MEET OUR GOTO VOLUNTEERS
Volunteer Profiles
Since 2001, Giving Opportunities to Others has been helping others succeed. Our Volunteers are a true testament to the immense impact our activities have on individuals as an organization - we dream of the world as a better place where everyone is part of a community and everyone has the opportunity to further pursue their own passions and interests.
We are a completely volunteer run 501(c)3 organization - no overhead, no office, no paid staff. What we accomplish is paid in full with sweat equity and a lot of heart; our donors support GOTO because they know that their money goes to the cause, plain and simple.
We hope you enjoy getting to know our volunteers, and we hope you will join us at an event, meeting or for a cup of coffee soon to learn more about how you can be part of the GOTO community.
.jpg)
RAINAH BERLOWTIZ
Chairman - Board of Directors
Rainah has been a GOTO Volunteer since 2001, and is the first original volunteer for the organization. He graduated from Princeton University (AB - English). Professionally he is the Director of Operations at Education Through Music and in his free time he enjoys playing the guitar and creative writing.
What do you love about GOTO?
"The amazing people in our community - volunteers, scholars and their families, supporters, Appel Farm staff - everyone!"
KELSY HILL
President - NYC
Board of Directors
Kelsy has been a GOTO Volunteer since 2005, starting as an events volunteer for the organization. She graduated from Colgate University (BA- Political Science, BA - Philosophy). Professionally Kelsy is the owner of an integrated marketing and strategic branding firm and in her free time she enjoys dabbling in the creative arts, cooking multi-course dinners and racing cars.
What do you love about GOTO?
"Seeing our scholars turn into these phenomenal adults - when I first started volunteering I never thought I'd be with a single organization long enough to be friends with the kids once they were older. Seeing their success over the course of their life, from 11 to 21+ is truly humbling to be a part of... I love my fellow volunteers too!"
MICHELLE HUNTER
Scholarship
Board of Directors
Michelle has been a GOTO Volunteer since 2005, starting as scholarship committee volunteer for the organization. She graduated from NYU-Sten School of Business (BS) and Baruch College - Zicklin School of Business (MS). Professionally Michelle is a Solutions Consultant at Medallia and in her free time she is an artist that enjoys painting and drawing (check out her work here), as well as seeing dance and music performances.
What do you love about GOTO?
"Growing up in NYC with an overprotective parent, I wasn't able to take advantage of a few awesome opportunities offered to me when I was in junior high and high school. Being a part of GOTO is my way of wanting to do what I can to comfort parents and enable students to experience the incredible world that exists outside of NYC through their unique artist view."
NATHANIEL SOKOL
Membership
Board of Directors
Nate has been a GOTO Volunteer since 2008, starting as volunteer on the membership committee for the organization. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania (undergrad) and Columbia Law School (JD). Professionally Nate is an attorney at Davis, Polk & Wardwell and in his free time he enjoys playing the violin.
What do you love about GOTO?
"Meeting so many different folks who all love the arts and care passionately about making sure kids continue to have opportunities to grow and explore their own artistic and musical talents."
JAMES P. HOLAHAN
Operations - Board of Directors
James has been a GOTO volunteer since 2012, starting as a marketing volunteer for the organization. He graduated from Princeton University (AB - Psychology/ Premedicine Concentration) and received Masters degrees from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health (MPH - Health Policy and Management) and Johns Hopkins University (MS - Regulatory Science) . Professionally he is the Director of Clinical Research Support at the NYU Langone Medical Center and in his free time he enjoys sailing and playing squash.
What do you love about GOTO?
"Working with a group of like-minded young professionals who are all committed to providing arts education to talented middle school students who would otherwise not have the opportunity."
BRIAN GRIFFITH
Treasurer
Board of Directors
Brian has been a GOTO Volunteer since 2013, starting as general volunteer and taking over the Treasurer roll for the organization in 2014. He graduated from the University of Illinois. Professionally Brian is a Public Accountant at KPMG and in his free time he enjoys reliving his college days of film, theater, and musicals via seeing shows in the city and rocking out at karaoke spots with friends.
What do you love about GOTO?
"I love going on the camp visits and seeing our scholars in action. At camp they not only get to pursue their artistic interests but they also tell us how much they get out of the experience, notably lasting friendships and a sense of independence and confidence in themselves."
LAUREN FRANKOVICH
Development
Lauren has been a GOTO Volunteer since 2014, and leads the development and fundraising efforts for the organization. She graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Campaign and the Manhattan School of Music. Professionally Lauren is an Alumni Engagement Officer at the Manhattan School of Music and in her free time she is a singer and a company member with the New York Gilbert & Sullivan Players, as well as attends concerts, operas at Lincoln Center and shows on Broadway.
What do you love about GOTO?
"The first time I visited Appel Farm Summer Camp, I was so impressed by the kids and their talent and the fact that this wonderful organization existed to help fund FULL scholarships to the camp. As a musician, I strongly believe in the gift and power of music and the arts. I love to hear from the kids after they've attended camp for the summer to find out how much the experience improved their confidence, broadened their horizons, took them out of their comfort zone, and encouraged them to make new friends."
JOEL OMANSKY
Scholarship
Joel has been a GOTO Volunteer since 2014, and is involved with the scholarship committee as well as a general volunteer for the organization. He graduated from Colgate University (BA) and Cornell Law School (JD). Professionally he is a Corporate Real Estate Attorney and in his free time he enjoys playing jazz on the piano, and really well too!
What do you love about GOTO?
"Love helping kids be exposed to artsy stuff which helps them develop into thoughtful adults."
ROCHELLE SONNENBERG
Marketing and Social Media
Rochelle Sonnenberg is the outreach coordinator for Edge4Vets, a workshop series to help veterans translate their military skills into tools for the civilian workplace. She's currently an organizer for the meet up group, Courageous Conversations, an event series that assists professionals with their leadership skills.
REBECCA FAINBERG
Marketing and Event Planning
Rebecca has been a GOTO Volunteer since 2015, focusing as a marketing and event planning volunteer for the organization. She graduated from Muhlenberg College (Comparative Religion) and was a member of the Religion Honor Society. Professionally Rebecca works for Sony Music and in her free time she is an active volunteer for Israel advocacy organization Fuel For Truth as a Fundraising Chair and is a member of AIPAC's Young Leadership division.
What do you love about GOTO?
"Seeing our scholars!"