Union Leadership

President

Michael Mulgrew became the fifth president of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) in August 2009 and was elected to a full term by the UFT membership in April 2010. As UFT president, Michael has advanced the union’s commitment to transforming education in New York City and to elevating the role of parents and the community in governing our schools.
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Secretary

Emil Pietromonaco is the secretary for the UFT. He completed his undergraduate and graduate studies at Richmond College where he received his bachelor’s degree in mathematics and his master’s in mathematics and secondary education.
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Assistant Secretary

LeRoy Barr is assistant secretary of the UFT and also serves as co-staff director, overseeing the daily operation of the union’s extensive field organization and both the pedagogical and non-pedagogical staff at its central office. He received his bachelor’s degree in finance from Howard University and his master’s in education from Hunter College.
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Treasurer

Melvyn Aaronson is treasurer of the UFT. He has been actively involved in union affairs for more than 50 years, working with Al Shanker as one of the leaders of the strike in 1960 that established the UFT. Mel received his bachelor’s degree from Hunter College.
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Assistant Treasurer

Mona Romain is assistant treasurer of the UFT and has served as an elected trustee on the board of the Teachers’ Retirement System of the City of New York since 1998. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees and an Advance Certificate in Administration and Supervision from Brooklyn College and earned a certificate in Pension Funds and Money Management from Wharton School Executive Education Program, University of Pennsylvania.
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VP for Elementary Schools

Karen Alford is vice president for elementary schools. She received her bachelor’s degree from Tufts University and her master’s from the New York Institute of Technology.
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VP for Junior High and Intermediate Schools

Richard Mantell is the UFT vice president for junior high and intermediate schools. He received his bachelor’s degree in business management and finance from Brooklyn College, his master’s degree in education with a concentration in guidance counseling from Long Island University and a second master’s in school administration from Baruch College.
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VP for Academic High Schools

Janella Hinds is vice president for academic high schools. She is a Brooklyn resident, a graduate of Princeton and New York University and a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She is a certified social studies teacher who worked eight years as a dean, student council advisor and conflict resolution specialist while teaching at public high schools in Brooklyn.
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VP for Career and Technical High Schools

Sterling Roberson has devoted his entire public school career to ensuring that New York City’s students receive a quality academic education with practical skills, in a healthy and safe learning environment. He brings this lifelong commitment to the post as vice president for career and technical education (CTE) high schools, to which he was elected in September 2009.
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VP for Education

Catalina R. Fortino is vice president for education and the director of the UFT Teacher Center, where her broad experience in professional development, curriculum, assessments and program development helps advance the teaching profession. Catalina received her B.S. in Early Childhood Education and her master’s degree in Special Education and Bilingual Education from Queens College. She also studied Curriculum and Teaching at Teachers College.
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VP for Special Education

Carmen Alvarez is vice president for special education. Since her election to the post in 1990, she has been a key voice in the UFT’s efforts to improve education for children with disabilities. Carmen received her bachelor’s degree in Education for the Emotionally Disturbed, from City College and her master’s from Bank Street College in Bilingual Education, with a focus on learning disabilities.
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VP for Non-DOE Members

Anne Goldman is the UFT's vice president for non-DOE members, a newly created officer position in the union. Anne has a bachelor of science in nursing as well as an RN license from the New York State.