 |
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
BOARD OF DIRECTORSDuring her 30-year career at Con Edison, Ms. Shukla has held several prominent positions, including plant manager at the Hudson Avenue Station, general manager of Steam Distribution, and technical manager of the Ravenswood Electric Generating Station.
Ms. Shukla leads several initiatives focused on increasing representation of women in non-traditional job within Con Edison. She was recognized in 1999 by NY Crain’s Business as a “40 under 40” business leader and in 2000 was honored by the YWCA-NY Academy of Women Achievers.
Ms. Shukla holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from City College of New York and a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering from Polytechnic University of New York.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Steffanie Levin
Steffanie Levin recently joined the Board of Directors at Bottomless Closet in 2012. She also chairs the Communications Committee and sits on the Young Leadership Council, and has been involved in the planning and execution of the annual cocktail party fundraiser for a number of years.
Steffanie passionately believes that the right outfit can change everything, and she gains much satisfaction from helping our clients make the changes they need to become self-sufficient and support themselves and their families. Focusing on individual needs, lifestyle and self-expression, her motto has always been, “When you look good, you feel good”.
Steffanie is an Art Director and Graphic Designer who has written and designed countless children’s books, corporate identity campaigns, event invitations, greeting cards and promotional materials. She holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Utah. A twenty year resident of the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Steffanie and her husband Geoff are the proud parents of two young children.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Rhonda Medina
Rhonda Medina is Senior Vice President & Deputy General Counsel of Business Affairs for Nickelodeon Television/MTV Networks Kids & Family Group. Her primary responsibilities include overseeing all business and legal affairs in connection with the television and music segments of the network. Rhonda joined Nickelodeon in 1997 as counsel supporting Nickelodeon Movies. She was promoted to Vice President of Nickelodeon television’s development and production area in 2000. In 2003 Rhonda was named Senior Vice President of Nickelodeon’s digital channels, and in 2008 she was elevated to her current position where she is responsible for the television and music business affairs for MTV Networks.
Prior to joining Nickelodeon, Rhonda was an associate at the New York-based entertainment law firm of Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz. Rhonda started her career in entertainment by working as a script reader in the development department of Spike Lee’s 40 Acres & a Mule Filmworks after graduating from law school. In addition to her legal and entertainment work, Rhonda was an investment banker at The First Boston Corporation in both their New York and London offices and has also written articles that have appeared in The New York Times, Newsweek and the New York Law Journal.
Rhonda has been a guest speaker at numerous national and regional organizations. She has been a recurring panelist on the ABC News Now program dedicated to women’s issues, entitled “Top Priority” and has appeared on “Good Morning America” and the nationally-syndicated “Michael Eric Dyson” radio program. Rhonda was active in President Barack Obama’s presidential campaign where she sat on his Tri-State Finance Committee and served on the Platform Committee at the Democratic Convention in Denver. She is currently the co-chairperson of Connect (Princeton University’s African American alumni leadership initiative) and was recently named a board member of the Trenton Children’s Choir. Rhonda has worked with the young alumni organizations at her college and law school.
Rhonda received her law degree from Harvard Law School, where she was an editor on the Harvard Law Review, and her Bachelor of Arts degree from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School where she majored in international affairs and was named one of TIME magazine’s Top 20 College Juniors and Glamour Magazine’s Top 10 College Women. Prior to matriculating to law school, Rhonda spent a year studying in Kenya on a Rotary Foundation Fellowship. She has traveled extensively through Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
A native of Indianapolis, Indiana, Rhonda currently resides in Princeton Junction, New Jersey with her husband Derek and their four children.
BOARD OF DIRECTORSKatie Watkin has been a regular daytime volunteer at Bottomless Closet since 2005 and serving on the Junior Committee. She was part of the development team that created and led a program focusing on strategies for parents to read with their children. Prior to her volunteer work, Katie was a learning specialist and reading teacher for at Country School in Weston, Massachusetts and The Chapin School in New York. Katie received her BA with honors from Washington University and a Master of Education from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts in Special Needs Pre-K-9.
PRESIDENTSara T. Slocum is a regular weekday volunteer with Bottomless Closet. By volunteering, she has been able to participate in amazing transformations and share in the successes of her clients. The incredible energy and support that the volunteers and staff give the clients and each other is unique and special: it even prompted one client she was working with to say that she “felt alive again” after her visit. Previously, Sara worked in the retail consulting and research field. At Management Ventures, based in Cambridge MA, she served as an analyst covering the Warehouse Clubs as well as Home Improvement stores. Her career was focused on watching people interact with the retail environment, and helping retailers and suppliers to better understand the dynamics of shopping. She received a Master’s Degree with Distinction from the London School of Economics and Political Science, and graduated with Honors from Haverford College.
