Dave Isay,
Founder & President

Dave Isay is the founder of StoryCorps and the recipient of numerous broadcasting honors, including six Peabody Awards and a MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship. He is the author/editor of numerous books that grew out of his public radio documentary work, including three StoryCorps books: Listening Is an Act of Love (2007), Mom: A Celebration of Mothers from StoryCorps, and All There Is: Love Stories from StoryCorps (2012)–all New York Times bestsellers.

Donna Galeno,
Director, Programs

Donna Galeno worked for twenty years at the American Red Cross in Greater New York, managing their Homeless Services Department. Her work focused on two major areas: the creation, development and management of nationally-recognized models of service for homeless families, and the shaping of public policy and awareness related to housing and homelessness throughout the United States. She has served in leadership positions on numerous boards, coalitions and committees focused on issues of housing, homelessness, and hunger. Subsequent to the tragic events of September 11th, Donna functioned as the American National Red Cross’ first Administrator in charge of creating and implementing the Red Cross’ Long-Term Recovery Program.

Sharyanne McSwain,
Director, Finance & Administration

Sharyanne McSwain has more than twenty years of financial services and business operations experience, working in financial engineering, financial services marketing, municipal finance, and equity research in the for-profit sector. Her love for the stories of everyday people and her desire to support the mission of StoryCorps inspired her move from Wall Street to the nonprofit sector in 2008. Sharyanne received an M.B.A. from INSEAD, the business school in France, and currently serves on the school’s Board of Trustees. As a Trustee, she is responsible for alumni fundraising efforts in the United States. She also received a B.A. in Urban Studies from Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts.

Kathrina C. Proscia,
Special Assistant to the President

Kathrina Proscia graduated with an A.O.S. in business/occupational studies from the Wood Tobe Coburn School, Manhattan and received her B.S. with a major in historical studies from Empire State College. Kathrina has held executive assistant positions at Ted Bates Advertising, Agrexco (USA) Ltd., SAGE Foods, and Sun World International and was a substitute teacher for several years while raising her children. Kathrina and her husband of twenty-eight years live in Queens with their two daughters.

Meridith Burkus,
Director, External Relations

Meridith Burkus joins StoryCorps from The Public Theater, where as the Director of Individual Giving she oversaw all aspects of soliciting and cultivating donors in support of Shakespeare in the Park as well as The Public’s productions in its Astor Place home. During her tenure at The Public, Meridith doubled the individual donor base, re-launched The Public’s junior leadership committee and young donor program, and played a key role in the success of the theater’s annual galas and recent 40 million dollar capital campaign. Previously, she was the Development Director for The Culture Project, supporting its mission of producing powerful theater with an eye towards social justice. A member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals and Women in Development – New York, Meridith received a B.F.A. from the Boston Conservatory of Music.