Board Members
Ocean MacAdams…Board Chair
Ocean MacAdams is Senior Vice President, Programming, Current TV and a multi-award winning television producer with over 15 years in the media industry. He joined Current TV in 2009, and is responsible for all areas of programming and production for the Network. Under his purview, he is charged with building out Current TV’s development slate of news, information, and documentary programming, including the Emmy- nominated “Vanguard” investigative journalism series.
Previously, MacAdams worked at MTV Networks, where he first began his career as an assignment editor at VH1 News. Over the course of 13 years, he worked his way up the MTV News division, and held a variety of positions which eventually lead to his role as Senior Vice President, MTV News. In that role, MacAdams oversaw all of MTV News’ television and digital efforts. During his tenure, he helped produce groundbreaking programming from the Week In Rock to President Obama’s Youth Inaugural Ball. He was part of the team that created MTV Overdrive, one of the first broadband channels, and created MTV’s first original series for mobile phones. After leaving MTV, he was a freelance producer and consultant, most recently producing the annual White House Christmas Tree lighting ceremony.
MacAdams’ work has been recognized by a number of industry organizations including : a 2007 GLAAD nomination for “The Equality Ride”, a 2006 Prism Award for “Jack Osbourne – Back fro Rehab”, a 2006 Emmy Nomination for “Diary of Gideon in Pakistan”, and 2004 Beacon Award for “At War with Iraq.” the recipient of a number of awards including the 2007 GLAAD, Prism
MacAdams holds a B.A. in Urban Studies from Columbia University and currently resides in Brooklyn, New York with his family.
Eric Komoroff…Founder of Community of Unity
Since 2001, over 30,000 youth around the world have been touched by COMMUNITY of UNITY programs. In North America, over 200 schools have engaged its professional development workshops, support services, and materials. A recognized leader in the fields of youth development, urban education, school culture, youth spirituality & empowerment, and relationship building, Eric is a collaborator/presenter/trainer to organizations including A Better Chance, BOOST Conference, The Institute for Student Achievement, Northside Center for Child Development, The New York City Department of Education, Union Seminary, Face2Face, Auburn Theological Seminary, The YMCA, The Association for Supervision & Curriculum Development, The Center for Mindfulness:The University of Massachusetts Medical School, Hoops 4 Hope (South Africa & Zimbabwe), The Genesis Society, and Big Brother Big Sister. He hosts a weekly internet radio show YOUTH EMPOWERED, and sits on the Educational Advisory Board of Newsday Newspaper, the Alumni Board Task Force at The Bank Street College of Education, the Advisory Boards of New Design High School & The Urban Assembly Academy of Law & Justice. Additionally, Eric has taught School Culture Development and Advisory Program Development at The Bank Street College of Education, and “Authenitic Parenting” at The A-HA! Learning Center.
David Nudo…Secretary
David is a publishing sales professional who who rejoined the business side of The New York Times after most recently consulting for several publishing and technology companies after leaving his post as Director of Sales and Marketing for Shelfari.com, a popular social networking site for book lovers, which was acquired by Amazon.com in late 2008. He was formerly the Vice President, Publisher of the well-known book publishing magazine Publishers Weekly (PW). Previously, he was Managing Director, Book Advertising, for The New York Times. Prior to that, he held various roles in advertising sales working with the the book and entertainment categories in a career which includes Library Journal and The New Republic. He currently serves as board president of the Publisher Advertising & Marketing Association (PAMA) and holds a seat on the advisory board of the MS Society’s Books For A Better Life Awards.
Kamau Hixon…Treasurer
Kamau is an investment banking professional at Gordian Group, LLC, a restructuring advisory investment bank based in New York City, where he focuses on providing clients in distressed situations financial analysis and advisory services. Previously, he worked at UBS Investment Bank in the Esoteric Asset Backed Securitization Group, focusing on whole business securitization for corporations across all industries, and in the Media and Telecommunications Group within the Investment Banking Division of Credit Suisse. Kamau earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from Morehouse College with a concentration in Finance. He was a volunteer mentor with Explore Charter School and StreetWise Partners. Additionally, he completed the United Way of New York City’s Linkages Board training program in 2009.
Jason Zullin
After graduating from Hofstra University in 1997 with a degree in International Business, Jason Zullin began his financial career at PaineWebber/UBS as an equity derivatives trader on the floor of the American Stock Exchange. He soon began trading Institutional Equities for UBS, and in the fall of 2001 Jason joined the GFI Group as a Senior Vice President to head the Equity sales and trading desk. Jason is currently initiating the global expansion of GFI equities in Asia, Europe, and South America. Jason’s interests include golf, tennis, skiing and travel. Although Jason is proud of his many accomplishments in the business world, he is most proud to have become Mallory’s dad in February 2009.
Holly Rudnick Kurtzberg
A practicing physical therapist for the last 18 years, Holly received her degree in physical therapy from SUNY Syracuse Upstate Medical Center in 1991. She received her advanced specialization in mechanical diagnosis and treatment of spinal disorders in 2000 through the McKenzie Institute in New Zealand. She has practiced in multiple settings throughout the tri-state area including Kessler Institute, St. Barnabas Medical Center and presently at the Hospital for Special Surgery in the Sports Rehabilitation Department. In 2005, Holly edited the spine section and co-authored a chapter in the Post Operative Rehabilitation Guidelines text book by Elsevier Publishing. She has also taught classes in the physical therapy programs at both Hunter College and Columbia University. Holly is also an accomplished musician and mother of two girls.
Clifford Cohen
Cliff Cohen is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. Since 2002, he has worked for the NYC Department of Education as a Related Services Counselor and currently provides counseling services at four Manhattan high schools. In addition, he is an Adjunct Lecturer at Hunter College, CUNY, in the graduate counseling program which includes school, rehabilitation and mental health counseling. He is also an Adjunct Instructor at the Steinhardt School at NYU as part of a team teaching panel on the Social Responsibilities of Educators addressing drug and alcohol education, child abuse identification, school violence prevention and AIDS/HIV education.
Christopher Oliver
Chris Oliver is the Vice President for Strategy and Business Development at Dimension Data. In that role he oversees all M&A and post merger integration activity across the Americas, as well as driving mid and long-term strategic growth initiatives for the organization. Prior to that, Chris was Director of Operations for Dimension Data Americas business ventures in Latin America and Canada, overseeing the daily business operations of Dimension Data Brazil, Dimension Data Canada, Dimension Data Chile and Dimension Data Mexico, driving strategy for growth within the Americas, and building/executing operational plans against those strategies. Chris sits on the North American Operating Committee for Dimension Data Americas as one of its charter members. He is executive co-chair of the strategy and planning sub-committee. Chris is also a member of Dimension Data’s Global Leadership Forum. Over the course of Chris’s 11 years with Dimension Data Americas, he’s held senior roles in marketing, sales, and operations. Chris holds a bachelor’s degree in Public Policy from Brown University and a Master’s in Business Administration from Yale University.
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
Flora Backer
Internationally recognized lingerie design “icon”, a graduate of The Fashion Institute of Technology with a Masters Degree from the Pratt Institute. Her lingerie line was an immediate success and remains one of the most recognizable lines in the world today. Flora has received many honors from her industry including the prestigious LINGERIE AWARD, and one of her designs is acknowledged as the most knocked-off garment in lingerie history.
Ina Howard-Parker
Charlie Conard
Ronnie Krunsel
Clevins Browne
Sissy Silva
Jodie Patterson Becker
Joel Zighelboim
Mia Andres