Young Professionals Network

Dom was first introduced to The Valerie Fund in early 2019 through the organization’s now 30-year partnership with Morgan Stanley. Starting out as a junior chair in his first campaign, Dom then proceeded to sustain the relationship throughout COVID, successfully executing two virtual campaigns with the help of his fellow co-chairs. Non-profit work has been a constant in Dom’s life, stemming from childhood interactions with local Ronald McDonald houses and Polish organizations, such as Polish Childrens Heartline. He is incredibly excited to help revitalize the Young Professionals Network and ultimately create a series of events and initiatives that become recurring annual traditions that bolster young professional exposure and engagement. Dom graduated from Duke University in 2017 with a B.S. in Economics and a minor in Psychology, and currently works as an Investment Banking Associate at Morgan Stanley.

As a Young Professionals Network Board Co-Chair, Dom oversees the Membership & Communications Committee.

Manav first became involved with The Valerie Fund in 2021 while at Morgan Stanley when helping to coordinate the firm's annual Valerie Fund giving campaign. Philanthropy, especially relating to expanding medical access, economic opportunity, and access to education, has been an important part of his life. As a member of the Young Professionals Network, he is excited to continue to support the growing reach and impact of The Valerie Fund and help bring smiles to patients across the tri-state area. Manav is currently an investment professional at Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, where he focuses on investments in various areas of healthcare. He began his career as an Analyst at Morgan Stanley in the Investment Banking Division after graduating from Miami University with a Finance major and Italian minor.
As a Young Professionals Network Board Co-Chair, Manav oversees the Events Committee.

Chuck Kohaut is a Senior Director on Cushman & Wakefield’s Equity, Debt & Structured Finance group, where he specializes in raising debt and equity for commercial real estate across all major asset classes with a particular focus on the New York Metropolitan area. Prior to joining Cushman & Wakefield, Chuck spent six years in institutional investment sales at Newmark, CBRE, and Colliers International. Chuck graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a double major in Business Management Consulting and Sociology. He has been involved with The Valerie Fund through his family since childhood, and has been a counselor at the Valerie Fund's Camp Happy Times since 2014.

As a Young Professionals Network Board Co-Chair, Chuck oversees the Sponsorships Committee.

Matthew Hirschfeld is a proud lifelong New Yorker. He first began leading volunteer initiatives in his local community in sixth grade and hopes to always continue doing so. Advocating for expanded and improved medical access is something that is near and dear to Matthew’s heart. While at Harvard College, Matthew served as Co-President of the Harvard Undergraduate Global Health Forum, President of the Harvard Undergraduate Bioethics Society, and Co-Director of the Harvard Human Rights Working Group, among other engagements. Matthew studied Chemistry and Computer Science at Harvard, graduating Summa Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, and with Highest Honors. Matthew began his career in Investment Banking at Morgan Stanley and is Senior Chair of the Morgan Stanley Valerie Campaign, an annual multi-divisional effort that has raised over $4MM.

Matthew sits on the Young Professionals Network Sponsorships Committee.

Niki has been an active member of The Valerie Fund Junior Board since 2015 but has been volunteering for The Valerie Fund since 2005. Shortly after graduating from The University of Delaware in 2015 she started working at Twitter in New York City and is currently a Client Account Manager on the Tech team.

Sarah Arrighi is a graduate of Villanova University Class of 2020 with a B.S in Mechanical Engineering and concentration in Solid Mechanics. Her grandparents lost their daughter to Leukemia and became involved with the Goldsteins, the founders of The Valerie Fund. It is their legacy for giving back that she hopes to keep alive with a charity that is very close to her family’s heart. Sarah currently works as a Systems Engineering in the Space and Airborne Systems Sector of L3Harris Technologies.

Sarah sits on the Young Professionals Network Events Committee.

Sara Rutherford joined The Valerie Fund's Young Professionals Network Board in early 2023 and is honored to support the organization and mission. Originally from Chicago and working in financial services, Sara moved to New York City to begin a new role at the International Rescue Committee (IRC). At IRC, she is a Sr. Financial Analyst, assisted first-hand with the Afghanistan SIV program in Virginia/D.C. and worked with Ukrainian refugees in Italy. Sara graduated from Butler University in 2019.

Sara sits on the Young Professional Network's Sponsorships Committee.

Andrew Ecoff joined The Valerie Fund Junior board in 2022 and has been involved with the organization since late 2020. He was introduced to The Valerie Fund during his time at Morgan Stanley. As a Senior Chair for the firm’s 30th annual Valerie Fund campaign, Andrew helped raise over $200k to go towards Camp Happy Times and the critical psychosocial services The Valerie Fund provides to patients. Andrew graduated from Northeastern University with a major in Finance and Entrepreneurship. He currently works as a Global Capital Markets Associate at Morgan Stanley.

Andrew sits on the Young Professionals Network Membership & Communications Committee.

