Junior Board

The Junior Board unites a younger generation of leaders around the mission and goals of The Valerie Fund. Members of the Junior Board dedicate their time and talents to spreading awareness of The Valerie Fund throughout their communities in New York City and the surrounding areas. The group comprises dynamic, enthusiastic young professionals between the ages of 22 and 40 and meets monthly to discuss new initiatives, plan events, and learn more about the organization. Engaging with The Valerie Fund, its staff, and its seasoned supporters enables Junior Board members to serve as impassioned, informed advocates who will carry the organization into the future.

Junior Board members participate in many aspects of The Valerie Fund, including community outreach, event planning, and member recruitment. As a Junior Board member, you will also be invited to serve as a volunteer for major Valerie Fund events, and beginning fall 2015, you will be able to participate in a mentoring program designed to provide Valerie Fund high school patients with one-on-one educational and emotional support from a close peer.

Over the past year, Valerie Fund Junior Board experiences have included:

Hosting annual Mardi Gras Gala drawing more than 500 guests
Organizing fall fundraiser (past events include open bars and basketball tournaments)
Group visit to Camp Happy Times
Decorating Valerie Fund centers for the holidays
Volunteering for The Valerie Fund’s Careoke for the Kids, Taste of Giving, Scholarship Reception and Thanksgiving Ball events
Participating in The Valerie Fund’s annual walk / 5K run in New Jersey
Hearing from the organization’s Executive Director, board members and staff about new initiatives and The Valerie Fund’s role in treatment of kids with cancer and blood disorders

The Junior Board welcomes new members at all points throughout the year! If you are interested in getting involved, please fill out the questionnaire at the link below. We look forward to hearing from you!

Junior Board

Sarah Arrighi - Co-Chair
Click here to read biography

Sarah Arrighi is a graduate of Villanova University Class of 2020 with a B.S in Mechanical Engineering. She is currently attending the University of North Carolina- Chapel Hill pursuing her MBA with a concentration in Data Analytics. Her grandparents lost their daughter to Leukemia and became involved with The Valerie Fund through 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.

Kyler Barnard - Board Member
Click here to read biography

Kyler was first introduced to The Valerie Fund in 2023 through its partnership with Morgan Stanley. He later served as Senior Chair of Morgan Stanley’s 33rd Annual Valerie Fund Campaign in 2025, helping to raise awareness and critical funding in support of Valerie Fund children and their families.
Kyler graduated Summa Cum Laude from Case Western Reserve University with a degree in Finance and currently works as an Investment Banking Associate in Morgan Stanley’s Global Technology Group in New York City.

Jamie Bennett - Board Member
Click here to read biography

Jamie currently works at Clayton, Dubilier & Rice in New York, where he focuses on Healthcare. Previously, he worked at Moelis & Company in their Media & Entertainment group in Los Angeles. Jamie first learned about The Valerie Fund in 2024 and was specifically drawn to their mission to support children with cancer and blood disorders and the critical importance of providing them individualized and accessible care in a local setting. As a member of the Young Professionals Network, he is excited to support the organization and drive real impact on children’s care and lives. Originally from Vancouver Island, Canada, Jamie graduated from Queen’s University with a Bachelor of Commerce (First Class Honors).

Molly Breslow - Board Member
Click here to read biography

Molly is a dedicated member of the Young Professionals Network of The Valerie Fund, bringing a background in occupational therapy and a passion for supporting children’s health and well-being. Originally from New York, she attended the University of Michigan for undergraduate studies before earning a master’s degree in occupational therapy from New York University. Now residing in Manhattan and working at Mount Sinai Hospital, Molly is committed to promoting health, wellness, and fitness while making a meaningful impact on children with cancer and blood disorders. Through fundraising, outreach, and community engagement, she strives to expand The Valerie Fund’s mission while fostering connections through a love for supporting and connecting with others.

Sam Breslow - Board Member
Click here to read biography

Sam is a Director in EY Parthenon’s M&A Consulting practice, and has been with the firm for 6 years. He graduated from The University of Texas at Austin’s McCombs School of Business with a masters in accounting, earning his CPA degree. In his free time, Sam enjoys playing sports and spending time with family and friends. He has a strong passion for giving back to the community, organizing fundraisers / events, and finding ways to help those in need.

Mariam Bsharat - Board Member

Grace Conroy - Board Member
Click here to read biography

Grace Conroy graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2022 with a B.B.A. in Marketing and a Minor in Peace Studies. Having been involved with various non-profit organizations throughout high-school and college, Grace has remained passionate about giving back since moving to Manhattan after graduation. She ran the New York City Marathon in 2023 and 2024 to raise money for the American Cancer Society, helping to provide treatment and living accommodations to those with cancer living in New York City. She was on the Young Professionals Network Board in 2025 and is excited to continue contributing to the growth of the organization.

Currently, Grace works in consulting, specializing in the Aerospace & Aviation industries.

Giancarlo Cusimano - Board Member

Anthony Eduafo - Board Member
Click here to read biography

Anthony works in Strategic Finance at Cedar, a NYC-based healthcare technology company. He previously worked as a Healthcare Investment Banking Analyst at Bank of America and is deeply passionate about improving access to care through business and innovation. Anthony was drawn to The Valerie Fund’s mission because of its focus on improving children’s health and supporting families during their most vulnerable moments. He grew up in Ghana, where he engaged in public health advocacy by founding a volunteer organization focused on community education. In his free time, Anthony enjoys exploring gastronomy, collecting folk art, Afrobeat choreography, playing the piano, and staying active.

