About Our Program
The American Red Cross Greater New York Region offers exceptional undergraduate and graduate students developmental internship opportunities at our chapters across the Greater New York Region, which includes New York City, Long Island, Greenwich, Conn., and the Lower Hudson Valley.
Through training and mentorship students are involved in projects critical to the day-to-day work of our non-profit organization gaining an insider’s perspective on our mission.
Our Volunteer Internship Program provides opportunities for professional experience and exposure to the non-profit sector while receive networking, personal, and professional development opportunities, and academic credit if applicable.
In addition, this Spring we continue our partnership with the City University of New York (CUNY) to host CUNY Service Corps interns who are new to the workforce but are ambitious, bright, and ready to apply the skills they’ve learned in the classroom to work.
Our program is in accordance with all applicable employment laws including the Fair Labor Standards Act. While our main program is a volunteer internship experience, we offer College or University credit. Preference is given to those with an academic requirement for an internship however, all students are encouraged to apply. In addition, we partner with college and university programs seeking placements for students in nonprofits for service corps, experiential learning, or similar programs.
Manager Countdown
Our 2023 Summer Program begins Monday, June 5th and concludes on Monday, August 14th. All requests from managers to host a summer intern must be received no later than Monday, March 6, 2023.
The countdown below the deadline for managers to request a summer intern. GET EXCITED!!!
Communications Interns
These interns are practiced and persuasive public speakers, have strong writing skills and are savvy about social media. They communicate the Red Cross mission behind-the-scenes, on-camera, in-person and online.
Nathalia Agudelo Zapata
Intern, Marketing and Content Creation Specialist
Originally from Colombia, I have a foundation in international business and digital marketing. I have a strong ethical sense and moral convictions. I'm completing a BBA in marketing management from Baruch, building on my digital marketing degree from BMCC and coursework at LAGCC.
Manager: Deepti Bherwani, Regional Marketing Program Manager
Mandy Chan
Intern, Marketing and Content Creation Specialist
I am a rising senior majoring in Marketing Management at Baruch College. My career aspiration is to become a marketer for a non-profit organization, where I am responsible for executing various types of marketing. As a Marketing and Content Creation Intern, I will bring my strong communication and teamwork skills to deliver marketing campaigns. In my free time, I love hanging out with my dog best friend, Benji, a Jack Russell Terrier.
Manager: Deepti Bherwani, Regional Marketing Program Manager
Erianne Lewis
Intern, Communications Journalism Specialist
Hello! My name is Erianne Lewis and I am a senior journalism major and English minor at Baylor University. I was born and raised in Houston, Texas. I will be studying and interning in New York, through the Baylor Journalism in New York program, for my last semester of undergrad. I am so excited to be able to have the opportunity to do so. Once I graduate in May, I hope to attend graduate school to receive my master's degree. I'm very passionate about journalism and I worked for my university's newspaper, The Baylor Lariat, since my freshmen year. I learned a lot during my time there and I look forward to applying that knowledge to this internship and beyond!
Manager: Michael de Vulpillieres, Communications Officer
Felix Zhao
Intern, Social Media and Video Content Creator
My name is Felix, and I'm currently a Junior at Fordham University majoring in Film and Music. I hope one day to be a producer or writer. I love playing around with photos and video in the Adobe Creative Cloud and I am currently playing in a jazz ensemble at Fordham.
Manager: Chi Kong Lui, Online Media Manager
Community Relations Interns
These interns want to be uniquely positioned as facilitative leaders in the community, increasing capacity to deliver services and facilitating local resilience-building actions. They will be working to develop strong relationships with federal, state, and local elected officials to increase awareness of our programs
Jay Chen
Intern, Community and Government Relations Coordinator
My name is Jay, I am a senior at Baruch College, studying Corporate Communications. Although my major is in communications, I am always working on expanding my skillset. My current goals include learning JavaScript, and furthering my creative capabilities. In 2022, I finally stepped out of my comfort zone and published my first Youtube video!
