Kindness Matters 365 Announces 2021–2022 EXECUTIVE Board APPOINTEES
Kindness Matters 365 Announces 2021–2022 EXECUTIVE Board APPOINTEES
Four New Esteemed Directors to Join Existing KM365 Board Members to Uphold the Non-Profit’s Mission of Supporting the Social and Emotional Well-Being of Kids and Teens
BOCA RATON, FL (August 9, 2021) — Kindness Matters 365 (KM365) Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to supporting the social and emotional well-being of kids and teens through the organization’s SEL-based programming, today announced its 2021–2022 Board of Directors appointees.
New additions to this year’s Executive Board include: Educator, speaker, and entrepreneur Dido Balla, founder of the non-profit organization, FitLit; Karin Gellen, executive director of KM365 and president at Dreyfoos School of the Arts; Shelly Himmelrich, president of The Pechter Family Foundation and Vice-Chair of The Pechter Community Foundation; and avid local philanthropist Robin Rubin, MSW, instructor, Phyllis and Harvey Sandler School of Social Work at Florida Atlantic University (FAU).
“The Executive Board is critical to ensuring that KM365 can effectively fulfill its mission of supporting the social and emotional well-being of our kids and teens,” said Laura Reiss, founder, KM365. “Our directors are like the captains of our ship, at the helm steering our organization towards a sustainable future so we can ensure access to our SEL-based curriculum, resources, and programming for all youth, regardless of means. It’s so important to have the right people in place, and Dido, Karin, Shelly, and Robin are incredible human beings with huge hearts and a genuine passion for the work we do here.”
Balla, Gellen, Himmelrich, and Rubin join existing KM365 Executive Board members Laura Reiss, founder, KM365; Melissa Orlen Cohen, Esq., Corporate and Entertainment Law Attorney and Founder of Once We Connect, LLC; Andrew Reiss M.D., a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics; Allyson Harman, Director of Regional Development for National Jewish Health; Jill Siegel, MSW, founder of The Jill Siegel Charitable Trust; and Dr. Laurie Riopelle, principal, Del Prado Elementary School in Boca Raton, Fla.
“Our new directors are rockstars,” added Reiss. “They are the epitome of kindness in action. Each brings a unique skill set and perspective and will undoubtedly make an invaluable addition to our Executive team. We’re just grateful they accepted our invitation to sit with us at the lunch table.”
ABOUT KINDNESS MATTERS 365 (KM365)
KM365 provides social and emotional-based programming to equip kids and teens with the knowledge to enhance their personal well-being and empower them with the empathy and skill set to care for themselves and one another purposefully. The concept for the organization came to life in 2008 with KM365’s visionary founder, Laura Reiss. She started an after-school Kindness Club for 40 kids at her child’s elementary school in Boca Raton, FL, with the sole mission of instilling within them the core values of gratitude, compassion, and kindness for a better future and better world for all. KM365 has since grown into an established 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation encompassing over 100 programs in ten states throughout the nation. The organization educates thousands of children aged pre-school through high school via its after-school Kindness Clubs and Kindness-In-School initiatives. Through its programming, which focuses on self-awareness, self-navigation, growth mindset, and service-learning, KM365 teaches kids to discover how to care for themselves, each other, and the world, yielding healthier, more resilient students; better relationships; safer environments; and stronger communities. Visit KindnessMatters365.org for more information. Stay up to date with all things KM365 via Facebook @kindnessmatters365org and Instagram @kindnessmatters365.
