Local Power.
Decades Deep.

Two boys sitting on an outdoor basketball court with trees and graffiti in the background.
Group of diverse children and adults wearing gloves posing with litter pickers, a broom, and bags of collected trash on a sidewalk near blooming trees.

Our Mission

Queens isn’t just where we live — it’s where we fight for every neighbor to thrive. Woodside On The Move sparks change from the ground up through bold youth programs, fierce housing support, and vibrant cultural events. We ignite kids’ potential with free after-school and summer programs. We help families stand strong against eviction and landlord discrimination. And we celebrate the spirit of Queens with community events and small business support — creating opportunities that last.

History

It started with one street and one vision: lift up Woodside. In 1976, Kevin Mahon, a Vietnam War veteran and local champion, founded WOTM to revive the Woodside commercial district. His grassroots grit set the stage for our work—empowering thousands through education, housing, and community pride. Today, we reach over 1,800 kids yearly, support 2,000+ households with housing aid, and unite Queens through bold events. From one block to a movement, we’re building a stronger, more connected community.

Black-and-white photo of six people cleaning a street with brooms and holding 'I love a CLEAN New York' signs during the 1979 cleanup.

A thriving, equitable Queens where everyone has access to housing, education, public space, and civic life.

Our Values

  • Equity & Inclusion

    We center dignity, access, and representation.
  • Community Empowerment

    We help residents lead and shape their future.
  • Integrity & Accountability
    We do what we say.
  • Collaboration & Respect
    We lead with dignity and mutual respect.
  • Innovation & Growth
    We adapt, evolve, and embrace solutions.
  • Excellence in Service
    We deliver quality, responsive programs.
Smiling child with curly hair wearing a dark t-shirt playing outdoors near a soccer goal.

Meet Our Team

Our staff and board are local leaders, educators, advocates, and community connectors — working together to keep Queens moving forward.

Executive Leadership

William Jourdain
Executive Director
Leads the charge with heart, vision, and deep commitment to community.
Adriana Beltran
Senior Deputy Director of Programs
Oversees programming that empowers youth and families every day.
Jacqueline Amaya
Senior Director of Fiscal Operations
Keeps our operations accountable and our mission on track.
Carmen Rodriguez
Director of Youth Development & Education
Champions the next generation with programs that inspire growth.
Miladis Martir
Chief of Staff and Director of Operations
Runs the engine behind the scenes — ensuring we show up strong and organized.

Board Of Directors

Larry Gallegos
Chairperson

Larry lives in Woodside with his wife Zuleika and their two beautiful children Nathanael and Leilani. Larry currently serves as the Director of Public Affairs for CLEAR and oversees the Northeast, Florida, and Puerto Rico. Larry is a firm believer in "lifting each other up as we climb" which is why he has centered community as his guiding principle. During his spare time he is a volunteer coach for St. Sebastian's CYO basketball team, a member of the Parent Teacher Association, and practices Jiu Jitsu with his family.

Dr. Mahdury Ray
Vice Chairperson

Dr. Madhury (Didi) Ray adventured all over the world before she found a home in Woodside, but she has stayed put here for 9 very eventful years during which time she got married, bought her first apartment, became a mom to Sailesh and Gayatri, and rescued her beloved cat Simha. She is honored to serve on the board of Woodside on the Move where she contributes her expertise in health equity and environmental justice. Outside of the Board, Dr. Ray is an innovator in preventive medicine and public health emergency management at the New York City Health Department where she works at the intersection of medicine, data, health equity, and public health with a focus on climate change's impact on human health. Dr. Ray holds an M.D. and an M.P.H. and is a Certified Emergency Manager. She is one of 2021's 40 Under 40 Rising Leaders in Public Health and a Fulbright Scholar.

Jon Zimmel
Treasurer

Jon Zimmel is an accomplished CPA specializing in management company accounting, financial reporting, budgeting, financial analysis and external audits with over 20 years of experience. He has created scalable financial reporting processes leveraging automation and technology solutions. He has a successful history of managing teams and implementing new systems. He has cultivated productive relationships with cross functional departments, senior management and external auditors. He has a track record of shortening reporting timelines to stakeholders and reducing costs.

Lisa Quinones
Secretary

Lisa is a driven corporate social responsibility analyst at JetBlue, where she contributes to impactful community initiatives as New York’s hometown airline. A 2020 graduate of High Point University, Lisa first joined JetBlue as a summer intern in 2019 before returning a full-time role in 2021. Her professional experience also includes roles at the Make-A-Wish Foundation and a local family and children services nonprofit organization. Passionate about corporate citizenship and volunteerism, she serves on the executive committee of Corporate Volunteers of New York, helping to foster meaningful engagement between businesses and communities.

