Global Teens - Meet our Staff & Trip Leaders

Shane Lavin - Thailand Trip 2009 

Shane holds an BA in Political Science and French from the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Massachusetts. During his undergraduate studies, he lived in Strasbourg, France for an academic year while attending both the Institut d’Études Politiques de Strasbourg (Sciences Po) and Université Marc Bloch. Shane was a participant of “The New York – Berlin Bridge”, a teen travel program to Germany, while in high school. He has traveled extensively throughout Europe and had the good fortune to travel to Beijing, China in 2006. Born and raised in New York City, Shane is a native of Jackson Heights, Queens and attended high school in downtown Manhattan.

Kelvin Eng - South Korea Trip 2009 

Kelvin was born in Queens, NY and attended Elementary school to College in Manhattan. He attended Stuyvesant High school and graduated from Baruch College with a degree in Computer Information Systems. Kelvin used his network he built up while working at the law firm of Gibney, Anthony & Flaherty, LLP. as a Network Administrator to provide computer consulting services to other law firms and small businesses. This led to Kelvin’s desire to share his computer knowledge with young adults. Kelvin loves nature and exploring new places. A few interesting places outside of the United States he’s been to have been Costa Rica, Hong Kong, Panama, Peru, Beijing, Guangzhou, Toronto and Montreal. His family is from Hong Kong and he had the opportunity to first visit Hong Kong with the Global Teens in 2006, as well as led the 2007 trip to Panama and the 2008 trip to Peru. Kelvin is currently Director of Information Technology for the International Branch of the YMCA of Greater New York and is extremely excited to be leading the 2009 South Korea Global Teens Adventure.

Sylvia Sanchez - Thailand Trip 2009 

Sylvia was born in Colombia and raised in Flushing, Queens, New York.  Sylvia has had the opportunity in working with youth and adolescents for over fifteen years and wouldn’t trade this type of work for the world.  She started her career as a youth volunteer for the Flushing YMCA at the age of sixteen where her journey as a youth practitioner began. She held multiple roles throughout her years at the Flushing, Bayside and Vanderbilt YMCA where she provided her services for over ten years.  By the end of her career at the YMCA, she was the School Age Child Care Director where she supervised camps and after school programs servicing hundreds of participants. This is her second year working with Global Teens. Last year, Sylvia and the participants traveled to Peru where they had an amazing experience providing their services to different communities. This year, she will be the leader for Thailand, where she knows teens will have an outstanding time engaging and immersing themselves in this community. She is looking forward to meeting all the teens, working as a team and getting the job done.  Thailand, here we come!

Tiffany Lee - Columbia Trip 2009 

Tiffany Lee is in her third year with the North Brooklyn YMCA.  She was born and raised in a small Midwestern town located in Kansas.  Ms. Lee attended Kansas State University where she received dual degrees in Business Management and Theatre.  She also has a minor in Dance.  The North Brooklyn YMCA sponsors the High School for Civil Rights located in East New York.  Currently Ms. Lee is the Site Director for all of the Teen Programs the YMCA offers including the Advisory Class during the school day and the Afterschool Program from 2-6pm Monday thru Friday.  In her spare time Ms. Lee enjoys attending Broadway productions, trying new restaurants, baking desserts, and exercising at her local YMCA.  Last year Ms. Lee participated in the YMCA Study Tour to Jerusalem where she was immersed in exciting new foods, music, history, traditions, and biblical knowledge. This year she is thrilled to be working with the Global Teens program and can’t wait to start a new global expedition with adventurous students!

Chad Hiu - Director, Teens & Outbound Programs 

Welcome to the adventure of a lifetime!!! As program Director since August of 2008, Chad brings 9 years of experience working with youth and teens, and is a life-long international traveler. Originally from Honolulu, Hawaii, Chad served two years as Director of Teen Programs for the YMCA of Honolulu’s Nu’uanu Branch and has led international service trips for young people to Thailand and Mexico. A strong, meticulous and passionate youth worker, Chad received his Bachelors of Science in Youth Development from Springfield College (MA) and has traveled to 23 countries on every continent of the world (excluding Antarctica), and lived in Hong Kong for two years. Working to empower and inspire young people to affect positive change in our world through international travel and service is Chad’s life mission and he looks forward to leading the superb Global Teens staff & volunteer team through the 2009 season! Let the journey begin!!! If you need to reach Chad at anytime, please call 212-875-4328 or E-mail:chiu@ymcanyc.org