We’re proud to introduce the inaugural CCC Ambassadors — a dynamic group of community members who bring passion, dedication, and expertise to this work. These leaders will play a key role in advancing climate resilience across Staten Island by championing education, awareness, and advocacy in their neighborhoods and networks.
Each Ambassador brings something unique to the table, but they all share one thing in common: a deep commitment to helping Staten Island thrive in the face of climate challenges.
Thank you to our incredible Ambassadors for stepping up and being part of this important movement!
Nadia Adam
Nadia Adam works at the intersection of infrastructure, industry, and sustainability, ensuring that projects benefit both businesses and the community. As Executive Director of the Staten Island Industrial Alliance (SIIA), she helps connect local industries with opportunities that support long-term growth and resilience. She also founded EcoWind Media, a platform that highlights climate and agriculture technology while sharing the stories of the people shaping Staten Island’s future.
A 2024 SIEDC 20 Under 40 Awardee, Nadia produced “Voices of Staten Island,” a documentary exploring the borough’s industrial roots, environmental challenges, and efforts to make it a better place to live and work. She has also represented the maritime industry in Washington, D.C., as part of the Small Shipyard Coalition, advocating for investments that support small businesses and preserve Staten Island’s working waterfront. Committed to strengthening industries and protecting the environment, Nadia focuses on projects that create lasting benefits for Staten Island and its people.
Allan Avidano
After graduating from St. John’s with a B.A. in History and English, Allan taught ESL in Nara, Japan through the JET Program then remained in Japan writing and tutoring before moving back to his hometown of Bologna, Italy to teach ESL in kindergartens. Upon returning to New York, he worked as a case manager in foster care at Seamen’s Society and then transitioned to the role of Preparing Youth for Adulthood Specialist where he assisted young adults in preparing to age out of care by providing housing assistance, post-secondary planning, citizenship services, and job placement. During this time, he also obtained his MS Ed in Mental Health Counseling and completed his internship at an in-patient state psychiatric facility. He took a brief stint teaching ESL in Poland, before returning and managing an 82-bed supportive housing program for the mentally ill with Catholic Charities, Beacon of Hope Program. In 2020, Allan became the Learning to Work (LTW) Program Director at Concord High School with NYCID before transitioning into the role of Director of Workforce Initiatives in 2022.
Ross Decker
For more than a decade, Ross Decker has served as a dedicated community organizer, committed to restoring hope, dignity, and stability to communities devastated by natural and human-made disasters.
A longtime Staten Island resident and humanitarian, Ross emerged as a pivotal leader in grassroots disaster recovery efforts after Hurricane Sandy struck his home borough in 2012. As a founding member of both Yellow Boots Long Term Recovery Organization and Staten Island Long Term Recovery Organization, he helped pioneer a community-driven rebuilding model that prioritizes sustained, people-centered support over short-term fixes. By cultivating partnerships among faith-based leaders, nonprofits, civic agencies, and business owners, Ross has forged resilient networks that combat isolation and empower survivors to rebuild with the support of a united community.
Beyond disaster recovery, Ross currently serves as President of the Board for Spotlight Theatre, Staten Island’s premier nonprofit professional theater company. The organization offers a year-round repertoire of plays and musicals designed to inspire, challenge, surprise, and excite audiences of all ages.
Rev. Antionnette Dongegan
Rev. Antoinnette Renita Donegan was born in Woodbine, GA, and raised in Jacksonville, Florida, by her Grandmother Elizabeth and aunt Francine; she now resides in Staten Island, New York. Antoinnette is a first-time author passionate about embracing people with the love of Christ. She wants people to feel like they have been adopted by a warm, genuine spiritual hug when they meet her.
Rev. Antoinnette is a survivor of domestic violence and a champion believer that without her firm faith in God and the support of family and friends, she could not have seen her way out. She is also supportive of others who need a shoulder to lean on. Antoinette believes that if someone needs help, stop your busyness and get the resources to this person so they can be helped. Her friends warmly refer to her as “Results” when it comes to getting the job done.
