NYLC Welcomes a New Staff Member and a Legislative Fellow from YMCA d’Haiti

NYLC is pleased to announce the addition of new staff members Merina Neal, Finance and Human Resources Coordinator, and Dorly Oriol, a Legislative Fellow from the YMCA d’Haiti who will work at NYLC through the end of April.

Currently a Saint Paul resident by way of Canada, Hawaii, and Trinidad, Merina Neal joins the Finance and Human Resources team at NYLC with a background in accounting and corporate finance. In addition to her finance management experience at RBC Wealth Management, Neal has always had a passion for volunteering in her community. During her time at RBC, she was awarded the President’s Service Award by President Barack Obama for volunteering over 400 hours as the vice chair for the Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Team. Beyond planning events and supporting employee resource groups for this team, Neal was a critical force in influencing the firm’s decision to donate $25,000 to the Minneapolis tornado relief fund immediately after tornadoes hit Minneapolis’ North side in 2011.

When asked what draws her to service-learning, Neal stated “I love the community investment and I love working with youth. These go along with my personal values, and [service-learning] is another opportunity to get involved in diverse communities.” After work hours, Neal is busy raising two children with her husband and pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Finance at Metro State University.

Dorly Oriol, a Haiti native, joins NYLC as part of the U.S. State Department’s Legislative Fellows Program. According to the U.S. State Department’s website, the program “brings emerging leaders from around the world to the United States for intensive fellowships designed to broaden their professional expertise…. [and] learn first-hand how issues in their field are addressed. Through their fellowships participants develop a deep understanding of American society.”

Oriol earned his degree in Business Administration at Notre Dame University and has spent his time since graduation working at the YMCA d’Haiti as a Program Manager for the POTEKOLE program, which provides financial support for youth and adults to improve performance in school and increase their level of general knowledge.

“NYLC has a similar mission to YMCA d’Haiti,” said Oriol in response to what excites him most about visiting NYLC as a Fellow. “[At the YMCA] we have four core values; responsibility, caring, honesty, and respect. My experience at NYLC will help us assess those values and how we teach those to our youth.”

In his spare time, Oriol enjoys reading, listening to gospel music, watching sports on TV and spending time with his family and friends.

To see a complete listing of NYLC staff, Board of Directors, or Youth Advisory Council members, visit our about us page.

Pictured: Dorly Oriol and Merina Neal