Hi, I'm Sairalyn.
I help organizations meet their mission-driven objectives while maximizing efficiency and fiscal responsibility.
I am a highly organized, creative, detail-oriented professional, and peer-reviewed author. I have over 20 years of experience working in nonprofit organizations and private businesses, 15 of those in an operational or management role. I am looking for my next opportunity to apply my unique background in operations, program development, art, tech, mental health, and direct service.
MY JOURNEY
GROWING UP
My family emigrated from Nigeria to the US when I was 5 years old. My parents are both Filipino but were teaching in Africa when I was born. I grew up in a black neighborhood in Jersey City, NJ and attended culturally diverse public schools from elementary through high school. I didn't know it then, but through my upbringing, the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion would shape how I interacted with the world as I matured.
1998 - 2002
As an undergraduate I studied computer art at the School of Visual Arts in New York City where I learned all the marketing and design skills I am now utilizing as an operations manager. While I majored in computer animation, I was drawn to the healing nature of art and decided to minor in Art Therapy. During this course of study, I successfully completed 4 internships, serving diverse populations at a number of non-profit organizations throughout New York City.
2002 - 2005
After working for a year in newspaper publishing, I went back to get my Masters degree from New York University in Art Therapy. I started working in the Child Life department of Bellevue Hospital where I developed a research paper that would later be peer-reviewed and published in The Journal of the American Art Therapy Association. I am recognized as being one of the first art therapists to embrace the digital medium and use it successfully with hospitalized children and adolescents.
2005 - 2016
I continued to work at various culturally diverse nonprofit organizations as an art therapist, program coordinator and eventually program director. I managed over 60 youth workers and over 300 inner city families. In these roles, I was able to network and partner with a number of private businesses, city agencies, and community leaders to help grow our DEI focused community programs.
2016 - 2022
After a family tragedy, we moved from the NY Tri-State area to Orlando, FL where I brought my entrepreneurial mindset to the virtual environment. As the head of operations for Dr. Ruscio and Loupe, Inc., I developed operational and administrative systems, reports, and forecasting to help elevate the business and increase revenue. Within each start-up I also managed recruitment and grow the team by 400%.
TODAY
While I still provide remote and event support for a handful of nonprofits, I am hoping to fully return to my roots of direct service, bringing individuals and private businesses together to build community and share in the goal of improving our world and creating equitable outcomes for future generations.
Relationship Builder
I was always struck by the ease with which she built positive relationships with diverse community stakeholders...
Kai F.
Free Arts, NYC
Quality Programming
Sairalyn's skill as a director is inspiring and I think the quality of her program certainly reflects that.
Madiha Z.
NYC Department of Youth and Community Development
Solutions Drive
No challenge was too great for her. Not only could she find the needle in the haystack, she organized the entire barn in the process.
Rob F.
Loupe, Inc.