BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Your Pink Aid Support Community (With the Help of Many Others)

AMY KATZ

Amy Katz is a Co-Founder, Chairman, and Founding Past President of Pink Aid. Amy chairs the Nominating Committee and Pink Aid’s Pink Purse program, which provides direct emergency assistance to individuals in financial crisis during treatment. Since a 2008 breast cancer diagnosis, Amy has devoted her efforts to helping women through their breast cancer journey. She established Norwalk Hospital’s Community Mammogram Program for underinsured women and launched the Breast Health Initiative at Emek Hospital enhancing outreach and support staff in their underserved region of Israel. Amy has served on the boards of the Norwalk Hospital Foundation and UJA/Federation as well as its allocations committee. She currently serves on The Dubin Breast Center at Mount Sinai Hospital. She and her husband are long time supporters of philanthropic organizations including State of Israel Bonds, DOROT, MorseLife Health System, The Meeting House and Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Amy began her professional career in the commercial real estate industry in Manhattan, before starting her own corporate gift service and later creating the special events arm for Dale and Thomas Popcorn. Amy is a graduate of Syracuse University, residing in Westport, CT and lives by Pink Aid’s motto, “compassion until there’s a cure.”

NICOLE BONN

Nicole Bonn has held a number of positions at Pink Aid – most notably creating all of our Social Media stories over the past several years. She has been instrumental in helping to launch Pink Posse and is a member of our Nominating Committee. She has cochaired Gift Bags, served on the Warrior Connection committee and reviewed applications for Pink Purse. Her humor, creativity and insight have made her an incredible asset to our organization. Nicole was involved with the Junior League of San Francisco where she resided with her young family before relocating to Westport, CT where she served as Board Member of the Conservative Synagogue Pre-School Committee, as well as being involved in the re-building of the Compo Beach Playground. Nicole has also been active with A Better Chance of Westport, serving as Auction-Chair of the Dream Event for two years. A graduate of Arizona State University with a B.A. in Spanish, she’s worked for multiple advertising agencies in Media Buying, as well as selling for Latin American Publications. Nicole resides in Westport, CT with her husband and three children.

Nicole’s volunteer history includes the Junior League of San Francisco where she resided with her young family before relocating to Westport, The Conservative Synagogue Pre-School Committee, Compo Beach Playground rebuild and A Better Chance of Westport.

Nicole graduated from Arizona State University with a B.A. in Spanish. She’s worked for multiple advertising agencies in Media Buying, as well as selling for Latin American Publications.

Nicole resides in Westport, CT with her husband Craig and two dogs and has three incredible children, Jacob, Jordan and Harley.

COURTNEY PRUSSIN

Courtney Prussin’s introduction to Pink Aid began with a Lazy Boy. She had been diagnosed with extensive DCIS at her 40-year-old mammogram and had recovered from her double mastectomy in the chair. Compassionate to the core, Courtney wanted to pass the chair on to someone who could use it. A friend suggested Pink Aid – she called and the rest is history. She co-chaired the launch of Pink Posse, and led Pink AId’s first social media campaign in 2020, Pucker Up for Pink Aid, in tandem with Pink Aid’s national expansion.

Courtney is an active member of Chabad of Westport where she has co-chaired the Purim Party and was honored at their annual Gala with the Young Leadership Award along with her husband, Jarret. She graduated from the University of Florida and received her Master’s in Mass Communication at Boston University. Courtney worked in advertising in New York City before moving with her husband and daughter, Camryn to Westport, CT. The family walked the runway at our 2022 Celebration of Life.

Rosanne Cavallero

Rosanne is honored to be Co-President of Pink Aid Long Island. Rosanne has been involved in the Pink Aid mission for 9 plus years. During that time she served as Co-Vice President, member of the Advisory Council, Co-Chair of the Grant Committee, Pink Purse Committee and Co-Chair of the Gift Bag Committee for the annual luncheon and was honored to be Co-Chair of the annual luncheon in 2016.

