THE TEAM
WHO WE ARE
Supplies for Success is powered by a group of volunteers who work passionately to ensure that children living in poverty have the tools they need to succeed in school and beyond. Because everyone is so generous with their time, skills and moxie, and our Board underwrites our overhead, we are able to convert 100% of our funding into the supplies that will help change lives, one backpack at a time.
These passionate, professional women work tirelessly to make sure that all children have the backpacks they need. Without them, Supplies for Success would be nothing more than a dream - because of them, more children are equipped with the tools they need to thrive each year.
Mindy Richenstein
Founder and President
Mindy Richenstein has a passion for justice and engaging volunteers to fight poverty. Following a successful 21-year law career, Mindy retired to engage in philanthropy. A volunteer with UJA-Federation of New York for more than 35 years, she has served in many leadership roles and on boards, including the Board of Directors. In 2018, Mindy was elected to serve on the National Board of Women’s Philanthropy of the Jewish Federations of North America.
Sixteen years ago, Mindy launched a social venture to raise money for Supplies for Success --The Better Collection...for a better world, a curated collection of women’s luxury fashion and accessories where 100% of the profits are donated to Supplies for Success. The Better Collection has funded the purchase of more than 10,000 backpacks and as part of its overhead supported other charities including, UJA-Fedration of NY, the American Cancer Society, Northwell Health, Einstein Medical School and Met Council.
Mindy has been married to Larry for 50 years, and is the mother of entrepreneurs, Eric (who passed away in a ski accident on March 5, 2020) and Lisa. Lisa and son-in-law, Andrew Silverman blessed Mindy with grandsons Austin (10), Eli (6) and Ezra (5).
Jill Bodian
Vice President and Secretary
Jill Harnick Bodian has more than 25 years of experience working inside organizations’ branding, marketing and communications departments, identifying and articulating brand value, communicating to internal and external audiences and helping grow customer loyalty and expanding businesses.
Having first worked in and then led branding, marketing and communications organizations in multiple industries, including Grey Advertising, TIAA-CREF, Alliance-Bernstein, Lincoln Financial Group, Prudential Douglas Elliman Real Estate, Merck Medco, among others, Jill has expertise working with top brands to bring marketing and communication concepts from creation through execution. But nothing happens without the right talent and since graduating from The S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, she’s been involved in talent management—acting as an advisor and recruiter to Newhouse students and later, recruiting for her own teams in the organizations she worked. Jill is a vice president of The Better Collection.
In her free time, she loves traveling, exploring NYC, and volunteering her time to help not-for-profit organizations achieve their goals. She lives in New York City with her husband and, she’s currently hoping, her college-aged son will come home soon.
Lisa Goldman
Treasurer
Lisa Goldman is a tax partner at SAX, LLP, where she specializes in international taxation. Lisa began her career with Ernst & Young and Pricewaterhouse Coopers, and later was a partner in another New York CPA firm, where she led the international tax and personal advisory practices. She also worked in the private sector as the Principal International Tax Analyst for Timken Corporation (NYSE: TKR), a $2 billion manufacturer, for which she traveled to China, Japan, and Mexico on international acquisition and restructuring projects. She is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, the New York State Society of CPAs, and American Institute of CPAs. She has been selected as one of the Notable Women in Accounting and Consulting by Crain’s New York Business and she has given lectures at professional forums and universities. She has also published articles in related publications and co-authored the NYSSCPA’s Guide to International Taxation.
Lisa is also involved in leadership roles for various nonprofit organizations - in addition to sitting on the board of Supplies for Success, she also serves on the Wilson Society Advisory Council for the Hospital for Special Surgery.
Lisa lives on Long Island with her husband and three children.
Laken Pomerantz
Laken Pomerantz graduated from Cornell University with a degree in communication. Creating campaigns, developing spreadsheets, ordering supplies, and managing social media accounts are among the roles she handles at Supplies for Success. Laken handles operations from start to finish, ensuring that all the students we serve receive backpacks before the first day of school. She is passionate about giving back to the community and being part of the reason more children start the school year prepared with the tools they need to be successful.
Communication Coordinator, Head of Operations
LEADERSHIP COUNCIL
We couldn’t do what we do without the combined talents and commitment of our Leadership Council. These incredible women donate their time and treasure to our cause by chairing our regional committees, fundraising, providing logistical support every step of the way, scouting and coordinating assembly venues, hosting and organizing pop-up boutiques, and so much more. They are the heart and soul of our organization, and we are so grateful for each one of them:
Shari Adler
Tracey Amdur
Judy Baum
Keri Davis
Anna Fisch
Tracey Lubin Flynn
Alyssa Freiman
Mindy Horowitz
Freddi Kadden
Jared Kleinman
Karen Kleinman
Sandy Lenger
Eileen Melniker
Jillian Oresky
Jennifer Peltz
Susan Rand
Holly Robinson
Marci Schoenbach
Sam Seltzer
Debbie Shalam
Lisa Silverman
Rachel Yedid
FRIENDS OF SUPPLIES FOR SUCCESS
We are also very grateful to all who volunteer to help us purchase, pack, and deliver backpacks all over!
WE WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO JOIN OUR TEAM!!!
info@suppliesforsuccess.org to become a Friend of Supplies for Success or find out how to join our Leadership Council.
Since no one organization can meet the need of the 15 million kids living in poverty in our country, we feel fortunate to work with iincredible Nonprofit Community Partners who provide these vulnerable populations with essential resources and support.
In addition to sharing filled backpacks, through the years we have also shared best practices, wholesale resources, and a strong sense of camaraderie with the following nonprofit organizations
Breaking Ground
Brooke Jackman Foundation
Commonpoint
Free Arts NYC
Good+ Foundation
Graham Windham
Gural
Hamptons Community Outreach
Heart of the Hamptons
High Water Women
Island Harvest
JAFCO
Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey
Mid-Isand JCC
Northwell Health
Sid Jacobson JCC
Suffolk Y JCC
St. Francis Pantries & Shelters Grandparent Program
The Associated - Baltimore, MD
UJA-Federation of New York