Leadership

Meg Zucker (President)

Meg is the founder of Don’t Hide It, Flaunt It. She was born with Ectrodactyly, a genetic condition causing her to have one finger on each hand, shortened forearms and one toe on each foot. Meg passed this condition on to two of her three children. In addition to her work with DHIFI, she is a lawyer and VP, Head of US Advisory of AML and Financial Crime at the Royal Bank of Canada, with over twenty-five years of experience in the field of anti-money laundering and financial crime.

Meg was inspired to start DHIFI when her oldest son, Ethan, was bullied on the playground in elementary school due to his being physically different. As a result of Meg’s vision and passion, DHIFI has grown exponentially and continues to expand, offering empathy-based programming to students, campers, community service organizations, religious organizations and more. DHIFI also offers Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging programs to Fortune 500 companies.

Sharing DHIFI’s mission of empowerment and empathy, Meg has been published and featured in national magazines, newspapers and television. In March 2023, Meg’s first book, “Born Extraordinary: Empowering Children with Differences and Disabilities” (www.megzucker.com) was published by TarcherPerigee (Penguin Random House). According to Meg: “What makes me, me is that besides the fact I happen to have one finger on each hand, one toe on each foot and shortened forearms, and two of my three children share my condition, I am also allergic to Kiwi.”

View Meg’s website here.

Danielle Mirsky (Vice President)

Danielle is the Vice President of Customer Marketing for Scholastic, Inc. Danielle first joined Scholastic in 1998 focusing on marketing and strategy across several lines of business. In 2007, Danielle left to start her own marketing firm, DM Direct Marketing, and worked with clients ranging from startup web companies to large corporations. Danielle returned to Scholastic in late 2011 to oversee the marketing, product development and digital initiatives for several product lines in the Education Solutions division. Danielle is passionate about the work at Scholastic, where the company’s core mission is promoting literacy and academic achievement. Danielle lives in NJ with her husband, two sons, and her beagle.

According to Danielle: “What makes me, me is my kids have a pronounced stutter. As a mother, you feel their daily challenge to communicate. I reinforce to them that what we say is more important than how we say it. And they have taught me how to talk less and listen more.”

Beth Manes Lax (Secretary)

Beth is an attorney with over twenty-five years of experience; her practice concentrates in Special Education Law, Special Needs Planning, Guardianships and Estate Planning. Beth frequently speaks at community group meetings and corporate seminars on topics relating to education law and special needs advocacy. Beth is the Past President of Planned Lifetime Assistance Network of New Jersey, Inc., an organization that provides lifetime advocacy for people with special needs. Beth is also a member of the Special Needs Alliance, a national organization of attorneys who work with families with special needs.

Beth has been named a New Jersey Super Lawyer for Education and Schools since 2017, and has been included on the list of Top Fifty Lawyers since 2020. She has been included in the list of “Best Lawyers for Families” under the category of Special Education/Needs for New Jersey Family magazine since 2017. In 2022, Beth was named to the list of “Best 50 Women in Business” by NJBIZ. Beth resides in Essex County, New Jersey, with her husband, several dogs, and whichever adult children are home at the time. Beth loves to travel; her favorite vacations are on a bicycle, in a tent, or observing animals not typically found in New Jersey. According to Beth: “What makes me, me is that I am painfully insecure and socially anxious. I live in constant fear of disappointing people, appearing less than competent, or failing in any perceivable way.”

John Zucker (Treasurer)

John A. Zucker has had a long and diverse career of service to individuals, companies and the wider community. For the past 20 years, he has been an attorney in private practice advising clients in the areas of Elder Law, residential and commercial real estate, planning and zoning, and estate planning and administration.  He also serves as Vice-Chair on the Planning Board of the City of Summit, New Jersey.  Prior to his current role, John advised clients in managing legal and crisis communications for Hill & Knowlton, a global public relations firm.

