Meet our BALI Team

Liz Abzug
Founder/Executive Director

As a national public affairs and strategic consultant, professor, lobbyist and candidate for New York City elective office, Ms. Abzug has been a professional involved in many fields including politics, economic and urban development and human rights.

She is a Professor in Urban Studies and Women and Leadership at Barnard College /Columbia University where she teaches courses on American Cities, Community Building and Economic Development as well as a case studies course she co-developed called Women and Leadership in the 20th and 21st century.

Liz formed her own national public affairs and management-consulting firm in 1995. Her firm provides services in the areas of strategic and business planning, public affairs, management and political consulting, marketing, public relations and lobbying. Her clients include small businesses, corporations, not-for-profit organizations state and local governments, foundations and universities. She works out of a New York City office and has done consulting in 13 states in different regions of the United States.

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Ori Baliaj
Program Director

Ori joined BALI’s team in March 2016. She received her BA in Political Science from Lehman College and her Master’s Degree in Public Administration with a focus in Nonprofit Management from the Marxe School of Public Affairs at Baruch College. Prior to joining BALI, Ori was on the Education and Workforce Development CGI America team at the Clinton Foundation in 2015.

Youth Development and Women Empowerment are the two social justice issues that Ori is most passionate about in life, which is why as a Program Director loves working with BALI on continuing to provide wonderful free leadership skills and debate training programs to NYC’s most vulnerable youth.

Ori believes that we as a society need to do more and do it better so all women of the world, but especially young women, can have access to all the things they rightfully deserve such as universal health care, quality education, equal professional opportunities, equal pay and so on, so they can achieve anything they want in life.

Fav quote: A strong woman stands up for herself, a stronger woman stands up for others.

Adriana Rodriguez
Outreach Coordinator

Adriana is our Program Coordinator. She graduated from CUNY Brooklyn College with a BA in Psychology & Children and Youth Studies. In college, she was the president of the Psychology Club and a member of the Mexican Heritage Student Association Club, Children First Club, Cheerleader Squad, and Soccer Team. 

Adriana strongly believes in the power of community. As a first-generation college graduate living in an under-resourced community, she understands firsthand the obstacles that deter many from achieving their goals. Adriana has dedicated her time to supporting and uplifting children and families in her neighborhood in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Before joining BALI, Adriana worked at Center For Family Life, a neighborhood-based family and social services organization, and Heartshare Human Services of New York. 

She led activities for children of working parents to develop skills and further their knowledge. Adriana also volunteers as a catechist in her church for children and youth preparing to receive their sacraments and has served as a peer mentor at Bottom-Line and the SEEK program at Brooklyn College.

As a BALI Program Coordinator, Adriana aims to expand the neighborhood portfolio to reach and empower more young women in NYC. It is very important for Adriana to be part of a movement that celebrates women and actively works to provide resources, opportunities, and support as they navigate life.  

Adriana describes herself as bubbly, hard-working, and a goofy person. 

Favorite Quote:  If you think you are right or wrong, you are right. 

Shreya Kaveti
Program Assistant

Shreya Kaveti is our new Program Assistant. She is BALI class 2018 and she has been a BALI summer intern every summer since. She is currently an undergraduate student at Baruch College majoring in International Business on a Pre-Law track. In college she is active with the student government, Pre-law society, and the Bollywood dance team. 

Shreya is passionate about advocating for starting conversations about marginalized communities and working towards brighter, safer spaces for everyone. "Growing up in an immigrant household as a woman, I have grown more fond of fighting for equity and strongly believe in being the change one needs to take initiative." Being part of the BALI team helps her do that she says. BALI allows her to work with younger people which creates programs providing resources for young women to quality education and professional pathways.

Favorite Quote: "I am not free while any woman is unfree, even when her shackles are very different from my own."  ~Audre Lorde 

Angelica Hector-Morgan

Program Coordinator

Angelica joined Bella Abzug Leadership Institute in October 2023 as our Program Coordinator.  She received her BA in Economics from SUNY Binghamton University and completed a Master's in Public Administration at Alfred University. 

Angelica has dedicated her professional career to youth development. Before joining the BALI team, Angelica worked within the NYC DOE, the foster care system, and homeless shelters. In all three settings, she noticed a gap in resources for youth transitioning into adulthood, particularly high school students in underserved communities. Angelica joined the BALI team to be a part of the change and to work with young leaders on their leadership skills and other life skills needed for their success.

Youth development, access to resources, and women empowerment are three of the social justice issues Angelica holds near to her heart. She vows to be a part of the change in underserved communities and aims to empower the youth to do the same in their communities. 

As Program Coordinator, Angelica aims to increase the number of youth/schools who have access to our program. Increasing the number of schools BALI works with, will increase the number of girls engaged in public speaking, debate, mental health, and other helpful workshops. She truly looks forward to working with all of the girls.

Wilma Abam-DePass
Intern

My name is Wilma Abam-DePass (BALI trainee class 2017 and BALI intern class 2018) and I am currently in my first year at Mount Holyoke College.

Since 2017, I have had the opportunity to work closely with BALI. Through their multiple fundraisers, after school and summer programs, as well as the monthly newsletter, the Bella Bulletin. After being appointed the role of co-editor-in-chief along with my best friend and fellow BALI alumna, Zoe Donovan, I have had the opportunity to express my more feminist-self freely through my writing in the Bella Bulletin.

The Bella Abzug Leadership Institute not only broadened my knowledge on how to cultivate a more feminist society, but helped me build friendships and an overall sisterhood that I will have and cherish for the rest of my life. I truly believe that BALI is a vital program that all young women should have the opportunity to be a part of, which is why I have used every opportunity to tell my friends, family members and other compatriots about this program, because it is crucial in cultivating a more just society.

Zoe Donovan
Intern

My name is Zoe Donovan (BALI trainee class of 2017 and BALI intern class of 2018).
Since my first year at BALI in 2017, I have tried to stay involved with the BALI community as much as possible. The year after I worked as an intern for BALI's summer program and began to write for BALI's newsletter, the Bella Bulletin. Now, I'm a co-editor-in-chief with my closest friend Wilma Abam-DePass (also a BALI alumna). I'm also currently a freshman at Brown University where I'm planning on studying music and anthropology. Being involved with the BALI community has had a huge impact on my life and I'm grateful that I've had the opportunity to watch it grow and improve in the ways it supports young women.

BALI Board of Directors