The Neighbors Link mission is to strengthen the whole community through the healthy integration of immigrants. Our mission is achieved by filling a service gap for new immigrant families, offering education and empowerment programs, involving longer-term residents in volunteer opportunities and creating substantive partnerships with other local organizations. Our strategies to educate, empower and employ families include a Worker Center, English as a Second Language (ESL) education, legal services and advocacy, workforce development, parent education, early childhood programs and academic support for school-age children of immigrants.

Neighbors Link is headquartered in Mount Kisco, has three locations in Westchester County and offers services throughout the Mid-Hudson Valley. For more information on locations or programs, please call us at 914-666-3410.

Carola Otero Bracco, Executive Director

Carola Otero Bracco, Executive Director of Neighbors Link, has a strong personal connection to the Neighbors Link mission of strengthening the whole community through the healthy integration of immigrants. As a first generation American born of immigrant parents from Bolivia, Carola understands the challenges that accompany the immigrant experience in America and is dedicated to inspiring healthy integration in the community. Carola is bilingual and bicultural and is driven by her passion for empowering immigrant families and advocating for personal growth through education and economic development.

During Carola's tenure, Neighbors Link has become a leader in designing, implementing and directing community-based, bilingual educational and cultural awareness training programs. Furthermore, with her guidance and leadership, the organization has grown ten-fold since 2004 and the Neighbors Link model is being strategically scaled in communities that are ready to embrace our mission.

Before becoming Executive Director of Neighbors Link in April of 2004, Carola spent 12 years of her career gaining experience in financial management with General Electric Corporation, Ford Motor Company and Time Warner. She holds an MBA from Duke University and currently serves on the boards of the National Council for Workforce Education and Nonprofit Westchester. She is also the Board Chair for the New York Immigration Coalition. She previously served on the board of Northern Westchester Hospital.

Carola is recognized as an expert on immigration issues in the New York Metropolitan area. She has received numerous awards and recognitions. Recently, she was recognized by Crain’s New York as one of the 2021 Notables in Nonprofits and Philanthropy and was selected for City & State’s Westchester Power 100 list.

Providing leadership and vision for Neighbors Link is something Carola sees as her life’s work and she often says it is a privilege to be in her position as executive director.

Staff
Carola Otero Bracco, Executive Director
Janeth Amoretti, Parent-Child Program Facilitator
Karin Anderson Ponzer, Esq., Director, Neighbors Link Community Law Practice
Alyssa Besio, Grants Manager
Constanza Bentancor, Senior Paralegal
Meredith Bloch, Senior Staff Attorney
Beatriz Capellan, Administrative Assistant
Yolainy Cordero, Administrative Assistant
Christine Garcia Rubin, Educational Technology Specialist
Beverliz Gillert, Program Manager
Andrea Gomez, Parent-Child Program Facilitator
Luisa Granda-Rodriguez, Director, Operations and Community Engagement
Katie Graves-Abe, Communications and Social Media Manager
Denisha Hilario, Program Manager
Deborah Hubbe, Government Reporting Specialist
Alison Leisawitz, Volunteer Coordinator
Maria Isabel Lopez, Parent Education Program Manager
Isaac Marquez, Hiring Site Manager
Rosa Martin, CRM Data Manager
Kelly Martinez, Community Outreach Team Manager and Hudson Valley Immigrant Community Navigator
Elizabeth Mastropolo, Esq., Managing Attorney, Neighbors Link Community Law Practice
Leslie Molina, ONA DOJ Accredited Representative
Laura Newman, Chief Strategy and Development Officer
Mercy Quezada, Case Coordinator
Ana Restrepo, Operations Manager
Barbara Ribeiro, ESL Manager
Ramiro Rincon, Adult Education Director
Stephanie Rosado, Family Center Director
Sandra Sacaza, Paralegal
Stephanie Sanchez, Administrative Assistant
Peter Steward, ONA Legal Liaison
Kathy Thorsberg, Controller
Elizabeth Tonne-Daims, Senior Staff Attorney
Sabrina Tuquinagui, Paralegal
Daniela Valdovinos, Volunteer Coordinator
Ana Vinansaca, Childcare Program Coordinator
Adrienne Vogel, Development Director
Margarita Zambrano, Parent-Child Program Facilitator and Client Support Services
Cesar Zepeda, Development Associate
Roberto Zumba, Worker Center Coordinator

Staff Bios
To learn more about our Legal team, click here.
To learn more about our Family Center team, click here.
To learn more about our Development, Volunteer and Communications team, click here.
To learn more about our Administration and Finance team, click here.

Awards and Recognitions

Financial Information

Federal EIN: 13-4088125
Please click here to view our financial information.