Our Staff

Meet the individuals working hard to move the mission of The HopeLine forward.

Maria Cintron
Executive Director

Maria Cintron brings more years of leadership experience going back to 2007, including dedicated service at The HopeLine since 2013, where she leads the organization with deep compassion, vision, and operational excellence. Raised in the Baruch Houses on the Lower East Side of Manhattan and having experienced life as a child of welfare, Maria brings both professional expertise and lived experience to her leadership—driving her lifelong commitment to dignity, equity, and access for all families. As Executive Director, Maria oversees all organizational operations, initiates and strengthens programmatic efforts, and leads all fundraising and contract management at the city and state levels. She cultivates and sustains key partnerships, guides strategic growth, and ensures that services are delivered with respect, honor, and accountability. Her leadership is rooted in the belief that every person—regardless of circumstance—deserves to have their basic needs met with dignity.

Charlene Moreira
Program Manager

Charlene Moreira has been a valued member of The HopeLine team for two years and has served as Program Manager since December 2024. As a child of immigrants, Charlene brings deep personal understanding, empathy, and commitment to the families we serve, allowing her to build authentic connections with community members. In her role, Charlene manages the day-to-day operations of the organization, oversees staff, and coordinates our internship partnerships. She ensures the smooth and effective execution of daily services, including food deliveries, diaper and inventory management, facility maintenance, and overall client experience. Through her leadership, Charlene plays a critical role in maintaining the high standards of care, efficiency, and dignity that define The HopeLine’s services.

Miranda Feola
Program Coordinator

Miranda Feola brings over 50 years of experience serving the South Bronx, with a lifetime of work rooted in direct community engagement. She began her journey with The HopeLine as a volunteer and became the organization’s first hire when Maria Cintron assumed the role of Executive Director. Now, nearly 12 years later, Miranda remains one of the most trusted and recognizable faces of The HopeLine for countless community members who have formed lasting relationships with her. In her role as Program Coordinator, Miranda places and manages nearly all food orders for the pantry, organizes weekly pantry bag preparation, and supports families in securing their service appointments. Her dedication, consistency, and deep personal connections to the community make her an invaluable asset to both The HopeLine and the families we serve.

Elisa Bresba
Strategic Manager

Elisa joined The HopeLine team in 2019 and helped guide and lead the organization during the executive director’s maternity leave. Since her return, she has played an integral role in upholding the organization’s standards and commitment to serve disadvantaged communities. She holds a BA in Political Science from McGill University. She has over 10 years of management experience, and over 20 years in the workforce and social service field.

Christina Rivera
Community Relations Manager

Christina Rivera joined The HopeLine in December 2024 and brings a diverse professional background spanning hospital systems and senior service programs within nonprofit organizations. Her broad experience in both healthcare and community-based services strengthens The HopeLine’s outreach and partnership development efforts. Since joining the organization, Christina has successfully cultivated new partnerships that have expanded our network of stakeholders and significantly extended our reach into additional communities. Through her leadership, The HopeLine is connecting with more families and collaborative partners than ever before. Christina also oversees our clothing and basic goods services, where she has transformed the program into a more structured, organized, and client-centered system, improving both efficiency and the client experience.

Thomas Rivera
Facilities Associate

Thomas Rivera joined The HopeLine in 2020 as an intern, and through his dedication, growth, and strong work ethic, he was soon hired as a full-time employee. Since then, Thomas has become an invaluable member of the team, consistently rising to new challenges and demonstrating remarkable personal and professional development. Thomas supports clients during check-ins and intakes, helping ensure that every person is welcomed with care and respect. He has recently assumed the role of Facilities Associate, where he oversees repairs, maintenance, and facility upgrades to ensure a safe and functional environment for staff and clients alike. Thomas also takes a leadership role on delivery days, carefully reviewing invoices and ensuring that all incoming goods are properly organized. His reliability, attention to detail, and growth-minded approach make him a vital part of daily operations at The HopeLine.

Darnell Bennett
Maintenance Associate

Darnel Bennett has been part of The HopeLine community for six years, beginning his journey with the organization as a volunteer before being hired five years ago as a Maintenance Associate. Though he works limited hours, Darnel’s contributions are truly invaluable to the daily functioning of our operations. He is responsible for breaking down hundreds of boxes weekly, organizing and managing garbage and recycling, and ensuring that waste is placed out and cleaned up at the correct times—including working odd and early hours when needed to meet operational demands. In addition to his maintenance responsibilities, Darnel also assists with deliveries and grocery bag packing whenever possible. His reliability, flexibility, and behind-the-scenes dedication play a critical role in keeping The HopeLine running smoothly each day.

Donna Bisignano
Finance Director

Following the passing of our beloved bookkeeper, Dorothy Harley, in early 2017, The HopeLine faced both profound loss and a critical need for steady financial leadership. In 2018, we were fortunate to welcome Donna Bisignano, whose arrival proved to be an extraordinary gift to the organization. Donna brings over 40 years of experience in accounting, including extensive work with multi-million-dollar nonprofit organizations. She is also the founder and owner of MelodayAccounting and Business Solutions, where she continues to lead with integrity and expertise. Initially joining The HopeLine to help stabilize our financial systems, Donna was soon asked to remain permanently in 2019, recognizing the invaluable role she played in strengthening the organization. Now nearly six years into her tenure, Donna’s exceptional work ethic, guidance, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to our mission have become pillars of our financial stability. She has successfully overseen our books, supported our first-ever state contracts, and greatly strengthened internal systems—from staff payroll and grant budgeting to audit preparation and financial reporting. Donna has stood beside the organization and the Executive Director through some of our most challenging periods, and her dedication continues to be a driving force behind The HopeLine’s growth and sustainability.

Vladimir Corcino
Operations Assistant

Vladimir joined the organization in June 2025 after beginning with us as an intern. Vladimir quickly proved to be an excellent fit for The HopeLine, demonstrating professionalism, reliability, and a strong commitment to our mission.

In addition to the leadership and core staff presented, The HopeLine is strengthened by several newly filled roles and a dedicated network of interns and long-term volunteers.

Program Assistant Dermerson Perez also began his journey with The HopeLine as an intern while working toward completing his GED. Through his dedication and outstanding performance, Dermerson made such a strong impression that three months after completing his internship, we sought him out and welcomed him back as a permanent staff member in November 2025. His growth is a true reflection of our commitment not only to serving the community, but to investing in the potential of young leaders.

We also work with numerous interns throughout the year as their programs cycle, providing hands-on experience in nonprofit and community-based work. In addition, we are supported by two long-standing volunteers with 6 years and 15 years of service, whose loyalty and dedication continue to be invaluable to our daily operations and mission.