Impact
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WVI Leadership + Mentorship Program Overview
WVI DF student mentees and mentors at Brookhaven National Labs. A visit to the National Synchrotron Light Source II was one of the highlights of the day!
WVI Dolphin Leadership + Mentorship Program Graduating Class of 2025
On January 27th, 2026, The WVI Dolphin Leadership + Mentorship program held our class of 2025 graduation at Civic Hall in Manhattan. We were thrilled to celebrate 61 dedicated mentee graduates. This growth reflects our program’s expanding reach, strengthened partnerships, and deep commitment to empowering young leaders from underserved communities.
Graduation Highlights:
- Civic Hall awarded each graduate a one-year membership to its innovation hub, which will give each mentee a place to go to attend business programs, network and use workstations.
The evening featured a powerhouse lineup of visionaries and key supporters:
• Jeremiah Schnee: WVI Dolphin Foundation Founder
• Bob Catell: WVI DF Special Advisor
• Pete Rose: Hydro Quebec Senior Director, Stakeholder Relations
• Victoria Perry: NYPD Assistant Chief of Police
• Kaela Mainsah: NYPA VP of Environmental Justice
• Doug Binette: NY Tech Alliance Director
• William Edwards: Civic Hall Center Director
Graduating Class of 2024
In 2024, the WVI DF proudly celebrated the graduation of 65 diverse and underserved high school students — nearly a 15% increase over 2023.
Graduation Highlights:
- Civic Hall awarded each graduate a one-year membership to its innovation hub.
- Hydro-Québecand 100 Suits provided each graduate with a brand-new suit for future professional opportunities.
Graduating Class of 2023
In 2023, the program graduated 54 students — quadrupling our 2022 class.
Today, more than 200 mentees remain active in our database, and we are on track to exceed 150 graduates by 2027 through our plan to run two program cohorts annually.
Our students represent high schools across all five New York City boroughs and Long Island, including underserved communities such as East New York, Bedford-Stuyvesant, and Rockaway Park. We provide equitable access to education, mentorship, and career readiness opportunities for students in underfunded schools.
The WVI DF is always excited to provide continued support to our graduates. Some students are interested in sourcing internships; others need reference letters for college. After graduation we work to track each student and provide the guidance they need by opening doors to them in our extensive business network.
Program Partners
Anevening module at Google headquarters where students learned about AI and itsimpact.
Mentees were mesmerized as they toured NYPA’s utility’s new integrated smart operations center iSOC, which uses predictive analytics to optimize its power generation and transmission assets, preventing outages, forecasting failures, reducing costs, and enhancing security for New York's energy grid.
Our high-impact learning model is powered by partnerships with leading institutions and industry experts:
- NYPA – Career Exploration & Self-Esteem
- Brookhaven National Laboratory – Sustainability & Renewable Energy
- Google / Google Code Next – AI & Cybersecurity
- HEAF Harlem – Networking for Life & Career Success 2024
- YMCA Harlem - Networking for Life & Career Success 2025
Mentee Success & Outcomes
Our students continue to achieve remarkable milestones:
- Two students were accepted to MIT, supported via application guidance and personalized letters of recommendation.
- One student was accepted to West Point -- which looks for unique qualities among its applicants not limited to academic prowess but including significant leadership potential.
- One student received a full scholarship to the Roc Nation School of Music.
- Two students have completed paid summer business internships.
- Two students attend East Coast universities, and one student went to art school.
- One student -- an immigrant from China -- while serving as a member of the NY Army National Guard (NYANG) completed our leadership program and was accepted to the Rochester Institute of Technology. She also served as an intern for the WVI DF prior to college – and now supports us as an active program ambassador.
- Two students had informational interviews with a senior executive at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. According to US News & World Report, Memorial Sloan Kettering has ranked in the top two “Best Hospitals for Cancer” every year since US News & World Report began rating hospitals in 1990 and is among the nation's top pediatric hospitals for cancer care.
We continue to support mentees after graduation through internship placement, job readiness support, college applications, trade school pathways, and professional networking.
Mentor Tyrone Gardner with his mentee Keith Robinson , Corporate sponsor of the year, Hydro Quebec CHPE’s Pete Rose, and WVI DF founder Jeremiah Schnee creating impact!
Impact Stories
Student mentees enjoying the friendships they made in addition to exploring future career, college and trade school opportunities.
Our program creates opportunities that transform lives. A few highlights:
- Four mentee vocalists performed alongside Makiah Brown, the “NYPD Opera Cop,” at major WVI DF events.
- Mentee Soleil attended a Broadway performance through our program—later placing second in a national talent competition.
- Josiah, aspiring NFL player, received mentorship from investment banker David Wilson and earned two paid internships.
- Alyssa received a four-year scholarship to the Roc Nation School and now hosts a successful podcast.
- Breanna, a student at Channel View High School, has demonstrated a strong passion for real estate and architecture. With our guidance, she successfully completed the REBNY (Real Estate Board of New York) Summer Workforce and Real Estate online program. This opportunity, provided by New York City’s leading trade association, allowed her to gain invaluable industry insight and professional development.
- One program graduate with a passion for high tech was introduced to the DOE’s Brookhaven National Labs head of Cyber Technology through our program – and is finalizing arrangements to serve as a paid summer intern. Brookhaven’s purpose for this internship program is to mentor and produce scientists of the future.
