercial credits she furthered her education at The University of Southern California, majoring in theatre and minoring in songwriting.

Aria is the founder of The Goddess Tour, a creative collective and transformative music series dedicated to highlighting original work of black and brown women. A provided safe space for artists who are normally underrepresented. The audience experiences true Goddess energies and divine sounds to channel the highest listening experience. A hub of various music genres and eclectic backgrounds. Creating more than just music; a global community for artists whose work represents the soul and vibrations of the world.

Her latest single ‘Serenity’ is a love song to the world urging us all to come together and find serenity within ourselves individually and within the communities we reside in.