BraCycle
Our Team.
We are the BraCycle team. We are made up of professionals, interns who are bright college and high school students, and volunteers -- all passionate about providing gently used bras for women experiencing homelessness in the U.S. We work tirelessly behind the scenes to collect your gently used bras, clean and sort them, and distribute them to women in NYC shelters.
KAREN JANG
Founder of BraCycle and Executive Director
Karen Jang is BraCycle's Founder and Executive Director. A recent graduate of Barnard College, she studied biochemistry and entrepreneurship studies at Barnard's Athena Center for Women's Leadership. Karen started BraCycle because she wanted to create a platform and community where women could donate and exchange bras, addressing the reality that while many women cannot afford or access bras, lightly worn bras go to waste. She dedicates every day to growing the impact of BraCycle in the NYC community and beyond.
AMANDA DEALY HAVERSTICK
Our Senior Advisor
Amanda Dealy Haverstick serves as Senior Advisor at BraCycle. Amanda is a graduate of Harvard College and Boston College Law School. After spending two decades in active law practice, she is now dedicating her time to supporting young women and furthering causes about which she feels passionate. Amanda has raised three daughters on to college and has extensive personal experiences with non-fitting bras going to waste. She brings valuable
professional expertise and life experience to the BraCycle team. She is also the author of "Dear 1L: Notes to Nurture a New Legal Writer," an invaluable resource for law students and practicing lawyers. We love you, Amanda!
ANDREA LAKE BAXTER, "LAKE"
BOARD MEMBER
Andrea Lake Baxter recently graduated from Columbia University, where she studied environmental biology. Before starting at Columbia, Lake served as a Nuclear Electrician's mate in the U.S. Navy. While serving, she developed an illness, getting medically discharged as a disabled veteran. While attending Columbia, she joined multiple different student organizations: Milvets, an organization specifically for veterans continuing their education, and Gamma Phi Beta. While in Gamma Phi, Andrea just finished her last role in the chapter as the Administrative Vice President, in charge of keeping the documents and records of the chapter up to date. Andrea has also facilitated many women veterans round tables at Columbia. She initially found transitioning into the civilian world challenging, but discussing the transition with other veterans helped tremendously. These talks gave her a much larger appreciation of help that is specifically for women and girls, which is why she is drawn to BraCycle's mission.
RITA BRACKEEN
BOARD MEMBER
Rita R Brackeen is an attorney with 40 years of legal experience, working primarily in the City of New York and specializing in Employment & Labor Law. Rita used this experience to ensure that the City had a competent and dynamic workforce. She brings nearly 50 years of public service work through her Sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. Rita holds an AB from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in History and Political Science and earned her JD degree from Boston College Law School.
CAITLIN HICKEY
BraCycle Intern, Campus Ambassador & Donation Coordinator
Caitlin Hickey is a sophomore at Barnard College, planning to major in political science and history. Caitlin is a dancer. She has been an intern with BraCycle since December 2023. At Barnard, she is involved in Orchesis, a student-run dance organization at Columbia, and the New York Small Claims Advisory Service (NYSCAS). She is originally from the suburbs of Philadelphia, where her passion for community service originated. After working with individuals experiencing homelessness or financial difficulties in Philadelphia, it became clear that women are disproportionately affected by these conditions, and many of their feminine-specific needs are neglected. BraCycle works to combat these injustices, and therefore, Caitlin is honored to be working with them.
DENISA LATA
BraCycle Intern Alum, Program Development
Denisa Lata worked as a Program Development Intern at BraCycle in the Spring 2023 semester. She is a recent graduate of Barnard College. She gives back to the community in her capacity as a Peer Mentor for Access Barnard and serves as the Co-President for Columbia University's Students for Human Rights. As a Peer Mentor, she is responsible for helping her mentees achieve their long-term goals as both students of Barnard and as young women. Given her first-generation, low-income student status, she intimately understands how navigating college can be challenging, so she imbues her mentees with knowledge and empowerment to combat structural barriers to success and education. As a Co-President of a student-led human rights organization, Denisa collaborated with student leaders to host events, such as assembling abortion care kits to provide post-abortion care for local health clinics.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Pictured here is Deena Corkindale, at our fundraising station in Central Park!
BEHIND THE SCENES
Tabling in Central Park (100th st and Central Park West) to receive bra donations and raise funds through our raffle!
Pictured here are Deena (front) and Karen (back), engaging with local community residents.
