Sheila Oranch

Sheila OranchSheila Oranch has had a variety of occupations in many industries. Experiences have included professional secretary, office manager, executive director of administration, marketing manager, registered investment advisor, and wealth management consultant. Sheila is currently co-owner and manager in three enterprises: Coppertoppe Inn & Retreat, Aurental Technology Services, and A Loving Experience coaching and wellness support. Sheila is an experienced public speaker, trainer, and personal life coach, and serves on multiple nonprofit boards. Writing, gardening, cooking, and feeding people are her favorite art forms.

Molly Felth

Molly FelthMolly Felth serves as Development Associate at GDS, playing a significant role in fundraising and writing grant proposals to support youth programming. She has helped GDS diversify funding sources and support its wellness and mental health efforts in the community. She is a graduate of UMass Amherst and Yale University’s Writers’ Workshop. Her favorite category in Trivial Pursuit is Arts & Literature.

Nathan Wakhloo

Nathan WakhlooMarc is a senior at Sarah Lawrence with a focus on Latin-American history and Law. His focus lies in historical research and practicing critical thinking, and to one day work as a criminal defense attorney for marginalized communities. Nathan spends his time working as a community advocacy intern in Growth and Development Services where he has discovered the importance behind the processes of advocacy. Nathan is proud to be a part of the GDS team, and the positive impact he can have on the marginalized communities of New York.

Zadie Adams

Zadie AdamsZadie graduated with a degree of Global Public Health and Social Work from NYU. She is dedicated to creating a more equitable environment by expanding access to educational and mental health services. At GDS Zadie has led the Leadership Development Program, mentored youth from the programs individually, and advocated to community stakeholders for increased betterment resources in Washington Heights, Inwood, and the Bronx. With a devotion to the environment and sustainability, she also works to increase awareness about environmental hazards in lower income communities.

Daniel Jimenez

Dan JimenezDaniel “Danny” Jimenez was born in the Dominican Republic to two of the most amazing parents anyone could ever have. Having grown up in a Christian home and with a strong set of values and beliefs, he developed his character modeling his parents’ love for helping and serving others. From early on, his passion for youth development manifested–specifically through his work in the Seventh Day Adventist Church’s Pathfinder Club. He became the organization’s youngest counselor and marching & drilling instructor at the young age of 12. Through his mentor-ship, now over 30 years later, he has helped foster the spiritual, mental, and emotional growth of dozens, if not hundreds, of boys and girls.

Danny’s passion took a part-time role after starting his first job as Camp Counselor for the YM & YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood. He co-founded Keepusecure, Inc., a security surveillance company with longtime best friend and business partner, Henry Rodriguez. His life, however, took a pivotal turn, at the tragic loss of his father in 2003. The next year, during the Christmas holiday season, he remembered the joy he felt through his full-time work with children and adolescents, and decided to actively do something to help the community. Via social media, he and Henry began to advertise and request toys, gifts, and donations for underprivileged, in-need children. Following the momentum, satisfaction, and success of his first toy drive, more than a decade later, it has grown to be an annual event. Since its inception, Henry and Danny (aka Santa Claus) have visited countless of family homeless shelters across New York City. With the help of volunteer elves, they have distributed more than 45,000+ toys to children throughout the 5 boroughs and Florida.

Danny and Henry describe it as “one of the most touching and amazing experiences,” which led to the founding of INHISNAME UNITED INC. The smiles he sees on children’s faces through his work with the toy drive, which is modeled by the love taught to him by his mother, continues to be his number one motivator.

Danny holds a dual master’s degree in computer science and computer engineering with a minor in information systems from NYU Polytechnic University.