Union Settlement Appoints New Senior Staff Members
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 20, 2018
MEDIA CONTACT
Susan Puder: (212) 828-6024
EAST HARLEM, NYC August 20, 2018 – Union Settlement (www.unionsettlement.org), the oldest and largest social service provider in East Harlem, today announced four new senior management appointments to strengthen the non-profit’s organizational capacity and extend its programming capabilities. The appointments include two newly-created roles: Derrick Boone has been appointed to the position of Associate Executive Director for Adult Programs and Dahmein McFadden is the Associate Director for Early Childhood and Youth Programs. Additionally, Hilda Cortés is the new Director of Adult Education and Oneida Perez has been appointed as the new Director of Human Resources effective immediately.
“We are thrilled to welcome these four tremendous leaders who will ensure Union Settlement continues to be a vital resource for East Harlem residents of all ages,” said David Nocenti, Executive Director. “These appointments will strengthen our overall organizational capacity and enhance our continuing efforts to develop appropriate program measurements tools and further improve program quality.”
“We are excited about the creation of two new Associate Executive Director positions at Union Settlement and welcome Derrick Boone and Dahmein McFadden, whose leadership and experience will allow us to bolster our services,” added Mr. Nocenti. “We are also delighted to welcome Hilda Cortés as our new Director of Adult Education and Oneida Perez as our new Director of Human Resources. Hilda has a wealth of knowledge and experience, and will be a strong leader and advocate on behalf of the adult learners in our community. Oneida brings impressive skills and experience in human capital management to Union Settlement.”
Derrick Boone, the new Associate Executive Director for Adult Programs, will oversee Union Settlement’s Adult Education, Mental Health Counseling, Senior Services and Small Business Development programs. For over two decades Derrick Boone has worked for nonprofit social service programs in direct care, professional consultation, and executive leadership. Prior to joining Union Settlement, Mr. Boone served as Associate Executive Director at Covenant House New York. He has experience working with organizations that focus on mental health, employment, education, school-based counseling, seniors, transitional living, trauma informed care, and homelessness. Mr. Boone holds a Master’s and a Doctorate degree in psychology from Loma Linda University.
“I’m really excited to be joining an organization that has such deep and meaningful roots in this community,” said Mr. Boone. “The work that is done here is so important, and I’m particularly excited to be a part of the holistic programming offered to the adults in East Harlem.”
Dahmein McFadden, the new Associate Executive Director for Early Childhood and Youth Programs, most recently served as Deputy Director of Operations and Professional Development at Kips Bay Boys & Girls Club. Prior to that, Mr. McFadden served as the Chief Program Officer at Row New York, and he also held senior positions at Harlem Children’s Zone and Phipps Community Development Corporation. Mr. McFadden holds a B.A. in Psychology from UCLA and a Master’s in Social Psychology from Teachers College of Columbia University.
“My passion has been, and continues to be, working with and strengthening the communities I serve,” said Mr. McFadden. “I am honored to join the amazing team at Union Settlement. Also, I am beyond excited to work with an organization with such a remarkable history of helping children and youth. I know that together we can provide opportunities to build a brighter future for the families of East Harlem that we serve.”
Oneida Perez, Union Settlement’s new Director of Human Resources, most recently served as the Director of Human Resources at Queens Community House. She brings over 12 years of human capital experience to Union Settlement. Past positions have included Director of Talent Acquisition at the YMCA of Greater New York, Human Resources Manager at The Boys’ Club of New York, and Recruiting Manager at Building Educated Leaders for Life. Oneida holds an M.A. in Organizational Management from University of Phoenix, and is a Senior Certified Professional by the Society for Human Resources Management.
“I am truly honored to work for Union Settlement and the East Harlem community – a community rich in history, tradition, and diverse people. It’s a community that afforded me opportunities via dynamic mentors, education, and support systems,” said Ms. Perez. “I’m excited to contribute to collectively transforming the lives of our neighbors and staff by strengthening human connections and empowering individuals towards self-efficacy.”
Hilda Cortés, Union Settlement’s new Director of Adult Education, most recently served as the Program Coordinator of Adult Literacy Education at Catholic Charities Neighborhood Services in Brooklyn, and previously held educational and job development positions at the Hudson County Schools of Technology. Ms. Cortés holds a Bachelor’s degree in Spanish from SUNY-Buffalo, and a Master’s degree in Education from the College of Mount St. Vincent.
“I am thrilled by this opportunity to help enrich the lives of East Harlem residents,” said Ms. Cortés. “I am particularly inspired by Union Settlement’s dedication to supporting immigrants in our community by providing English classes and High School Equivalency classes in both Spanish and English. As the new Director of Adult Education, I am ready to listen to the needs of this diverse community, and I’m prepared to meet and I hope exceed those needs.”
About Union Settlement
Union Settlement is an on-the-ground resource for East Harlem residents of all ages, and a passionate advocate for the needs of underserved communities. Since opening our doors in 1895, we have brought education, wellness and community-building programs to our neighborhood, empowering New Yorkers with opportunities to better their lives. With a staff of more than 450 and services that impact 10,000 people, Union Settlement is building the vitality and success of East Harlem. For more information visit www.unionsettlement.org.