Editorial Board

Technical Editor, PhilanthropyNYU

Mimi Meserve is entering her final semester at New York University and serves as a Technical Editor of PhilanthropyNYU. She has worked with many cultural institutions in the New York City area including The Public Theater and Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). Over the years, Mimi has worked as a K-12 performing arts education; she is certified to teach IB Theater, K-12 Theater, and 7-12 English. In addition to working in education, Mimi has also worked extensively in non-profit management. She currently works full time for the Kennebunk Beach Improvement Association as their Program Administrator as well as at Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) as a grant writing intern. Mimi graduated cum laude from CUNY-Brooklyn College with a B.F.A. in Theater where she received the Samuel Levenson Scholarship.

M.S. Candidate in Fundraising and Grantmaking at New York University
Editorial Board Chair, PhilanthropyNYU

Susanna Johnson initially entered the nonprofit sector while working in the development office of The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art for two and a half years. On a volunteer basis she fundraises for her undergraduate alma mater by serving on their Capital Campaign Cabinet and implementing her class reunions as a reunion co-chair. In addition to her professional and volunteer experience, Susanna is a member of Women in Development and Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy. Her passions are education reform and women’s issues. Susanna was graduated cum laude with a B.A. in Art History from Washington and Lee University.

Editor-In-Chief, PhilanthropyNYU

Aashika Patel is in her third semester at New York University and serves as the Editor-in-Chief of PhilanthropyNYU. She has worked with the Children's Aid Society in New York City, the American Civil Liberties Union, and as a consultant for Google Grants. Over the years, Aashika has built her experience in fundraising with social service, civil rights, international, education, and religious organizations. Aashika is also the SCPS Representative for the Fundraising Student Association at NYU. Fluent in Hindi and Gujarati, Aashika has a particular interest in South Asian philanthropy and has done extensive research on giving trends in relation to emerging entrepreneurship in Asian culture. Aashika holds a B.A. from Syracuse University in Philosophy and South Asian Studies.

Articles Editor, PhilanthropyNYU

Halima Leak has over 10 years of experience in the non-profit sector, including organizations and educational institutions such as: United Way of Forsyth County, Communities in Schools of Wake County, INROADS NC / Triangle, Barnard College of Columbia University, the New York University School of Law, and the Faculty of Arts and Science at New York University. In addition to her professional experience, Halima is involved in the theoretical study of philanthropy in education as a doctoral student in New York University’s Higher Education Program. Her scholarly interests include Historically Black Colleges and Universities, African American Philanthropy, and issues of race and gender in Higher Education Halima holds a B.A. in English from Hampton University and an M.A. in Sociology of Education from New York University.

Technical Editor, PhilanthropyNYU

Minji Kim is a graduate student in the Performing Arts Administration program at New York University. Her interest in philanthropy and nonprofit sector grew as she studies in the graduate program and interns in the development department at Carnegie Hall. Her areas of expertise include strategic planning, public relations, visual communication. She holds B.A. in Public Relations and Advertising from Sookmyung Women's University, and a M.A. from University of Florida in Mass Communication.

Marketing and Outreach Editor, PhilanthropyNYU

Akira Barclay is a grantmaker with a passion for social justice and over a decade of experience in philanthropy and the nonprofit sector. She is Chair of Programs at the New York Chapter of Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy, a member of the New York Women’s Foundation Grants Advisory Committee and a Do Good Ambassador for the Brooklyn Community Foundation. Akira is also writes about philanthropy in the African-American community for BlackGivesBack.com. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Editorial Board, Philanthropy NYU

Karol has 20 years of experience in senior executive positions at major nonprofits. Her areas of expertise include grant writing, strategic planning, PR, and board development. She served as the grant writing consultant to the African American Museum in Philadelphia during its $4.5 million capital renovation and installation of the new exhibition, Audacious Freedom: African Americans in Philadelphia 1776-1876. Karol is a board member of the Thomas Morris Chester Benevolent Corp., an advisory board member of the Grace Community Christian Center, and Communications Chair of the Grace Baptist Church of Germantown Capital Campaign Committee. She holds B.S. from Morgan State and a M.A. from Towson in Mass Communication. Karol is the President of “A Word to the Wise” - a strategic fundraising, educational, and philanthropic services company.

Ruthellen Rubin & Associates
Adjunct Assistant Professor of Philanthropy and Fundraising at New York University
Faculty Advisor, PhilanthropyNYU

Ruthellen is the Director of Development at Louis August Jonas Foundation www.lajf.org. In addition, she provides counsel to nonprofits and philanthropies in the areas of fund development and board governance. She has over twenty years of experience in all aspects of fundraising as a member of several nonprofit and institutional boards and also professionally as a fundraiser and marketing specialist. She is a frequent workshop facilitator and an affiliate consultant for the Support Center for Nonprofit Management. A Professor at NYU's Heyman Center for Philanthropy and Fundraising Ruthellen teaches courses in technology, nonprofit board effectiveness and the annual appeal.