Our Staff

Terri Arnold-McKenzie, MBA

Operations Consultant

Terri Arnold-McKenzie, MBA, is a dynamic leader, strategist, and community builder whose career is rooted in loyalty, service, and faith. With over a decade of experience in program development, operations management, and workforce initiatives, Terri brings a wealth of expertise to the Urban League of Long Island as its Operations Consultant.

Her career spans leadership roles in corporate affairs, higher education, clean energy, and community development, including designing and implementing workforce development pipelines, supporting entrepreneurs through capacity-building programs, and advancing supplier diversity efforts. From onboarding more than 80 MWBEs and SDVOBs into multimillion-dollar contracts with the MTA, to leading the flagship Grid Collective program at National Grid, Terri has consistently delivered innovative solutions that expand opportunity and build equity.

Terri is also the President & CEO of TAM Business Consulting, LLC, where she has partnered with government, corporations, and nonprofits to develop strategies that strengthen diversity, equity, and inclusion across industries. She has held senior program management positions at Hofstra University, National Grid, and the U.S. Tennis Association, where she built bridges between organizations and underrepresented communities.

A proud lifetime member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Terri wears her red with pride, continuing a legacy of service and sisterhood. She is equally grounded by her firm foundation in God, which guides her leadership, integrity, and passion for uplifting others.

Terri describes her work at the Urban League as “the best job I’ve ever had, we get paid to help people in the community what’s better then that.”

Whether advancing workforce development, entrepreneurship, or clean energy innovation, Terri brings her loyalty, resources, and knowledge to strengthen the Urban League’s mission of economic empowerment and equity.

“My love language is loyalty and trust, it’s at the heart of everything I do because when we work together with those values, we can accomplish anything.”

– Terri Arnold-McKenzie

Yonette Maynard, LPN

Director of Community Engagement and Case Coordination

Yonette Maynard serves as the Director of Community Engagement and Case Coordination for the Urban League of Long Island, bringing a wealth of experience in education, healthcare, and community advocacy. A dedicated professional with over two decades of diverse experience, Yonette has a proven track record of fostering meaningful connections, empowering underserved communities, and driving impactful programs that create lasting change. Yonette’s journey reflects her unwavering commitment to service. As a Licensed Practical Nurse and former Flight Medic with the United States Air Force, she honed her skills in crisis response and patient care, cultivating a deep understanding of the critical role compassion plays in leadership. Transitioning from healthcare to community engagement, Yonette has spearheaded initiatives that address educational gaps, workforce development, and health equity. Her role at the Urban League of Long Island is central to its mission of empowering individuals and strengthening communities. Yonette oversees case coordination, designs impactful engagement strategies, and collaborates with stakeholders to implement programs that uplift vulnerable populations. Her prior experience as an Employment and Education Specialist with the King of Kings Foundation underscores her expertise in creating innovative content for high-risk youth and managing complex administrative processes to ensure program success. Beyond her professional achievements, Yonette is an entrepreneur and community leader. She founded Diamonds Beauty Touch, where she blended business acumen with a commitment to exceptional service. She has also made significant contributions to community service by training doulas in New York City to support maternal health and empowering single mothers to start their own credit repair businesses. Yonette holds an Associate of Applied Science in Practical Nursing and an active EMT Basic Certification. Her diverse skill set, including lesson planning, staff training, and database management, complements her passion for community development. Yonette’s dedication to nurturing relationships, inspiring growth, and fostering opportunity reflects the Urban League of Long Island’s values. She is a driving force in ensuring that the organization continues to meet the needs of the community while advancing its mission of equity, empowerment, and progress.

Cheryl Rhoda – The GOAT of Connections

Partnership and Relationship Specialist

Born in Harlem, raised in Queens and Suffolk County, Cheryl Rhoda has been in the business of people her entire life. Some call it networking. Cheryl calls it living with purpose. With her, it’s never just “seven degrees of separation.” If Cheryl’s in the room, there’s no separation at all.

Her career reads like a masterclass in versatility: she started on 23 Wall Street as a credit analyst, rose through the ranks at AT&T in management, became a personal fashion stylist to A-list clients, thrived in the 5-star hospitality industry, and even managed utility operations for major institutions across New York. Each chapter sharpened her gift for connection, problem-solving, and building bridges where others saw walls.

Today, Cheryl brings all of that brilliance to the Urban League of Long Island, where she channels her energy, creativity, and passion for people into empowering small businesses, especially women and minority-owned enterprises. Her philosophy is simple: never come empty-handed. Whether it’s an introduction, an opportunity, or a spark of encouragement, Cheryl makes sure those around her always leave with more than they came with.

Her leadership and service have been recognized across New York, including her time as Vice President of the Hempstead Chamber of Commerce and her active roles with the Greater Harlem and Brooklyn Chambers. Nassau County has honored her for her community service, but her proudest titles remain mother and grandmother her son and two granddaughters are her greatest treasures.

Cheryl is also a human jukebox (yes, she really knows them all across genres and decades!) and loves to travel, proving that joy and curiosity are the best companions to success.

“Connections are more than business cards. They’re bridges to dreams, and I never stop building.”

– Cheryl Rhoda