In addition to Pink Aid Rosanne serves as a board member of Family and Children’s Association for 20 years and because of her dedication to the Family and Children mission, serving those in need from Pre-K children to Seniors in our community, Rosanne received the distinguished “Woman of the Year ‘’ award. Rosanne has also been involved with several other local charities, including Long Island Cares and Guiding Eyes for the Blind.

For fun, Rosanne enjoys an active lifestyle, she loves playing tennis and traveling with her husband, Rich. When they are not traveling Rosanne feels most blessed enjoying time with her five children and six grandchildren.

JANINE MULLEN

I attended Stony Brook University where I played Division I soccer for the Seawolves and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Multidisciplinary Studies: Business, English and History.
I began my career as a Marketing Manager for Ralph Lauren. As a Marketing Manager overseeing advertising, public relations and promotions for the Polo Jeans Company brand I worked on highly recognized marketing campaigns and spear-headed the brands promotions and events ranging from movie premieres to magazine-sponsored department events. My most highly acclaimed campaign in 2005 entailed a month long series of denim drives and sales programs held on college campuses in the Northeast, ultimately becoming a nationwide initiative partnering with Habitat For Humanity.
Following a successful run at Ralph Lauren I turned to sales for the L’Atelier Group, a boutique showroom representing high-end brands such as Milly, Splendid, and Ella Moss.
Fast forward to ten + years later, I am now a proud mother of three, happily volunteering on many school and charitable boards as well as my most current desire to continue my efforts with the Pink Aid Organization. I first joined Pink Aid as a Co-Chair for the gift bag committee during its second Fashion Show & Luncheon event. After continuing for two years, my leadership role for the committee became more prevalent. I continued to spearhead the gift bag committees efforts, procuring quality gift bag items for over 100 bags.

MICHELE CORENMAN

Michele Corenam is Co-President of Pink Aid. Subsequent to joining Pink Aid in 2014 Ms. Corenman served as Secretary, Vice President-Event Liaison, co-chair of the 7th and 10th annual events, auction co-chair, volunteers’ committee chair and in numerous other leadership roles. She also served on Pink Purse and the Grants committees. Ms Corenman is a board trustee of Temple Israel of Westport. As an active volunteer since joining in 1995, she has served on several clergy and professional staff search committees, co-chaired the temple’s 70th Anniversary celebration event, and chaired or held diverse positions on numerous other temple committees and events. For many years Michele was involved with Westport organizations Project Return where she co-chaired their BIrdhouse Stroll and dinner committees for their annual event, and New Neighbors where she chaired various committees. Ms Corenman was PTA co-president of PS 158 and Temple Israel Nursery School in Manhattan. She chaired, created and volunteered on multiple committees over 16 years of dedicated involvement in schools and was on Syracuse University’s Parents’ Board for 4 years. Upon graduating from Long Island University with a BA in English, Ms. Corenman was an English teacher, dental office manager, and a product management officer at Chemical Bank. Currently she has her own personal organizing business. Michele has one son and resides in Westport, CT.

DIANA ATTNER

Diana Attner, Immediate Past Co-President of the Long Island Chapter of Pink Aid, has served as Vice-President, and has been co-chair of the Long Island Grant Committee since 2020. Previously, Diana was a committee member of Pink Purse and Sweat 4 Pink and has served on several luncheon committees including Wall of Compassion and the General Committee. Diana is a breast cancer survivor who has been involved with Pink Aid since 2017 when she participated in the Celebration of Life Fashion Show. She is an attorney in Garden City, New York, practicing in all areas of commercial litigation. Diana received her law degree from St. John’s University School of Law, where she was a St. Thomas More Scholar and a published member of the St. John’s Journal of Legal Commentary. She received her undergraduate degree in finance from St. John’s University College of Business Administration. Diana’s community involvement also includes serving as the past President of the Board of the Team Suffolk Swim Club, a nationally ranked Long Island based competitive swim team, partnering with Swim Across America in 2011 to start the inaugural Team Suffolk Swim to Fight Cancer, and serving as a past president of the Chestnut Hill Elementary School PTA in Dix Hills. Diana and her husband have three grown children and reside in Melville, New York.