Jeffrey Jay - Board Member
Click here to read biography

Jeffrey is a Senior BDR at Palo Alto Networks, covering strategic accounts in the Northeast region.

A proud Valerie Fund Scholarship recipient, Jeffrey was introduced to the organization through his personal journey as a childhood cancer survivor. Now 23 years cancer-free after overcoming Wilms Tumor, a rare kidney cancer primarily affecting young children, he is dedicated to giving back. In 2025, he first stepped onto the board and, as a member of the Young Professionals Network, he is committed to continuing his mother Deborah’s philanthropic legacy, supporting the very organization that helped his family.
In his free time, Jeffrey loves spending time on the golf course or at the bowling alley, and you can often find him at a Knicks, Yankees or Giants game.

Sara Kaswan - Board Member
Click here to read biography

Sara Kaswan is a graduate of the University of Virginia Class of 2022 with a B.A. in Biology and Global Public Health. She is currently in her third year of medical school at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. She lost her younger cousin to a very rare form of cancer which motivated her to attend medical school and she hopes to specialize in pediatric hematology-oncology. As a member of the Young Professional’s Network, she looks forward to getting to know others who share her passion for helping children with cancer and work together to help these kids when they need it most.

Alexis Kline - Co-Chair
Click here to read biography

Alexis was first introduced to The Valerie Fund in 2020 through its partnership with Morgan Stanley, where she later served as Chair of the 31st annual campaign. In this role, she helped raise awareness and funds for essential psychosocial services and programs, such as Camp Happy Times and the annual “Rec Day” at Turtleback Zoo for Valerie Fund children and their families.

Passionate about giving back, Alexis has been involved with various nonprofit organizations throughout her life. She founded Save A Heart in memory of a childhood friend who passed away from an undetected congenital heart defect and mentored young students through the Phillips Brooks House Association’s HOOPS program at Harvard. Alexis is excited to help revitalize the Young Professionals Network as Co-Chair, introducing new fundraising events that inspire ongoing involvement and create a strong, engaged network of supporters.

Alexis graduated with honors from Harvard in 2021 with a degree in Applied Mathematics and Economics. A lifelong New Yorker, she is passionate about health and wellness and currently works as an investor at Alliance Consumer Growth (ACG), where she focuses on growth equity investments in disruptive consumer brands.

Alexandra Korinis - Board Member
Click here to read biography

Ali is originally from Ridgewood, NJ, and currently resides in Madison, NJ. A proud graduate of Babson College in Wellesley, Massachusetts, Ali earned a Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Marketing and Supply Chain Management. During her time at Babson, she also served as the captain of the Women’s Lacrosse Team, where she honed her leadership, teamwork, and strategic skills—values that continue to guide her both professionally and personally.
Ali currently is a Director in Video Investment at Dentsu, where she has been for the past decade. It was during her time at Dentsu that Ali was introduced to The Valerie Fund and grew close to the organization and mission. Through her involvement at Dentsu, Ali became acquainted with the organization through her boss, Cara Lewis, who serves on the Board and plays a pivotal role in various events.
Ali has participated in several key initiatives for The Valerie Fund, including the Annual Gala and "Careoke for the Kids" karaoke fundraiser.
Through both her professional achievements and personal dedication, Ali continues to be a passionate advocate for The Valerie Fund, supporting its life-changing efforts to improve the lives of children and families facing significant health challenges.

Francy Kwakye - Board Member

Kelly Mitchell - Board Member
Click here to read biography

Kelly works in consulting at Alvarez & Marsal within the firm’s Financial Services group. She graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2022, where she studied Economics and Digital Marketing. While at Notre Dame, she was deeply involved in campus service organizations and served as President of the Habitat for Humanity chapter, reflecting her long-standing passion for giving back and community engagement.

Inspired by her childhood friend’s battle against cancer, Kelly was drawn to The Valerie Fund’s mission to support children and families navigating serious illness. She is motivated by the opportunity to help ease the burden on families during incredibly difficult times and hopes to make each child’s journey a little lighter. As a member of the Young Professionals Network, she is excited to support The Valerie Fund’s work and contribute to its meaningful impact.

Robert Reichenberg - Board Member
Click here to read biography

Robert became aware of The Valerie Fund in 2017 while receiving treatment for non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He witnessed the organization’s positive impact on children undergoing treatment and was a scholarship recipient throughout his four years of college. Robert has made it his goal to give back, raising awareness and funds for children undergoing life-changing cancer and blood disorder treatments. He hopes to channel his passion for giving back to make an impact on the young adult community by working with The Valerie Fund.

Currently, Robert works for PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) as a Real Estate Tax Accountant. He aims to collaborate with both PwC and The Valerie Fund to raise as much money as possible for children undergoing or who have undergone treatment for cancer and blood disorders

Delaney Walker - Board Member

Annie Yaris - Board Member
Click here to read biography

Originally from Maplewood, New Jersey—just up the street from The Valerie Fund office—Annie has been involved with TVF for many years. She grew up attending TVF events with her family and has maintained a strong commitment to the organization's mission and meaningful impact. Annie worked for The Valerie Fund as a Communications Intern in 2017 and is thrilled to return to the organization as a Board Member of the Young Professionals Network.

Annie attended Washington University in St. Louis, where she studied Environmental Policy and Art History. She currently lives in Manhattan and works in marketing and business development for Beyer Blinder Belle Architects and Planners.

About The Fund

Junior Board

Junior Board

Going Live this week!

New Jersey Auto Retailers Unite!

Tunes for Thomas!

Upcoming Events

About Us

Our Locations

Calendar

Programs & Services

How You Can Help

Join Our Mailing List

Follow Us

Share