Andrea Sabita Ogle

Justice Ogle’s family immigrated from Guyana to the United States of America in 1970 and settled in Queens County. Her personal experiences of being of mixed heritage, born in another country and assimilating into the United States, have enabled her to benefit from combining the best part of two cultures and absorbing those cultural values. Judge Ogle is a graduate of Queens College of the City University of New York and Seton Hall University School of Law. She successfully managed her own law practice in Queens County for over twenty years.

She was a member of the Attorneys for Children and 18b Assigned Counsel Panels and represented indigent adults and children in all phases of Family Court and Supreme Court proceedings for twenty-one years. When the Family Treatment Court was launched in 2002, she was selected to represent adults affected by substance abuse and co-occurring disorders for more than fourteen years. Her legal experience extends beyond Civil, Criminal, and Family Court practice. She is trained in Mediation and Conflict Resolution, and as a Special Education Due Process Impartial Hearing Officer. She has served as a Revocation Hearing Officer for the New York State Office for Children and Family Services and as an Arbitrator in Civil Court.

Throughout the years, she has displayed a selfless commitment to public service and has organized educational and community events, seminars, and webinars in conjunction with elected officials, community, and professional organizations in her tireless efforts to educate and improve diversity, tolerance, and relationships. While she was in private practice, she emerged as a leading advocate for her community and has been a keynote speaker at various community events.

She was selected by Council Member I. Daneek Miller from 2019 to 2021 to organize the annual Senior Appreciation month program to educate our most vulnerable on issues related to elder law, elder abuse, senior identity theft, mortgage forbearance, and predatory lending practices. She believes that we have a collective responsibility to secure the well-being of our youth. She served as a mentor and has prepared various programs in conjunction with the NYC Department of Probation, The Sullivan County Human Rights Commission, My Brother’s Keeper, Queens Engagement Strategy for Teens, the Interfaith Council for Community Development, and the Queens Book Fair and Literary Festival.

She has written on a variety of issues including the 13th Amendment, bail, representation of the indigent, implicit bias, senior identity theft, and how to navigate the courts during COVID-19. She has also organized Continuing Legal Education Seminars with several Bar Associations, the Attorneys for Children Appellate Division Second Judicial Department, and the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission.

In 2021, in conjunction with Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for the Office for Justice Initiatives, the Hon. Edwina G. Richardson, the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission, the New York State Unified Court System Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and the Appellate Division 2nd Department, she prepared and moderated a program on “Advancing Equity in the New York State Courts.” The program examined the findings of Special Advisor on Equal Justice in the Court Secretary Jeh Johnson, his recommendations, and their implementation.

She has received honors and awards from the New York City Mayor, members of the New York City Council, US Congress, the Borough President of Queens, the Queens County Bar Association, the Macon B. Allen Black Bar Association, the Sikh Society, and other community organizations in recognition of her contributions and exemplary service.

She is a member of the Asian American Judges Association, the Civil Court Judges Association, the Advisory Board of the South Asian and Indo-Caribbean Bar Association of Queens, the Macon B. Allen Black Bar Association, and a sustaining member of the Queens County Bar Association. She served as a member of the Board of Managers for the Queens County Bar Association, is the former Vice President of the Assigned Counsel Association Queens Family Court, former treasurer of the Macon B. Allen Black Bar Association, and a former member of the South Asian/Indo-Caribbean Advisory Council Queens District Attorney.

In 2021, she was elected in Queens County as the first Indo-Afro Guyanese Judge of the Civil Court of the City of New York. Currently, she serves as the subcommittee co-chair of the New York City Civil Court Equal Justice Implementation Committee, Queens County, and as a mentor and host to the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission internship program.

In 2023, she was invited by His Excellency Dr. Mohamed Irfan Ali, President of Guyana, to celebrate her accomplishments. She believes that public service is one of the most gratifying endeavors one can undertake. The knowledge that she has gained through her work and life experiences provides her with the skills to remain unbiased, respectful, and impartial in order to do what is fair within the limits of the law, and to safeguard the legal rights of all parties involved.