LAURYN KOKE

Lauryn Koke is the Chair of Pink Aid Long Island’s Grant Committee and has served on the committee since 2014. Lauryn co-chaired the Auction Committee for the 2017 Annual Luncheon, and the Gift Bag Committee for the prior two years. Lauryn attended Northeastern University where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Therapy. During her 16 year career as a Physical Therapist, Lauryn also managed multiple outpatient offices and more recently has focused on pediatric patients. She currently also works as a real estate agent in Cold Spring Harbor. Lauryn resides in Lloyd Harbor with her husband and three children.

JILL GERLA

Jill Gerla chairs Pink Aid’s Grants Committee and has served on Grants since 2013. Ms. Gerla attended Binghamton University and St. John’s School of Law and practiced commercial real estate law in NYC for ten years. She currently works part-time as an event planner. Ms. Gerla is a past member of the Board of the Conservative Synagogue where she co-chaired the education committee and is a past member of the Board of UJA of Westport, Weston and Wilton where she served on the allocations committee and as co-chair of its annual fundraising gala for five years. Ms. Gerla lives in New York, NY and has 3 children.

CARI KAPLAN

Cari Kaplan has served for 2 years for Pink Purse as a reviewer for incoming applications. She also is a board member of the “B” Foundation. This is a private family foundation which help feed, care and educate people in Connecticut. Last year the “B” Foundation donated $3,000 to Pink Purse. Cari and her husband Keith raised $25,000 through their Pink Purse fundraising page in honor of their 50th birthdays. She served on the UJA board for 3 years and continues to help and support them. She graduated from Boston University with a BS in Communications. Mrs. Kaplan worked in advertising in New York City before moving to Westport to raise her family. Cari is married with three children and lives in Westport, CT.

SUSAN BYER

Susan Byer is a Past President (2016 and 2017) and Founding Treasurer (2011- 2016) of Pink Aid. Susan’s current responsibilities as Past President are focused on strategic development, donor relationships and oversight of the financial management of Pink Aid. Ms. Byer graduated with a BS in Accounting from the University of Illinois and is a Certified Public Accountant. She had an extensive career at Arthur Andersen LLP, primarily in Litigation and Financial Economic Consulting. Ms. Byer has served on many Boards of Directors including the Jewish Community Center of St. Louis, the JCC Health Club Board, where she also served as President, and the Ladue Education Foundation Board. Ms. Byer currently resides in Weston, CT.

JEAN LEPORE

Jean Lepore is Social Media & Communications chair of Pink Aid and has served as the High School & Community Liaison and on the nominating committee. Ms. Lepore, a former Vice President of Pink Aid, graduated with a BS in Nursing from Salem State University and an MS in Oncology Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania. Following a Fellowship with the Pain and Palliative Care Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC), she was a Nurse Clinician at MSKCC’s Evelyn Lauder Breast Center where she worked with women with Stage IV Breast Cancer. Ms. Lepore is married with two children and lives in Weston, Connecticut.

TAMMY ZELKOWITZ

Tammy Zelkowitz has served as Pink Aid’s President for two years (Co-President 2017 & President 2018), as Pink Aid’s Secretary (2015), co-chaired Pink Aid’s third annual luncheon event (2013), and has also been a chairperson of several different event and standing committees. In 2010, she conceived and initiated Staples High School “Get Your Pink On” campaign; an ongoing annual fall fundraiser involving all athletic teams, chaired Norwalk Hospital’s Whittingham Cancer Center Benefit Walk for two years and was lead coordinator for six years prior. Born and raised in Brooklyn, NY; Tammy is a former retail buyer with a B.S. in Marketing from The Fashion Institute of Technology. She is currently a realtor for William Pitt Sotheby’s in Westport, CT and resides in Westport with her husband and family.