- Mentee Fang Ting -- an immigrant from China -- while serving as a member of the NY Army National Guard (NYANG) completed our leadership program and was accepted to the Rochester Institute of Technology. She also served as an intern for the WVI DF prior to college – and now supports us as an active program ambassador.
Experiential Learning
The WVI DF had a unique opportunity to attend the rehearsal at Carnegie Hall of the Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal and also spend time with the world-renowned director Yannick Nézet-Séguin, the orchestra’s artistic director since 2000 and conductor for life.
After an exciting tour of the Intrepid, mentees learned about careers in the US Navy and added the military as a career path to consider.
Through our partners, mentees engage in immersive learning experiences:
- Intrepid Museum career exploration tour (52 underserved students)
- Carnegie Hall VIP experience with the Montreal Philharmonic Orchestra
- NYPD collaboration on leadership development and STEM pathways
Our Mentors, Program Partners, and Corporate Sponsors Partner to Deliver Action Learning Experiences
Mentorship in action: NYPD Officer Kai Bowman and a WVI DF Mentee share a heartfelt moment of connection during our interactive module at the New York Power Authority.
Jacob Bueller, Vanderbilt University student and WVI Dolphin Leadership + Mentorship Mentor, is providing thoughtful insight to his group of mentees at our Networking Module at the Harlem YMCA.
We are supported by 32 accomplished private-sector mentors who volunteer their time and expertise - here is a sample:
- David Goldberg – Former Global Head of Marketing, Footlocker
- Lawrence Grant – Chief Information Security Officer and cyber security businessowner
- Tom Paccione – CFO, Fortune Footwear
- David Pollicino – Senior Mechanical Designer, Cameron Engineering
- Dede Yoder – Crystal International Group packaging consultant and former executive at Estee Lauder
Sponsor & Partner Testimonials
Corporate sponsors consistently praise the program’s impact on youth development and leadership readiness. They highlight the value of internships, exposure to industry leaders, and the transformational effect on underserved students.
Pete Rose, Senior Director, Stakeholder Relations at Hydro Québec, our leading corporate sponsor, shared his experience with the students he mentored:
“I was inspired by the 15- and 16-year-old students at my table, and encouraged that this generation has what it takes to bring our amazing City to the next level. I’m committed to helping mentor and learn from these extraordinary young people… I hope we can collectively help them reach their goals.”
Tom Paccione, CFO, Fortune Footwear, a valuable Board Member and a WVI DF Mentor expressed:
“More companies should join the WVI Leadership + Mentorship and internship program. You are missing the opportunity to change a young person’s life.”
NYPD Sargeant Raoul Fray, WVI DF scholarship recipient and a valued WVI DFMentor sharing insights following our Networking module at the Harlem YMCA:
“I had an amazing night sharing with our mentees Thank you to the WVI DolphinFoundation for their continued work in the "shark tank." The kids can take valuable lessons from tonight as they take a leap into their future.”
Panelist Jonathan Montauredes NYPD Lieutenant & WVI Dolphin Leadership + Mentorship Mentor expressed to our mentees at our Exploring Careers Module:
“You're here today, you're part of a good organization, you're developing yourself, you’re learning teamwork, and that helps give you leadership skills. These are all things we look for in law enforcement.”
Mentee Testimonials
The Dolphin has helped me with extracurriculars, possible new career goals, and also made me improve my mindset.
Carlos A.
WVI Dolphin Leadership + Mentorship Mentee
“I have also learned a great deal from the modules about how to be a leader and the job skills I need to work on to achieve recognition. This journey has been wonderful, and I hope to continue walking in order to keep pursuing my passion.”
Brandon Morales
WVI Dolphin Leadership + Mentorship Ambassador
The Dolphin Leadership program has showed me how others have persevered with their own challenges and introduced me to some important people.
Christian V
WVI Dolphin Leadership + Mentorship Mentee
The module that was pivotal for me was Networking. Networking is truly is the key to success in any field that you pursue… Have a curiosity for other people, because that will open a door. You could meet someone on the subway, getting lunch. You never know when a person could connect your dream path.
Janet Hines
11th grade, WVI Dolphin Leadership + Mentorship Mentee
Post Graduation Deliverables
After graduation, we empower our mentees to reach new heights.
Once the mentees work hard and accomplish their certificate, we review their profile with them and continue to co create their view of success and their big opportunities -- then help them make this happen.
We collaborate with our mentees to develop personalized action plans, offering guidance and resources for:
- Career Pathways: Identifying potential internships and job opportunities
- Educational Pursuits: Providing reference letters for college or trade school applications
- And more
Our mission is to develop and inspire the next generation of productive citizens.
NBA Legend Rod Strickland, LIU head basketball coach with his son Terrell Strickland, an LIU Guard attend our graduation to address the graduates.
At our 2024 Graduation we had the great privilege to host LIU head basketball coach Rod Strickland, along with his son Terrell Strickland, a LIU Guard – both of whom addressed our graduates.
Coach Strickland:
“Even before I heard this wonderful program, I couldn’t have been more impressed by the young people here. They looked me in the eye, shook my hand, and spoke to me with respect.”
Terrell Strickland inspired the mentees with his thoughts achieving their dreams:
“This is New York. This is where you want to be if you hope to do great things.”
Click here to read article about Rod Strickland’s experience at our WVI Dolphin Leadership Module.
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