Judge Soma Syed

Honorable Judge Soma Syed is the first Bangladeshi American elected judge in New York State and the United States. In 2021, Judge Syed was elected to the New York City Civil Court from Queens County. From 2022 to 2023, Judge Syed was assigned to the New York County Criminal Court in Manhattan, where she presided over busy arraignment, felony, and misdemeanor parts. Since January 2024, she has been assigned to the Queens County Civil Court. Judge Syed is a former special prosecutor and a private practitioner with vast community and pro bono experience. She obtained her J.D. from the Albany Law School of Union University and her B.A. from the City College of the City University of New York. Judge Syed is a product of New York City public schools.

Judge Syed was born in Bangladesh to an educator and a freedom fighter and grew up in Queens, where she currently lives with her husband, Mizan Choudhury, and family. She immigrated to the United States with her family when she was twelve years old. At a young age, Judge Syed decided to pursue law as a profession and devoted her time and limited resources to achieving her dreams with the help of her parents, teachers, and guidance counselor who believed in her, despite all the challenges she faced as a first-generation immigrant. After passing the New York State bar examination, Judge Syed soon started a legal practice in Queens County to provide effective and competent legal services to the minority communities of New York City. For many years, she wrote legal articles for Bangla newspapers on immigration and other legal issues affecting the community.

She appeared at numerous community events, seminars, and television shows to discuss legal issues that the communities faced. For Judge Syed, it was important that immigrants and members of the public she represented received competent representation when navigating the complex legal system in this country. In addition to her legal work, she is passionate about serving the community. During the Covid-19 pandemic, she helped communities with mask and food distribution and appeared with the New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams to discuss pandemic relief programs.

Judge Syed is devoted to building pipelines for the next generation of legal practitioners. She values her mentorship with students from high schools, colleges, and law schools. During her three years on the bench, she has mentored more than ten students in her chambers and has spoken at various school visit events. Judge Syed values diversity and representation. She has held leadership roles and maintained membership in various bar associations. Judge Syed currently serves on the NYC Equal Justice Implementation Committee (NYC EJIC) in Queens County Civil Court and the NYC Access to Justice Committee of NYC Civil Court. She believes that law can be a powerful vehicle to achieve, ensure, and provide justice, fairness, and equality in our society. She has brought her years of life and professional experiences to the bench with the goal of delivering justice to the community. Judge Syed looks forward to continuing to be a jurist and serving the people with distinction and honor.

Soh Young Lee Segredo

Mrs. Soh Young Lee-Segredo was born in Seoul, South Korea, and lived in Paraguay, Brazil, and Spain. At a very young age, she showed her leadership in education, music, and community activism. As a Vice President of the Red Cross Youth Middle School Division in Seoul, she understood the importance of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (D.E.I.). Her study in the U.S. began as a Student with Interrupted Formal Education (SIFE) at New Town High School.

She is a multi-faceted artist (soprano, storyteller, director, MC, event & program coordinator), tirelessly connecting local and global communities. She has served as a past director of the Multicultural Peace Mission Choir, president of the Korea American Association of Queens, president of the Multicultural Council of NY, an advisor for the Gaia Essence’s Women’s Wellness Conference, volunteer for Shanti Fund, and president of the Asian Pacific American Council of Educators (APACE), where she promotes Asian voices and advocates for Asian teachers and parents.

Soh Young Lee-Segredo has been the Music Coordinator for Hofstra University’s Annual Celebration of Diversity Gala since its inception. She is the Hempstead Union Free School District Jackson IB PYP School (International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program) coach. During COVID, she provided concerts and online cooking classes for the Queens Public Library, bringing cultural diversity with S.E.L. With the collaboration of the Long Island Council of Churches, she delivered food to needy families.

