Team
Our Team
Remy Arteaga
Executive Director
After launching 5 startups with 1 exit and 2 continuing businesses, Remy went on to manage University entrepreneurship centers in NYS, Colorado, Silicon Valley and Arizona. He is a native New Yorker with a passion for empowering students with an entrepreneurial mindset to become game changers and change makers. Remy leads all aspects of CUNY Startups operations including staff, programming strategy, and operations.
Remy graduated top of his class with an MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, earned a BS in Electrical Engineering from the University of Rochester and a Certificate in Non-profit Management from Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government.
Adia Johnson
Associate Director
A proud native of New York, Adia draws inspiration from her Girl Scout roots, incorporating values like making the world a better place into her everyday life. She is deeply committed to supporting students in achieving their personal and professional aspirations through transformative leadership and a focus on student development.
With a strong background in career counseling, academic advising, first-year experience programs, teaching, management, marketing, and event planning, Adia brings a wealth of experience to her work. She leads all aspects of leadership, planning, marketing, and project management for CUNY Startups programs.
Adia holds a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in Theatre Arts from Daemen University and a MSEd in Higher Education Administration from Baruch College. In her free time, she actively volunteers with various organizations, dedicating her energy to community service and mentorship.
Sophia Nunez
Marketing Intern
Sophia is a Marketing Management major at Baruch College, with a strong passion for healthcare and healthcare marketing. Born and raised in New York, she is proud of her Hispanic roots and is motivated by her family’s resilience and encouragement to pursue higher education. Sophia hopes to one day contribute to bridging the gap between healthcare services and the communities that need them most, using marketing as a tool for impact. Outside of her studies and work, she loves exploring new places, reading books, and experimenting with baking recipes.
Kwabena Twum
Program Intern
Kwabena is a finance major at Baruch College, minoring in psychology. Born in New York and raised in Ghana, he is passionate about leveraging finance and entrepreneurship to drive meaningful change in his home country. After gaining years of relevant experience, he aims to contribute to Ghana’s economic development. In his free time, Kwabena enjoys exploring diverse subjects that pique his interest and watching Bollywood films.
Nandini Bosu
Research Assistant
Mariaite Valencia
Ambassador
Mariaite is a finance major at Baruch College. Born and raised in New York, she is proud to be a first-generation student with Hispanic roots. She is passionate about the connection between finance and entrepreneurship, bringing her skills in time management and communication to reach out and help businesses expand, eventually using that expertise to own a fashion brand. She is committed to connecting her passion for the arts with fields that expand her dedication to leveraging finance as a bridge between both. In her personal time, Mariaite enjoys playing soccer and exploring fashion, and she especially enjoys learning about the city’s diverse backgrounds and communities.
Alessandro Amendola
Ambassador
Alessandro is a junior at Baruch College pursuing a BBA in Finance, with a strong interest in pricing strategy, investments, and marketing. Curious about how people think and make decisions, he is also minoring in Psychology. Alessandro hopes to apply his academic background and hands-on experience to support and empower fellow students through initiatives like CUNY Startups. He enjoys connecting with others, sharing resources, and helping students make the most of the opportunities available to them. Outside of academics, Alessandro loves traveling, listening to music, cooking, and exploring everything New York City has to offer.