Rev. Antoinnette loves her work in the community, as she is connected to the Central Family Life Center in the Stapleton Area of Staten Island. Rev. Antoinnette has been a community advocate for many years, believing that her work now aligns with her calling to follow in the footsteps of Jesu, meaning to clothe the naked and feed the hungry, done all with compassion and love. Her passion has been recognized with numerous civic and community awards. She is a recipient of the Citizen’s police academy training and People’s police academy; she is the Clergy Liaison for the NYPD 120 Pct and the Correspondent Secretary for the 120 Pct. Community council, Part of the DA-sponsored Staten Island Task Force, a fellow in the first Staten Island WAASIFAH ( We Are All Staten Island Fellowship Against Hate), and Executive member of the Staten Island Hunger Task Force.
Colleen Evans
Colleen Evans is the Director of Natural Science at the Staten Island Museum, where she has worked since 2019. She has an M.S. in Biology from the University of North Texas. Throughout her career, she has worked with a diverse array of natural history collections and museums, including managing the U.S. National Tick Collection. She has a passion for using museum collections to tell local environmental stories and to teach people about the natural world that can be found just outside their doorstep.
Hope Ghazala
Hope Ghazala, LMSW is a Staten Islander and seasoned climate justice advocate with over 8 years of experience in grassroots organizing and popular education. As Network Director at Power Shift Network, Hope led youth climate activism initiatives, training over 300 young activists and coordinating national programs. Hope brings expertise in workshop facilitation, community organizing, and program development to the CCC, aiming to foster climate resilience through education and neighborhood collaboration. A licensed social worker and trainer at PeoplesHub, Hope is deeply committed to creating inclusive, accessible spaces for collective action.
Gabriella Grinwald-Alves
Gabriella Grinwald-Alves (she/they) is a community organizer, popular educator, and instructional designer focused on building towards a better future with her community and beyond. Gabriella graduated with an M.A. in Instructional Technology and Media from Teachers College at Columbia University where they focused on crafting educational media centering Indigenous voices and self-determination.
She is currently the Director of Transformative Justice Education at Start: Empowerment, crafting justice-centered environmental education for K-12 students and professional development for teachers and organizations. Gabriella is a proud resident of St. George, Staten Island where she has worked in coalition with many organizations and individuals for the past 2 years.
Ethel Hinneh
Ethel Hinneh is a 2024 graduate of Curtis HS. She is a passionate advocate for sustainability, social justice, and community resilience. As a dedicated member of Bee University NYC, she empowers urban communities through hands-on beekeeping training, leadership development, and environmental advocacy. Ethel’s commitment to equity extends to her work as a trained doula, where she champions maternal health and supports families during life’s most transformative moments. Her contributions to projects like RISC’s Spring Dune Grass Planting highlight her dedication to protecting coastal ecosystems and fostering environmental stewardship. Additionally, through her work with the Community-Based Education Movement’s Community Advocacy Project, Ethel amplifies marginalized voices, drives meaningful change, and inspires others to take action in addressing the Homelessness Crisis. Her unwavering dedication to creating sustainable and equitable communities makes her a true public servant.
Kwynn Hogan
David Sorkin
With over 45 years in the not-for-profit sector, David H. Sorkin is now a Senior Advisor and Consultant, leveraging extensive leadership experience. Previously, he served 15 years as CEO of the Jewish Community Center of Staten Island, overseeing one of the borough’s largest human service agencies.
As the founder of DH Sorkin Consultation Group, LLC, David specializes in interim management, fundraising, executive coaching, crisis management, governance, and strategic planning. He is currently an Environmental Sustainability Consultant for UJA-Federation NY, NY Metro Area Outreach Coordinator for Rich Energy Solutions, and a frequent lecturer on NFP governance, supervision, and transition planning.
David holds an M.Ed. from Temple University and has taught Leadership in Business at the College of Staten Island (CUNY). He is an active Trustee and past Board President of the Staten Island Not-for-Profit Association, Board Chair of Staten Island Hebrew Public Charter School, and serves on the Staten Island Chamber of Commerce.
