Richard M. Brodsky Foundation

Governance

RICHARD M. BRODSKY Architect turned author Brodsky has finally found the role of his life, being President of the Foundation that bears his name. “There is no greater joy than raising and then giving away money to those in need. It’s fun and rewarding,” he says. For example, the proceeds from his 2004 World AIDS Marathon in Kenya funded the March, 2005 groundbreaking for the 50-bed Little Lambs AIDS orphanage in Nakuru, Kenya. In 1997, Brodsky had to tell his wife Jodi that he’d contracted HIV from another man, and although many women would have chosen to end their marriages and taken the kids with them, Jodi chose to stay. Richard chronicled this moving experience in his 2002 book, Jodi, The Greatest Love Story Ever Told. Later in 2002, Richard was diagnosed with brain cancer (not related to his HIV), for which he underwent radiation treatment. To date, both his HIV and cancer treatments appear to have been successful, and his family — Jodi and their three daughters - is happily intact. Richard wants to help not just people living with HIV in Africa, but people living with brain cancer and HIV in Long Island and America as well.

 

Richard and his Foundation have sponsored or co-sponsored 16 World AIDS Marathons to benefit people living with HIV and cancer. In his spare time Richard has spoken at major Universities about the 15,200,000 AIDS orphans living in Sub-Saharan Africa who need to be raised in loving, nurturing homes. Richard goes on to discuss how important it is for people living with HIV and brain cancer to eat healthy, exercise, lead an upbeat lifestyle and avoid stressful situations, do not smoke or drink alcohol, and never have sex without a condom unless you are in a monogamous relationship. If society could realize how important it is for all people living with HIV to have access to the AIDS medicine, it would follow that hundreds of thousands of lives could be saved every year. Richard also runs several marathons a year, and seven of his last ten marathons have been his fastest since his terminal brain cancer diagnosis back in 2002. Finally, after running 56 marathons, Brodsky, age 65, qualified to run the 2018 Boston Marathon by running a 4:00:52 marathon at the July 23, 2017 Nova Scotia Marathon.

The Foundation has sponsored 49 festive orphan dinner dances for 12,780 Kenyan orphans, had doctors examine and treat 3,102 orphans and save the lives of 1,000+. Says Brodsky "my board members and I would like to think of our Foundation as a mini Doctors Without Borders except we have two advantages: 1) Not only do the doctors get to examine and treat the orphans, they get to dine and dance with them as well, and 2) they get to run with the Kenyans on World AIDS Day in a marathon, half marathon, or 4K relay".

 

 

DR. CASILDA BALMACEDA is the brain cancer specialist who Richard credits with saving his life. Argentine-born and fluent in four languages, Dr. Balmaceda received her M.D. from Columbia University in 1987, where she currently practices and teaches. She has been widely published in medical journals and textbooks, and has made many professional presentations both in Europe (many “in language”), and here in the United States. Her natural curiosity and background led her to her two main professional interests: brain cancer, and helping the underserved. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that at Columbia University she has lectured both about brain tumors and, separately, cultural competence, which is helping the underserved, many of whom are foreign-born, to navigate America’s complex medical system. She is extremely devoted to her two children and treats her patients like family. Says Richard, “you will never find a doctor as caring or compassionate as Dr. Balmaceda. Most doctors don’t hug their patients; she does, and for that, plus the fact that I’m still alive today, I think she’s absolutely extraordinary."

JODI BRODSKY and Richard Brodsky were married in March 1980. They are blessed with three loving daughters. Jodi worked for NIKE and was awarded the MVP title for the NIKE Flatiron store one year after its inaugural opening. Jodi was also recognized as NIKE Pacer of the Year by the NIKE Run Club Coordinators. Jodi is currently working at DICK'S SPORTING GOODS in Garden City and is the store Running Ambassador,  Jodi recently ran her 100th marathon in Albany, NY and has now qualified to run the Boston Marathon for the 10th straight year. Jodi has also run marathons in Miami; Boston; Quebec City (half marathon); New Jersey; New York; Hartford; Gainesville; Jerusalem and Kisumu, Kenya.

