Meet Our Board
Our board brings together educators, community leaders, mental health professionals, and long standing advocates who believe deeply in the power of youth voice.
They help guide JAIA’s mission, support our long term vision, and ensure that our programs continue to grow with integrity, intention, and care.
Rev. Gena C. Jefferson
CEO & President
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Rev. Gena has Master Degrees in Special Education, Educational Administration and Social Work from varied institutions. She was ordained by the Interfaith Council of New York, and holds a Certification in Spiritual Life Coaching Training from Inner Visions Institute for Spiritual Development. Gena serves the adult community, is co-owner of Overture Wellness: “Begin With Purpose”, a spiritual life coaching, healing and wellness practice serving individuals, couples, and organizations. She has been quoted in numerous media outlets and most recently appeared on on Bronxnet’s OPEN Show with Dr. Bob Lee, 2022,“The Couch”, a CBS Morning News show, and WPIX Channel 11 morning news.
Sally Hipscher
Vice President of Programs
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Sally is a retired NYC high school health and physical education teacher for 36 years. She was founder and faculty advisor of Murrow’s HEART club (HIV/AIDS, peer education, advocacy and social action club), training students to be peer educators and conduct AIDS quilt workshops during World AIDS Week. Sally is a trustee at the East Midwood Jewish Center and chairperson of the East Midwood Jewish Center/Our Lady of Refuge Church interfaith committee.
Veronica Rosario
Vice President of Communications
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Veronica is an award-winning Producer at PIX11 News, who focuses on social justice issues and women empowerment. She is a graduate of The Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University where she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Television, Radio and Film. Veronica is a Brooklyn native who regularly volunteers with organizations focused on youth empowerment as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Veronica is the founder and CEO of the Happy New Network (HNN).
Durga Hemrajani
Treasurer
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Durga Hemrajani is the founder and CEO of GlidingPath, a Fintech startup. She has over 25 years of global experience in the financial services industry working in COO and Transformation roles at some of the major global banks like Citi, Deutsche Bank and UBS. At these banks she has led several large-scale regulatory and strategic transformation programs, was seasoned as a COO in achieving business targets while managing risk and governance and was a trusted advisor to C-level and Executive Leadership teams. She is an experienced manager and champion of diverse talent and has led and mentored high-performing diverse teams across the US, Asia and Europe. At Deutsche Bank she co-founded the DB Women in India Network and led the DB Center Child Care initiative.
Durga earned an M.B.A. degree from The University of Texas at Austin and an undergraduate degree in Computer Engineering from Mumbai University. She currently lives in New Jersey with her husband, two sons and a mini Australian labradoodle. She enjoys running, writing poetry and meditation.
Jeffrey P. Coleman
Secretary
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Jeffrey is a coach and community builder with a Master’s Degree in historical theology from Fordham University. Previously a tech recruiter, communications instructor, and research project manager, Jeffrey finds greatest motivation learning what helps people live fulfilling lives. Now an immigrant in France and a father of two young daughters, he helps successful professionals and people with access to wealth find deeper alignment and balance, and he invests in non-profit and startup founders in NYC and Europe who care about social impact.
Myles Hecker
Board Member
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Myles Hecker is a Talent Acquisition Lead, tech startup advisor, and entrepreneur with over 16 years of experience supporting organizations such as Microsoft, Meta, Fidelity Investments, Dentsu Aegis, and several other notable companies. Rooted in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, Myles has always centered his professional journey on achieving in order to give back, mentoring others from his community and beyond. In addition to his career, he serves as the Title One Chairperson at PS 235, The Janice Knight School, where he partners with parents and administrators to expand access to external programming and extracurricular opportunities, while fostering collaboration among resilient, goal-driven families.
Rev Elease Welch
Board Member Emeritus
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Rev. Elease served as JAIA’s first Board President for 5 years. She is a Minister of Spiritual Consciousness, a dynamic teacher, a masterful coach, and a powerful and compassionate leader. She is a graduate of New York University holding an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration. She also serves as the Director of Academic Affairs at Inner Visions Institute for Spiritual Development. Elease continues to volunteer with JAIA serving on the curriculum committee.
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