Meet the Staff

Anna Antoniak

Senior Director 

Anna Antoniak has over 15 years of experience in higher education administration, including four years as the Associate Director of New York University's study abroad site in Sydney, Australia. In that role she oversaw program development and student life, as well as the site's finances and operations.

A native Brooklynite, Anna has volunteered with many New York City-based organizations, such as Upward Bound, TEAK, and the Brooklyn Public Library in capacities including teacher, curriculum designer, mentor, community organizer and fundraiser. Anna received her master's degree in International Education from NYU, where her research focused on urban education and multicultural curriculum reform. Her bachelor's degree is in English and French from Amherst College, which she attended as a proud first-gen student and scholarship recipient.

Email: anna@scholarshipplus.org

Stephanie Mena, LMSW

Director of Scholar Success

Stephanie Mena has over 8 years of experience working in youth and community development in NYC, from grassroots organizations to city government. Her background as a college counselor and psychotherapist has provided her with valuable experience in supporting diverse and underrepresented groups, in particular youth. She is passionate about the value of mental health support in the journey of obtaining a higher education and believes in empowering young people to thrive as their authentic selves wherever they go.

Stephanie earned a master’s degree as part of Fordham University’s inaugural master of arts program in Nonprofit Leadership, and a second master's in Social Work from CUNY Hunter College- Silberman School of Social Work. Her bachelor's degree is in English Language Arts, also from CUNY Hunter College.

Kate Fenneman Stokes

Executive Director

Kate Fenneman Stokes is the former Executive Director of the Seinfeld Family Foundation and The Jerry Seinfeld Scholarship Program, where she was responsible for grantmaking as well as sole management of the scholarship program. Kate joined the Scholarship Plus team in 2012 as Program Director. She became Executive Director in 2017, and brings over 15 years of college support experience to the role. Kate received her B.A. from Butler University in her home state of Indiana.

E-mail: katef@scholarshipplus.org

Linnette Veloso

Head of Program Operations and Development 

Linnette Veloso is a dedicated advocate for the social advancement of underrepresented communities, with a focus on equity in higher education. She has managed diversity programs for minority and first-generation college students, and brings additional experience in human resources, PhD program administration, and nonprofit development — particularly in fundraising and donor engagement.

Linnette holds a Master of Public Administration from CUNY Baruch College, earned through the National Urban Fellows program, and a second master’s degree in Higher and Postsecondary Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She received her bachelor’s degree in Public Administration from CUNY John Jay College.

Sara Martinez Arango

Program Assistant

Sara Martinez Arango has worked in education access organizations as a workshop facilitator and advocate to college-bound BIPOC youth and in social justice organizing spaces supporting their operations and fundraising efforts. She is passionate about improving the day-to-day functions and sustainability of people-centered programs like Scholarship Plus! Sara's first home is Medellin, Colombia, and she was raised in Corona, Queens. She is an alum of Mount Holyoke College, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Politics and Africana Studies.