About Us | Shields Mas Learning Resources (SMLR)
Shields Mas Learning Resources, Inc. (SMLR) has been designing and delivering custom training programs since 1995. Our clients include some of New York's largest and most complex organizations — City agencies, CUNY colleges, major law firm, and multinational corporations. What sets us apart is simple: we build every program around your team, your culture, and your goals. No boilerplate. No one-size-fits-all solutions.
Certifications
SMLR is certified across multiple government and institutional procurement programs, making us a preferred vendor for agencies and organizations with diversity and inclusion goals:
• New York City M/WBE (Minority and Women Business Enterprise) Certified
• New York City EBE (Emerging Business Enterprise) Certified
• Nassau County MBE Certified
• New York State SDVOB (Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Business) Certified
• Port Authority of New York & New Jersey MBE Certified
desander Más
Desander is the founder and President of SMLR, with more than 30 years of experience designing and delivering staff and management training for City government, universities, and the private sector. A U.S. Army veteran, Des brings discipline, presence, and a genuine passion for human development to every engagement.
His customer service programs have been implemented by thousands of supervisors and frontline personnel across New York City agencies and CUNY's colleges and professional schools. Clients consistently cite his ability to earn the trust of skeptical participants — and to leave them wanting more.
Carol Shields
Carol is the co-founder of SMLR and serves as Vice President of Administration. A Baruch College graduate and former equity analyst on Wall Street, Carol co-launched SMLR with Desander in 1994. She manages operations and has spent the past two decades providing expert conference management services to clients including the National Labor & Management Conference.
Analiza Quiroz Wolf
Analiza is a certified executive coach with 20+ years of experience supporting leaders from new employees to C-suite executives, superintendents, and CEOs. She is certified by the City of New York as an M/WBE and by New York State as an SDVOB. An Adjunct Professor at NYU's Wagner Graduate School in HR, Talent, and Leadership, Analiza brings a rare breadth of experience: CEO of a NYC charter school network, Brand Manager at a Fortune 200 company, Board Fellow at Taylor Morrison (NYSE: TMHC), and Captain in the U.S. Air Force. She holds dual degrees from Stanford University, an MBA from Northwestern's Kellogg School of Management, and a Master's in Educational Leadership from the Broad Center at Yale. A Fulbright Scholar, Pahara Fellow, and member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.
Devin Shields-Mas
Devin is a business development consultant and facilitator with SMLR, supporting the design and delivery of workshops, training programs, and advisory engagements. A graduate of New York University with a degree in Business Communications, Devin brings real-world operating experience and a sharp focus on clear messaging, persuasive storytelling, and effective professional interaction.
Charis Warchal
Charis is an award-winning corporate communicator, strategic planner, and branding advisor with deep expertise in executive messaging and employee communications. She has supported brands including Verizon and Barclays with critical communications such as annual reports, white papers, corporate responsibility reviews, and policy handbooks. Charis brings the same strategic rigor to SMLR's client engagements in writing skills and professional communications.
Christine Shields
Christine is an attorney with more than 30 years of litigation experience in New York and Federal Courts, and a private practice in Elder Law, Estates, and Trusts. She brings her legal expertise and precision to SMLR's consulting and facilitation work with City government, universities, and the private sector.
Justin Cellini
Justin brings over 15 years of instructional experience, specializing in curriculum design, multimedia learning, and the integration of emerging technologies. He creates high-impact learning materials — including modular lessons, interactive assessments, and documentary-style instructional videos — and publishes curriculum-aligned content on platforms including YouTube. Justin holds a B.A. and M.A. from Stony Brook University in history and political science and is a passionate advocate for AI-enhanced instructional design.
Chelsea Shields-Más
Chelsea Shields-Más holds a doctorate and brings more than 10 years of experience as a college professor and instructional designer. She specializes in creating innovative learning experiences that motivate participants to increase self-awareness and apply new skills in both their personal and professional lives.