A multifaceted performer weaving many different cultures, Soh Young Lee-Segredo has been performing since the age of five. The ‘Soh Young Ensemble’ won the Artists International Alliance and debuted at Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall. They also won the KBS Korean Idol NY Competition in 2007. As a lifetime member of the NAACP, she initiated the re-establishment of the Education Committee at the Freeport/Roosevelt NAACP branch.

She has received numerous awards, including the Nassau County MLK Award, Town of Hempstead, Village of Hempstead and Village of Freeport, NAACP Harlem Chapter, the 2023 Legislator Kevin Thomas Women’s Award, and Hofstra University’s Celebration of Diversity honor in 2013. She was also awarded the “Merchant of Hope” Education Award from Freeport/Roosevelt NAACP and the National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME) Equity, Social Justice Advocacy Award in 2015. In May 2016, she presented ‘Cross the Border’ stories at the 66th UN DPI/NGO Conference in Kyuongju, Korea, the first UN conference in Asia.

Soh Young Lee-Segredo holds a BA from Queens College, an MA from Bank Street College, a Professional Diploma from Dowling College, and a Bilingual/ESL Studies Certification from St. John's University. She was invited by the National Endowment for Humanities to Alabama in 2005, traveled to Israel in 2008, Turkey in 2011, and participated in the Korean Youth Summer Leadership Program in 2013-14.

She was recognized at the New York State Association of Bilingual Education 2023 Conference as NYSABE Bilingual Teacher of the Year (Dr. Ximena Zate Teacher of the Year Award), becoming the first Asian educator to receive this honor in 45 years. She believes in finding unity through shared experiences and has collaborated on events such as the Celebration of Korean and Indian Independence Day and Black History Month with the Multicultural Council of NY at the Indian Consulate.

Her extensive volunteer work in libraries across Queens and Long Island has earned her numerous recognitions, including the Gift of Knowledge from Dowling College and the NYC Citizenship Award from Councilman John Liu. Most recently, she received a Certificate of Appreciation for her contributions to the New Americans Program and the Queens Public Library at the Lunar New Year Concert on February 3, 2024.

She continues to work with multicultural communities advocating for D.E.I. Follow her work at www.multiccny.org, www.apace-li.org, and www.sohyoung.com.

Mrs. Cristina Contreras

Born in the Dominican Republic, Mrs. Cristina Contreras is a proven healthcare leader that is passionate about improving the health of the communities she serves. She is a highly driven and successful chief executive with over twenty-nine (29) years of progressive leadership experience in executive level management of inpatient, ambulatory, clinical and ancillary services hospital operations.

Cristina’s demonstrated commitment to her staff, patients, and the community has made her a well-known and respected leader within New York City Health + Hospitals, the country’s largest municipal healthcare system. She started her career as a caseworker and successfully progressed through various positions of leadership with increasing responsibility, culminating with her appointment, in 2024, as Chief Executive Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln in the South Bronx. Cristina previously served as the Chief Executive Officer of NYC Health + Hospitals/Metropolitan, from 2021 – 2024. Among her many accomplishments in that role, Cristina expanded access to care for underserved communities, recruited and cultivated outstanding talent, advanced programs of excellence, and improved financial and operational performance.

As a visionary leader, Cristina has had continued success in her senior leadership roles by driving innovation, operational excellence, and strategic collaborations. She is recognized for creating an organizational culture that thrives on authenticity, kindness, and transparency, and as a champion of her team’s well-being. Cristina believes that focusing on staff members’ overall happiness and satisfaction drives positive outcomes for both staff members and healthcare consumers.

Cristina has a deep commitment to public service and is passionate about improving access to care for underserved and immigrant communities. In recognition of her leadership and service to the community, Cristina has been the recipient of a variety of honors and awards, including being consistently listed on the City and State Power Players List, the Government Service Leadership Award by 100 Hispanic Women National, and a Hero of Hope and Champion of Inclusion by the NYC Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She also serves as the Chair of the National Dominican Day Parade since April 2021, on the Board of the NY Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, and on the Board of Directors of R.A.I.N. Total Care, Inc.

