Who's On Our Board of Directors?

Nancy E. Laxer, President, has worked as an Assistant District Attorney in Kings County since 1984. She currently serves as an Executive Assistant District Attorney in a trial bureau where she supervises approximately 45 attorneys as well as a large non-legal staff. Prior to being promoted to her current position, she served in various other supervisory positions and also as a trial attorney including being assigned as a Senior Trial Attorney in the Homicide Bureau. Nancy has been a member of the FFTA Executive Committee and Fund Raising Committee and has helped to raise over $ 30,000 for FFTA’s education and outreach in the community. In February 2010 Nancy was awarded the Robert N. Kaye Memorial Award by the Kings County Criminal Bar Association. Ms. Laxer’s strong commitment to the pursuit of justice and high ethical standards will allow her to bring a significant perspective to the Board of FFTA.

Nancy Louden, Secretary, is Vice President and Deputy General Counsel in the legal department at The Estee Lauder Companies. Nancy is a past president of The New York Women’s Bar Association and has been active in bar association and community organizations. With her legal expertise and drive to help others, Nancy will be able to support the corporate governance responsibilities of FFTA while also supporting the agency’s mission. Nancy currently serves on the Board for The Burke Rehabilitation Hospital and The MAC AIDS Fund. Furthermore, as an adoptive mother, her personal life experiences make her an asset to the Board of Directors for Forever Families Through Adoption, Inc. Nancy is Chair of FFTA’s Governance Committee.

Kenneth P. Martin, Treasurer, will assist in administrating the financial matters of the agency in addition to being able to contribute with any strategic planning of Forever Families Through Adoption, Inc. Ken’s extensive experience working in the financial sector of numerous successful businesses, such as Control Equity Group, inc., and ACC Construction Corporation, will act as a beneficial asset to the FFTA team. In addition, Ken has worked as a financial advisor for more than 20 years, helping developing companies to reorganize and perform to their highest potential. With his love of children and his eagerness to assist non profits with their fundraising efforts, Ken will be an exceptional contribution to FFTA.

Curt Launer, Board Member, will be able to oversee any financial matters of the agency, in addition to being able to contribute with any strategic planning and fundraising of Forever Families Through Adoption, Inc. Mr. Launer is presently the Managing Director of an Investment firm, and is also affiliated with various not-for-profit agencies such as the North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System and the Institute of Medical Research at North Shore LIJ and this experience will greatly contribute to his decision-making for Forever Families Through Adoption, Inc. Overall, Mr. Launer’s years of business experience and professional activities will make him an important asset to the Board of Directors for Forever Families Through Adoption, Inc.

Yube Levin, Board Member, will be able to oversee any marketing and advertising matters of the agency in addition to being able to contribute with any strategic planning and fundraising of Forever Families Through Adoption, Inc. Mr. Levin is already affiliated with many not-for-profit agencies and this experience will assist him with his decision making for Forever Families Through Adoption, Inc. Overall, Yube’s years of business experience and professional activities make him a valuable member of the Board of Directors for Forever Families Through Adoption, Inc.

Marlene Marcus, Board Member, will be able to manage any teaching and training programs sponsored by Forever Families Through Adoption, Inc. in addition to being able to coordinate any fundraising drives. Prior to becoming the President/Owner of her gift basket company Mrs. Marcus was a teacher for the NYC public school system as well as Executive Secretary for a large cosmetics company. Marlene is already affiliated with many not-for-profit agencies such as the American Cancer Society and the Ardsley Education Foundation, and these affiliations coupled with the day-to-day handlings of her company make her an asset to the inner workings of FFTA. Overall, her years of not-for-profit experience and professional activities make her a highly appreciated member of the Board of Directors.

Roberto (Rob) Olazagasti, Board Member, along with his partner, have recently become adoptive parents to their daughter through Forever Families Through Adoption.  Rob currently works as a science Teacher in the New York City public school system.  He is also actively involved with several gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender non-profit community organizations such as DirectEffect, The Center’s Wannabe Moms and Dads, and God’s Love We Deliver.  Rob’s personal experience as an adoptive father, along with his involvement in the education system and the gay community make him an asset to the Board of Directors for Forever Families Through Adoption, Inc.  Rob is a native Spanish-speaker and he is able to assist FFTA and FFTA clients with issues that are relevant to the Hispanic community.

