Executive Board

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 the future.

“I am committed to leaving this world better for having been here. KM365 has created what I believe is the answer to empowering people by giving them the tools necessary to powerfully navigate through life and give back, all while being the best versions of themselves.

I believe in a Kinder world and work towards this every day.”

In his work and personal life, he recognizes the importance of teaching and guiding children towards success. As part of the Samaritans365 Foundation – Kindness Matters, he has seen how contributing to our local community and participating in charitable events and organizations helps children achieve these goals. His commitment to the Samaritan365 Foundation is an extension of his professional passion and what he does every day.

Outside of KM365, she is a Mom to Dani and Andrew, consultant to HopeGel®, on the Advisory Board of Wish A Book, Board President of Bucks for Buddy, and Vocal Department President at Dreyfoos School of the Arts. 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 Club Leader when her two children were in Palm Beach County public schools; she has been passionately involved with everything KM365 ever since! Karin believes her work at KM365 is her calling; the Kindness Curriculum is the “juice” that will help our kids attain social and emotional well-being. And that the result of it all will be a better life for our children and a kinder world for future generations.

She was also named one of three state finalists for the 2015-2016 Innovative Principal of the Year by the Florida Council of Instructional Technology Leaders, was awarded the Outstanding School Administrator of the Year by the Palm Beach Association of School Psychologists and was a member of the Florida Department of Education Commissioner’s (Brian Dassler) Leadership Academy.

Prior to her arrival at Del Prado, Dr. Riopelle served as the Director of Leadership Development for the School District of Palm Beach County, providing professional growth opportunities and building leadership capacity for both current and aspiring leaders across the 10th largest school district in the nation. She also facilitated leadership programs for aspiring principals and assistant principals and delivered professional development for school and District administrators. Additionally, she serves as an adjunct professor in an Educational Leadership Master’s program at Florida Atlantic University.

Dr. Riopelle received both her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and her Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Florida State University. She received her doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from Lynn University.

Dr. Riopelle currently lives in Boca Raton, Florida with her husband, Jerry, who is a principal for the School District of Palm Beach County. She has two grown sons, Matthew, who lives and works in Scottsdale, Arizona and Scott who resides and works in Boca Raton. In her spare time, Laurie enjoys Pilates, reading and spending time with family and friends.

After working with developmental optometrists focusing on treating patients presenting with vision difficulties impacting their lives, she went on to manage medical offices owned and operated by a hospital. Jill then chose to stay at home to focus her attention on raising her children, always taking great joy in parenting and enjoying her time being with them. She helped her children learn, grow, and develop while trying to listen with patience and encourage with love. She stressed to her children the importance of having gratitude and giving back at a young age. She taught them the importance of exhibiting kindness, compassion, empathy, and understanding towards others, while making sure they understood the concept of self care and how integrating self care strategies in their life would tremendously benefit not only them, but those they were surrounded by.

Through work with her own personal 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 feeding the homeless. Jill was instrumental in guiding and mentoring her children in the creation of their own charitable foundation, promoting literary exploration in the disadvantaged youth.

When learning about Kindness Matters 365 and its mission and work, Jill was eager to become involved. She has seen first hand the importance of the work they do in her community and is excited to be part of their continued impact both in South Florida and across the country.

His work has expanded throughout the United States as well as 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 a happier, more productive, and more fulfilled place for all.

Melissa has a diverse background as a senior executive and corporate attorney, with an entrepreneurial drive that has evolved throughout a multi-faceted career spanning various industries and emerging markets. A sociologist and attorney by trade, trained in the practices of meditation, positive psychology and mindfulness, Melissa has utilized her extensive experience in the corporate, legal and mindfulness fields to teach and advocate social and emotional well-being in all aspects of life, and to guide students and employees through career decisions. Melissa is actively involved in community outreach, a corporate executive, strategist and advisor, a University of Pennsylvania Alumni Interviewer, and a mom of two, to whom she has taught the importance of utilizing mindfulness and meditation in their daily lives to achieve their desired goals in pursuit of their passion, vision and mission in life.   She holds a BA in Sociology from the University of Pennsylvania, a JD from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, a certificate in applied positive psychology, and is a licensed attorney in New York and Florida.

Melissa also spends time on brand and product development, creating brands seeking to elevate the social consciousness through a wide-span of product offerings promoting health, connectedness and social conscience across health and wellness, fashion, art, music and entertainment platforms. For eighteen years, Melissa served as Executive Vice President and General Counsel of MovieTickets.com, a leader in advance movie ticketing. For a portion of that time, Melissa was Executive Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs for Hollywood Media Corp (NASDAQ listed, formerly included Broadway.com, Hollywood.com, and movie-related data syndication companies). Currently, Melissa is also an avid writer and actively involved in the community, serving on the board of directors and as an executive advisor and strategist for the non-profit KindnessMatters365 foundation, which teaches and advocates social and emotional well-being.

Shelly is also the Vice-Chair of The Pechter Community Foundation, which benefits The Achievement Center for Children and Families. Shelly is personally and professionally passionate about this center which educates and improves Delray’s most vulnerable families.

Shelly has served on the boards of The American Heritage School Parent Teacher Organization, The Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County, and The American Society for Yad Vashem. Also on The Palm Beach County Food Bank’s Board. Shelly and her husband Billy are founders of Empty Bowls Delray Beach. Additionally, she has served on committees for The Boca Raton Regional Hospital Woman’s Advisory Council, The Johns Hopkins Women’s Journey, The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, and Florida Atlantic University’s Center for Human Rights and Holocaust Education.

Together with her husband, Bill, and their son, Max, Shelly is currently founding The Charlie Himmelrich Charitable Trust (The Charlie Fund) in their son and brother Charlie’s honor. In her spare time, Shelly enjoys spending time with her family and friends, exercising, collecting seashells, is passionate about orchids and plants, and dreams of new ways to help more people. She lives in Gulf Stream, Florida, with Billy and their four dogs Bing, Sunny, Brioche, and Mookie.

She is also passionately involved at Rales Jewish Family Services and in their yearly Reflections of Hope Luncheon. The mission of that luncheon is to educate the community and end the stigma of mental illness.

Robin earned both her BSW and MSW from Florida Atlantic University, and she currently teaches the Social Work and Positive Well Being course in both the MSW and BSW programs at FAU. Professor Rubin knows the skills and tools necessary to live a flourishing life. Her passion is to teach people how to build their reservoir of positive emotions, work with negative emotions, increase resilience, and create nurturing relationships. As an alumna of FAU, she is the driving force for the annual Phyllis Sandler Heart of Social Work Event that raises funds for student scholarships. Ms. Rubin also founded the Community Advisory Board for the Sandler School of Social Work in 2011 and continues to serve on the board as the faculty representative.

Robin has two adult sons, Jordan and Jonathan, a daughter by luck, Bella, and two beautiful grandchildren. She lives in Boca Raton, FL, with her wonderful husband, Gary, and their two mini Labradoodles.