Our Team

Hillary Schrenell
Executive Director

Hillary Schrenell joined the Sorensen Center as Executive Director with two decades of experience working within and across local and federal government and institutions of higher education. She most recently served as senior advisor to the Chief Operating Officer of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), where she led key organizational change initiatives to modernize the Agency. Before USAID, Hillary was director of project development at Columbia World Projects, a university-wide initiative mobilizing research and scholarship to address a variety of global challenges in partnership with government, the private sector, and communities. Earlier in her career she served as Deputy Commissioner for International Affairs for New York City, where she developed new programs to leverage the United Nations as a resource for city residents, and a senior advisor to the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, where she directed successful high-level diplomatic and public relations campaigns on a range of global issues. A product of New Jersey public schools and a graduate of Dartmouth College and Harvard Law School, Hillary began her legal career supporting access to justice programs in West Africa and southern Texas.

Maisie Haft
College Assistant

Maisie Haft brings a broad variety of experience to the Sorensen Center, spanning media, education, and advocacy. Prior to starting at the Sorensen Center, she worked in the film industry for seven years, joining the Director’s Guild of America in 2021. Recognized for her strong organizational skills and commitment to managing teams in a way that promoted equity and safety, she worked on TV shows such as Law & Order, Blacklist, and Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Before working on film sets, she worked as an administrative coordinator for an educational summer camp in the arts. Born and raised in New York City, Maisie's commitment to advocacy began during high school when she interned for the New York Common Pantry and UNICEF’s Branding office.

Mariia Kravets
Student Aide

Mariia Kravets is a sophomore at Hunter College, majoring in Political Science with a minor in International Relations. Having experienced the profound impact of war firsthand in Ukraine, Mariia witnessed how global conflicts affect families and communities at the most personal level. This experience sparked her passion for international peace and justice, a mission that aligns deeply with the Sorensen Center’s work. As an immigrant to the United States, Mariia understands the challenges of navigating new communities while staying connected to global issues. She is committed to bridging local and international perspectives on peace and justice, helping fellow students become informed and engaged global citizens. Through her active participation in campus events and college life, Mariia will help to expand the Sorensen Center’s reach among her peers at Hunter College, creating a vibrant community dedicated to understanding and addressing global challenges. Mariia is fluent in English, Russian, and Ukrainian and is currently studying Spanish. She hopes to become a diplomat in the future.