Jeremy graduated from Duke University in 2017 with a B.A. in Computer Science. He joined Deloitte Consulting where he worked with clients in the pharmaceutical industry to improve patient access and adherence to life-saving medication. Jeremy started his first year in medical school at New York Medical College in the summer of 2022. He also has prior experience performing research in the oncology space and looks to continue his passion for supporting this patient population as a member of The Valerie Fund's Young Professionals Network Board.

Jeremy sits on the Young Professionals Network Membership & Communications Committee.

Amanda joined The Valerie Fund's Young Professionals Network Board in 2023 after attending their fundraising event in 2022. She graduated from Duke University in 2017 with a B.S. in Statistical Science and a minor in Economics. Since graduation, Amanda has worked at Morgan Stanley. Amanda is currently a Vice President on the Quantitative and Derivative Strategies team within the Institutional Equities Division at Morgan Stanley. Amanda previously spent time working with students through Student Sponsor Partners and she is excited to continue working to support young adults through The Valerie Fund's Young Professionals Network Board.

Amanda sits on the Young Professionals Network Events Committee.

Jacob Weiss joined The Valerie Fund's Young Professionals Network Board in 2023. He first became involved with The Valerie Fund during his time at Morgan Stanley helping to coordinate the firm’s annual Valerie Fund campaign. Jacob is looking forward to increasing his involvement with the organization and is especially excited for Camp Happy Times! Jacob graduated from Duke University with a B.S. in Computer Science and currently works as an investment associate at Arsenal Capital Partners.

Jacob sits on the Young Professionals Network Sponsorships Committee.

Brian is an investment professional based in New York. Previously, he worked within strategy and operations for some of the largest healthcare companies in the nation. He started as an entrepreneur in the toy industry and earned his BA from Temple University. Brian joins The Valerie Fund dedicated to affecting positive change in healthcare, particularly by improving the quality and accessibility of patient services.

Brian sits on the Young Professionals Network Events Committee.

Brianna is a young professional living in New York City, working as an Analyst on the Centurion Product Team at American Express. Her proudest role, however, is being a pediatric cancer advocate and Valerie Fund kid. In 2007 the then-nine-year-old New Jersey native was busy being a kid when she was diagnosed with Stage IV Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Now a 14-year cancer survivor, Brianna has become a national spokesperson for childhood cancer, spoken before the US Congress about a bill to help develop new childhood cancer treatments, and helped raise more than $73 million for national pediatric cancer organizations. Brianna graduated from the University of Miami in 2020 with a Business Degree and is a UM 30 Under 30 honoree.

Brianna sits on the Young Professionals Network Sponsorships Committee.

Tamara Jean Charles first became acquainted with The Valerie Fund as a patient at a very young age. She has proudly been in remission for 21 years and currently works as a Junior Treasury Management Service Excellence Specialist at Valley National Bank. Tamara received a Financial Planning Certificate at the University of Phoenix and is concurrently working towards a Bachelor of Science with a Small Business Management Certificate. She stays actively involved with The Valerie Fund through her work as a counselor at Camp Happy Time. She loves to organize events and plan fundraisers and is excited to leverage her past experiences for the Young Professionals Network.

Tamara sits on the Young Professionals Network Events Committee.

Derek Gonzalez is a Miami native living in New York City. Derek graduated from the University of Miami School of Business with a BBA in Finance and is passionate about markets, technology, music, and law. He became a pediatric cancer philanthropist and advocate in college and has attended and participated in numerous pediatric cancer events and organizations such as Hyundai Hope on Wheels, the Financial Services Cares Gala, and The Valerie Fund's Young Professionals Network (formerly the Junior Board) Decennial Gala in 2022.

Derek sits on the Young Professionals Network Membership & Communications Committee.

Erin O’Sullivan graduated from the University of Rhode Island in 2019 with a degree in Business. Having supported various pediatric cancer organizations throughout her life, Erin attended her first Valerie Fund Young Professionals Network Gala in 2022 and helped in gathering donations for the silent auction. Erin now works at FullBeauty brands as a Fashion Merchandiser. She is also signed with the modeling agency, State Management.

Erin sits on the Young Professionals Network Events Committee.

Matt was first exposed to The Valerie Fund in 2020 through the organization’s long-standing partnership with Morgan Stanley. Initially serving as a junior chair in his first campaign, he became a senior chair for the firm’s 30th annual Valerie Fund campaign, raising over $200K for the patients of The Valerie Fund. Matt has a strong passion for non-profit work and has been actively involved with various Catholic charities and medical organizations throughout his life. Matt began his career as an Analyst in the Investment Banking Division at Morgan Stanley, and he currently works as an investment professional in the healthcare group at Clayton, Dubilier & Rice. Matt holds a B.S. and B.A. in finance and theology from Georgetown University.

Matt sits on the Young Professionals Network Events Committee.