Shalena (she/her) began her career as an activist and organizer inspired by her homeplace of East New York, Brooklyn. She has since infused her commitment to justice and equity into the areas of social entrepreneurship and international health rights advocacy at Echoing Green and Asia Catalyst. After supporting and convening leaders from the United States to Southeast Asia for community-driven change, Shalena began her career in executive search.
Shalena successfully diversified leadership across sectors using inclusive and equitable hiring practices. Since 2013, Shalena's placed over 50 senior leaders and coached BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and people of color) executives at all stages of their careers. She has recently conducted executive-level searches for Teach For America's and KIPP's regional leadership teams.
Shalena resides in Washington, DC, with her husband, son, and four cats. She serves as Board Co-Chair of YA-YA (Youth Activists-Youth Allies) a youth-led organizing organization based in New York City, and is an active volunteer in several DC-based organizations. Shalena is currently pursuing her Ph.D. at GWU (George Washington University) to continue her research on the evolution of work and its impact on organizations committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.
Garrett Katz (they/he) is the Director of Executive Search at Work Renewed, an executive search and team management solutions firm for social impact and community-focused organizations. With a track record of leading efficient, inclusive, and transparent search processes, they bring a proven ability to identify, attract, and assess executive leaders and prospective Board Members for 501(c)3’s, 501(c)6’s, and for-profit corporations. Garrett’s guarantee to clients: the candidate pool will be developed quickly yet thoroughly to include proven leaders, rising stars, and out-of-the-box candidate profiles; the search structure will be continuously improved toward equity; and candidates will be treated with the utmost care.
Prior to joining Work Renewed, Garrett served as an Associate for the Not-for-Profit Practice and the U.S. Association and Corporate Affairs Practice at Odgers Berndtson, a top 10 global executive search and human capital consulting firm. There, they partnered with international and U.S.-focused organizations and successfully placed 10 executive leaders within their first 10 months. Before joining Odgers Berndtson, Garrett served as an Associate at a boutique not-for-profit and social sector executive search firm. They have also served as an intern for the Massachusetts Senate President, an intern for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, and an EA for an author.
Garrett has a Master's in Public Administration and Policy from American University and a BA in Political Science and Sociology from Boston University. He is also the Treasurer, Board of Directors, of the Bisexual Resource Center, a 501(c)3 with a mission to connect the bi+ community and help its members thrive through resources, support, and celebration.
A passionate and results-driven community builder, Heidi (she/her/ella) has led numerous public and private sector initiatives focused on transformational and systemic change. For over 10 years, she has been a trusted partner to businesses, community-based organizations, and elected officials working to advance solutions to improve social determinants of health, healthcare access, and food security. Heidi’s interpersonal skills help her forge strong cross-sector relationships and innovative partnerships. Her philosophy incorporates human-centered design, an asset-based mindset, and community-based participatory program development.
Prior to joining Work Renewed, Heidi served as the Director of Community Advancement at
Jericho Road Community Health Center, a global healthcare organization providing
comprehensive, culturally competent, quality primary healthcare services for systematically
excluded populations. Additionally, Heidi was a key collaborator and consultant for several
community based organizations throughout New York State.
Most recently, Heidi was a 2022 ATHENA Leadership Award finalist, recipient of EPIC-Every Person Influences Children’s Robert L. Wilson Award for Exceptional Service & Leadership, and received a certificate of recognition from the mayor of Buffalo, NY, Byron W. Brown, for her leadership within the refugee and New American community.
Heidi received her Bachelor of Science in Business, Management and Economics from SUNY Empire State College and earned several certifications in Non Profit Management, Motivational Interviewing, and Practice Facilitation. Heidi is a long standing community volunteer and serves on several boards and coalitions serving the Western New York community, including Buffalo Prenatal - Perinatal Network, Inc., Venture Jobs Foundation, and the Healthy Corner Store
Initiative Buffalo.
Mariah Smith (they/them) is the Director of Operation at Work Renewed. They have a variety of experience across several industries. Mariah served in the Big 4, nonprofit, and the tech industries as a trusted DEI, learning and development, operations, and HR resource to leaders and peers alike. They pride themselves on fostering an inclusive work culture that promotes wellbeing and showing up authentically. At Work Renewed, Mariah is responsible for designing, implementing, and monitoring the systems for the day to day functions of the business from executive search to consulting.
Prior to joining Work Renewed, Mariah served as a Client Success Manager at Jopwell, a black owned career advancement company that centers Black, LatinX, and Indigenous professionals and students. There, they managed a book of business totalling $600K with clients such as Deloitte, Visa, and UBS. Before Jopwell, they worked at FSG on the national DEI team as a Senior Associate. At KPMG, Mariah aided in the implementation of their Accelerate 2025 DEI strategy. They have also served at the Obama Foundation on its development and operations teams.
Mariah has a Masters in Organizational Leadership and Learning from George Washington University. Outside of work they are a content creator, cosplayer, and corgi mom.