BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Executive Director/Board Chair
She is the founder and Executive Director of Career Day Inc.™, a not-for-profit organization created to inspire young adults to reach high and believe that with endurance and positive self-esteem they can achieve their goals. Beth is a Certified Professional Coach who has been advocating for those in need all her adult life. Her ability to identify, prioritize and plan a positive course of action is a strength she uses as a Life Coach. Her late husband, Arie, is the inspiration for the scholarship awarded to students who are inspired by Career Day. Beth holds a master’s degree in Audiology from Boston University and was the founder and President of the Knickerbocker Avenue Merchants Association
Vice President
Richard Tavarez, of Puerto Rican and Dominican descent, was raised in Elmont, NY, and began his career as a teller at Fleet Bank in Hempstead 23 years ago. His career in finance and community development has focused on providing quality financial services to underserved communities. Tavarez has held leadership roles at major financial institutions and played a key role in funding over $20 million in PPP loans during the COVID-19 pandemic. As Jovia Financial Credit Union’s Community Relations Officer since 2022, he bridges the financial literacy gap and empowers local youth. Tavarez also chairs the DE&I Committee for the LIE Networking Organization and has received the Community Impact Award from Adelphi University and the Liga De Justicia Foundation Community Partner Award.
Secretary
She has been described as a fearless nerd who relentlessly pursues clarity to create powerful impact. She is currently the Group Senior Vice President at RXMOSAIC, working in healthcare public relations. She is an advocate of the democratic process and has volunteered in many get out the vote activities.
Treasurer
As President of Freed Management Group, Jonathan has been a member of the insurance industry for over 40 years. After 19 years as a Branch Manager at a major international insurance company, Jonathan chose to become independent to better provide his clients with products best suited to their individual needs.
Jonathan is a licensed agent for life insurance, health insurance, long term care insurance, and annuities. In addition, he is registered to offer securities and financial planning services through Ameritas Investment Company, LLC.
Freed Management Group’s primary focus is insurance planning for individuals, families, and businesses including retirement planning as well as financial planning.
She describes herself as a Culturally Competent Social Worker and Advocate for Social Justice. She is passionate about working in collaborative environments to help communities and individuals find empowerment. She is currently employed as a Clinical Director at Housing Works.
She is the Associate Director for Student Access Services at Hofstra University, overseeing the college’s fee-based programs, including coaching for students with disabilities. In 2013, after losing her husband to cancer, she launched a holistic wellness company focused on self-care and healing, and through her nonprofit, SavvyGems, has worked with teens, immigrant communities, and individuals with special needs—offering yoga, leadership development, and suicide prevention support in both English and Spanish.
A certified yoga teacher and Amazon best-selling author, she is also the recipient of the Verizon Innovative Leaders Award (2018) and the Nassau County Office of Hispanic Affairs Educator Award (2021). Her passion, resilience, and commitment to equity and empowerment bring invaluable insight and inspiration to our board.
With over 10 years of experience as a content strategist, digital creator, and brand manager, Theo specializes in helping businesses grow through impactful content and marketing strategies. As the founder of NOM Media, Theo has partnered with brands to create engaging content, manage social media, and produce high-quality video, leading to audiences of 100K+ and tripled ROI for clients.
Theo’s work has helped brands gain recognition in top outlets such as Forbes, The New York Times, Food Network, and The Atlantic. Beyond digital marketing, Theo brings a strong background in project management, having led multimillion-dollar projects for clients including JPMC, The Federal Reserve, JFK, LGA, and The NY Police Academy.
She is an Implementation Consultant at Fast Enterprises with a background in computer engineering, software development, and IT, having gained experience through roles at Netsmart, Northwell Health, Poem Technology, and United Network Associates.
Outside of tech, she is the founder of Children’s Hope India 3 (CH3), the youth branch of Children’s Hope India, which supports underprivileged and homeless children in New York and India. Under the motto “Children helping children,” she has led initiatives such as funding summer camps for homeless youth, organizing clothing and shoe drives, providing Thanksgiving meals, distributing holiday gifts, and improving school conditions abroad—while empowering other young people to make a difference.
Early in her career, Kathy taught Middle School English at Staten Island Academy and The Green Vale School. After pausing her career to raise her three daughters, she became the Director of Alumni Affairs at Friends Academy, a Quaker college preparatory school in Locust Valley, N.Y. from which she is now retired.
He is a dedicated professional with a dynamic career supporting nonprofit clients by offering services that enable them to operate efficiently. Since joining Morgan Stanley in 2008, he has developed a robust practice centered on Corporate, Investor, and Philanthropic Services, serving private corporations, nonprofits, and families. His commitment to philanthropy is evident through his roles on several boards, including the Bayside Business Association, Career Day Inc., the Nonprofit Collective Foundation, and the Pelham Children/Youth Travel Soccer Club. Matthew also serves on the Advisory Board for Transitional Services of New York, Inc.
He is a career coach and HR advisor with over 15 years of experience guiding individuals in their professional growth and more than 25 years in global human resources leadership. He has worked with students, professionals, schools, and organizations to design strategies that unlock potential, strengthen skills, and create lasting career success.
Beyond one-on-one coaching, Eric partners with small to mid-size organizations to modernize talent strategies, transform the employee experience, and develop people-centered solutions that celebrate and grow talent. At the core of his work is the belief that when people thrive, organizations flourish.
ADVISORY BOARD
She is a Partner in Internal Auditing and IT Consultant at Cerini and Associates, LLP where she is responsible for all claims audit, internal audit and consulting services. Shari has studied childhood education and is a certified internal auditor and is the Editor for the firm’s publication, The Lesson Plan, written for school district
He is the former executive director of Northwell Health’s LIJ Medical Center where he was responsible for day-to-day operations of the hospital’s $1 billion annual operating budget. Mr. Goldberg is also an adjunct professor in Hofstra University’s Department of Health Professions, School of Health Sciences and Human Services. Founder and CEO of Walkalongside Leader. Board Member at Counslr Inc.
He is Director of Strategic Alliances and Employee Benefits Consultant at Vanguard Insurance Agency. He is a Tireless Connector – Philanthropist -and Sales & Business Development Professional. He brings over 17 years of expertise and consistently adds value to his networking partners, clients, and community.
Executive Director, Girls Inc. of Long Island whose mission is to empower girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Renee is an Award Winning-Writer, #DreamJourney Enthusiast, and Speaker who is passionate about encouraging women and youth to pursue their passion and purpose.
Melissa Greenberger is a Program Officer at The New York Community Trust (Long Island office). In this role she supports the Trust’s competitive grantmaking on Long Island in the issue areas of Arts & Culture, Conservation and the Environment, Health, Mental Health, Hunger, and Technical Assistance. Prior to joining The Trust, Melissa was Senior Staff Attorney at Pro Bono Partnership where she provided direct legal services to nonprofit organizations in New York (Long Island office), recruited and coordinated volunteer attorneys to assist clients, and presented legal workshops on topics relevant to nonprofit executives and board members.
He is a creative, energetic writer and Editor. Dave wrote two books about education and mental health and has appeared on the Today Show and NPR’s Morning Edition.
She is currently an adjunct instructor at SUNY Old Westbury and is a recently retired Assistant Superintendent for curriculum and instruction of East Meadow Schools.
She is a champion of small business and nonprofit organizations. Whether strategizing for the future or planning the tactical efforts that need to be executed, businesses and charitable organizations call on Ms. Severino to reach their goals. Tammy is the President of RPC Development, a boutique consulting agency specializing in the needs of strategy and tactical efforts for start-up businesses and nonprofit organizations.