Sister to Sister International, Inc.
Founder, President & CEO, (Executive Director)
&
Consultant
Summaries
August 2025
DR. CHERYL BRANNAN, Founder, President & CEO, Executive Director
SHAWNA TETRO - Bookkeeper
DR. VALERIE MASON CUNNINGHAM – Strategic Consultant
BERYL WEAVER – Community Partner Liaison & Management Consultant
TSAHAI AMAZAN – Development & Administrative Consultant
GLORIA CUNNINGHAM – Website, Marketing & Communications Consultant
EDEN GILLIAM – Social Media Consultant
LYDIA SMITH – STEAM Program Consultant
CHERYL HUNTER GRANT -Maternal Health Consultant *Paid by community partner
Dr. Cheryl Brannan, known as Founder, President & CEO and STSI Executive Director
Roles & Responsibilities
May 13, 2025
The role of a Nonprofit Executive Director is pivotal in steering an organization towards achieving its mission and making a significant impact.
Provide leadership and assist the STSI Board, Steering Committee, Members, Community Partners and personnel with organizational strategic planning, operational management and community outreach.
Key Responsibilities & Tasks
1.Leadership and Management
● Vision and Strategy & Board Collaboration: Dr. Cheryl, works closely with the board of directors to define and communicate the organization’s vision and direction.
● Develop and implement strategies that align with the organization’s mission and goals: Dr. Cheryl works with the Board Co-chairs, Organizational Effectiveness Directors and Strategic Consultant to ensure that the orgs Strategic Plan is used as a road map and is effectively implemented;
- Ensure updated strategic plan is available for board meetings, retreats and other key meetings and used as a management tool for programming
-Update the President/Executive Directors report including personnel and programs for Board member presentation;
● Team Leadership: Working with the STSI Human Resource Committee Dr. Cheryl recruits, hires, and engages a strong leadership team and foster a positive and inclusive work environment.
2.Operational Oversight
● Program Management: Oversee the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the organization’s programs and services; Dr. Cheryl ensures quality principles are utilized and programs have tools incorporated to manage impact;
● Compliance: Ensure that the organization adheres to all legal and regulatory requirements. Working with the Budget and Finance Team. Over the past 30 years, Dr. Cheryl ensures that taxes are filed as well as CHAR 500 completed annually in compliance with nonprofit requirements, for the federal and NYS government.
● Policy Development: Develop and implement policies and procedures to ensure efficient operation. Dr. Cheryl worked with the Organizational Effectiveness Directors to have By-laws updated, along with Operations Manual.
3.Financial Management
● Budgeting: Develop and manage the organization’s budget. Ensure financial stability and sustainability. Dr. Cheryl works with the Budget and Finance Committee to ensure budget is drafted and adopted. It is very necessary to complete the budget not only for management purposes, but it is required for grant applications also.
● Fundraising: Oversee and participate in fundraising efforts, including grant writing, donor cultivation, and fundraising events. Dr. Cheryl has led these efforts in the past and is now playing less of a role due to the engagement of a Development Consultant and STSI Fundraising team. Dr. Cheryl is engaged as needed.
● Financial Reporting: Ensure accurate and timely financial reporting to the board and other stakeholders. Dr. Cheryl works with the Budget and Finance Committee to ensure accurate financial reporting of transactions. The Development and Administrative Consultant confers with the financial secretary to provide updates on event and program spending.
4.Community and Public Relations
● Advocacy: Represent the organization in the community and advocate for its mission and programs. Dr. Cheryl represents STSI along with other team members at various community activities/partners: Westchester County Assn, YWCA, Mercy University, Westchester Women’s Summit, Divine 9 and more
● Partnerships: Build and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, community leaders, and other nonprofit organizations.
● Communications: Oversee the development and implementation of marketing and communications strategies to enhance the organization’s public image and outreach. Dr. Cheryl occasionally makes recommendations to a very accomplished marketing team.
5.Strategic Planning
● Long-term Planning: Lead the organization in the development of long-term strategic plans to ensure growth and sustainability. Dr. Cheryl recommended the creation of the STSI 2.0 transition committee working with the Board co-chairs and Directors.
● Goal Setting: Set and monitor goals and objectives to achieve strategic priorities.
