Jai Nanda
Founder & Executive Director
Jai is a lifetime resident of New York City, attended Stuyvesant High School, and graduated with Honors from the University of Michigan. He was a teacher and basketball coach in New York City both at the high school level and at the City University of New York. Jai is a former member of Community Board 4, where he served as Chairman of the Youth Committee. In addition, Jai has served as a consultant for numerous non-profit youth agencies throughout the city.


Raymond Arroyo
Office Manager
Ray was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York but currently resides in the Lower East Side of Manhattan. He did his undergraduate studies in Sociology and Psychology at Manhattanville College. Ray's professional administrative experience in the non-profit field has helped him fit right in. He is thrilled to be working with a great staff.

Richie Cerrud
Program Director
Richie Cerrud came to New York City from Panama at the age of 8. He was educated in the NYC public school system at every level. He has been dedicated to youth sports and youth development since 1985 when he started his first football league to help bridge the gap between the youth of Yorkville and Harlem. Richie is passionate about youth development and has dedicated his life to developing innovative programs to help at-risk youth reach their full potential, often using sports as a vehicle to teach life skills, including teamwork, leadership, conflict resolution and responsibility. Richie has emerged as a respected leader in his field through his unique combination of personal and professional experience. He has served as mentor and role model for thousands of young people who have come in contact him over the past 20 years. In 1999 Richie was recognized by the Partnership for After School Education as a receipt of the 1st annual PASEsetter award for excellence in youth work.

Jamie Lee Cruz
Program Associate
Jamie is a native New Yorker, who grew up in the Chelsea neighborhood in Manhattan. As a teenager she began working at the Hudson Guild Beacon Program as a peer counselor and eventually became the program manager within her eight years of employment. Jaime is extremely passionate about youth and community development and has assisted in developing and leading several programs in areas such as teen empowerment, youth council, after school and drama. She has also developed and directed over ten performing arts productions. Jamie came to Urban Dove as a Site Coordinator in February of this year and is looking forward to continuing her work for the HiRisers program as a Program Associate.

D. Maria Frazier
Regional Program Director
D. Maria is a native of Brooklyn, New York. She has a wealth of teaching and youth experience working with the National Urban League’s Education Department, the YMCA and The After School Corporation (TASC). D. Maria joined the Urban Dove team in October 2004 and has served as both a HiRisers Program Coordinator and College All-Stars Program Associate before being promoted to the College All-Stars Program Manager. Maria currently holds a B.A. from Brooklyn College in Psychology and Children’s Studies.