BOARD OF DIRECTOR
BOARD OF DIRECTORKathleen Jordan is a leader in the retail design profession, a principal at Gensler, a global architecture design and planning firm, and currently is the Retail studio director for the New York office. With twenty years of architectural & interiors experience, her background provides a unique perspective into the design process, including merchandising and store planning. Kathleen received a Bachelor of Science in Architecture from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Active in the design community, Kathleen is a longtime participant in the ACE Mentorship Program Career Directions for Students in Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (ACE) a unique partnership among architects, interior designers, engineers, and university representatives, through which industry professionals volunteer as mentors to high school students in order to introduce them to these professions, and to encourage them to pursue studies and careers in these fields. Kathleen’s intuitive mentorship style motivates and encourages learning.
Kathleen also sits on the Boards of AIA-Newark & Suburban Chapter (NJ) and donates her time and skills to the food charity CANstruction, a creation of the Society for Design Administration (SDA) as well as PAVE, The Planning and Visual Education Partnership's. In addition Kathleen participated as a judge for PAVE's first annual "Rising Star" award in December 2007.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Carolyn Huggins is a member of the team that became the Founding Board of Directors of Bottomless Closet. Prior to the hiring of Bottomless Closet staff, she created and executed a successful fund development effort that included foundations prospect research, proposal and letter writing, and a tracking system. She continues her involvement as a member of Bottom Closet’s Development Committee. Carolyn holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Oberlin College. She also studied at the Universität für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria and completed graduate coursework in Human Resources Administration at the University of Utah.
BOARD OF DIRECTORSAndrea Mastro-Hoinacki began her work at Bottomless Closet, in 2002; knowing that helping women attain economic self-sufficiency would directly result in helping families improve their lives. Andrea achieves a tremendous amount of personal and professional satisfaction working with both our clients and our dedicated volunteers.
Andrea joined the Board of Directors in 2003 and is a member of the Volunteer Committee, where her primary responsibilities are managing the semi-annual sale and conducting volunteer training sessions and community outreach programs. Andrea chairs the Junior Committee, established in 2006, which has grown to encompass an annual fundraiser, awareness events, workshop development, and evening volunteer training. Lastly, Andrea chairs the Junior Benefit Committee for the Spring Luncheon. Andrea received her Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Juris Doctorate with an International Law specialization from Chicago-Kent College of Law.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Laura retired as a partner of Goldman Sachs, which she joined in 1996, in 2011. At Goldman Sachs, Laura was the co-director of the firm’s Americas Equity Research unit. Prior to that, Laura served as the Technology Equity Research business unit leader for Goldman Sachs. She also developed a specialized expertise in the hardware systems sector during her time covering enterprise server and storage companies. While at Goldman Sachs, she served on the Compensation Policy Committee, as well as the Americas Diversity Committee. From 1979 to 1996, Laura was an analyst at Prudential Securities, where she specialized in enterprise computing, servers, workstations, PCs and design automation. Prior to Prudential, Laura worked as an intelligence analyst at the National Security Agency. Now, Laura sits on the Board of Directors at Dell, Infoblox, and Arista Networks. Laura is also a member of the Museum Advisory Council at the American Museum of Natural History. Laura earned a BA, summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, from Boston University and an MBA in Finance with honors from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
BOARD OF DIRECTORSChristine C. Chang
Manager of Strategic Development, Alternative Investment Management, LLC
Christine is Manager of Strategic Development at Alternative Investment Management, an independent, privately-held investment management firm focused on hedge funds and private equity. She spearheads special projects for the firm, including the design and implementation of strategic initiatives in operations, compliance, and marketing. She is also responsible for managing relationships with families, foundations, and endowments. Prior to joining the firm, Christine was the Chief Operating Officer of New York Private Bank & Trust, the wealth management division of Emigrant Bank, where she built the infrastructure to support ultra-high net worth clients. Previously, Christine was Business Manager and advised on business development at MPI Professionals, LLC, a subsidiary of CGI Group, Inc., providing consulting to financial services firms. Christine also served at Credit Suisse in New York and London as: European Product Manager of Fixed Income Emerging Markets; Financial Analyst for the Global Head of Fixed Income; and Compensation Analyst in Human Resources. Christine began her career at Charles River Consultants, Inc. as a Project Manager in financial services technology consulting.