6.Board Administration and Support
● Board Meetings: Prepare for and participate in board meetings. Provide timely and accurate information to the board.
● Governance: Assist the board in the development and implementation of governance best practices.
TASKS
- Meet with accountant to share documents necessary to complete taxes and make intro to financial secretary and all parties for filing next year;
- Interface with the CPA to get completed tax documents – needed for grant applications and to ensure STSI stays in compliance.
- Share final documents with the team (Budget & Finance Team) for distribution to board member, along with the grant writer etc. for reference during grant writing;
- Collect checks from the mailbox; Do an electronic deposit scan and scan checks to be sent over to financial secretary identifying what they are for (purpose) to the financial secretary for proper coding;
- Send appropriate info to admin to send letters of donation acknowledgement etc.
- Provide feedback to the financial secretary on any transacts she may not be familiar with;
Events
- Rectify issues working with team members related to Wix funds and distribution to our accts and paypal during any glitches;
- Getting NYS grants into the portal along with ensuring all updated docs are in the system to ensure state grants commence and are in a position to be vouchered for;
- Ensure NYS grant vouchers are completed for reimbursement;
- Ordered awards for event
- Gave feedback on minutes
-Ensure elected are invited and press is covering/invited; Post on my social media;
-Attend planning committee meetings (usually)
● Order awards as needed
Attend community events when STSI affiliates are being recognized – order/present flowers;
Support outreach to STEAM Sistah’s / parents as needed (Day of Action)
Interface with Board co-chairs regarding 2.0 implementation
August 15, 2025 (Continued)
Monthly Finance Tasks
● Retrieve any checks from the STSI mailbox and deposit electronically
● Make copies and send detail to financial secretary monthly
● Send to Development Consultant to have thank you’s and acknowledgments mailed
● Ensure STSI monthly bills are paid; (Con Ed, Optimum, rent, storage etc.)
● Pay consultants monthly
● Review invoices & tracking documents
● Process payment through STSI Bank account (Beryl, Tsahai, Dr. Val, Gloria, Eden & Lydia & intern)
● Pay service providers as needed (Tutors etc.)
● Review and process payment for sponsorships (tixs & ads), publicity, donations, recognition on an on-going basis via bank account
● Give feedback on finance transactions (monthly) for coding to financial secretary to be reviewed and forwarded to the STSI Bookkeeper
Monthly HR Management Tasks
● Facilitate a consultant team meeting twice (2x) per month including agenda items: HR related tasks (policy review), calendar review, support needed for events, program updates: Steering Committee, Workgroups, Marketing & Communications, Plan & Review scheduling etc.
● Conduct monthly one-on-one plan and reviews with Tsahai, Beryl & Dr. Val; Spend one hour reviewing their tasks related to roles and responsibilities, give direction and feedback; Review Consultant asks regarding topics for discussion;
● Recap the discussion and use the feedback as a tracking document and management tool;
STSI Activities & Events
● Participate in periodic monthly workgroup meetings: 1) Maternal Health & Health & Wellness, 2) Entrepreneurship, PE & EP; Social & Juvenile Justice; STEM & STEAM;
● Participate in event overviews, action plans & the creation of Run of Shows etc.
● Attend NYS Governor invited events for networking and sourcing for funding opportunities
● Attend high profile and elected fundraisers to provide support and organizational visibility
● Ensure STSI holds membership in key nonprofit organizations: Nonprofit Westchester, Business Council of Westchester etc.
● Attend fund raisers of community partners i.e. Divine 9, Yonkers Public Library, Nonprofit Westchester and more
General Grant Writing Activities
● Work with Development Consultant to create a list of grants to target for STSI funding
● Work with Development Consultant on strategy, approach, areas to emphasize in grants (spin to put on the application)
● Target repeat applications (past funders) and look for new ones Con Ed, Carvel, Charter, Yonkers Community Development Block Grants
● Write segments of applications as needed, and approve Development Consultant drafts
● Discuss during plan & reviews and other designated times
● Attend meetings Yonkers (CDBG) hearings, meetings where grant application process updates are discussed
NYS Grant Management Processes
● Get STSI set-up in the NYS Grants Management System
● Submit documents for annual prequalification (Board roster, Board Co-chair profiles, By-laws etc.)