Sam Pitkowsky, Board Member, is the adoptive parent of two daughters; one from Honduras, and the other from the Dominican Republic. Mr. Pitkowsky currently serves as the President of the New York City Chapter of the Adoptive Parents Committee, Inc. (APC), a parent support group serving over 3,000 New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut families. Sam has represented APC at Joint Council, The Hague Alliance, and the Advisory Council on Intercountry Adoption (ACIA), and has also provided testimony in favor of adoption on Capitol Hill and in 1994 before Congress on the Hague Treaty. With his extensive volunteer work and expertise on international adoption issues, he will be a valuable asset in the guidance of FFTA’s International program. Sam has been named one of the 2007 Congressional Angels in Adoption.

Lawrence A. Rand, Board Member, is Senior Vice President, co-founder and director of Kekst and Company, Inc., a New York-based corporate communications counseling company, a subsidiary of The Publicis Groupe, one of the world's largest advertising and marketing companies. Mr. Rand has had extensive experience in financial public relations and investor relations. Mr. Rand is the former Chairman of the Board and remains an Honorary Trustee of the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association (The ALS Association), a non-profit health care organization that is dedicated to the eradication of Lou Gehrig's disease and has received that organization's Jacob Javits Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Rand has served as Chairman on the Rye Brook Village's Ethics Board, was elected to the Rye Brook Board of Trustees and then as Mayor of the Village of Rye Brook. He is currently a member of the Westchester County Board of Ethics. FFTA is pleased to have Larry offer his expertise on the financial and auditing committees.

Elizabeth (Betsy) Sorrel, Board Member, has had years of experience in the publishing and advertising world where she was involved in all aspects of publishing, with a focus on marketing and sales. In addition, Betsy has extensive experience in fundraising through her years of active volunteer work with the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation’s Westchester and New York Chapters, and the Eagle Hill School in Greenwich, Connecticut. Betsy was instrumental in assisting FFTA to raise over $ 30,000.00 at its first annual major fund raising event.  She is currently a Sales Executive with Prudential Connecticut Realty. Betsy’s experience in the marketing and fundraising arenas, and volunteer work for not-for-profit agencies, as well as her never-ending enthusiasm and love for children, makes her an invaluable asset to FFTA.

Former Board Members

Shelly Perlman Foster, (deceased), President is currently an adjunct professor at the Westchester graduate campus of LIU. Shelly has made many strides within the Education field such as, co-founding and directing the HELP program at Manhattanville College which was developed to provide academic support to college students identified with learning disabilities. Among her Board experiences, she has participated in Section 504 & IEP Committees, Academic Oversight Committees, and has lectured on topics such as transition from high school to college or the workplace, as well as integration of technology into the classroom. She is a member of the Council for Exceptional Children, and as President, Shelly is able to bring her advocacy skills training, and knowledge of the local community to FFTA. She has traveled extensively for International advertising and has a working knowledge of Spanish and French. Being multilingual and connected with the Hispanic culture will serve as an asset to FFTA's International Program in the Dominican Republic. As a parent and educator, she has the skills needed to develop a collaborative environment in which to lead FFTA's Board.

Richard Cutler, (retired), Treasurer, will assist in administrating the financial matters of the agency in addition to being able to contribute with any strategic planning of Forever Families Through Adoption, Inc. Richard will also be able to make a contribution to the business management aspects of the agency. His years of business planning, experience in financial matters, in addition to his varied Board experience in private sector and not-for-profit organizations, will help contribute to the start-up, planning, and management of Forever Families Through Adoption, Inc. Richard has assisted the agency in providing cradle care for infants awaiting placement into their forever families. Furthermore, as an adoptive father, his personal life experiences make him an asset to the Board of Directors for Forever Families Through Adoption, Inc.

Hon. Joan Cooney, (retired) Board Member, is an experienced attorney and Judge, which will enable her to advise Forever Families Through Adoption, Inc. in any legal matters that may arise. Former Judge Cooney supervised a Court system of 16 Judges and 11 hearing examiners and has had extensive experience in all facets of adoption and family law. She has already assisted several not-for-profit child advocacy organizations and held positions on many committees and start up projects. Overall, Judge Cooney’s years of legal and professional experience and activities will make her an esteemed member of the Board of Directors for Forever Families Through Adoption, Inc.