Says Richard, “Without the love and support of my wife, the Richard M. Brodsky Foundation would not exist. It is Jodi’s commitment to family and running that is keeping me strong and healthy. My wife won the Miami Marathon in 2016 thru 2018 as well as the Jerusalem Marathon thus making her the fastest Jewish marathon runner in the world as both cities boast large Jewish populations.Maybe not the fastest Jewish marathon runner in the world, but she did win 1st place in her age group. Pictured above, Jodi had to shake the hand of every orphan at the November 30, 2015, orphan dinner dances at the Kisumu Museum.

LUISA DUTRA Mother of six children, cancer survivor. Luisa is a lifetime member of Hadassah and she is not even Jewish. Luisa embraces all faiths and people and supports many charities. Luisa truly embodies the spirit of what it means to give with your heart. Sitting in my (Brodsky’s) living room is a painting that Luisa donated to the Richard M. Brodsky Foundation. The purpose of the gift is to raise funds for my foundation. When I questioned Luisa about the value of the painting so the foundation could give her a letter stating the value of the painting, Luisa said, “I do not support charities to reduce the money I pay in income taxes; I give because I want to help.” This concept of giving and helping others has not gone unnoticed by her children, who are often helping others, too. Luisa may not be an artist, but her gift of a painting to the foundation expresses how society needs to view the art of giving.

 

REVEREND WANDA FAYE MYERS has been the Executive Minister of the Living Hope Fellowship Church, Massapequa since March 2014.  Prior to this appointment, she has served in many capacities at Living Hope Church --Minister of Christian Education, Minister of Missions, and a Counselor and Table Leader for the Victorious Overcomers Substance Abuse Ministry to name a few.

In May 2001, Rev. Myers graduated from New York Theological Seminary with a Certificate in Christian Ministry.  She is an Executive Board Member of the Long Island Organizing Network (LION) which addresses social justice concerns on Long Island, and a clergy member of the Ministerial Alliance of North Amityville & Vicinity (MANA).  Rev. Myers is affiliated with the Icla da Silva Foundation – Be the Match, operated by the National Marrow Donor Program.

In July 1997, she was part of a mission team on assignment to Ghana, West Africa.  In February 2008, she journeyed to Moss Point, Mississippi as part of the international missions group, Forward Edge, to aid Hurricane Katrina victims in rebuilding their homes.  Rev. Myers has a heart for missions work and helping others.

Says Brodsky, ‘I can attest firsthand to Reverend Wands’s kindness towards people living with HIV. She sponsored a lunch for 10 people living with HIV including me a few years ago. Many of the attendees commented how their church would shun them if their HIV-status was disclosed, yet we all shared Reverend Wanda’s sincere warmth and kindness. If more people were like Reverend Wanda, the stigma of AIDS would be non-existent.

 

ASHER MATATHIAS, Born December 3, 1943, on a mountain cave outside Volos, Greece, while hiding from the Nazis; family members perished in Thessaloniki's famed Sephardic community. Asher arrived with family in New York on January 30, 1956, aboard the USS Constitution, victims of shattering earthquakes ... Affiliated with United Sephardim of Brooklyn (New Lots). Asher received his B.A. from Long Island University (Brooklyn Campus), class of ‘65; a M.A. from the Graduate Faculty of the New School, class of ‘67; and completed course work for a Ph.D. in political science at the same school. Republican and Liberal candidate for Assemblyman, 36 A.D., 1974. Asher has invested more than three decades in the NYC secondary public school system. He was an instructor at Manhattan College, and continuing as an adjunct professor of political science at St. John's University, and Supervisor of student teachers at Queens College-CUNY.