● Set up STSI in the new State Financial System – provide intro to Development Consultant & Financial Secretary
● Interface with NYS elected officials and staff regarding proposals and meetings requesting (selling STSI programming and the need for funding, Annual member items designated i.e. Senator Cousins & Assemblyman Pretlow;
● Learn new system, submit applications online (forms notarized, insurance and workers comp etc., submitted); Move the application through the process working with contract managers, at Dept. of Health, Dept of Ed, Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS); Develop relationships with contract managers and manage contract movement through the process
● After contract submission and approval, create vouchers for payment; Attach banking transacts for all claimed funds
POSITION: STSI BOOKEEPER CONSULTANT
STSI Monthly Bookkeeping &Accounting
Manage STSI’s monthly checking accounts, coding, entering transacts into quick books and reconciling Chase Business accounts, credit cards and lines of credit; Register new Consultants, Create annual 1099 documents and mail to Consultants; Prepare accounting documents for the STSI CPAto file annual 990 federal tax and NYS CHAR 500 documents;
STSI STEAM Girls
Targeting STEAM students during STSI’s Summer STEAM Camp, focused on how to establish a checkingaccount,dobookkeeping,balanceacheckbookandtheimportanceofsavings,alongwith exposure to accounting careers; (STSI will assist on overview of accounting careers)
STSI Board Budget & Finance Team and Board of Directors
Provide an annual overview of STSI key financial documents and terms. Review budgets and forecast documents;
Consultant Tenure: (May 2022 – Present)
POSITION: STSI STRATEGIC CONSULTANT
The Contractor will provide the services described below on a consultant basis to Sister to Sister International, Inc. It is understood that as a consultant, no taxes or fringe benefits of any kind are being withheld by the agency named above.
The Strategic Consultant will:
- Co-facilitate Steering Committee Meetings with Executive Director
- Establish draft Steering Committee agendas and slide decks for presentation
- Manage Steering Committee follow-up and action items between meetings working with Executive Director
- Provide training and guidance on STSI’s Strategic Plan with Board of Directors, Subcommittees and Executive Director
- Provide support on event planning like the Day of Action and other key activities that require Consultant support
- Support STSI workgroups with strategy and guidance as needed
Consultant Tenure:
- 4/21 - Present
POSITION: STSI COMMUNITY PARTNER LIAISON & MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT
The STSI Community Partner Liaison Management Consultant serves as the focal point for community partners and coordinates work group activities working with the Workgroup leaders. She also assists in spearheading special workgroup events.
• Consults with workgroup leaders (4 workgroups) on meeting cadence (workgroup and subcommittee) and ensure email reminders are sent, and new members are added to the workgroup distribution list.
• Organize and facilitate the STSI Black Maternal Health workgroup initiatives, along with the Executive Director
• Attend monthly workgroup meetings.
• Assist with coordinating/overseeing webinars and other special events hosted by workgroups ensuring flyers are created and communications team is engaged in marketing, publicity and registration.
• Ensure surveys are created via Survey Monkey for webinars/events and oversee data summarization and share with workgroup/subcommittee leaders, Executive Director and BWGC Consultants to document impact.
• Ensure workgroup data for mid-year/year-end summary of accomplishments/activities and action plan are submitted on a timely basis.
• Provide and review workgroup summary data with STSI management team.
• Import research documents and other important data (ex: Action items, PowerPoint presentations) to Google workgroup folders.
• Create pillar summary reports of activities and events and share at STSI executive meetings, e.g. Retreats and Steering Committee.
• Work with STSI management team to ensure smooth execution of events, etc.
• Communicate with STSI Community Partners and keep them abreast of upcoming events and related activities.
Maternal Health Outreach Consultant - Westchester Black Maternal & Child Center of Excellence (WBMCCE)
• Support grant writing for maternal health initiatives
• Coordinate volunteers in support of the WBMCCE
• Provide leadership on the STSI website and WBMCCE initiatives
• Engage community partners around Black maternal health initiatives
Consultant Tenure: April 2021 - Present
POSITION: STSI DEVELOPMENT & ADMINISTRATIVE CONSULTANT
*This role began as a Development Consultant and was expanded to include General Administrative tasks evolving into the Development & Administrative Consultant
The part-time Development Consultant (DC) will report to the Founder of Sister to Sister International (STSI). The Development Consultant will work closely with STSI’s Founder, Board Fundraising Co-chairs and others as designated.
