Board Chair
Director-Human Resources and Organizational Development
New York State Nurses Association
New York, NY
Current Term: 2025 – 2029
A proud person with albinism and a dedicated member of NOAH since 2004, Sonja’s journey to executive governance was sparked by a pivotal connection made at one of NOAH’s national conferences. This experience inspired her to pursue a deeper leadership role within the community, ultimately leading to her election to the Board of Directors.
Professionally, Sonja serves as the Director of Human Resources and Organizational Development for the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA), the state’s largest labor union and professional association for registered nurses, representing over 42,000 members. With over a decade of executive human resources experience, she specializes in organizational culture, workforce modernizations, and strategic infrastructure.
Sonja holds the SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) and the Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR). Granted by the Society for Human Resource Management and the HR Certification Institute respectively, these certifications recognize global competency in mastering the strategic, policy-making, and organizational development facets of human capital management.
Sonja’s professional expertise is deeply intertwined with her extensive philanthropic endeavors. As a longtime member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., she aligns her leadership with their international mission of “Service to all Mankind.” Through this network, she has spent decades developing and implementing grassroots programs focused on health equity, family stability, and educational enrichment.
Sonja holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from George Washington University and a Master of Business Administration in Human Resource Management from Washington University in St. Louis. Grounded in her lifelong commitment to advocacy, she is uniquely prepared to lead NOAH in its mission to dismantle societal barriers and stigmas, ensuring that all people with albinism are empowered to live rewarding, dignified, and fulfilling lives.