Asher is a frequent public speaker on current events, American government and politics, Shoa, Israel, Greece. Monthly lecturer on current events, Helen Keller Services for the Blind, Hempstead, NY; lectured at Jewish Community Center of Greater Five Towns, Cedarhurst, NY; annual lecturer at Molloy College Institute of Lifelong Learning. Asher has lectured on Issues in Judaism Lecture Series, Hofstra University Cultural Center. He is a Liturgical leader for a monthly Oneg Shabbat at the A. Holly Patterson geriatric facility, Uniondale. Asher is a scholar-in Residence, Manhattan Sephardic Congregation; Oceanside Jewish Center; The Jewish Center of Kew Gardens Hills; assisted in presenting a Sephardic Shabbat at Temple Hillel, North Woodmere. Asher has been President of L.I. Lodge #1353, B'nai B'rith since 1983.

Married to Anna since 1970, following a thirteen-day courtship. Asher is a father of three daughters: Miriam (married to Bradley Herman, public high school teacher and assistant principal, parents of Ava-Gwen Hanna-Getel, and Jacob Stanley), Joy (admissions director and Hebrew teacher at the Park East Jewish Day School), married to Peri Avitan (parents of Raquel, and Daniel Asher), and Sara (former executive at American Arbitration Association, Columbia University M.P.A. graduate at the School of International Affairs and Public Administration), married to Lev Thayer, parents of Jacqueline-Hannah, and Alexander-Michael-Asher.

 

 

KEVIN ONGUTI MOMANYI comes from Kisii County, Kenya. He is married and blessed with two kids, a daughter and a son.

He was born in 1978 and is a Procurement specialist from the Kenya Institute of Management, but has passion for community work and H.I.V/AIDS advocacy. He served a leading retail outlet where he worked as a Procurement Officer. His passion for giving back to the community, moved the management so much that they appointed him to be the outlet's Peer Educator. This new appointment led to his meeting with Richard Brodsky, President of RMBF and his lovely wife Jodi back in 2016. Luckily, since that first encounter, they haven't lost contact and now here they are. Currently he is working with the leading organisation in dairy industry, Brookside Dairy Ltd as a Sales Executive.

He has been actively involved in the coordination and preparation of the 2017 and 2018 WAMs and their respective orphan dinner dances, not forgetting the 2018's Richard M. Brodsky's donation to the orphans. He plans to empower himself with Community Development and H.I.V management knowledge so as to enable him serve the community better, and manage our brothers and sisters infected and affected by H.I.V. He believes that yes, with our combined efforts, we can fight this virus and end the stigma attached to it.

The mostly targeted group is the youth and adolescents. They are an endangered group because of their naivety that in most cases is taken advantage of. It is because of this that he set up a youth group, Hope For Blessing Youth Group, which focuses on addressing this issue by advocating for responsible behaviour which will help in fighting fight to reduce new infections. He is the Patron of the group.

 

PETER NGUYEN is the world’s foremost authority in direct-to-consumer digital advertising. Peter has created dozens of multi-million dollar Internet brands and is the creator of Accelerated Ventures, which is now being taught at the 2nd-ranked entrepreneurship program in the US.

Peter is the Founder and CEO of Ad Exchange Group, which is the leading direct-to-consumer digital performance-based agency in the nation. Ad Exchange Group services leading brands like Jeunesse, Bulletproof, Dollar Beard Club, Feel Rich, Cosmoderm, Pathway Genomics, and much more.

Ad Exchange Group is the leading direct-to-consumer digital performance-based agency in the nation. Their innovative transaction engine enables advertisers to generate new customers from all aspects of paid media and only gets charged when Ad Exchange generates a sale. Ad Exchange is a full-service firm that designs, develops, and works with our media buyers to scale towards a brand’s growth plan.

Ad Exchange Group won the Silver Stevie Award for Company of the Year for Advertising, Marketing, and PR Firm at the American Business Award in 2016 and Gold Stevie Award for Employer of the Year.

 

JOSEPH OCHIENG is the Chairman of ATHLETICS KENYA in Nyanza Region and a member of the Road Running Commission which establishes the rules for running Events in Kenya.

Joseph is an International Walk Judge appointed by the International Association of Athletics Federation. Currently Joseph is the only Level III walk judge in Africa. This makes him the only walk judge in the Continent who judges anywhere in the world. Joseph is also the interim Chairman of the African Racewalking Judges Committee, seeking affiliation to African Athletics Federation; National Chairman of Racewalking Committee affiliated to Athletics Kenya; Chairman of Athletics Kenya Siaya District Sub-branch; and National Chairman of Duathlon in Kenya.

