Staff

Lauren Profeta

Executive Director

Lauren Profeta joined the N.Y. Police and Fire Widows’ & Children’s Benefit Fund in 2013.  Previously, she served for three years as the Development Director of Only Make Believe, a nonprofit organization that brings interactive theater to children in hospitals.  Prior to that, Lauren was a litigation associate at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP where she dedicated significant time to pro bono cases and charitable causes.  Lauren graduated summa cum laude from St. John’s University with a B.A. in English Literature and cum laude from Harvard Law School.  She is a native New Yorker and the proud sister of three NYC First Responders.

Lauren.Profeta@answerthecall.org
646-731-9633

 

Rachel Trotta Macina

Director of Events & Partnerships

Rachel joined the team in 2016 as the Office Manager but has since changed roles to Program Manager, then Development Manager, and now Director of Events & Partnerships. Previously, she worked with the Benefit Fund as a Development Intern in the Summer of 2015. Rachel graduated magna cum laude from Hofstra University, class of 2016, where she received her B.B.A. in International Business. Rachel was born and raised in Buffalo, New York.

Rachel.Trotta@answerthecall.org
646-731-9631

Lydia Marinelli

Director of Operations

Lydia joined the N.Y. Police and Fire Widows’ & Children’s Benefit Fund in 2018 as the Office Manager. Prior to that, she lived in Honolulu and worked in hospitality management after graduating magna cum laude from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa in 2013, where received a B.A. in Peace Studies & Conflict Resolution and a minor in Studio Art. Since joining the team, Lydia transitioned first to Operations Manager and is currently the Director of Operations. Lydia grew up in Connecticut and Massachusetts, but her family originally hails from Staten Island and Brooklyn.

Lydia.Marinelli@answerthecall.org
646-731-9632

 

Samantha Massaro

Events & Marketing Associate

Samantha Massaro joined the N.Y. Police and Fire Widows’ & Children’s Benefit Fund in 2023 as the Events & Marketing Associate. Prior to that, she worked in the entertainment industry as on-air talent, and has always had a passion for giving back to her community. Samantha graduated magna cum laude from West Chester University of Pennsylvania with a B.A. in Communication Studies and a minor in Dance. She grew up in Westchester County and is excited to be working in New York City!

Samantha.Massaro@answerthecall.org
646-731-9636

Victoria Emerson

Operations Associate

Victoria Emerson joined the N.Y. Police and Fire Widows’ & Children’s Benefit Fund in 2024 as the Operations Associate. Prior to that, she worked in the fashion industry as a Sales & Operations Coordinator. Victoria graduated from Ohio State University with a B.A. in International Studies: Globalization and a double minor in Civil Rights and Andean &  Amazonian Studies. She grew up in Columbus, Ohio but has family on Long Island and is excited to be living and working in New York City!

Victoria.Emerson@answerthecall.org
646-731-9635