2009 Reason2Smile Inc. Board of Directors
Barbara Ulm
Role(s) on the Reason2Smile Board of directors: member of the Fundraising Committee
Barbara is currently the principal of Pierre Van Cortlandt Middle School in the Croton-Harmon School District in Croton-on-Hudson, New York. PVC is a school of 544 students in grades five through eight. Prior to this position as the school administrator, Barbara was a teacher at the secondary level in math, science, and technology. In total she has been an educator for twenty one years in New York State. Barbara currently resides in Hudson Valley, NY.
During the past twenty one years Barbara has grown to realize what a difference an education can make in the life of a child. She has also learned what a difference educating children can make for the future of our planet. Presently, PVC middle school is engaged in a sustainability project. As Barbara watches the students working to collect plastic bags and bottles for recycling, she is reassured by these youngsters that our future is in good hands.
Barbara’s reason for accepting the invite to be on the Reason2Smile board of directors:
“As I look beyond Croton to those areas of the world where students grow up in environments where their basic needs are not met, I am reminded that it is through education that a better world can be built. It is for this reason that I am thrilled to play a role in helping Keela Dates develop her non-profit organization Reason2Smile. It is an honor to work with someone who has already had such a powerful impact on the world.”
Gail Meyer
Role(s) on the Reason2Smile Board of directors: Chair of the Fundraising Committee
Gail has taught Biology and related courses at Saranac Lake Central School for about 15 years. She is married to Richard and has two sons, Charlie 22 and Sam 21. Gail currently resides in Saranac Lake, NY.
Gail’s reason for accepting the invite to be on the Reason2Smile board of directors:
“Keela asked me to, and if she thinks I can contribute something, I am glad to try.”
Jason Oakman
Role(s) on the Reason2Smile Board of directors: Chair of the Marketing Committee
Jason has extensive marketing, product management and software development experience. He has also worked as an art director and graphic designer developing brand and corporate identity programs, print design, web development, retail space and software user interface design. Jason currently resides in Bellefonte, PA.
Jason’s reason for accepting the invite to be on the Reason2Smile board of directors:
“I have been a long time friend and creative cohort to Keela's uncle Nip. When Keela first launched Reason2Smile, Nip and I worked together to help her create some marketing communications tools. I have since seen the efforts and passion of Keela to achieve what I thought was a pretty ambitious goal. I am very proud to sit on the board and I will continue to help her in whatever way that I can.”
Lauren Franco
Role(s) on the Reason2Smile Board of directors: secretary, member of the Executive Committee and Marketing Committee
Lauren attended New York University. She enjoys running and hiking. She has used her running skills to benefit Reason2Smile by gathering sponsors and racing in a half-marathon. Lauren currently resides in Lake Placid, NY.
Lauren’s reason for accepting the invite to be on the Reason2Smile board of directors:
“I think the Jambo Jipya School is a wonderful program and that Keela and Christine Mwende are doing a tremendous job. It is a pleasure to assist them in their wonderful efforts to help all these beautiful children.”
Mark Demers
Role(s) on the Reason2Smile Board of directors: Chairperson, member of the Executive Committee
Mark has a Degree in Music from the University of Vermont and a Masters in Divinty from Boston University School of Theology. Mark has been United Methodist Clergy from 1981 through the present. He is currently serving as pastor of the Adirondack Community Church, Lake Placid, NY and has been serving there since 1995. Mark is married with three grown children and one grandson. He currently resides in Lake Placid, NY.
Mark is energized by people who have a clear vision, are creative in their thinking, and enjoy working as part of a team. He rides a bicycle for exercise, loves to read (almost always have at least 3 books going ...), enjoys music and his family. He believes when a local church is being faithful to its mission it has the capacity to change the world for the better.
Mark’s reason for accepting the invite to be on the Reason2Smile board of directors:
“’Reason2Smile’ – ‘Every life is valuable.’ The stated mission of Reason2Smile is large but focused. Jambo Jipya School in Kenya makes people who may not feel at all valuable that they are, indeed, of great worth. I have been given so very much. Reason2Smile inspires me to give something back - a bridge connecting needs with resources, where love and compassion meet in the middle.”
Nip Rogers
Role(s) on the Reason2Smile Board of directors: member of the Marketing Committee
Nip attended George Washington University from 1979-1987. He received his BFA in 1983 and his MFA in 1987. Nip has been a freelance illustrator since 1987. He currently resides in Lake Placid, NY (his hometown) after being away for 30 years.
Nip’s reason for accepting the invite to be on the Reason2Smile board of directors:
“Keela has started doing something I have always dreamed of doing. I have been involved almost from the beginning of Reason2Smile and I am not about to stop now!”
