Executive Board
Executive Board
Dido Balla
Chairperson
Dido is a passionate speaker, educator, and entrepreneur who graduated with a Master of Science in Secondary Education from the Johns Hopkins University School of Education. He has seven years of experience as a high school teacher and is also the founder of a non-profit organization called FitLit. His mission is to use a blended curriculum of fitness and literacy to empower youth. As an experienced brain trainer, Dido has positively impacted hundreds of parents and educators and thousands of students in emotional intelligence, mindful awareness, and positive psychology.
His work has expanded throughout the United States and abroad in Jordan and Brazil. Dido is currently the Director of Educational Innovation and Partnerships for the Goldie Hawn Foundation, where his focus is to maximize the impact of MindUP in schools, communities, and families. He is on a mission to make the world happier, more productive, and more fulfilled.
Andrew Reiss, MD
President/Secretary
Andrew earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Virginia College of Arts and Sciences in 1991. He went on to earn his MD from the University of Virginia School of Medicine in 1998. He completed his residency training in Pediatrics at The Children’s Hospital in Denver, Colorado, and is a board-certified pediatrician with Pediatric Associates in Boca Raton, FL.
He recognizes the importance of teaching and guiding children toward success in his work and personal life. Through his longtime work with Kindness Matters 365, he has seen how contributing to our local community and participating in charitable events and organizations help children achieve these goals. His commitment and invaluable contributions to KM365 are an extension of his professional passion and daily work.
Summer Faerman
Vice President
Summer could have been fast-tracked to a high-powered legal career. The Miami Beach native graduated from the University of Florida at 19, triple majoring in Business, English, and Religion. She was accepted into Harvard Law School but had bigger plans to go out and change the world. Summer took a deferment to work for a law firm, but billable hours weren’t on her bucket list. Giving back is her actual fuel and passion.
Summer finds this fuel in her 9-to-5 as director of the Tzedakah, Learning, and Chesed (TLC) Program at Boca’s B’nai Torah Congregation. Under the TLC umbrella, she built the first Little Free Pantry, a public food cabinet, outside the Salvation Army on Southwest Second Avenue in Boca Raton. She has since installed dozens more, from Coral Springs to Lake Worth Beach, all stocked multiple times daily.
Fighting food insecurity is one of many ways Summer gives back. The Boca Raton-based mother of two volunteers for more than 15 local and national organizations, cooks for people without homes as part of Love Outreach Boca, and is proud to serve on the KM365 Executive Board.
Laura Reiss
Founder/Director
Laura has always believed in a world where people support and celebrate each other. In 2008, she harnessed this belief and started the first Kindness program at Sunrise Park Elementary in Boca Raton, FL, where her children attended school. This kindness movement that began as a single club became the Kindness Matters 365 Foundation, Inc., a not-for-profit organization that educates and inspires children about being kind to themselves, others, and the world.
Through extraordinary programs nourished with Gratitude, Compassion, and Kindness, Kindness Matters 365 equips kids and teens with knowledge and skills for their social and emotional well-being. We empower their exploration and discovery in caring for themselves and each other today and for a better future. Through founding KM365, Laura has created what she believes is the answer to empowering our youth by giving them the tools necessary to powerfully navigate life and give back, all while being their best versions. Laura believes in a kinder world and works towards this every day.
Josh Eidenberg
Director
Josh is a visionary entrepreneur and tech consultant who embodies creativity, innovation, strategic thinking, and a passion for kindness. As the founder of Future Proof, an app creation and software consulting firm, Josh has worked with Fortune 500 companies and leaders in the health and wellness space to uplift humanity and elevate consciousness.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Josh is an avid lover of pickleball, yoga, skiing, boating, and nature adventures with his fiancé and dog. His recreational pursuits reflect his dedication to self-care and joy.
Josh’s commitment to uplifting humanity goes further into every facet of his life. He is a leader in spreading kindness across the globe through many philanthropic endeavors. Through his diverse career, hobbies, and volunteer work, Josh is a beacon of transformation and kindness, standing up for personal development and inspiring those around him.
Karin Gellen
Director
Karin is the Executive Director of KM365 and a graduate of Emory University. She brings experience and knowledge to KM365 from her prior work with startups, operations, management, customer service, board governance, and talent acquisition. As Executive Director, Karin works passionately to strengthen operations, develop and manage programs and talent, cultivate and integrate the Foundation’s values and mission, fundraise, and write/administer grants.
Outside of KM365, she is a Mom to Dani and Andrew, a dog lover, an avid pickleball player, and a consultant to other non-profit organizations. Karin was formerly a partner for an international talent acquisition firm, a human resource professional and recruiter, and a successful small business owner.
Karin began her involvement with KM365 as an Ambassador when her two children were in Palm Beach County public schools. She has been passionately involved with KM365 ever since and believes her work at KM365 is her calling, and that KM365 programming will help our kids develop well-being, reduce bullying, improve relationships, and strengthen our communities. Karin’s goal is for all children and teens to explore the KM365 framework and put their kindness into action to impact a better life for our kids and a kinder world for future generations.
Allyson Harman
Director
With twenty years of nonprofit experience and a fine arts background, Allyson brings a unique perspective to the KM365 team. She is a South Florida native with an undergraduate degree from the University of Miami and a Master of Fine Arts from New York University. Allyson is passionate about her role as the Associate Vice President of the Southeast Region at American Friends of Tel Aviv University. She is dedicated to our local community, ensuring the next generation of children has access to the resources that Kindness Matters 365 provides and improving the world one kind act at a time. Allyson resides with her family in Boca Raton, Florida.
Jill Siegel, MSW
Director
Jill is originally from the suburbs outside of Philadelphia and has lived in South Florida for over 20 years. She is the proud mother of two wonderful children, Drew and Carly, whom she considers her greatest accomplishment.
While Jill earned a BA in Psychology with a minor in Business Management and then obtained a Master of Social Work (MSW), she chose to stay home to focus on raising Drew and Carly. She helped her children learn, develop, and cope, emphasizing the importance of doing so with kindness, compassion, and gratitude.
Through work with her foundation, she has supported numerous causes of importance to her in the areas of healthcare, the arts, and education. She has also volunteered with multiple organizations, including literacy tutoring at Title 1 elementary schools and working with missions surrounding those with food and housing insecurities.
Jill was eager to become involved when learning about Kindness Matters 365, as its mission and work align perfectly with her values. She has seen firsthand the importance of the work they do in the community and is excited to be part of their continued impact both in South Florida and nationwide.