Meet Theona 

Born in Guyana and raised in Belgium, Theona Reets-DuPont's thirst for knowledge and understanding of the world grew while in a diverse public school setting. Where she received a well-rounded public school education, one that Theona believes should be the standard for all children. After high school Theona migrated to the United States for college, she pursued a Certificate in Humanitarian Studies at Bard College. Theona further demonstrated her commitment to making a difference while at Clark University, where she graduated with a degree in Political Science and International Relations. As a participant of the United Nations’s Humpty Dumpty Institute program, she led the OurBus Project– a groundbreaking initiative that brought college-level courses to women in rural areas of Yemen through a mobile classroom. Theona Reets-DuPont also has a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Immigration Law from the City University of New York Graduate Center. Theona is a Certified English as a Second Language Instructor and completed her teaching practicum at Fordham University. Theona has over a decade of experience in community organizing, teaching, immigration law, and government.

Theona's public service career began with impactful work in various government and non-governmental organizations, such as Neighbor to Neighbor and Stand for Children. She volunteered as an organizer for former Governor Deval Patrick’s campaign in Boston. Theona then interned at Beacon Hill for former Massachusetts State Representative Kate D. Campanale, and went on to volunteer to teach English at Saint Rita’s Refugee Center in the Bronx. While interning with former Congress Member Eliot Engel, Theona's interest in public service was amplified through her casework. She then went on to an internship at Lacroix Ramos Immigration Law Firm, as an Immigration Legal Intern, where she was a point of contact for her legal team and clients. While Theona was with Congress Member Adriano Espaillat, she served as a Immigration Liaison, taking on various levels of complex cases and attending immigration meetings at Federal Plaza.

Throughout her time serving many communities, Theona Reets-DuPont established herself as a steadfast leader and advocate. As Public Health Advisor and Community Engagement Specialist for New York City Health and Hospitals, Theona was at the forefront of the community working in COVID-19 tested centers and educating individuals who tested positive for COVID-19 and connecting them with numerous resources. 

Theona then transitioned back to her governmental roots, serving as Campaign Manager and Chief of Staff to New York City Council Member Oswald Feliz. As Chief of Staff, Theona oversaw a team of Councilmanic Aides, legislative fellows, and interns. During this time Theona played an instrumental role in the Association of Legislative Employees (ALE), which is currently America's largest union of legislative staffers, formed in the New York City Council. Theona’s dedication to labor rights, living wages, and worker protection led her to having one of the few fully unionized offices, where every employee she hired was also a member of ALE . Theona served on the union’s bargaining committee, where she represented union members during their first contract negotiation between the union and the City Council.