Manager: Denise Bloise, Manager, Government and Community Relations
Luis Angel Ochoa
Intern, Community and Government Relations Coordinator
Hello! I'm Luis Angel. I study Criminology, Economics, and Philosophy at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. If I could major or minor in every field, I would. However, I plan on attending law school, and the sooner I achieve this goal, the better. I love reading, thinking, and writing—in that order—during my free time. I've been awarded twice for authoring papers. When I'm not working the rational part of my brain, I work my body and emotional mind. You can always find me at the gym in the morning or running around my neighborhood; this is my meditation. My strong skills include but are certainly not limited to, my proclivity to work diligently: I score highest on the Big Five personality trait of Conscientiousness and my ability to listen—the overlooked aspect of communication. Lastly, a fun fact about me is that the only music I listen to is either from Meek Mill or the classical genre.
Manager: Denise Bloise, Manager, Government and Community Relations
Development Interns
These interns are natural networkers and enjoy creating effective strategies for engaging donors and planning events. They are critical thinkers and strong communicators who thrive in a busy, fast-paced and deadline-driven environment. They are working with an equally driven team to help mobilize the power of donors in support of the Red Cross mission.
Liberty Arnold
Intern, Nonprofit Fundraising - Corporate Partnerships Specialist
Hi, my name is Liberty. I am a senior majoring in public policy with a minor in business administration. A fun fact is that my sister’s name is Justice, so we are Liberty and Justice. I am excited to be interning with the Red Cross and look forward to the semester!
Manager: Lea (Hsiang lei) Chiu-adisa, Development Specialist
Disaster Cycle Services Interns
These interns are action-driven and client-focused. They will be on the front lines delivering services to clients and/or work behind-the-scenes developing plans for effective service delivery.
Fatimah Asad
CUNY Service Corps: Workforce Engagement Intern
Hello, My name is Fatimah! I am pursuing my undergraduate degree in computer science & business administration, and I love reading books! I hope to create positive change, and be a part of something larger than myself.
Manager: Sean MacLean, Workforce Engagement Manager
Ashley Persaud
CUNY Service Corps: Disaster Relief Intern - Staten Island
Hello! My name is Ashley Persaud. I am a sophomore attending New York City College of Technology. My major is Mechanical Engineering. I hope to help those I would not usually be able to here at the American Red Cross.
Manager: Biana Lupa, Disaster Program Manager - Staten Island
Aseef Luckman
CUNY Service Corps: Disaster Relief Intern
Hi, I'm Aseef. I'm a junior at Queens College and majoring in economics. With my studies, I am ready for a career path that requires analytical and problem-solving skills. I'm grateful for the skills that I've developed that allow me to enter a wide range of fields where I can utilize my skills and knowledge.
I'm excited to be a part of the American Red Cross and to contribute to the community by providing meaningful service.
Manager: Uikki O’Bryant, Senior Disaster Program Manager
Fariha Simran
CUNY Service Corps: Disaster Relief Intern
Hi! My name is Fariha and I'm majoring in Psychology at Queens College. I'm very excited to work at Red Cross because I believe being a helping hand in your community can impact many lives. :) I'm always open to new opportunities and learning new skills because I find new things interesting.
Fun Fact: I'm trilingual and like to skate and paint. :)
Manager: Uikki O’Bryant, Senior Disaster Program Manager
Raymona Dawkins
CUNY Service Corps: Disaster Relief Intern
Hi everyone! My name is Raymona Dawkins and I’m a junior at Queens College . I study sociology with the intentions to either go to law school or become a social worker. One fun fact about me is that I enjoy going out with all of my friends. I have been a teaching assistant at my school in the past and I am in a sorority on my campus. I’m looking forward to and I am very excited for my position at American Res Cross.
Manager: Jason Lyons, Regional Manager - Individual & Community Preparedness
Eleni Plevritis
Intern, Disaster Preparedness Coordinator
Hello! My name’s Eleni Plevritis and I’m a psychology major at Hunter College. In the future I’d like to go on to graduate school, and work in counseling. I spend most of my time studying for classes and organizing my schedule. In my free time I play video games, and read.
Manager: Jason Lyons, Regional Manager - Individual & Community Preparedness
Fabiola Luna Leon
Intern, Disaster Preparedness Coordinator
Hello Everyone! My name is Fabiola, and I am a current senior double majoring in film and media communications at Lehman College. I aspire to be working in the film industry or in public relations. I can maneuver through software like Adobe Premiere and Audition. One fun fact about me is, I love going to museums such as the MET and the Whitney.