Abril Peña
Board Member

Born and raised in Queens, and bringing years of experience in education and philanthropy, Abril is proud to serve on the Board of Woodside on the Move. Currently, Abril is the Corporate & Foundations Partnerships Manager at Citizens Committee for NYC; in this role, she bridges the gap between funders and grassroots leaders to support community-led initiatives for the betterment of New York City. Prior to joining CitizensNYC, Abril developed her partnership, fundraising, and community building skills at Echoing Green, JPMorgan Chase, and Virtual Enterprises International. Throughout her career, Abril has fostered strong partnerships with donors, partners, and community members; engaged hundreds of volunteers annually; and supported fundraising efforts through grant writing and reporting. Abril earned her B.A. in Corporate Communications with a minor in Sociology from Baruch College CUNY. As an alumna of Minds Matter, Abril dedicated four years volunteering as a high school mentor and college coach for low-income, high-achieving students. Additionally, she supports Dominican Writers Association in the planning of their annual writers retreat, which since 2023, has helped over 40 emerging writers develop their talents.

Brent O' Leary
Board Member

Brent O'Leary is an New York attorney with over twenty years experience in the fields of corporate, finance and technology and presently works at the law offices of A&O Shearman. He is a Queens native who has been actively involved in community affairs and politics for many years. Besides his work with Woodside on the Move, Brent founded the Hunters Point Civic Association and helped found the Boys & Girls Club of Sunnyside. Brent was a member of the Democratic National Committee and ran for New City Council and Assembly. During Covid, Brent founded and helped run two food pantries which distribute food for over a year to thousands of people in need. Brent is an avid traveler having visited eighty five countries including living in Japan for ten years and he speaks Japanese and Spanish.

Dr. Shankar Bisunke
Board Member

Dr. Shankar Bisunke is a dedicated advocate for the Nepalese community in the United States, currently residing in New York City. He holds a Ph.D. in computer science and has over a decade of experience in computer engineering, presently working in IT for New York City. Dr. Bisunke combines his professional expertise with a passion for community service. He has emerged as a leader during the COVID-19 pandemic, actively supporting vulnerable populations and amplifying their voices to authorities. He also Involved with several nonprofit organizations, he continues to inspire resilience and hope within the Nepalese diaspora here in New York and back in his country Nepal.

Joanne Smith
Board Member

Worked for AT&T, Verizon and Nokia for approx. 36 years as a Staff Assistant and Computer Programmer.Was a Volunteer as Secretary on the Board of Directors at Berkeley Towers and lived there with my Mom for 40 years.. I was a volunteer at Woodysun and Woodside On the Move for over 16 years as President, Secretary and Treasurer on the Board of Directors.

Sandra Matthews
Board Member

Ms. Matthews is a Vice President and Commercial Credit Underwriter at Bank of America, working with healthcare, education, and not-for-profit institutions. Ms. Matthews is a recognized industry specialist on operating trends and credit analysis of essential public and social-purpose borrowers, sectors, and municipal financings (e.g., education, healthcare, housing, and infrastructure). Prior to her current role, she has held a range of positions in financial institutions including Amalgamated Bank, Hilltop Securities, FM Advisors, Tortoise Credit Strategies, and Palmer Square Capital Management. Ms. Matthews earned a Master of Public Administration in public policy from the Wagner School at New York University and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Queens College.

Potri Ranka Manis
Board Member

Potri Ranka Manis is a multidisciplinary Filipino-American nurse, artist, tradition-bearer, and activist rooted in the Meranao heritage of Mindanao in the southern Philippines. A descendant of the Meranao Sultanate, her father was Sultan of Borocot, Maguing—she carries the noble title Bai a Labi a Gaus sa Borocot, Maguing, reflecting her lifelong commitment to cultural stewardship. As an artist and cultural leader, she founded the Kinding Sindaw Heritage Foundation in New York in 1992, dedicated to preserving and sharing the dances, rituals, epic chants, and oral traditions of Mindanao. A resident artist at La MaMa ETC since 2000, her recent works including Pananadem (2020), Posaka (2022), interweave ancestral narratives with contemporary themes. She is a NYFA/NYSCA Folk Art Fellow, a Dance/USA Artist Fellow, and a master teacher with Lotus Music & Dance, where she leads workshops on living traditions such as Sagayan, Singkil, Pangalay, and kulintang music. Alongside her artistic work, Potri is a Public Health Nurse and Nurse Educator with the NYC Department of Health. She created R.A.N.K.A. (Resilient Ancestral Nurturing Knowledge and Arts) as a healing modality rooted in indigenous practices and led the #iloveyouverymask campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic. After surviving an anti-Asian hate crime while distributing masks, she became an active advocate against violence and racism. She now serves on NYC’s Asian Affairs Advisory Council, is a member of Queens Community Board 3, and is a co-founder of the Kalusugan Coalition. Through dance, healing arts, and civic engagement, Potri Ranka Manis bridges ancestral memory with present-day struggles, working to decolonize cultural narratives, affirm Filipino-Muslim identity, and advance community resilience. Her work embodies a living tradition—an ongoing act of resistance, storytelling, and care.

Frank Ottomaneli
Advisory Member

Keep Queens Moving

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