Cristina holds a Bachelor’s in Social Work from Herbert H. Lehman College, a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Fordham University, and a second Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Baruch College. In 2023, Ms. Contreras received the New York College of Podiatric Medicine’s honorary degree of Humane Letters, Honoris Causa, at their annual commencement.

Hafza Girdap

Mrs. Hafza Girdap serves as the Executive Director and spokesperson for AST (Advocates of Silenced Turkey) and is a founding member of the Set Them Free platform. She is dedicated to addressing women's rights violations, particularly in Turkey. Currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Women’s and Gender Studies at Stony Brook University, New York, Girdap is actively engaged in delivering lectures as part of her academic pursuits. With a background holding a B.A. and M.A. in English Language and Literature, Girdap's research focuses on human rights and the status of women in Muslim contexts.

Her primary interest lies in exploring the integration and adaptation experiences of Muslim immigrant women while redefining their cultural identities. Girdap aims to analyze the lives of Muslim women, studying the challenges they encounter within their cultures before, during, and after conflicts. Her doctoral research concentrates on the self-identification and gendered racialization experiences of immigrant women from Turkey in the United States. Beyond her academic pursuits, Girdap contributes as a nonresident research associate to ECPS’s gender program (European Center for Populism Studies).

In her research endeavors, Girdap actively incorporates the voices of female survivors of conflict. She examines the coping mechanisms employed by these women to navigate various challenges, including social discrimination, oppression, and violations of basic rights, across different contexts such as their home countries, refugee camps, and new settlements. Residing in the United States since July 2016 due to political persecution in her native Turkey, Girdap has expanded her research interests and actively participates in women's rights movements.

Over the past three years, she has organized and spoken at UNGA and UN CSW panels, focusing on women's issues and experiences. Additionally, she mentors youth, encouraging their involvement as researchers and speakers in these events. Embracing the personal motto "Let Dreams Lead You," Girdap runs online global book clubs on Instagram. Through live interviews, she addresses topics related to women and youth empowerment. Hafza, accompanied by her two daughters (20 and 15 years) and her husband, currently resides on Long Island, New York.

Maria Santiago

Throughout all the years I studied, I also worked providing care for the elderly; and I adored it. I felt a true connection caring for each individual person with their own life stories that shaped their autonomy. Despite my passion in broadcasting, I couldn’t ignore this calling, which quickly became my life’s calling; caring for the wellbeing of seniors.

Ironically enough, my academic career wasn’t originally rooted in healthcare. After my departure from Trinidad to the United States, my educational pursuits led me to Hostos Community College in the Bronx, as well as Lehman College for television production and directing and finally, the Connecticut School of Broadcasting.

I balanced both my passion and my life’s calling, working my way up from administrator to now, being a CEO of my own Home Health Aide Training Institute, N.Y, training future healthcare workers and finding them employment where they too may experience the fulfillment that comes with caring for another. My philanthropic endeavors led me to serve families in countries like Ghana, Nigeria, and Trinidad, providing meals for those in need. During the Covid-19 pandemic, I hosted celebrations recognizing essential workers by granting them over $100,000 in scholarships and life insurance policies.

With every training program I oversee, each job placement fulfilled, and every recognition I’m blessed to receive, my goal is to increase the awareness of exemplary healthcare practices for seniors in need. There is a divine plan for all of us and by acknowledging and understanding challenges seniors endure, we can provide better care, profoundly improving the lives of those in the community, as well as those we love.

Dr. Vertika Goel

Dr. Vertika Goel was born and raised in northern India in the capital city of New Delhi. She completed her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Physical Therapy at Rajiv Gandhi University in 2006 and 2007, respectively. She accumulated seven years of working experience from 2009 to 2016 as a senior Physical Therapist in India, including five years of experience handling the government physical therapy department independently in Delhi, India. In August 2016, she moved to the USA to pursue her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.

