Johanna Seppalainen  works to develop and expand METRO's sponsorship relationships. She received her M.S. in I/O Psychology from San Francisco State and has well over a decade of experience in Talent Management & Learning and Development. She specializes in integrating assessment results into developmental goals, which she has applied to projects in talent management, executive development, group facilitation, and the delivery of organizational development initiatives.

Paisley Shultz (she/her) is an industrial-organizational psychology doctoral student at the CUNY Graduate Center and Baruch College. Her research examines how organizations and employees navigate change, with particular attention to automation-related job insecurity and reskilling, pay transparency, and virtual interviewing practices. Since 2023, she has served as coordinator of METRO's annual Career Day. 

Pavel Smirnov is a Change Management Specialist at Northwell Health, where he works on organizational change initiatives big and small. Pavel earned his M.A. in I/O Psychology from Hofstra University.

Brandon Sulzberg is a graduate of Hofstra University with a Master’s in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. He currently serves as a Learning and Organizational Development Specialist at NYU Human Resources, where he designs and facilitates enterprise-wide programs on psychological safety, coaching, leadership development, and performance management. Outside of NYU, Brandon is the co-host of the Brando and Joe I/O Podcast, which was created to help students and early professionals navigate the field of I/O psychology, and is a co-founder of Students of I/O Psychology, NYC (SIONYC). He is passionate about advancing I/O psychology and is excited to contribute to METRO in shaping the future of the field.

Kirsten Carroll Ly is an organizational development and learning professional with a Master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Baruch College and over 15 years of experience driving employee engagement, performance, onboarding, and talent development across multiple industries. She has served as an Adjunct Professor, designing and facilitating courses in Teams and Group Dynamics, and has managed operational and learning programs for organizations of varying sizes. Kirsten also supports individuals navigating career transitions and personal growth, drawing on both research-based practices and lived experience. She is committed to lifelong learning, mentorship, and community involvement.

Pallavi N Honkanadavar is a Master’s student in Industrial-Organizational Psychology at Montclair State University, where she is currently exploring how AI is shaping hiring decisions and exploring ways to make this process more fair and effective. Her passion for People Analytics, data-driven decision-making and talent management has grown through hands-on experience in a variety of global organizations where she designed training programs, analyzed HR and performance data, and managed global projects. Alongside her professional experience, Pallavi enjoys exploring new cultures, spending time with animals, and finding creative ways to connect with people. She is passionate about building meaningful relationships and hopes to use her career to create workplaces where people feel valued and inspired.

Charlotte Chen is a senior at New York University studying Psychology with a minor in Business Studies. At METRO, she supports the Technology and Food & Beverages teams, drawing on experience in change management at Golub Capital and talent acquisition at Avis Budget Group. Her work focuses on how people adapt to new systems and experiences. Outside of work and school, Charlotte practices Katonah Yoga, strength training, and enjoys creative pursuits like ukulele and reading, bringing a holistic and balanced approach to both professional and community settings.

Gabrielle Green Smith is a graduate student at Montclair State University, where she is pursuing her Master’s in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, expected in May 2026. She currently serves as a Graduate Assistant in the Office of Inclusive Excellence, supporting event coordination, developing training materials, creating and analyzing surveys, and collaborating with various university offices to foster community engagement. Additionally, she works as a Personal Trainer, where she enjoys helping clients achieve their physical and wellness goals. Gabrielle is passionate about employee well-being, inclusive learning environments, and enhancing learning outcomes. She hopes to pursue a career in learning and development, with a particular interest in leadership development after graduation.

Finn Boettcher is an Associate Management Consultant at Latchmere Consulting, where he supports various projects ranging from organizational restructuring to developing recruitment materials and employee engagement programs. He previously worked in business operations and organizational management in Germany, gaining experience in HR processes, training, and team development. Finn is currently pursuing his Master’s in Industrial and Organizational Psychology at Baruch College, where he serves as Treasurer Advisor of the MSIO Executive Board.

Md Allama Ikbal Sijan is responsible for the planning and execution of educational events for METRO. He is a Ph.D. student in the Industrial/Organizational Psychology program at Montclair State University (MSU) with a concentration in Data Science. He also serves as the president of Eagle I.O., a student-led consulting group at MSU. Sijan’s current research focuses on the use of Natural Language Processing (NLP) in measuring workplace psychological constructs. His research interests include team processes, delay discounting, leadership development, and DEI.

Education Lead

Nicole Gelfman is in her final semester of the Master of Science program in Industrial/Organizational Psychology at Baruch College. She earned her BA in Psychology, with a minor in Legal Studies, from The City College of New York. Nicole is an experienced English and Math educator transitioning into the field of I/O psychology. Currently serving as President of the MSIO Student Association Executive Board, she helps students connect with peers and professionals through social and networking events, while also securing funding for the annual SIOP conference and METRO memberships. She is eager to contribute to METRO and expand opportunities for members at all levels.

Allisen Casey holds a Master’s degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from Baruch College. She currently practices I/O as a Training Coordinator for a law firm, where she designs and executes firm-wide trainings for lawyers. During her time at Baruch, she interned at a large translations company doing Talent Management and Recruitment. Then, she joined the Organizational Development team at NASA Langley as an intern, before moving to her current role. As a student, she served as an Event Coordinator and then Vice President for the MSIO Student Association where she helped organize student-led informational and social events.