Prior to H&K, John spent many years in the non-profit world serving as counselor and advisor to the Chairman of the Anti-Defamation League, a civil rights organization working to combat anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry globally, and before that as a Legislative Assistant to Congressman Tom Lantos staffing the Government Reform and Oversight Committee for the Member with additional responsibilities in the areas of human rights and foreign relations. John is the proud parent of three children who flaunt their visible and invisible differences. He enjoys editing the works of his illustrious spouse, Meg, and is a certified cat whisperer (he insists that’s a thing). According to John: “What makes me, me has been my lifetime of learning to accept and meet people where they are, to approach with empathy and understanding, which turned out to be the most important tool for success as a parent, friend and spouse.”

Michael Arlein

Michael is an estate planning attorney for high net worth individuals and families.  Michael has practiced at Patterson, Belknap, Webb & Tyler for more than 20 years, where he is Chair of the Trust and Estates Group and the firm’s practice group devoted to Founders and Entrepreneurs.  Michael is a volunteer with the Planning and Estates Law Project (PELP), which offers free legal assistance to low-income individuals in New York City, and received the Jeremy G. Epstein Award for Outstanding Pro Bono Service for his work 
with PELP.

Michael is actively involved in community service, both in his own community 
and more broadly.  He founded and currently chairs the Summit (NJ) Hometown Heroes Banner Committee which honors active duty military and veterans.  Michael is a Rutgers Master Gardener, a program of trained volunteers who assist Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station (NJAES) Cooperative Extension in its mission to deliver horticulture programs and information to the general public.

As the father of a son with an invisible difference (who crafted a winning essay for the 2016 Kids Flaunt contest and participated in a Kids Flaunt DHIFI/Scholastic promotional video), Michael has a deep understanding of DHIFI and its mission. According to Michael: “What makes me, me is that I am a creature of habit and it makes me very anxious when things don’t go as planned.  I’ve had to work hard in life to learn to adapt to change and unexpected circumstances without becoming stressed and flustered.”

Beth Cohen

Beth joined Don’t Hide It, Flaunt It in early 2020 as its Executive Director and in that capacity worked closely with DHIFI’s President and Board to develop and implement programs for kids, teens and adults, prepare annual budgets, analyze financial performance, oversee the overhaul of DHIFI’s website, and spearhead the development of Board committees, among other responsibilities.  Beth spent more than a decade as a Wall Street professional, primarily as a Managing Director in High Yield Capital Markets at Bear Stearns and, subsequently, as the Chief Operating Officer of the Mergers & Acquisitions Group at Bank of America Securities. Beth took a sabbatical from the financial services industry to raise her three sons and was actively involved in numerous volunteer and non-profit activities during that time. Beth is an avid bridge player, traveler and outdoor enthusiast.

According to Beth, “One of the things that makes me me is that I have suffered from migraine headaches since I was a child and have a related sensitivity to light and glare.”

Vicki Lockhart

Vicki Lockhart is a lifelong learner and educator. Drawn to the relationship between Helen Keller and her teacher, Anne Sullivan, Vicki read the biography of Helen Keller countless times. She admired the dedication and trust Anne Sullivan placed in the ability of her student, who was blind and deaf. Vicki studied American Sign Language and child psychology and earned her MEd in Elementary Education from the University of Minnesota. Vicki taught in Minneapolis, New York City, and Los Angeles for over twenty years in public, private, and charter schools. Despite years of teaching, writing curriculum, and coaching others, Vicki believes “I learned more than I taught.”

While teaching in LA, Vicki learned about DHIF and its mission to empower children. She witnessed firsthand the benefit DHIFI’s “Flaunt It” program materials provided to students and how they led to greater understanding, empathy, and friendship in the classroom and beyond. Vicki enjoys volunteering and embraces opportunities that promote diverse, equitable, and inclusive learning experiences for children and families. According to Vicki, “What makes me, me is my experience having Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD).”