Currently, she holds a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree specializing in Geriatric and Pediatric Physical Therapy since 2017. With seven years of extensive hands-on experience, she takes pride in helping patients regain full mobility and independence following challenging injuries or surgeries. Vertika has completed hands-on courses on vestibular rehab, lymphatic therapy, manual therapy, prevention of falls, occupational-related injury prevention, and is certified in primitive reflexology and applying sensorimotor strategies.

In addition to her clinical practice, she is the driving force behind RK Goel Care and Wellness, a non-profit medical charity. Under her leadership, the organization has made significant global contributions, including providing aid to Amazon rainforest tribes in Ecuador, raising $45,000 for earthquake survivors in Turkey and Syria, and offering crucial medical treatment and education on fall prevention for the elderly. She has also dedicated herself to addressing chronic pain within the community. Additionally, she hosted a fireside chat on mental health recently.

Her efforts have been recognized, and she was recently selected as a respected speaker and panelist alongside other successful speakers and panelists at the 3rd Annual Key Elements of Success event. She was also honored as a Woman of Distinction by the honorable David McDonough, Assemblyman of the 14th Assembly District in New York. Additionally, she received a recognition award for her nonprofit medical charity work from Tamil Nadu Foundation USA. Her journey continues, fueled by a determination to make a meaningful impact on the lives of those in need.

Pastor Geraldine Felix

Pastor Geraldine Felix born in 1962 in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, was drawn to God from a young age. At just 9 years old, she would ascend the mountains to pray. By God's sovereignty, she was able to come to America at the age of 13 in 1977. Living the complex life of a young immigrant in America, she pursued her education, attending Andres Huddie Middle School, Midwood High School, and CUNY City College. However, the highlight of her youth was the divine encounter she had at a prayer meeting in 1982, where she surrendered her all and responded to the call of salvation.

Full of earnest endeavor, Pastor Geraldine soon began evangelizing in the streets of Brooklyn, NY—on public buses and trains—and served at Remsen Church of God. Later, she moved to Boston, where she earned a degree from the School of Architecture.

While in New Hampshire, she sensed a spiritual void in the area. Led by God, she started a prayer group, which later grew into a church after she married her husband, Rev. Joseph N. Felix. They met at a wedding and tied the knot themselves at the end of that same year. Married in 1993, they were blessed with three children: Kestia, Daniella, and Benjamin. After having their first child in Manchester, the couple moved back to Brooklyn and established a new church, initially located on Snyder Avenue and Church Avenue. The church moved to its current location on Flatbush Avenue in 1998. She has since been serving in ministry side by side with her husband as a First Lady for over 25 years. In 2022, she earned a degree in theology at MKI University.

In celebration of her 60th birthday at the El Caribe in Brooklyn, she was ordained as a pastor by her husband, Pastor Joseph N. Felix. Throughout her ministerial career, she has been referred to as a Prayer Warrior for her almost literal application of "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). She has also participated in numerous missions throughout the United States, including Boston, as well as internationally in Haiti and the Dominican Republic.

Dr. Neva Helena Alexander

Dr. Neva Helena Alexander, as CEO of Nevalliance and Co-Director of Ascend Long Island, exemplifies transformative leadership in education, entrepreneurship, and professional development. A visionary, she founded the National Educational Venture Alliance (NEVA), underscoring her devotion to equipping students for academic and professional triumphs. Renowned as an educator, speaker, and author, Dr. Neva profoundly influences various business sectors, delivering insights on startup strategies to women's empowerment. Her captivating webinars and seminars have established her as a pivotal figure in the business community.

Her reach extends beyond the digital realm; Dr. Neva's global influence is evidenced by her impactful workshops and keynote addresses at international conferences, tackling subjects like leadership, entrepreneurship, and cultural diversity. Her adeptness in connecting with diverse audiences highlights her exceptional communication prowess and deep subject mastery.

Dr. Neva's dedication to promoting innovation and economic growth shines through her work with Ascend Long Island, aiding entrepreneurs in their developmental journey. Since 2017, she has orchestrated the International Women's Conference at Hofstra University, attracting renowned global leaders. Her leadership history includes serving as President of the Caribbean Business Network.

