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 | Dahlia Rissman, Founder /President of the Board (Poughkeepsie, New York) I grew up in Woodstock, NY. Upon graduation from High School, I decided to defer my admission to Binghamton University for one year to travel, experience a new culture, and gain proficiency in a foreign language. I found a program called International Cultural Adventures, and decided to live in Cusco, Peru with a host family for three months. The experience made me a better, stronger, and more motivated person. It taught me that anything is possible if you put your heart into it. I taught English at a public elementary school called Choquechaca (now named Daniel Estrada Perez). When I walked into the schoolyard each day, I felt a sense of joy as the children ran up to greet me with a hug and kiss on the cheek, asking when it was their turn for class. I grew to love the students, and I wanted to do something to help them out. I raised money, and with financial backing of my local community in the United States, and the dedication of time and effort from my Cusqueñan community in Peru, I made things happen. In December 2002, I completed a project at the school where I had taught which included painting the entire exterior of the building with a bright mural displayed in large-view from the courtyard, and replacing broken lights and windows. In June 2003, I founded a library at the same school. An adobe storeroom was transformed into a bright and peaceful room of educational resources, full of early readers, novels, magazines, encyclopedias, and other reference materials. I graduated from Binghamton University in May 2006 with a B.S. in Human Development and minors in Spanish and International Studies. In July 2006, I learned of a boys’ home that was run by the Peruvian Police Force. Upon visiting and seeing the poor conditions, I gathered my resources to provide the boys with counseling services, environmental education, health education, social skills training, music, and dance. I purchased gas for their stove, repainted and repaired the kitchen, and purchased a refrigerator, a juicer, and cooking utensils, among other necessary items. This project was carried out for several months after I returned to the U.S. The police have now dismantled this home and the boys have been placed elsewhere. Upon my return from Peru, in July 2006, I became a Teach for America corps member. I taught at P.S. 23 in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn for two years as a Third Grade Teacher and Literacy Intervention Specialist, working towards educational equality. I graduated from Pace University in 2008 with a M.S. in Teaching. I am now teaching fourth grade at Titusville Intermediate School in Poughkeepsie, NY. I will be teaching fourth grade at the Harlem Success Academy begininning in August, 2009. I have partnered with Laura Miranda Acuna in Cusco, Peru to be the Project Director of the Corazón de Dahlia children’s home, which is projected to open in 2010. As the founder of Corazón de Dahlia, I will continue to show the children of Peru that they are not forgotten. |
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 | Geneva Sands-Sadowitz, Vice President of the Board (Brooklyn, NY) Geneva studied International Relations at American University in Washington D.C., and is now in the graduate program at CUNY School of Journalism in New York City. Geneva has much international travel experience, including study abroad, in South Africa and Chile. She is proficient in the Spanish language, and has traveled to Peru. |
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 | Jennifer Magpie, Secretary of the Board (Fishkill, NY) I came across an ad looking for volunteers for Corazon de Dahlia. I briefly browsed the website and found it to be something I might want to involve myself in. Within the first 15 minutes of meeting and speaking with Dahlia, I knew that this organization was something I wanted to be a part of and eagerly started making suggestions. I look forward to seeing Dahlia's vision of a girls home go from an idea to a reality and hope to be a part of future projects of Corazon de Dahlia. I have an interest in Indigenous Studies / Human Rights and would like to travel to countries to help Indigenous communities better understand the rights they have. |
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Alexis Tuchman, Board of Directors (New York, NY) Alexis studied Industrial Management Engineering at the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, NY. Alexis is now a consultant for Accenture in New York City. Alexis has traveled widely across the globe, including Peru. |
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 | David Kone, Board of Directors (New York, NY) As a self-proclaimed international citizen, David has focused on international development from an economic perspective. He has traveled throughout South America, including living in Peru for four years working as Director of a textile apparel company. In 2005, he co-founded a non-profit organization in Lima, Peru and contributed as both a board member and volunteer to community-based projects within Peru. He received his BS in International Marketing and World Business at the University of Alabama, and also studied abroad at the University of Costa Rica. Recently, he relocated to New York City working for an international logistics company with future plans to attend graduate school to specialize in International Development. |
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 | Laura Miranda Acuna, Project Director (Cusco, Peru) Laura is one of the most generous and loving people that you will ever meet. She is a retired teacher who has given her life to educating those in need. She has also worked as a Spanish language teacher in Cusco. Laura named the organization, and has been actively at work on the various initiatives since its inception. |
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 | Mariela Centeno, Child Psychologist (Cusco, Peru) Mariela is a patient and creative psychologist who works with children both individually and in groups. She designed effective programs that were implemented successfully at the Colibri boys home in Lucre. Mariela will continue to serve as our psychologist throughout our upcoming initiative to work with street children. |
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 | Michal Richtman, Fundraising Consultant (Zurich, Switzerland) Michal is a graduate of the School of International Business in Barcelona, Spain. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Managemnt, Public Relations, and Communication. Michal is an accomplished young woman who has lived in Israel, Italy, Ireland, Spain, and Switzerland in addition to many international travels, including a visit to Indonesia. Michal speaks five languages, and has a positive attitude that is an asset to our organization. Michal is very interested in helping Corazon de Dahlia. She is currently working on finding funds and support to open the home in Cusco. |
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 | Janice Gallaugher, Volunteer (Duncan, B.C., Canada) While visiting Peru in 2006 I had the chance to meet Dahlia and Laura and hear about their dream of building a shelter for children. Their enthusiasm was genuine and contagious. When I returned home I promised myself I would help them in any way I possibly could. I would like to see the children at this shelter given the same opportunities and love as my children have. My goal is to raise awareness and funds in my community and then return to Peru and help Laura at the shelter. |
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