John Penn

John Penn is a Wall Street general counsel who assists in advising global businesses with respect to US bank and capital markets regulatory law, manages a team consisting of senior attorneys and a senior paralegal, functions as a formal and informal mentor and serves as a board and executive committee member of a financial industry trade association.  Prior to his current role, John worked as a corporate, securities and regulatory attorney in private practice, in-house with another financial institution and with the SEC.

John’s personal experiences have contributed to an appreciation of the importance of DHIFI’s priorities and programs and their meaningful impact on individuals of all ages.  According to John: “What makes me, me is being three-plus years cancer free and having scars from two open heart surgeries to address my congenital heart condition known as aortic stenosis regurgitation.”

Laura
Bass-Penn

Laura is an attorney with over 26 years of experience and has focused throughout her career on issues of fairness. Most recently, she has helped global financial institutions ensure fair treatment of customers and guard against potentially deceptive practices. Before the financial services industry, she worked for a federal appellate court determining procedural issues and managing the flow of immigration cases, and for the commission that reviews occupational safety and health violations.

Service to the community is of key importance to Laura. At work, she has been active with departmental Diversity Teams, employee giving/fundraising programs, and creating opportunities for employees to support the communities in which they work. At home, Laura has organized participation in the American Heart Association’s Heart Walk for the last 14 years to raise money for heart health research. She regularly participates in collection drives, walkathons, community education, and other service events via several non-profit organizations. She loves traveling, gardening, relaxing at the beach, and shopping, and she recently launched her own photography company.

According to Laura, “One of the things that makes me ME is that I grew up and was educated in communities where I was of a different racial/ethnic background and looked different from most of the people around me. I learned at an early age that people who are perceived as being very different for any reason can create meaningful friendships, learn from each other, and work well together, I am motivated to help facilitate those relationships whenever possible.”

Anita Gastelum

Anita was born in South America and raised on the West Coast by a single mother who chose to stay in the US to raise her children despite not speaking English. She has more than twenty years of experience in advertising, marketing and communications with a focus on multi-cultural campaigns. Her clients have included prominent brands across a range of industries, such as Absolut Vodka, Nintendo of America, Mattel and JC Penney.  As a leader within the cross-cultural advertising sector, she has been a strong advocate of diversity, equity and inclusion. According to Anita, “What makes me, me is my first-hand understanding of the immigrant experience and the significant challenges it presents, especially when there is not the support of family or a well-established social network.”  Anita sees her purpose as ensuring that whatever makes you different becomes your superpower!

Natalie Klein

Natalie Klein is the former Partner and CEO of the leading lifestyle brand Hot Moms Club founded in 2005 (one of the first social network community for moms run by moms). She built up one of the largest mom networks world-wide with 6.5 million organically grown social media followers and over 60 million in organic reach and saw the company through its acquisition. During the 11 years Natalie was with HMC, she worked in a range of capacities from being Editor-in-Chief of the online magazine to overseeing the daily operations including but not limited to celebrity partnerships, online ad sales and monetization of digital channels and growth.  On the corporate side, she has partnered with many brands on developing non-traditional campaigns, in store and online, creating the most efficient path to purchase across digital channels. While incorporating partnerships with several of the world’s most circulated print magazines, publishers and global media companies such as Conde Nast, Harper Collins and Time Warner. Natalie has served on the Good Foundation + committee, a charitable organization that was founded by Jessica Seinfeld and worked with the Make A Wish Foundation.

Liz Svatek

Liz is the CEO of Warrior Women INC, a personal growth business founded upon women unleashing their inner warrior and becoming the most powerful versions of themselves. She is the creator of the Warrior Women Mastermind, a transformational program bringing women together across the country, and she is the host of Conversations With Warrior Women podcast which is globally ranked in the top 1.5%. Liz travels all over the world speaking, healing and empowering women to live into their limitless possibility and reclaim their confidence.  According to Liz: “What makes me, me is that I have an incredible son who has a lot of physical challenges, I have a passion to help and connect women, and it took in vitro to have my son, but only a few Mojitos to have my daughter!”