Manager: Jason Lyons, Regional Manager - Individual & Community Preparedness
Chloe Mercedes
Intern, Disaster Training & Exercises Coordinator
Hi, I'm Chloe! Professionally, I am a Clinical Laboratory Scientist, but I decided to go back to school during the pandemic to earn my Master’s Degree in Public Health. I specifically concentrated my academic path in Disaster Preparedness and Health Surveillance in hopes of focusing my Public Health career in Emergency Preparedness so that I may aid communities during times of crisis in the future. Therefore, I am thankful and excited to be joining the American Red Cross team as this organization had originally inspired me to pursue this path from a young age. I am passionate about learning and helping others, but I also love to travel around the world and experience different cultures; the next stop is Alaska! When I am not working or traveling the world I like to stay right at home and practice cooking new recipes in the kitchen, so feel free to share your favorite recipe with me!
Manager: Catherine Esposito, Manager, Disaster Training & Exercises
Cailyn Hinds
CUNY Service Corps: Youth Preparedness Intern
Hi, my name is Cailyn! I am a senior at Queens College majoring in Psychology and Sociology. I love theatre (Hamilton!), reading and crochet! I am a very empathetic person who hopes to help people through tough times. I want to be a Victim Advocate Specialist and provide a safe space for people who need it!
Manager: Olga Wallace, Regional Emergency Preparedness Specialist
External Relations
These interns are practiced and persuasive public speakers, have strong writing skills, and are savvy about social media. They will be part of communicating the Red Cross mission behind-the-scenes, on-camera, in-person and online.
Shakeisha "Keisha" Bishop
Intern, Special Projects Development - Safety Town
Shakeisha Bishop is a mother, college graduate, and full-time worker who embodies the definition of a modern-day superwoman.
Despite the challenges of balancing my many roles, I have managed to maintain a positive attitude and a happy life.
After having her children, I decided to return to college and pursue her a degree in behavioral Science. I was determined to set a good example for my children and prove to that I could achieve all my goals. While attending school and working full-time, I never let my responsibilities get in the way of the life with my family.
I made sure to prioritize my children and spend quality time with them, and still found time to pursue my own interests.
With my hard work and dedication, I shall graduate college in 2023. My drive and determination have earned the respect of my colleagues, who admire my ability to balance many responsibilities with grace and ease. In my free time, I enjoy gathering with friends, beach vacations and spending time with my family.
I believe that the key to my happiness is finding balance in life and making time for the things that truly matter. I hope to have been an inspiration to all who knows me, and serves as proof that anything is possible with the right mindset and a can-do attitude.
Manager: Desiree Ramos Reiner, Chief External Affairs Officer
International Services
These interns want to be uniquely positioned as a facilitative leader in the community, supporting efforts to build not only more disaster-resilient communities but also stronger and well-connected communities overall. They may work either behind-the-scenes or in the community to build local resilience by supporting the Restoring Family Links (RFL) program, teaching International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and/or spearheading outreach efforts to promote our programs.
Shrouk Elbarsiky
Intern, International Services Specialist
My name is Shrouk Elbarsiky and I'm studying Political Science and Economics at John Jay College for Criminal Justice. I aspire to have my own social enterprise in my hometown in Egypt that will tackle global issues such as climate change and women's empowerment. Empathy is a strong quality of mine, and I am always looking for ways to support and help others. A fun fact about me is that I've done scuba diving, rock climbing, and parasailing, yet I still don't know how to properly ride a bike.
Manager: Gregg Porter, Director, Service to the Armed Forces and International Services
Elizbeth Nguyen
Intern, International Services
Hi everyone, I'm Elizabeth! I'm Chinese-Vietnamese-American and call southern California home. I'm majoring in International Relations with a minor in Peace and Conflict Studies. Post-undergrad I hope to continue my education at graduate school and acquire a position at a non-profit organization aimed towards supporting humanitarian missions in a global context. I have always been extremely extroverted and have strengthened my communication skills through various board positions with organizations at NYU and throughout my adolescent years. A fun fact about me is I love adventure and trying new foods, one of my favorite places I have traveled to was New Orleans and I hope to visit Asia soon to reconnect with my cultural roots.
Manager: Gregg Porter, Director, Service to the Armed Forces and International Services
Operations Interns
These interns want to be uniquely positioned as a facilitative leader in the community, supporting efforts to build not only more disaster-resilient communities but also stronger, well-connected and sustainable communities overall. They may work either behind-the-scenes or in the community to build local resilience.