Rita Griffin
Role(s) on the Reason2Smile Board of directors: member of the Finance Committee
Rita has taught for 24 years. Five years in the inner city of Syracuse, at the Head Start Preschool Program. In June 2009 she will have taught 19 years as a second grade teacher, in Cato-Meridian Elementary, a rural school between Rochester and Syracuse. Rita loves to teach and feels she continues to grow each year. She believes it is amazing what you can learn from children. Rita believes children need a strong skill base in order to be successful in life but they also need to have an awareness of the different ways people live in their world.
Rita is married and has two grown children, a son and a daughter and five grandchildren. She lives on a small farm. In the summer she grows flowers and vegetables. She even has a little road side stand. Rita currently resides in Marcellus, NY.
Rita’s reason for accepting the invite to be on the Reason2Smile board of directors:
“The first time I saw Keela, after her first stay in Kenya, I knew this was not going to be a short term ‘Fundraiser.’ This was going to be a lifetime commitment for her and to see her passion and feel her energy, I knew this was something I wanted to be part of. I have great ideas and lots of energy. I have always been drawn to the 'underdog' and I feel this is going to be the type of challenge I need and want.”
Steve Doxzon
Role(s) on the Reason2Smile Board of directors: Vice-Chairperson, member of the Executive Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Fundraising Committee
Steve is the owner of Adirondack Lakes & Trails Outfitters in Saranac Lake. This is primarily a paddle sport retail shop. They also rent canoes and kayaks and offer guiding and other services. Steve currently resides in Lake Placid, NY.
Steve’s reason for accepting the invite to be on the Reason2Smile board of directors:
“I have a keen interest in the people of Kenya. I worked for the YMCA of Kenya for three years and am aware of the needs of the people of Kenya especially the children. I believe Reason2Smile is a unique opportunity to do something tangible and lasting for the children and community of Mtwapa.”
Steve Preston
Role(s) on the Reason2Smile Board of directors: Treasurer, member of the Executive Committee, and chair of the Finance Committee
Steve was born and raised in Lake Placid in a large family with 6 siblings. He attended Lake Placid High School. After 2 years at Clarkson University, he decided to work full time at Bank of Lake Placid. After a 12 year healthy career there, a bank buyout and a decision to change careers, he took the job as Guest Service Manager at the Holiday Inn where he learned the hospitality business. After 10 years Steve moved to the competitor, Hilton Lake Placid Resort to become the Director of Sales & Marketing. After 6 years of 80 hour weeks and a lot of stress, he stepped down and is now the Senior Sales Manager, focusing on conference sales for Associations, Government and other groups. Steve currently resides in Saranac Lake, NY.
Steve’s reason for accepting the invite to be on the Reason2Smile board of directors:
“My lifetime affiliation with the Adirondack Community Church led me to meet Keela. Because she shares my daughter's birth date, my wife, Linda and I struck up an instant friendship with her and the more I see this young lady work and dream, the more I love her! When someone has a passion as strong as Keela's about Reason2Smile and Jambo Jipya, I cannot help but want to share that with her. I look forward to serving on this Board and seeing these kids smile more!”
Susan Talbot
Role(s) on the Reason2Smile Board of directors: member of the Fundraising Committee
Susan received her BA in Elementary Education from SUNY Oswego and her MS in Emotional Disturbance from Syracuse University. She is a certified elementary and special education teacher. She has 18 years of classroom experience and served as Coordinator and Instructional Specialist at Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES in Auburn, NY for 8 years. Susan is currently Director of Elementary and Secondary Education at Wells College.
Susan’s reason for accepting the invitation to be on the Reason2Smile board of directors:
“I agreed to serve on this board for some of the same reasons that I entered the field of teaching. I believe we make our professional choices, in part, to define our role in life. We seek answers to the question, ‘What can I do that will provide an outlet for my skills and enable me to act on my beliefs as I try to make sense of this world?’ I see my participation on the Reason2Smile Board as an incredible opportunity—a way to learn, connect to others, and make a difference.
“This is not a selfless act. As any good teacher knows, burn-out comes quickly if you are not fueled by the process. As corny as it sounds, my goal is to become, as Sonia Nieto says, ‘more fully human.’ We are living in troubled times. Now, more than ever, it is critical to develop profound empathy for those who are trying to navigate this world within challenging contexts. I am blessed and I know it. Many have to struggle far harder than I to find food, shelter, and a support system. In addition to understanding some of the uncomfortable issues that contribute to the struggle, it is critical to take action . . . to do something . . . ‘to be the change that you want to see.’ Reason2Smile is doing just that.
“Keela has provided us with an amazing model of what one person can do when he/she reaches out to those around. Her energy, commitment and positive attitude inspire all she encounters, including me. My answer to her invitation to serve on the Board came quickly and confidently. To support, in any way I can, her goal of creating a better life for the children of Jambo Jipya, is an honor.”
