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About Us>>Who We Are>>Meet Our Team
Dina Matos joined CARES Foundation in January 2009 as a development consultant for the 2009 Everyone CARES Gala. After recognizing Dina’s wide range of skills and experience in health related non-profit management, in May, 2009, the board asked Dina to take a leadership role as the Executive Director.
Dina brings with her almost two decades of experience in healthcare. Before joining CARES, she served as the Executive Director of the Columbus Foundation (the philanthropic arm of Columbus Hospital) in Newark, NJ from November, 1999, through May, 2008. Before joining Columbus Foundation, she held various positions at Columbus Hospital including Director of Public Relations and Marketing and Director of Patient and Public Relations.
Throughout her career, Dina has incorporated health and wellness programs into all of her community outreach efforts with the many organizations for which she has worked or volunteered. At Columbus Hospital, she developed the Senior Health Improvement Program (S.H.I.P.), a free health and wellness program for adults 55 and over. The program was aimed at helping seniors stay healthy and informed about health care issues through screenings and educational programs.
Prior to joining Columbus Hospital, she was served in a number of roles at Saint James Hospital also in Newark, including Coordinator of Community Relations and Manager of Public and Professional Relations. During her tenure at Saint James she developed a senior membership program, a general services tri-lingual newsletter, a tri-lingual newsletter for expectant mothers, and a patient satisfaction program.
Dina’s interest in health care extends beyond her professional career. She has volunteered with many health care organizations and institutions, often in a leadership capacity including: trustee of the Emmanuel Cancer Foundation, trustee of the Ironbound Boys’ and Girls’ Club and Senior Center, member of the Cancer Institute of New Jersey’s (CINJ) Leadership Council, spokesperson of the March of Dimes’ Prematurity Campaign, trustee of D.A.R.E, and Vice President of the Portuguese American Congress of New Jersey. Dina has served as spokesperson and volunteer for the following organizations/campaigns: National Poison Prevention Week, Bernard W. Gimble Multiple Sclerosis Comprehensive Care Center, Women’s Heart Foundation, and C.J. Foundation for SIDS. Her other interests include children and senior services, education, literacy and under-privileged populations. Dina’s involvement in these areas includes serving as an advocate and spokesperson for the for: Verizon’s “New Jersey Reads” program, Reading Rainbow, Sesame Street’s “New Beginnings”, Governor’s Book Club, One Book New Jersey, Abbot Preschool Program, Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs, Special Olympics, United Way, Habitat for Humanity, and Teach for America.
She also has served as Commissioner of the Planning Board of the City of Elizabeth, New Jersey, Treasurer of the Portuguese American Scholarship Foundation, member of the Northern New Jersey Maternal/Child Health Consortium’s planning committee, and a member of the New Jersey Health Care Public Relations and Marketing Association.
Dina has received numerous awards and recognitions, including: City of Hope “Woman of the Year”, Cancer Institute of New Jersey’s “Award of Hope”, Portuguese American Women’s Association’s “Outstanding Public Service” and the Boy Scouts of America’s “Hispanic Good Scout."
Raised in Newark, New Jersey, Dina attended Wilson Avenue School, East Side High School and Rutgers University where she majored in Political Science She is a fellow of the United Way of Essex and West Hudson Project Leadership Class of 1999. Dina lives in New Jersey with her daughter.
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Meryl Stone has the honor of being CARES Foundation’s first employee, beginning in February 2002. With many years experience in the for-profit sector, Meryl brings management and technological expertise to CARES as well as empathy and compassion for our families. As the mom of a special needs child, Meryl has been an active member of the Parent Special Education Committee of her school district, creating web-based resource and referral services that have been a model for other school districts. Meryl has an MBA in Finance from New York University and graduated Magna Cum Laude from S.U.N.Y Binghamton. She and her husband Michael have two children. Hide Meryl's Bio
Suzanne Levy joined CARES Foundation in March of 2008. After fulfilling the role of Acting Executive Director for a little over a year, she has returned to her position of passion: Program Director. Suzanne brings over 10 years of experience in the non-profit arena. She has experience in direct client care in reproductive health and as an administrator, implementing new projects and evaluating social service programs. Suzanne has a Master's in Social Work Administration, Planning and Policy from Virginia Commonwealth University where she was awarded for her leadership and was nominated for the Sally Sullivan DuBose Award for contributions and commitment to the school of social work.
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Stephanie Erb has worked in Member Services for several years now, and is grateful to be in the company of the wonderful staff of CARES. She is the mother of a SWCAH child, Zoe, and she finds great satisfaction in helping other parents of affected children gain confidence and understanding as they learn about CAH. As an actress, she performs in television, films and on the stage. She has appeared on shows such as "24," "GREY'S ANATOMY," and "TWO AND A HALF MEN," as well as films like Peter Weir's "FEARLESS," and Gore Verbinski's "THE RING." She lives in Los Angeles with her husband, daughter, and their fish. Hide Stephanie's Bio
With 15 years of national and international marketing, advertising, and public relations experience, Gretchen brings to CARES a very personal perspective as the mother of a child with CAH. She joined CARES in 2001 and works from her home office in Las Vegas, Nevada. In 2003 she led, as a volunteer, a successful newborn screening expansion effort in Nevada on behalf of CARES. She also has served as vice chair of a state-level advisory counsel on children with special healthcare needs, and has two sons, Jason and Jamie. Hide Gretchen's Bio
Mazal Wolfskehl Hide Mazal's Bio
Odaly Roche Hide Odaly's Bio
Camela Cruz has been part of the CARES Family since the summer of 2007. As a college intern, Camela employs her administrative and interpersonal skills to aid CARES Foundation in its mission to advance research, educate and support families affected by CAH. She is currently studying for her Bachelor's in Business at Seton Hall University and plans to pursue a career in Finance or Accounting. Camela also works with Community Access Unlimited and serves as a personal math tutor for a developmentally disabled adult.Hide Camela's Bio |
