Leadership

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Paula Shirk, President & Founder, is an experienced entrepreneur. Paula’s innovation and marketing and leadership skills have been recognized in such publications as the New York Times, New York Magazine, Vogue, Runner’s World, Cosmopolitan, American Health, Working Woman, Elle, the New Yorker, the New York Post, the New York Daily News, Women’s Wear Daily, Crain’s and the Japanese magazine Nikkei Woman, Christian Science Monitor, May 2011, called her a “Change Agent”.  She has been awarded the B’nai B’rith Board of Governors’ Distinguished Achievement Award as “a woman of accomplishment and stature as an innovative business leader.” In 2010, in recognition of her work in Cambodia, Paula was chosen as one of Brooklyn’s Extraordinary Women by District Attorney Charles Hynes, who praised Paula’s “exceptional selflessness, dedication and compassion.”  Paula is the mother of two sons, Eli and Rudi.  Rudi is adopted from Cambodia.

Douglas Eads, Director, worked as a financial specialist at Merrill Lynch for many years, and in his retirement has become an active investor. Douglas has served on the Board of BB2C since its inception and has been actively involved and generous in the growth of our organization.

Navin Saigal, Director, received his degree at New York University, Leonard N. Stern School of Business, double majoring in finance and economics with a minor in history. He works for a hedge fund within BlackRock, an investment manager headquartered in New York, NY.  Navin helped develop BB2C’s business plan and other marketing materials, weaving the chapters being written by each of BB2C’s members into a continuing story.

Jessica Shannon, Director, received her degree in Finance & International Business from the University of Minnesota and an MBA from Harvard Business School.  Jessica is a Senior Manager in Ernst & Young’s Advisory Practice.  She has several years of experience in leading risk and strategy consulting projects for multinational organizations with a focus in emerging markets. In addition to her private sector experience, she has worked with several nonprofit/multilateral organizations including the World Bank, USAID, and Save the Children.  She spent two years in rural Guyana as Peace Corps volunteer.

Candy Orlinsky, Director has previously been involved in start-ups and knows a steady hand is required.  She has been a dedicated work colleague of the founder.  Candy has provided support for BB2C since its inception.  She used her networking skills to help us attain our much needed foundation grant for operating expenses. She has provided unflagging support to us, and in our first year, donated a significant sum of money as a symbol of her dedication and belief in BB2C’s goals. She has also been a benefactor of other worthy organizations.

Christine Chi, Director, earned Bachelors of Arts degrees, magna cum laude, in Political Science and Arabic and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Christine is Director, Digital Business Development, EMI Music North America.