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Joan Jeudi
Board Member
Joan Raymond-Jeudi is a dedicated healthcare professional with a strong interdisciplinary background in psychology and nursing. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from St. John’s University and a Master of Science in Nursing with a concentration in Population Health. Joan is wound-care certified and also certified in MDS, bringing both clinical expertise and analytical precision to every aspect of her practice.
With a career marked by compassion, professionalism, and a commitment to excellence, Joan consistently delivers high-quality patient care. She is known for her intelligence, common sense, initiative, and mature judgment. Whether working independently or collaboratively in a team setting, she demonstrates exceptional attention to detail and a strong ability to assess and manage complex patient needs.
Since June 2023, Joan has served as a Corporate MDS Nurse, where she ensures that patients—and their caregivers or families—receive the highest standard of care. In this role, she leverages her deep clinical knowledge and leadership skills to promote optimal patient outcomes and uphold the integrity of the healthcare process.
Leeandra McCarthy
Board Member
Leeandra Ramadhin is a dedicated public service professional from New York whose career reflects a deep commitment to justice, leadership, and community empowerment. Raised in New York, she began her academic journey at Queensborough Community College, where she pursued Criminal Justice with minors in Law, Sociology, and Corrections. Her early passion for public safety led her to work with the NYPD, the Department of Labor, and the Department of Corrections, gaining firsthand experience across multiple areas of public service.
Leeandra continued to advance her education at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, earning her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice. Driven by a desire to strengthen her impact, she achieved her master’s degree in Public Administration with a concentration in Investigations and Operational Inspection. This academic foundation has shaped her into a strong analytical thinker and a committed advocate for ethical, effective public operations.
Beyond her professional roles, Leeandra has been a powerful voice in women’s leadership and empowerment. She has served in leadership positions within women’s empowerment groups and has dedicated her time to mentoring, tutoring, and training others—helping individuals build confidence, develop skills, and pursue their goals.
For the past nine years, Leeandra has served within the federal sector under the Department of Homeland Security, where she has continued to exemplify integrity, accountability, and dedication to public safety. Her leadership experience has not only strengthened her ability to guide teams but has also allowed her to give back to society in meaningful and lasting ways.
This commitment to service has brought her to this important and heartfelt cause in honor of Mama Lucia—a testament to Leeandra’s belief in lifting others, preserving legacies, and making a positive impact in the communities she serves.
CHELSEA FELIX
Board Coordinator
Chelsea Felix is a Registered Nurse and Program Coordinator dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for women through financial support and community empowerment. With a Bachelor of Science and an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Chelsea brings compassion, structure, and a service-driven mindset to her work.
As Coordinator, Chelsea helps manage the nonprofit’s scholarship programs, supporting the full cycle—from application outreach to recipient support. She works closely with applicants, partners, and community organizations to ensure women have access to the resources, guidance, and encouragement needed to pursue or return to higher education. Her background in nursing strengthens her commitment to advocacy, equity, and meeting people where they are.
Chelsea is passionate about creating pathways for women to thrive academically and professionally. She believes in the power of education to transform lives and is committed to fostering an environment where women feel seen, supported, and equipped to reach their goals.
Lauren Dennis
Board Member and Fundraising Chair
Lauren is a seasoned licensing and consumer products executive with more than 20 years of experience leading strategic partnerships, brand development, and global licensing initiatives across the entertainment, retail, and manufacturing sectors.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Lauren is committed to community service and nonprofit engagement. She previously served as Silent Auction Chair for the Boys Town New York Building Hope Gala and remains a dedicated supporter of local community-based initiatives.
Lauren holds a B.S. in Marketing from Long Island University/C.W. Post Campus and has completed the Dale Carnegie leadership program, How to Win Friends and Influence People in Business. Lauren resides in Manhasset, NY with her husband.
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Patricia Lubert
Assistant Fundraising Chair
Patricia is a proud Queens, NY native with rich Haitian roots that shape her warmth, resilience, and drive. As a retail store manager, Patricia brings over 10 years of customer service experience to the table. She’s known for being the go-to problem solver, someone who takes real pride in making sure every customer walks away with a great experience.
Outside of work, Patricia fuels her creativity and joy through traveling, music, and art. These passions, paired with her naturally personable personality, inspire the positive energy she brings into her store every day.
Patricia has a true gift for motivating others. She consistently pushes herself and those around her to aim high, stay focused, and strive for excellence. Whether she’s leading her team or uplifting a friend, Patricia’s influence is all about helping people become the best version of themselves.
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Patrick Dennis
Director of Finance
Patrick began his career as an accountant at Ernst & Young, serving investment banking and asset management clients, eventually rising to Partner. After E&Y, Patrick served as the CFO for several prominent hedge funds, including as the founding CFO of Eton Park Capital Management, before joining J.P. Morgan as the Global Head of Hedge Fund Service Operations. After J.P. Morgan, Patrick returned to CFO roles within the asset management industry, joining Ruane Cunniff as CFO in 2017. Ruane manages one of the oldest mutual funds, the Sequoia Fund Inc., launched in 1970. Ruane also manages over a thousand separately managed accounts and hedge fund strategies in addition to the mutual fund. Patrick made Partner at Ruane in 2024.
Patrick previously served on the Board of Trustees of the San Miguel Academy of Newburgh. San Miguel is an independent Catholic school, working to break the cycle of poverty through education. Students are engaged year-round in a safe and positive learning environment, providing them with a high-quality education that creates opportunities for them after leaving San Miguel Academy.
Patrick graduated from Fordham University with a BS in Accounting and graduated from Columbia Business School with an MBA in Finance.
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Jolene Handy
Board Member
Jolene Handy writes about food, memory and history in her newsletter, Time Travel Kitchen which was inspired by cooking in a 100-year-old kitchen in her former apartment. A native New Yorker, she relocated to Chicago in 2016. She graduated with a BA in English from St. Michael’s College, an MA from NYU in Applied Psychology, and a Culinary Diploma from Peter Kump’s New York Cooking School. She has worked in both the food service and non-profit sectors, including as a baker at Sarabeth’s Restaurant and as Sous-Chef in the Executive Dining Room of Gourmet Magazine. She began her Substack in March, 2021. From 2002 to 2014, Ms. Handy was the Director of Career Services at Grace Institute, a 100 year old non-profit institution that assisted New York City women in returning to the workplace via a job training program. Ms. Handy was the liaison between the organization, employers and students.
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