Summary of Primary Development Consultant Tasks
• Assist in establishing an STSI fundraising plan, aligned with the organization’s annual budget.
• Seek and coordinate fundraising opportunities for STSI, update and manage STSI’s donor base and reporting
• Manage annual signature fundraising events, Popcorn, Scholarship and Kwanzaa events working with the STSI Fundraising & Scholarship Committee
• Provide follow-up support on prospects identified by the Founder and Board Members.
• Provide prospecting, grant writing and reporting support working with the Executive Director to ensure compliance with funding requirements.
• Engage STSI on fundraising platforms
• Provide quarterly fund raising reports
• Support fundraising efforts by assisting with donor communications and record-keeping.
• Help coordinate special events, sponsorship opportunities, and donor stewardship activities.
• Other relevant tasks as discussed and agreed upon.
*As of October 20, 2021
STSI Administrative Consultant Tasks related to STSI work processes
STSI General Support
• Support the creation and management of internal communication systems to ensure smooth coordination working with STSI Team members
• Assist with scheduling, tracking program metrics, and ensuring smooth execution working with STSI Team Members
• Provide logistical and operational support for programs, events, and initiatives.
• Nurture established relationships with vendors and create new ones
• Maintain key organizational records and documents as directed by the Executive Director
• Summarize donations working with the STSI Financial Secretary
STSI Board
• Support board committees with administrative and logistical needs.
• Work with STSI Executive Director and Financial Secretary to report on event and monthly expenses for financial management
• Create PowerPoint presentations for Board committee reports
• Store and manage key documents in Google folder
• Draft email invitations/reminders to Board members regarding upcoming events
Workgroup
• Capture action items during workgroup meetings recorded by software
• Update workgroup/subcommittee contact listings as needed working with WIX
Steering Committee
• Make outbound calls to steering committee leaders to confirm attendance for meetings
• Gather key documents (ex: MOUs, action items, PowerPoint presentations, etc.) from new steering committee members for
• Assist with creating PowerPoint presentations for steering committee members
• Ensure steering committee contact listing is updated in Google Contacts
Communications & Marketing
• Work with the Marketing Consultant to Design Communications Campaigns and outreach to STSI constituents regarding activity & event engagement
• Create address books for events and import to BWGC Google, Constant Contact, Eventbrite (sometimes optonline and Punchbowl) and ensure contacts are updated
• Update Newsflash in Wix and email bi-weekly
• Create surveys via Survey Monkey for event feedback and summarize
Membership
• Assist in volunteer management and engagement efforts.
• Oversee and follow-up with membership applications - interview prospects and send information to workgroup co-chairs based on areas of interests/expertise; send followup email to prospects (include calendar, link to submit dues, listing of workgroup dates, and other key information as per interview.)
• Capture action items during membership committee meetings
• Consult with membership committee members on the next date and time for unscheduled meetings and send out notices/reminders
• Create acknowledgment letters for new or returning members
• Update membership rosters in the Google folder “Membership Key Docs”
• Ensure prospect/new members are added to Google Contacts and Constant Contact under “STSI Members” & “Prospective Members”
Community Partners
• Gather logos from community partners to update BWGC Community Partners banner and place them in Google folder
• Oversee and follow-up with community partner membership applications - interview prospects and send follow-up email with MOU and link to submit dues
• Place signed MOUs in Google folder
• Ensure community partner membership roster is updated
Special Projects
• Gather photos from committee members, community partners, interns, scholarship awardees and other key people for acknowledgment videos and place them in Google folder
• Take screenshots of Zoom meetings/webinars to create re-caps (ex: photo collage, video, electronic booklet) and post to social media (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) and newsletter in Constant Contact
Consultant Oversight
As of fourth quarter 2024 – The Development & Administrative Consultant has oversight for the STEAM Program and Social Media Consultants; She directs their activities and hosts monthly plan and review check-ins;
Consultant Tenure: March 2022 - Present
POSITION: STEAM PROGRAM CONSULTANT
Scope of Work & Tasks
- The STEAM program Consultant has oversight for all STEAM programming at Sister to Sister International (STSI). Established in 2010, the STSI STEM/STEAM program for Black and girls of color was the first of it’s kind in the region providing multi-faceted support, exposure and growth for a population that is significantly underrepresented in STEM/STEAM fields. STSI’s existing STEM/STEAM programs include a summer camp and year-round academy.