ANDREW MITCHELL-NAMDAR

Andrew Mitchell-Namdar is a co-founder, Past President of Pink Aid. Mr. Mitchell-Namdar graduated with a BA in Sociology and English Literature from Hamilton College. He is currently the Vice President of Marketing and Creative Services for Mitchells Family of Stores as well as a co-owner. Mr. Mitchel-Namdar currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Breast Cancer Alliance, has worked extensively with Near Far Aid Organization for over 10 years, is an National Leadership Council Member of Lambda Legal and is Co-Chair of their Connecticut Cares Event. Mr. Mitchell-Namdar currently resides in Stamford, CT.

AMY FALK GROSS

Amy Gross is a co-founder of Pink Aid, is responsible for all design and graphics for Pink Aid and currently serves on its Board of Directors, Pink School Fundraising Committee and Pink Aid’s Pink Purse. After attending the University of Michigan, Ms Gross received her BFA from the New School/Parsons School of Design. Ms Gross has served on the Board of Directors of The Samara Jan Turkel Foundation/Variety Children’s Charity, Weston PTO, and founded Athletes Against Aids, a NYC non-profit organization that raised funds through individual sponsorships of athletes for GMHC. She is the co-president/creative director of WSAA, a branding agency in CT. Amy is married with three children and lives in Weston, CT.

RENÉE MANDIS

Renée Mandis is a board member and co-founder of Pink Aid and served as founding chair of Pink Aid’s Grants Committee. Ms. Mandis is a co-owner and principal of wsaa, inc., a branding and advertising firm in Westport, Connecticut, where she serves as co-president and her responsibilities include creative direction, copywriting, account management and photo and video shoot production. Ms. Mandis is a graduate of Binghamton University, from which she holds B.A.’s in English Literature and Spanish Literature. Ms. Mandis has two sons and currently resides in Weston, Connecticut.

CHRIS MITCHELL

Chris Mitchell has been involved with Pink Aid in Long Island since its inception. As Chair of Corporate Sponsorships, Chris has been instrumental in initiating and building relationships with our top Pink Aid sponsors. He also is a member of the Pink Aid Grant Committee. Chris is the current “owner in residence” in LI at Mitchells Huntington. “Giving Back” is an important family value in the Mitchells Family. Chris is involved with and helps support many local charities and organizations such as the Huntington YMCA (President Board of Directors), The Don Monti Memorial Foundation and Huntington Hospital. Chris lives in Lloyd Harbor with his wife Allison (Founder of Pink Aid Long Island) and their two children

CINDY SAUL

Cindy Saul has served in various positions of Pink Aid since it was founded in 2011. She was co-chairman of public relations and co-chariman of the Pink Aid Journal. She graduated from George Washington University with a BBA in Marketing. Ms. Saul worked in marketing in New York City before moving to Westport to raise her family. She is currently a realtor for Coldwell Banker in Westport, CT Cindy is married with three children and lives in Weston, CT.

WENDY SCHAEFER

Wendy Schaefer, has been an active supporter of Pink Aid since inception. Wendy has volunteered and been a member on the Boards of numerous organizations. She is a member of the Board of Directors, and has been an active volunteer at The Conservative Synagogue in Westport for the past 20 years, including Sisterhood President and Judaica Boutique Chair, is Co-President of the Westport Chapter of Hadassah, as well as on the benefit committee of the Fairfield-Westchester Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. Ms. Schaefer is a Certified Public Accountant, and has worked in the Audit and Tax Departments at Deloitte Haskins & Sells, as well as Manager and Acting Partner at Sanford E. Moore & Co., P.C., and has run her own tax practice for the past 30 years. Ms. Schaefer has been a College Consultant since 2009, helping students gain admission to top colleges. She has two children, and lives with her husband in Weston, Connecticut.

Missy Barkin

Missy Barkin has been actively involved in Pink Aid since 2012 when she walked in the second Warrior Fashion show and fundraiser. She has served as co-chair of the Grants committee for the past 3 years. Since she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2008, she has made it her mission to help those less fortunate have the same level of support that she personally experienced. Driven by her compassion she has worked for the Bennett Cancer Center at Stamford Hospital creating and supporting wellness services for patients undergoing treatment. She has been engaged since 2008 with Hope in Motion and Paint the town Pink, both fundraisers which support cancer patients at Stamford Hospital. Missy graduated from Binghamton University with a BS in finance and worked in the financial world. She is married with two children and splits her time between Boynton Beach, FL and Stamford, CT.