Dr. Neva's achievements earned her the Long Island Power Women in Business Award in 2018. Her prestigious speaking engagements span globally, including the Institute for Cultural Diversity on Global Business at the United Nations, New York; the International Summit Youth to Youth, Dubai; the International Network of Women Engineers and Scientists, New Delhi; the Africa Business Conference at Harvard University; the New York Business Expo Conference Women Lead and Learn, Manhattan, NY; and the Global Women in STEM Leadership Summit, Atlanta, GA. Dr. Neva's steadfast dedication to education, empowerment, and entrepreneurship continues to be a source of inspiration and catalyst for positive change in individuals and organizations worldwide.

Dr. Samarth Joseph

Dr. Samarth Joseph was born in Haiti, came to the US at the age of 17. She is a proud graduate of Westbury High School. Dr. Joseph is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of ESPOIR Youth Programs Incorporated which she founded in May 07, 2012 to provide educational services for youth in the Town of North Hempstead and throughout Nassau County. ESPOIR, which in French means “hope,” has been spreading plenty of hope, as it continues to fix its eyes above.

The Espoir’s programs seek to address social issues impacting families in the Town of North Hempstead and to prevent youth involvement in at-risk behaviors. Youth are assisted in developing the fundamentals of good character during their involvement with the agency. Espoir connects families to resources throughout Nassau County while providing education on navigating systems to maintain full autonomy over personal life issues.

Under the leadership of Dr. Joseph, Espoir’s Youth and Family Counseling Unit provides individual and group counseling sessions, case management and social services to youth ages 6 – 21 and their families; tailored to individual needs, including anger management, substance abuse, relationship conflicts, mental health issues, educational advocacy, etc. Teen pregnancy prevention and parenting skills training are also provided with an emphasis on providing awareness and education on enhancing parent, child relationships, and to respond to life issue appropriately.

In the Espoir After-School Enrichment and Advantage Program, homework assistant is provided to elementary and middle school age children in the Westbury School District. The children received tutoring in language, arts math, science, social studies and cultural arts education, enrichment courses such as Piano, Zumba, Swimming, Girl Scouts/Young Men InProgress Club, African Dance, STEM (Science, Technology Engineering, Mathematics), Peer Mediation Training. Also, in the high school, Espoir provides Peer Mediation Training, High School Talk sessions, African Dance and Crisis Intervention. For the past three year, Espoir gave the William Pruitt Scholarship award to two Westbury High School students. And this year, Espoir is so proud to give this scholarship to one of his children, Berlinda Pierre-Louis who is the Validatorian of the class of 2023.

It is customary for Espoir to travel with his children and make sure they understand that the world is bigger than the Town of North Hempstead. As a result, Espoir took his participants and parents to the following places: NASA, Greenbelt, Maryland; The White House, Washington, DC; Liberty Bell, in Philadelphia, PA; The Mint, Philadelphia, PA. The United Nations, New York, NY

Furthermore, Espoir provides a real estate course and a stock market course to adults in the Westbury community. For the past eleven years, Espoir’s Food Pantry has been giving food to citizens in the Town of North Hempstead.

Dr. Joseph is involved with many organizations. She is a lifetime member of the United Nations Association of the United States of America; The Empire Who’s Who of Executives and Professionals and the Epsilon Rho Chapter. Also, she sits on various boards such as Advantage Care Health Centers and Westbury Carle Place Chamber of Commerce. On Friday, June 23, 2023, The Town of North Hempstead inducted Dr. Samarth Joseph into the Women’s Wall of Fame. In addition, Dr. Joseph is the owner of El Olam’s Exquisite Properties and the author of the book collection “It’s Not Over Yet.”

Sylvia Kowalczuk

A native of Poland, Mrs. Sylvia Kowalczuk received the Master of Music Degree with Distinction from the Warsaw Academy of Music. She holds a Master of Arts degree from Queens College of Music of the City University of New York where she was granted a full scholarship and affiliated with teaching. Miss Kowalczuk has also studied at the International Academie D’Ete in France which is under the aegis of the Paris Conservatory.