Christine is a member of High Water Women and on the Trust and Estates Committee of SUNY College of Optometry. She is also a member of the Cornell Alumni Admissions Ambassador Network and a mentor in Cornell's Alumni-Student Mentoring Program. Christine earned her B.A. from Cornell University.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Priscilla has been involved with Bottomless Closet since 2002 when a friend introduced her to the organization and she began volunteering as a client coach and client advocate. She joined the Board of Directors in 2003 and has focused her energies primarily on program evaluation, outcome management and program design, becoming the co-chair of the Program and Evaluation Committee in 2004. She also serves on the Finance Committee, Personnel Committee and Event Committee. Priscilla’s interest in the welfare of women and children began while at Time Incorporated, in the mid 1970’s, when she became the first Affirmative Action Officer for Women and used her background in business to train and attract women to jobs in Advertising Sales, Editing and other positions not traditionally held by women.
CHAIR EMERITA
CHAIR EMERITA
SECRETARY
Judith T. Hunt joined Bottomless Closet as a volunteer in July 1999, as an opportunity to utilize her previous retail and fundraising experience in a not-for-profit organization. Judy joined the Board in 1999, and has served as Bottomless Closets Treasurer from 1999-2006, chair of the Finance Committee and the Retail Committee, and sat on the Development Committee. Currently she serves as Board Secretary, and participates on other Committees including Finance, Program and Evaluation, Spring Luncheon, and the Fashion Show for Real Women. Judy is a graduate of Manhattanville College, Purchase, NY. Working at Bottomless Closet these past 9 years has been an exciting, challenging and rewarding experience pooling together years’ worth of volunteer and professional experiences, as Judy moved around the U.S.A.
TREASURER
Tami Peter has volunteered her time to Bottomless Closet since 2001, creating and teaching a monthly Personal Finance Series, which has grown to a 16 part program. Additionally, Tami has served on the Bottomless Closet Board of Directors since 2006 and currently serves as the Board Treasurer. Her goal is to ensure that each and every woman in the series is empowered to accomplish her financial goals, and through knowledge, action, and self-confidence - ultimately achieve Financial Independence! She received a Masters of Business Administration in International Management/Finance from Thunderbird – The American Graduate School of International Management, with foreign study in Africa and Europe. Tami also holds a B.S. in Finance and a minor in German from Villanova University, with foreign study in Switzerland and Austria.
VICE PRESIDENTAfter graduating from NYU, Iris was able to build on her interest in fashion, finding her dream job in the executive training program at Bonwit Teller. She spent the next 20 years working in the fashion industry running large sportswear companies with responsibility for merchandising, publicity, and the bottom line. When she retired in 1985, she got involved with several non-profits. During ten years with Planned Parenthood of New York City she served as chair of development, sat on many committees, and spent two years as Co-Chair of the board. She also established and ran the Speakers Bureau.
From PPNYC, Iris joined the Planned Parenthood board of Suffolk County and is still involved with the group, serving as co-chair of the East End event every spring. Iris is also involved with The Children’s Aid Society, where she has been on the board for 12 years. Iris is involved in every aspect of the 100 million dollar budget organization, currently serving as secretary of the board on many committees such as nominating and governance, development, health, and the executive committee.
Iris has also mentored a young lady for 10 years. She started tutoring her at the East Harlem tutorial Program when she was 10 and tutored her until she was 15. Iris has continued to stay close to her and saw her biggest accomplishment when Samantha graduated high school!!
Iris joined Bottomless Closet in 2000 on the suggestion of Arlyn Gardner, starting as a volunteer twice a week. She joined the board about a year later. Iris has been involved in many committees, including the original strategic planning committee and she chaired the development committee for 5 years. Iris is currently the Chair of the Nominating Committee.
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENTArlyn Gardner became involved with Bottomless Closet as a volunteer shortly after it was founded through her friendship with Reva Wurtzburger. Arlyn serves on several board committees including the Events Committee with primary responsibility for Bottomless Closet’s annual fundraising luncheon. Arlyn’s career and volunteer activities have been focused on making a difference in people’s lives and she feels that her volunteer work at
Bottomless Closet is particularly gratifying because within an hour of meeting a client a volunteer can make a difference in the life of an economically disadvantaged woman who wants to make a change in her life.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Diane Kenney began her association with Bottomless Closet in 2002 initially as an evening volunteer working with clients for 2nd appointments and conducting Workplace Skills workshops. In 2004, she joined the Board of Bottomless Closet and began working as a daytime volunteer coincident with her “retirement” from the corporate world. In addition to doing one-on-one coaching she became Co-Chair of the Program and Evaluation Committee with responsibility for tracking and analysis of client and workshop surveys and statistics. In 2006 she was elected Vice President of the Board and in 2009, President.
