Mark Jennings, Executive Director
Mark Jennings (MDIV, LMSW) has served with Project FIND since 2018, assuming the role of Executive Director in January 2023. Before his appointment as Executive Director, he served as the organization's Associate Executive Director, overseeing the Social Services, Property Management, and Accounting departments. Mark is also an adjunct professor at NYU's Silver School of Social Work. Before joining Project FIND, he was Director of Housing at Community Access, Inc., managing more than 800 supportive and transitional housing units. He also held social justice roles at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C., and West Angeles COGIC in Los Angeles, California. Furthermore, Mark has worked as a journalist with the Virginian-Pilot and Ventura County Star Newspapers. He earned a bachelor’s degree in print journalism from Howard University, an MDIV from Harvard Divinity School, and an MSW from the Silberman School of Social Work at Hunter College.
Thea Jandzio, Associate Executive Director
Prior to Thea’s appointment as the Associate Executive Director, she was the Vice President of Business Development and Program Services at Volunteers of America Greater New York. While in this role, she oversaw more than 40 programs for seniors, homeless services, behavioral health, supportive housing, and family violence programs. She also was responsible for evaluating new business and service opportunities, and agency expansion resulting in numerous city, state and federal awards. Prior to being promoted to this role, Thea was the Assistant Vice President of Community Support and Behavioral Health Services in Northern New Jersey. While in this capacity, she was responsible for a broad range of Program Services, Human Resources, Finance, Property Management and Quality Assurance. In addition, Thea served as the Executive Program Director of Adult and Family Residential Services at The Jewish Board for Family and Children's Services prior to her work at Volunteers of America, where she managed 1,600 units of supportive and transitional housing, and domestic violence programs. Ms. Jandzio holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Oneonta University, and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Fordham University. She is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in the States of New York and New Jersey and has a part time psychotherapy practice.
Program Services
Nicole Vaughn-Robinson, Director of Community Services
Nicole Vaughn-Robinson has worked in the aging services field for 25 years. She began her career working in older adult centers and over the years provided administrative management and oversight for the older adult centers, social adult day and caregiver support services, NORC and transportation programs of a large non-profit organization. Earlier on Nicole also served as the New York State Delegate and Regional Representative for the National Institute of Senior Centers, an opportunity that ignited her passion for advocating for the older adults of New York City. Nicole graduated with a Bachelors in Human Services from Lincoln University (PA) and was the first recipient of the institution’s Gerontology certificate program. Nicole also received her MSW from Stonybrook University.
Russell Eisgrub, Director of Social Services
Russell Eisgrub has worked with, and advocated for, older adults in New York City for nearly 15 years. He has 10 additional years of direct service experience working with children, adults and families in various milieus in New York and South Florida. Russell graduated from Stuyvesant High School in NYC, and went on to earn a BA in English Literature from The University of Wisconsin- Madison. Russell earned his Master of Social Work degree at Florida Atlantic University, and he is currently an LMSW and SIFI certified in New York State. Russell previously served as the Social Work Supervisor of The Woodstock Hotel for more than five years, and he has extensive experience managing programs and working with older adults, their formal and informal caregivers, and the city, state and federal programs and systems that impact these individuals’ lives.
Housing Services
Sophia Ross, Director of Property Management and Housing
Sophia oversees the Property Management and Maintenance Department. With 16 years of experience in the property management field, Ms. Ross has a variety of certifications regarding property management including COS, COSP, TCS, BOS, MORS, CMM, CHM, CFS. Starting from a maintenance background, Ms. Ross moved up to the compliance department keeping all buildings up to maintenance code and all sites on a Federal & State compliance level. Sophia joins Project Find from Phipps Houses where she served as the Property Manager for 1200+ units of affordable, HUD and senior housing and also oversaw a tax credit and a co-op residential site.
Ismet Alija, Director of Facilities Maintenance
Mr. Alija is responsible for the maintenance, security, and housekeeping staff at all three residential buildings, as well as technical assistance for senior center programs. With over 30-years hands on experience, including 5 years as Handyman at the Woodstock Hotel, Mr. Alija holds NYC Fire Department Certifications for Maintenance of Sprinkler System, Con Low PSI Oil Burner, and Con STD/SPRK GR Tank. He has also received specialized training in boiler maintenance from the ACI Environmental Safety Training Institute in 2007.
Development, Finance & Human Resources
Kathleen Fitzgibbons, Director of Development and External Relations
Kathy began at Project FIND in 2017, serving as the organization's lead strategist for development activities and key relationship manager. She previously led fundraising and relationship building efforts as Executive Director of Visiting Health Service of Morris County and Director of Community Engagement for Family Promise; a national organization assisting homeless families. As a former Senior Policy Analyst, Kathy lobbied at the city, state and federal levels on budget and legislative issues impacting older adults and youth while at the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies (FPWA). Kathy also previously served as Program Director of Parker Jewish Institute's Caregiver Support Initiative. In May 2022, Kathy was awarded a certificate in Planned Giving from the Philanthropic Planning Group of Greater New York (PPGGNY). She holds a B.S. in Public Administration from the University of Scranton, and a Master of Public Administration degree from Rutgers University.
Zain Saeed, Director of Finance
Zain joins us with over 10 years of experience in finance, having spent many years in the non-profit sector. He has worked in various finance and accounting roles throughout his career, obtaining knowledge on both standard accounting practices and process optimization with a particular focus in technology solutions. Formerly the Assistant Controller at West Side Federation, a nonprofit that also specializes in providing low-income housing for senior citizens, he oversaw the finances/accounting for 30+ residential buildings with an annual budget of over $60 million. His expertise in finance and reporting as well as extensive knowledge of technology will help establish Project Find as a leader in the affordable housing sector for New York City's Older Adults.
Deon Lewis, Controller
Mr. Lewis has been with Project FIND since 1986 and has served as Controller since 1993. Mr. Lewis oversees a staff of three full-time bookkeepers; tracks and records the economic activity of our five housing corporations as well as Project FIND. Mr. Lewis holds a degree in Finance from Baruch College.
Karen Bradunas, Director of Human Resources
Ms. Bradunas is experienced in both the corporate and not-for-profit sectors. Since 2005, her human resources work has focused on building nonprofits. Ms. Bradunas holds a B.S. degree from New York University and the SPHR and SHRM-SCP designations.