Paula L. Gavin has served as President of National Urban Fellows, Inc. since June 1, 2007, and is responsible for the overall vision, leadership and management of the organization. With a career that spans years of leadership and executive management, Gavin possesses a unique combination of business, education, and nonprofit experience, focused on youth and community development. In September 2004, Paula was appointed CEO for the New York City Center for Charter School Excellence, a nonprofit organization that promotes the development of charter schools. She was responsible for the successful launch of the organization, supporting 58 existing schools, directing the design and implementation of programs to support 27 new charter schools, and planning 50 additional charter schools, making certain that at-risk youth received quality educational opportunities. As President and CEO of the YMCA of Greater New York from 1990-2004, she directed the city's largest youth-serving nonprofit agency and the nation's largest YMCA, raising more than $150 million in revenues. Prior to her position with the YMCA, Gavin served in various executive positions with AT&T before being named Vice President of Network Operations, where she supervised business planning, finance, and personnel and training for AT&T's operational unit of 60,000.

As Director of Alumni Development at National Urban Fellows, David Chu oversees the development and design of programs to support the ongoing professional development of alumni. Additionally, he is responsible for creating alumni engagement opportunities, facilitating alumni communications, and alumni fundraising. Most recently, David was the Development Manager for the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) in Washington, DC. During his tenure at OCA, he directed, planned, and executed all fundraising activities to support the organization's programs and operations; coordinated its capital campaign; cultivated strategic partnerships that increased corporate, foundation, and individual giving; created a donor stewardship program; and oversaw the organization's database for members and donors. David previously served as the Senior Development & External Affairs Coordinator for The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars, where he was responsible for fundraising and external affairs, and as the Development & Administrative Director for Citizens for Global Solutions, where he was responsible for all fundraising activities and operations. A 2001 National Urban Fellow, David received a Master of Public Administration degree from Baruch College's School of Public Affairs and Bachelor of Arts degrees in History and Political Science. He is an active member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and AmeriCorps Alums DC Chapter, where he served as a founding board member. David was also selected as Virginia's delegate to the First Nonprofit Congress in 2006.

From his days as a National Urban Fellow, Miguel Garcia's professional journey has come full circle, leading him back to the institution that provided him with an edge. For the past 35 years, Garcia has held a variety of leadership and staff roles in the corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors. His focus in the diverse areas of public policy, grantmaking, school-to-work transition, youth leadership and development, and education has enabled him to develop as an effective problem-solver with keen analytical skills. Garcia has served on several Boards of Directors in New York City and New York State and was elected to serve as a Community School Board member in the Bronx. In addition to receiving a National Urban Fellowship, Garcia was honored with an Institute for Educational Leadership Fellowship. Garcia held the position of Program Officer at the Primerica Foundation, where he had a glimpse into the socio-economic demands and diversity of America. He founded Health Opportunities High School in the Bronx, where his responsibilities included managing the curriculum and instruction, supervising faculty and support services, and fostering educational and community relationships. Garcia was the Dean of Crisis Intervention for Special Education Students at DeWitt Clinton High School and an Academic Coordinator for an Entrepreneurship Honors program.

Renee D. Griffin's ability to multi-task ensures that the National Urban Fellows office always runs efficiently. Ms. Griffin oversees the offices of the President and the Director of Finance and Administration, providing administrative support to both and coordinating appointments and travel schedules. Renee's superior attention to detail also enables her to oversee financial transactions and management of the database. In addition, she is a professional presence on the phone, handling numerous inquiries and providing a warm, confident greeting to all who visit the National Urban Fellows office. Prior to joining the staff, Renee was employed by the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.

Maria Longo has over 20 years' experience working in financial services, real estate, and the nonprofit sector. From her position as Staff Auditor at Drexel Burnham Lambert to her current position as Director of Finance and Administration at National Urban Fellows, Longo's attention to detail has established her as a top financial executive. While working as a Senior Auditor, Longo successfully planned and executed operational and financial audits for the American Express Company and its subsidiaries, including IDS Financial Services, Shearson Lehman Hutton and American Express Bank. Longo also held the position of Accounting Supervisor at West World Management and served as Manager of Lease Administration at Phillips International Holding Corp., where she managed tenant leases for 45 commercial properties. Previously, she served as an Assistant Controller at Lawrence Ruben Company, where she was responsible for computing expense budgets and administering the accounting for commercial and residential properties. Ms. Longo graduated magna cum laude from Pace University with a degree in accounting.

Angela Perry is a communications professional with a track record of producing highly successful marketing and public relations programs. For over ten years she leveraged her expertise in media relations, marketing, communications, and event management for companies, agencies and nonprofit organizations. As Manager of Publicity & Promotions for Black Enterprise Magazine, she developed and managed the national marketing communications program for the Professional Exchange Networking Forums, the magazine's ground-breaking networking conferences, geared toward Black entrepreneurs and corporate career professionals. Later, she became the Manager of Corporate Public Relations for Essence Magazine, where she positioned the magazine as an industry leader to consumer, advertising trade and business media, acquiring placements in top-tier publications. She also oversaw the public relations efforts for the annual Essence Awards, which were televised nationally by CBS. In her capacity as the Director of Public Affairs and Marketing for Aaron Davis Hall, Harlem's premier nonprofit performing arts center, Perry was responsible for the establishment of the organization's marketing and public affairs division. During her five-year tenure she succeeded in the development of strategic marketing and communications planning, including an organizational re-branding, that resulted in a five-year foundation grant, 98% audience growth, and greatly enhanced visibility and awareness. Perry served as Chairman of the Board of the New York Friends of Alvin Ailey for two years, and under her leadership the Alvin Ailey American Dance Foundation received multi-year sponsorship support from Panasonic Company, which underwrote the costs of the annual Friends Gala. As Chair, Perry increased both audiences and revenues for one of the world's most celebrated dance companies.

Abigail Torres has been a member of the National Urban Fellows' staff for 13 years. Her loyalty, communications skills, and attention to detail led to her promotion to Program Manager in 2004. In this capacity, in addition to providing support to the Program Director, her responsibilities include helping to oversee the most essential Fellowship program systems and processes, including tracking applications, planning and organizing the annual program calendar and the annual leadership conference, and scheduling recruitment events, candidate interviews and mentor orientations. Torres also coordinates travel and summer housing for applicants and Fellows, prepares program documents including mentor guidelines and the Fellow policies and procedures manuals, and supports the Director of Alumni Affairs with various responsibilities.