First-Prize-Winner of the International Harp Competition in Varallo, Italy and winner of Artists International Audition in New York, Sylvia Kowalczuk was presented in her New York recital debut at Carnegie Hall. She has received the highest critical acclaim from the New York Times.

When Sylvia first came to the United States, she joined the already established renowned group, the New York Harp Ensemble, where she was the youngest member at that time. Founder of the group, Professor Aristed von Wurtzler published a book about his life and the history of the ensemble, ‘Talking About Harp’. In it, he expressed that it was his wish for Sylvia to become his successor.

Sylvia Kowalczuk concertized all over the world, playing in Europe, Africa, Asia (including Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, China, and Taiwan), as well as the United States. Vigado Concert Hall in Budapest, Hungary, Sylvia Kowalczuk has appeared at several international music festivals in Italy, Germany, Hungary, and participated in festivals of contemporary music in Poland (Warsaw Autumn), as well as in music festivals in the US with great success.

She recorded four albums solo and as a soloist with orchestra. She recorded five albums with the New York Harp Ensemble and also was featured as a soloist with the Avery Fisher Hall in New York, N.Y. She gave concerts at the Vatican for Pope John Paul II and the White House for Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Reagan. She also appeared at international festivals as a soloist.

She has also been broadcast on several international television and radio programs such as WQXR’s McGraw-Hill “Young Artists Showcase.” In great demand as a pedagogue, Ms. Kowalczuk has given master classes at several International Harp Festivals. She has been instrumental in organizing the International Harp Master Class and Festival at Keszthely, Hungary for ten years.

She was also spotlighted as a guest on the show “Good Morning America” as well as appearing in two episodes of the popular HBO series “The Sopranos;” “Eloise” and “The Test Dream,” for which she is credited for Outstanding Performance.

Zara Kandic

Zara Kandic is a seasoned professional with a robust background in catering and administrative roles, showcasing proficiency in organization, teamwork, creativity, communication, problem-solving, attention to detail, and time management. Fluent in Bosnian, Serbian, and English, she has consistently demonstrated her skills over the years.

During her tenure as a Caterer from 2006 to 2018 at Islamic Unity & Cultural Center and Bosniak Islamic Cultural Center, Zara efficiently managed reservations for special events and contributed digital articles on community events for online platforms.

Transitioning to her role as the President, Collective Work of Sister and CEO of Zara Services Corp. from 2018 to 2024, Zara not only demonstrates her commitment to professional growth but also empowers Balkan women through civic engagement. This underscores her dedication to making a positive impact on both professional and community fronts.

Pastor Zulima Cox

Pastor Zulima Cox, better known as Pastor “Z”, is the Co-Founder of Family Life Worship Cathedral, established in 1995 in Elmont, New York. She formerly served as a Director of Resource and Referral for Child Care Service at 1199 Child Care Fund.

Pastor Z is revered as a fervent prophetic intercessor, an anointing imparted into her through the life and ministry of the late Dr. Eleonora Joseph. The prophetic mantle over her life together with a burden for rejected, despondent, and hurting women are the driving force for her passionate preaching, compassionate deliverance, and revitalizing restoration ministry.

Her leadership and teaching capacities have been displayed as the Associate Director for Called of Destiny School Ministry; a school dedicated to the formational instruction of ministers walking in their destiny. As a Certified Abstinence Educator, she is also the founder and chief instructor of Mission Possible Ministry; a ministry targeting teenagers and young adults and centered on “Abstinence until Marriage.”

She is a conference speaker, workshop facilitator, and family counselor. She is a graduate of Blanton Peale Institute at New York Theological Seminary earning certification as a Certified Pastoral Care Counselor. Presently, she is attending Asbury Theological Seminary in pursuit of her Master’s degree in Christian Ministries.

Pastor Zulima has been married to Bishop Christopher T. Cox II since September 6, 1974. They are the proud parents of four children and nine grandchildren and serve as a family in ministry.