Eva Boyes
Intern, Sustainability Specialist
Hello, my name is Eva Boyes and I am a junior majoring in environmental studies and minoring in business and hellenic studies at New York University. I am from Westfield New Jersey, but currently reside in New York. I’ve had experience as a Sustainability Consultant Intern at D.C. Partners, and a Sustainability analyst intern at Voiz, and am looking forward to working with the team at the Red Cross in the coming months. In the future I hope to work in corporate sustainability to help lessen the emissions of the world's biggest emitters. A fun fact about me is that I love to travel and have been able to study abroad in Florence, Athens and Berlin!
Manager: Susan Rounds, Chief Operations Officer
Yawen Zhang
Intern, Sustainability Specialist
Hi I am Yawen, a senior at Hamilton College, studying philosophy. I am interested in sustainable development, climate resilience improvement, and environmental justice. Fun fact: my go-to bagel order is blueberry bagel with cream cheese.
Manager: Susan Rounds, Chief Operations Officer
Volunteer Services Interns
These interns are resourceful, interested in team-building and want to help create the strategic direction for developing, engaging and retaining a highly effective and satisfied workforce through the utilization of volunteers, interns, and employees.
Yasmin Teekasingh
Intern, Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator
My name is Yasmin (she/her) and I am a senior anthropology major with a double minor in biology and history at Wagner College. I am a student athlete on our NCAA Division I fencing team and am involved in various extra-curricular activities on campus such as Wagner's Student Government Association, DSNY Composting, NSLS, the Black Student Union and LEAD Academy, which is a mentorship program I coordinate for first-year students-of-color and first-generation college students. I have experience working with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, gaining skills I hope to bring to my career goal; I aspire to pursue a career in public health, concentrating on urban health. A fun fact about myself is that I have only ever lived on the islands of New York (Long Island and Staten Island)!
Manager: Danielle Wohlenberg, Senior Recruitment Specialist
Our Numbers
Our Greater New York Region program began in 2016 when our national headquarters shifted from a national support model to a program any region could start and grow. Since then our interns have played key roles in our organization and worked on hundreds of unique projects in every line of service.
550
Interns Onboarded
60,000
Worked Hours Generated
140+
Unique Projects
Internship Program Team
Our team is volunteer-led and captures the talents and energy of talent acquisitions volunteers who work with managers and supervisors throughout each phase of the application and hiring process. Throughout the years they have reviewed thousands of applications to find the best collegiate talent for our program.
Pam Mancini
Internship Program Lead /
Talent Acquisitions Volunteer
Pam Mancini joined Volunteer Services and Mass Care at the American Red Cross in the spring of 2016. She worked for the Federal Government as a Program Evaluator at the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in Boston and New York City and as a Systems Analyst at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Washington, D.C. Pam holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University. She enjoys travel and lived in Hong Kong for two years.
Susan Curley
Talent Acquisitions Volunteers
Susan joined the American Red Cross as a volunteer in Mass Care and Volunteer Services in the fall of 2017. Previously, She worked in public accounting at Spicer & Oppenheimer. After receiving her CPA, she worked as an Internal Auditor at Goldman Sachs & Co. She enjoys tennis and yoga . She has a BS in Accounting from SUNY Geneseo and pursued graduate studies in Public Policy at New York University.
Tess Williams
Talent Acquisitions Volunteers
Bio coming soon!
Francine "Fran" Medaglia
Talent Acquisitions Volunteers
Fran’s interest in pursuing a career with direct service nonprofits began when she accepted a position at Women on the Job under the direction of its’ Founder, Lillian McCormick. Through her work at Women on the Job, an education and advocacy project for women’s workplace rights and equality, Fran addressed issues surrounding systemic discrimination in the workplace, including the issue of women’s right to pay equity.
As a Nonprofit Management Consultant, Fran provided technical guidance to numerous grassroots organizations with projects varying on organizational needs. In 2015, she was hired as Director of Development for The Safe Center LI where she managed the department team and all fundraising, stewardship, marketing, and communications necessary to fulfilling the agency’s mission of restoring hope to adult and child victims of sexual assault and abuse.
Fran holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Long Island University—C.W. Post and an M.B.A. from Baruch College with a focus on Marketing Management. She holds certifications in both nonprofit fundraising management and public relations and will sit for the C.F.R.E. exam in April 2022.