Natalie is married to Hollywood agent Gregg Klein, and they have two children.  They live in Southern California and enjoy the beach and playing with their Havanese dogs named Mookie Wilson and Bichon Poodle named Seaver (Tom)–Yes, Gregg named the dogs after Mets players. “What makes me, me is I am a mother and passionate advocate to a son who has been bullied for wearing glasses and to a daughter with a visible scar.”

Dr. Nelly Farnoody-Zahiri

Dr. Nelly is the Executive Director of the Global Education Institute, Human Rights Consultant, and Author of parenting book “Peace Parenting Essentials”, College Professor, Speaker, TV Host, and Licensed Clinical Psychologist specializing in working with Cross-Cultural Families. She is the founder of the International Center For Peace Learning and the producer and host of the family show MomTalk LA TV On-Line and at Andisheh TV.  According to Nelly: “What makes me, me is that I am a first-generation immigrant from the Middle-East and was raised in an interfaith family…I am also a tireless advocate for women’s rights, children’s rights, and peace through social-emotional learning – which I put into practice every day with my own 3 kids as well as my work in the field.”

Jared Schoenfeld

Jared Schoenfeld has worked in the sports and entertainment business for nearly fifteen years. Jared has held a variety of positions with organizations including the Phoenix Suns, Madison Square Garden and The Players’ Tribune and created a name for himself by developing a range of  innovative partnerships to help these organizations grow.  He currently acts as advisor related to business development and marketing for organizations and individuals including Chopra Global, a leading whole health company empowering personal transformation for millions of people globally.

According to Jared, “What makes me, me is that I had a brother who passed from SIDS when I was 5. His passing has shaped my perspective of life and desire to make him proud. I created my LLC on behalf of him and am fueled every day to try to help others who have experienced trauma in their own life how ever I can.”

Stephanie Lantz-Goldstein

Stephanie Lantz-Goldstein is the Executive Director of DHIFI who brings 20+ years of experience as a consultant, executive, and coach to mission-driven organizations. Stephanie has worked with and supported international and domestic organizations ranging from disease entities, human services, and schools to social impact and international development on issues including strategic planning, board governance, donor relations, capital campaigns, outcome measurement, mission alignment, messaging, grants, and fund development to increase growth, awareness, and sustainability. Stephanie has raised over $60MM+ working with 20+ nonprofits. Stephanie holds an M.Ed., a PA Instructional I Certification, and was a facilitator and development consultant for the Penn Literacy Network, the comprehensive professional development, curricular enhancement, and school reform program based in The University of Pennsylvania’s Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE). She also was the Education Director at Beth Israel Synagogue. Stephanie has served on several boards and committees, including Main Line School Night, West Chester (PA) Public Library, S.E. PA United Way Women’s Leadership Initiative, and was President of the Yonatan Netanyahu Chapter and Greater Philadelphia Hadassah. In addition, Stephanie is the Founder of 4KidsNeeds nonprofit. “What makes me, me is my experience having Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and being a mom of a son who has polycystic kidney disease (PKD).

Sophie Henderson

DHIFI Consultant Sophie Henderson is a senior at Brown University studying Economics and International and Public Affairs-Security from Charlotte, North Carolina. At Brown, Sophie is involved in Natives at Brown, an affinity group that provides a safe space for indigenous students, and Brown’s Women in Business club. In high school, Sophie led a service club called Take on Sports, which provides an out-of-school opportunity for special needs children to learn how to play sports like basketball, bowling, and baseball. Sophie also comes from a military family, as her father, Sherman, attended West Point Military Academy and served in Iraq and Panama.

According to Sophie: “What makes me, me is that I happen to be both Native American and Jewish, which are two important aspects of my identity. These identities may seem quite different, but they converge in many ways–including a shared love of fried foods like latkes and frybread!”

Don’t Hide It, Flaunt It (DHIFI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with the mission of advancing acceptance, understanding, tolerance and mutual respect for a person’s visible or invisible differences.

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