Carissa Small’s passion for people has guided a career rooted in mental health advocacy, support for marginalized communities, and mentorship. She is currently a Talent Acquisition Manager at a social service nonprofit, where she provides leadership and strategic direction to ensure high-performing teams while serving as an enthusiastic and supportive coach.
Through her work, Carissa helps advance services for underserved communities in New York City by collaborating with community leaders, government agencies, and private partners to address housing, health, and social service needs. She oversees staffing across a wide range of programs, including housing, senior services, health care, youth development, education, community empowerment, arts programming, workforce development, homelessness prevention, and access to healthy food. This work reflects her deep commitment to supporting communities impacted by systemic oppression and inequity.
In addition to her nonprofit leadership, Carissa is a limited permit Marriage and Family Therapist. As a mental health advocate, she provides clients with a supportive space to navigate life’s challenges and is deeply committed to increasing access to inclusive, culturally responsive mental health care for people of color.
Carissa also has a strong passion for the outdoors and previously served as Board President of the Sparkhouse Outdoors Club, an organization dedicated to creating meaningful outdoor experiences for communities of color and expanding access to nature.