Diane’s corporate career began and evolved in Human Resources beginning with the Consulting firm of Booz Allen, then Gulf & Western/Paramount Communications where she rose to the top Human Resources position. She then joined Time Warner’s Warner Music Group as Senior Vice President of Human Resources where she had responsibility for over 12,000 employees in 65 countries and traveled extensively. Subsequently, she was in a similar role at Random House Publishing Group, a division of Bertlesmann, the largest European Media Company. Diane’s broad range of business and Human Resource experience has proven to be extremely helpful to Bottomless Closet especially in Programming and Evaluation and working closely with clients and the Board. On behalf of Bottomless Closet, she recently completed the year long program on Outcomes Management in association with the Non-Profit Coordinating Committee.
Diane also serves on the Board of Fedcap, an organization committed to training and employment of individuals with disabilities where she conducts workshops and leads various Committees. She is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Professional Children’s School, an educational institution dedicated to students in the performing arts, sports and entertainment.
Diane received her BA from St. John’s University and Masters in Human Resource Management and Development from the New School in New York. In addition she has attended numerous Executive Leadership and Development programs at Harvard and IMD in Lausanne Switzerland.
CHAIRBarbara Madsen Smith was involved with Bottomless Closet since the beginning. The need became apparent in 1996 with passage of the Welfare Reform Act. A colleague in Chicago had started an organization to help women enter the workforce and Barbara made the first connection – connecting a group of New York City women interested in starting a similar organization to the Chicago group. In 1999 she joined the Board of Directors and since then Barbara has been involved in Bottomless Closet’s communications and strategic planning. Barbara was elected President of the Board of Directors of Bottomless Closet NYC in January of 2007 and served as Board Chair from 2009-11. Barbara has over 20 years of experience in developing communications strategies and ideas for clients around the world. As a member of the Board of Directors and Chief Creative Officer of Burson-Marsteller Worldwide, Barbara lived in Chicago, New York and Paris, working on every continent and with clients in almost every major industry. Barbara received her Bachelor’s Degree from Washington University in St. Louis and her Master’s from Northwestern University.
Kendall Farrell joined Bottomless Closet as Executive Director in 2007 following an expansive career in the nonprofit sector. In collaboration with a Board of Directors, Kendall is responsible for the vision and leadership, strategic planning, programmatic development and administrative operations of Bottomless Closet.
Kendall has been a driving force in leading Bottomless Closet into its second decade and has done so by managing stable growth. In her time as Executive Director the organization has increased its budget 40% to $1 Million; enhanced the numbers of women served 100% to 3,000 women annually; doubled personnel capacity from 4 to 8 staff members and 200+ volunteers; accrued a year’s operating reserve and was awarded the Accredited Charity Seal status from the Better Business Bureau for Standards of Charitable Accountability. In addition Bottomless Closet’s programming has expanded to include an Intensive Job Search Program and a comprehensive Educational Curriculum, instituting metrics and outcomes to monitor and track impact. In 2009 Bottomless Closet’s marketing was re-branded including logo, graphics and messaging. Furthermore Bottomless Closet’s internal systems and controls now include Policies & Procedures (conflict of interest, whistleblower, and privacy policies), along with comprehensive Board and Volunteer Orientation Manuals. Kendall has effectively stewarded corporate partnerships with BNY Mellon, Con Edison, Limited, Time Warner Women’s Network and TJ Maxx and secured Bottomless Closet’s largest grants from High Water Women and Goldman Sachs Gives. Kendall represents Bottomless Closet as the spokesperson and conducts interviews for print, taped and live news media including New York Times, ABC National News and Crain’s New York Business.
As an independent, professional woman Kendall appreciates the value of self-sufficiency and believes you can never underestimate how putting on a nice pair of shoes can help transform the way you see yourself, build confidence and ultimately get you the job. Furthermore, Kendall appreciates the reach of Bottomless Closet’s mission beyond simply dressing women but offering programming that strengthens a woman’s professional skills, confidence and self-determination. Kendall believes a key to Bottomless Closet’s success is connecting clients 1:1 with volunteers who establish an environment of professionalism, respect and compassion. Volunteers participate in the transformation of the women Bottomless Closet serves, striking a universal cord of women helping women.
Prior to Bottomless Closet Kendall led a statewide organization for people living with HIV/AIDS in Vermont and opened the state’s only residential facility for people living with HIV. Her experience spans direct services, program development and fundraising/special events in addition to leadership and management. Throughout her career Kendall has supported people who were dying in hospice, worked with the homeless, developed residential housing, advocated for equality for transgendered individuals and acted as a first responder immediately following sexual assaults. The experiences she has are diverse however the shared value is working to create meaningful social and individual change.
Kendall holds certificates from Columbia Business School’s Institute for Nonprofit Management Program and the New School’s Tenenbaum Leadership Institute; in 2010 was honored by United Way as a “Woman of Excellence and Achievement”. Kendall is originally from Massachusetts and lives in Manhattan with her partner.