The Richard M. Brodsky Foundation is extremely fortunate to have Joseph Ochieng, a man having 32 years experience in sports management, as a Board Member of the Foundation. Not only is Joseph a qualified judge of track Events bit he has the training knowledge as well. Joseph has travelled and officiated in several countries around the world; i.e., CZECH Republic (World Racewalking Cup); Manchester (Commonwealth Games); Australia (Commonwealth games); Japan (World championships in Athletics and IAAF Congress); France (World Athletics Championships and IAAF Congress); Zimbabwe (All African Games); Nigeria (All African Games); Tunisia (African Junior); Burkina Faso (African junior Champs); and Mauritius(African Championships); Mexico (World Cup Racewalking) and London Olympics (Level III International Race Walking Judge).

 

 

DR. RICHARD SARTORI
Dr. Richard Sartori graduated from the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery of the University of Genoa, Italy in July 1987. He did his internship and residency in pediatrics at Winthrop University Hospital and is currently a full partner at Garden City Pediatrics since 1997. He is a widower since 2012, having been married to Dr. Pauline Earle Sartori since 1992. Four adopted teenagers have the privilege of calling Dr. Sartori…Dad. If ever one man was suited to a profession it would be Dr. Sartori. Maybe that’s why after seven years of organizing a World AIDS Marathon, we had our first American traveling with us to Kenya to examine orphans.

Dr. Sartori has also been published in the American Journal of Allergy and Asthma as a contributor. The article is about a family of which 2 of the 3 boys were born with SCIDS; the oldest brother donated his bone marrow for transplant and saved his two younger brothers' lives. But in the end perhaps Dr. Sartori’s greatest legacy will be, as he humbly says, “I'm just a guy from Jersey with a medical degree, no better nor worse than anyone else on this planet. We are all family." "NOT EXACTLY," says Brodsky, "I found myself crying tears of joy as I witnessed Dr. Sartori examining the first of 56 orphans he examined in Kenya at orphan dinner dances the Richard M. Brodsky Foundation sponsored on November 29 & 30, 2011 at Hope Initiative, Kendu Bay and Reachout Support Centre, Kisumu.

Dr. Sartori will always remain the first American to travel with Richard & Jodi Brodsky to Kisumu, Kenya, back in 2011. His PR for examining and treating 543 orphans at 17 orphan dinner dances from 2011 to 2016 will surely be his greatest legacy.

JACQUELINE M. SELTZER, serves as a publicist for Richard M. Brodsky. She enjoys sharing the heartwarming story of Richard and Jodi's joys,sorrows and innumerable accomplishments with media.Canadian television aired an in-depth story of Richard and Jodi during their travels to Nova Scotia marathon in July 2017.Their coverage as shown in https://atlantic.ctvnews.ca/mobile/video?clipId=1172712, is a true treat for heart and mind.Jacqueline is a certified meeting proffesional based in New York City.She is a dedicated volunteer and participates in sporting events.

 

 

 

HAREESHA BOYAGODAGE is a dynamic leader in the accounting, finance and management arena with more than 22 years of experience. He is a Certified Public Accountant, Chartered Accountant, Attorney at Law of Supreme Court of Sri Lanka, and honors graduate of University of Colombo. He completed his professional trainings as an accountant with Price Waterhouse Coopers. Hareesha has hands on experience in many different industries including not for profit organizations and also has earned a reputation for his attention to details, excellent follow up and ‘let’s look at a solution’ attitude. Hareesha is passionate about philanthropic work and sits on the boards of directors of a few non-for-profit organizations. Hareesha is also a runner and enjoy running marathons. He has completed NYC, London, Chicago, Berlin marathons among others + has raised funds for various charities that are marathon related.

PHILANTHROPY needs to be thought of as an ART; how can one apply paint to a canvas that will evoke an image of hope for a brighter tomorrow?