JEN GARDNER

Jen began her involvement with Pink AId working on the Pink Purse review committee and the 2019 luncheon auction. This past year she co-chaired the online auction for the 10 Year Anniversary Celebration. As a survivor, Jen believes passionately in Pink Aid’s mission and the great need to support women in treatment. She is a graduate of Dartmouth College and after an early career in consulting and marketing decided to switch gears and obtained a master’s degree in Information & Library Science. Until the pandemic Jen worked for many years as a librarian at Fairfield Public Library. She has also been involved in a variety of philanthropic organizations including PTA board member and Treasurer of the Junior League. Jen is married with two children and lives in Fairfield, CT.

Jeannie Kriftcher

Jeannie Kriftcher has served on the grants committee of Pink Aid for 4 years and is currently a co-chairing Grants for a 2nd year. She is a “Warrior” who walked the Pink Aid runway in 2017 and cherishes that special memory. Jeannie currently sits on the Stamford JCC Board and has been very active in many positions and chairs the JCares committee spreading good within the community. She grew up in NYC, graduated from University of Michigan with a BA in Psychology and Brooklyn Law School with her JD. Jeannie is married with 3 daughters and had lived in Stamford, CT. for 26 years!

Trish Paliotta

A passionate advocate for breast cancer survivors, Trish began her involvement with Pink Aid in 2012 when she co-chaired the Annual Luncheon and Fashion Show. She joined the Pink Aid Board of Directors and has served on various committees including Grants, the Warrior Connection, the Warrior Fashion Show, and Pink Purse, which provides emergency funds for the non-medical expenses of breast cancer patients. Trish is a long time member of the Dubin Breast Center Advisory Board at Mt Sinai Hospital in NYC. She has served on the Board of Directors for the American Classical Orchestra, as well as The Levitt Pavilion for the Performing Arts in Westport, CT. Ms. Paliotta has been involved with numerous local fundraising initiatives, including the Discovery Museum and Planetarium in Bridgeport, CT, Greens Farms Academy and Choate Rosemary Hall. She began her career as an Institutional Account Manager at Syntex Pharmaceuticals.
Ms. Paliotta is a graduate of Manhattan College, with a B.S. in Computer Information Systems and Marketing and resides with her husband and family in Westport CT

Marria Pooya

Marria has been a committed supporter and an active member of Pink Aid since 2018 invarious roles, including Co-Chair of Corporate Sponsorship and Co-Chair of Invitations. She was also Co-Chair of the Pink Aid 2021 Luncheon and Fashion Show. Marria graduated from New York University’s Stern School of Business with a dual B.S. in Finance and International Business. Currently, she is the CEO and founder of Greenwich Medical Spas (GMS), with 6 locations in CT, NY and expanding into NJ in 2023. Since launching GMS, she and her company have actively participated in and donated more than $300,000 to various charitable organizations and events with an emphasis on empowering women, youth, and vulnerable populations. Marria resides in Westport with her husband and their two children.

Stefani Schwartz

Stefani was introduced to Pink Aid in 2021 at which time she became a part of the Pink Purse review committee and chaired the Invitation Committee for the 2021 event. Since then, she has taken on various roles including Co-Chairing the 2022 event auction. Seeing breast cancer affect so many in such a devastating way, including her husband and his family, Stefani is an emphatic and passionate believer in Pink Aid’s vision to compassionately empower individuals throughout their entire breast cancer cycle. As the Chief Operating Officer of Greenwich Medical Spa, Stefani is responsible for the exponential growth of the business and aspires to marry her love for efficiency, process, growth and development with her love for providing compassionate care to those in need to help Pink Aid continue to flourish and expand. In addition to her work with Pink Aid, Stefani is on the board of A Better Chance in Westport, has been actively involved with the Special Olympics since 2010, and is active with Food Rescue US in Fairfield County. Stefani lives with her husband and their blended family of five children in Westport, CT.