Deena Disraelly

VIRGINIA – Stamford native Deena Disraelly was honored as Greater Virginia’s Outstanding Mentor of the Year by the Virginia Mentoring Partnership on Feb. 24. Disraelly, who now lives in Alexandria, Vir., was recognized for her ongoing work with minority students at TC Williams High School (TCW) through the Campagna Center’s Building Better Futures program.
A research staff member with the Institute for Defense Analyses (IDA), Disraelly began tutoring at TCW through the IDA/Campagna Center partnership six years ago. She serves as a tutor and mentor, and as volunteer program and mentoring coordinator. She also runs two programs which she helped create: CLP — the College Leadership Program which encourages minority students to attend college and helps them through the college and scholarship application process; and, LEAP – Latinas (and other Ladies) Empowered to Achieve their Potential, a program to encourage females to pursue studies and careers in science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine.
“High schools have a responsibility to prepare students to graduate, but our communities must share the responsibility of helping each student believe and attain the dream of education post-high school,” says Disraelly, who believes that every student should have access to a college education. “I would love to teach communities to do this — to build CLP and LEAP programs — working with and utilizing the resources of those who consider higher education an achievable reality,” she said.
Disraelly is the daughter of Hillel and Barbi Striar Disraelly of Stamford.  She is a graduate of Bi-Cultural Day School and Stamford High School. A U.S. Naval Officer for eight years, she holds a Bachelors degree and two Masters degrees from MIT, is a qualified Naval Nuclear Engineering Officer, and is currently a doctoral candidate at The George Washington University.