The STEAM Program Consultant will work under the direction of the Development & Administrative Consultant and will implement tasks related to outreach and student recruitment, communications and facilitation.
- Facilitate the STEAM student application and screening process including interviews, communication of process outcomes
- Develop STEAM Camp andAcademy programming, including identifying resources, publishing a calendar of activities, and facilitating a parent / student orientation
- Host and coordinate student, tutor and presenter STEAM Camp study sessions monthly and other activities
- Ensure necessary data, including pre and post test scores, report cards etc., tutor surveys are facilitated and summarized to support the documentation processes
- Develop a quarterly newsflash for the public and forward periodic correspondence letters & emails to STEAM Camp students and parents, to maximize communication
- Coordinate trips, including transportation and logistics and student outreach
- Create graphics, and social media posts as needed
Current Consultant Tenure – 2/24
POSITION: STSI SOCIALMEDIACONSULTANT
The STSI Social Media Consultant reports to the Development andAdministrative Consultant. The Social Media Consultant is responsible for:
- Create and posting a minimum of 4 times a week on all STSI social media platforms; (STSI events & activities; Business Directory spotlights etc.)
- Deliver social media training for STSI Board Members and Consultants, as well as with Community Partners during forums;
- Assist in increasing STSl's footprint on all social media platforms;
- Share summary of number of posts and additional viewers monthly with supervisor
- Confer with members of the PR, Media and Marketing Team to coordinate strategy;
Consultant Tenure: 10/22
POSITION: STSI WEBSITE, MEDIA & MARKETING CONSULTANT
Scope of Work
The Contractor agrees to provide the services described below as a Media, Marketing & Camp Website
Consultant reporting to Sister to Sister International’s Executive Director.
It is understood that as a Consultant, no taxes or fringe benefits of any kind are being withheld by Sister to Sister International, Inc.
Description of Service:
o Update STSI website by posting monthly events and key activities
o Create STSI flyers and marketing materials
o Update the Black Business Directory with new businesses and special promotions on a
o monthly basis, as directed
o Meet with STSI leaders as needed for consultation, to provide training and updates
o Create STSI flyers and marketing materials
o Keep the STSI team appraised of WIX software updates and analytics, on a periodic basis
Consultant Tenure: 10/22 – Present on NYS contract; *Was a Consultant for STSI prior to NYS Contract
STSI Strategic Consultant: Dr. Valerie Mason Cunningham, Managing Principal-PRIDE Matters LLC
1. Strategic Planning & Vision Alignment
a. Advisor to STSI Founder and President
b. Facilitate leadership discussions to refine strategic direction and pathways that align with the organization’s mission and vision
c. Facilitate and Present meeting effectiveness and supporting the adoption of advocacy trends and opportunities as identified in the SWOT analysis process.
2. Organizational Development & GovernanceAdvisory
a. Advising on best practices and process optimization
b. Strengthening organizational engagement (steering committee), strategic decisionmaking, and stakeholder alignment
c. Presenter at board retreats and strategy workshops, Steering Committee meetings, and participating in Workgroup meetings
d. Provide executive leadership coaching as needed
3. Impact Measurement & Evaluation
a. Support the design process frameworks for impact assessment and identification of key performance indicators (KPIs)
b. Conduct programs, as appropriate (ie. meeting effectiveness) to support, inform, and influence expected outcomes and future strategy
4. Leadership Development & Team Alignment
a. Coaching executive leadership on transformational leadership approaches
b. Present and support leadership training and skill-building for team members where appropriate
c. Adviser on organizational culture and team dynamics
d. Support and advisor on communication and presentation skills
5. Strategic Planning & Event Development/Deployment
a. Support defining event objectives aligned with organizational strategy
b. Develop agendas and session format to drive meaningful engagement-(Steering Committee and other engagement as appropriate)
c. Guide conversations to ensure alignment with vision and goals
d. Utilize interactive facilitation techniques to encourage big-picture thinking
Consultant Tenure: April 2021 - Present