Associate Board
The Associate Board is a leadership development and engagement body designed to connect emerging professionals with the mission of fundraising, advocacy, volunteerism, and community outreach. It cultivates the next generation of nonprofit leaders by helping them develop leadership skills, build professional networks, and gain exposure to governance in partnership with Droste leadership.
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MEMBER
Waahibah Ahmed brings a strong background in financial analysis, budgeting, and strategic planning, with a focus on supporting mission-driven and community-based initiatives.
She has held key leadership roles within the University Student Council at Western University, where she managed budgets, led financial planning, and supported fundraising efforts to ensure the sustainability of student programs. Beyond campus, she recently served as a mentor with the United Nations Association of Canada Eco Clubs Programme, guiding youth on sustainability initiatives, and contributes to the Harmony Movement through its fundraising committee, advancing anti-racism and inclusion efforts.
She hopes to bring her vision and financial expertise to Droste Mental Health Services, supporting initiatives that make care more accessible, equitable, and community-centered. Through this work, she aims to help strengthen systems that empower individuals and promote long-term well-being.
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MEMBER
Originally from Salvador, Brazil, Amanda Baruch is a strategist with a background in marketing and communications, experienced in leading projects across Brazil and the United States. She has delivered campaigns for global brands like Johnson & Johnson, Unilever, L’Oréal, and Coca-Cola, helping companies create human-centric digital products and data-driven marketing strategies that drive measurable impact.
Over the last years, Amanda has been working in the mental health care industry, where she applies her expertise to improve patient experience and engagement. She holds academic credentials from USP, FGV, and the University of Virginia, where her studies blended research, innovation, and creative thinking. With a strong interest in consumer behavior, access to care, and solutions at the intersection of healthcare and technology, she is passionate about shaping strategies that connect people to meaningful services and experiences.
Currently based in New York, Amanda enjoys exploring the city's neighborhoods, traveling, spending time with family and friends, and being surrounded by pets.
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MEMBER
Cade Callen is a freelance journalist from Charleston, South Carolina. He began working in media after graduating from NYU in 2022. His press coverage stems from a deep love for New York City and the people who live here. His experience ranges from marketing and sales to photography and writing. Additionally, he is a passionate advocate for mental health care and aligns with Droste’s mission to increase access to mental health services for all New Yorkers.
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FOUNDING MEMBER
Yarah Kassam is an experienced fundraising professional with over a decade of expertise in political and non-profit fundraising and advocacy within the education sector. With a strong background in event planning, operations, and fundraising strategy, Yarah is excited to bring her expertise to the Associate Board of Directors and is excited to work alongside others to make a meaningful impact in the community. Yarah is dedicated to removing the stigma surrounding mental health care and advocating for accessible and affordable care, so everyone can prioritize their well-being and continue to perform at their best.
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HEAD OF ENGAGEMENT
FOUNDING MEMBER
Grace Kirschner grew up in Melbourne, Florida, and is graduating from New York University this spring, with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and a minor in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies. Her passions include social and clinical psychology as well as psychological research. Her experiences researching, teaching, and volunteering in the psychology department at NYU have strengthened her desires to be a voice for the mental health community and support Droste's mission to make mental health care more accessible and affordable to those in need.
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MEMBER
Katerina is a healthcare strategy and transformation leader, frontrunning enterprise-wide initiatives focused on healthcare integration, operational excellence, and improving patient access across one of the nation's leading academic health systems in MA. With experience spanning both the U.S. and U.K. healthcare sectors, she is passionate about building stronger, more equitable healthcare systems that better serve patients and communities.
Katerina was drawn to DMHS because of its unique combination of direct community impact and leadership development. She is excited to use her professional expertise and network to help expand access to mental health care while growing as a nonprofit leader and advocate for mental health equity. She holds a Master of Healthcare Administration from Framingham State University and is continuing her studies in health policy through Harvard University.
Outside of work, Katerina enjoys playing ice hockey, paddleboarding, and traveling whenever she has the opportunity to explore new places and cultures.
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HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY
FOUNDING MEMBER
Casey Leath grew up in Dallas, Texas, and has built a career at the intersection of sales, marketing, and product, specializing in scaling growth and optimization. As the Founder of No Lines Consulting, Casey first worked with nonprofits through the American Heart Association, helping modernize their processes and improve efficiency by breaking down technical barriers. He has since worked at two of the world’s largest nonprofit software providers, helping organizations of all sizes—from grassroots initiatives to some of the world's largest nonprofits—streamline operations and maximize fundraising impact. Currently, Casey is a Senior Product Manager in the Fintech space, focused on building seamless consumer checkout experiences.
Casey is deeply committed to expanding access to mental health care, recognizing it as one of the most underserved yet critical areas of healthcare. He is honored to support Droste in its mission to make quality mental health services accessible to all.
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MEMBER
Cassie McHugh is a marketing professional who brings a strong background in digital media strategy, performance analysis, and project management. Engaged in therapy since childhood, she is passionate about making mental health care destigmatized and accessible for all. Cassie is a graduate of Villanova University and recently moved back home to Philadelphia after a few years living and working in New York City. In her free time, she enjoys tennis, live music, and travel.
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HEAD OF EVENTS & STRATEGIC PARTERNSHIPS
FOUNDING MEMBER
Kim is a passionate corporate philanthropy professional and Master of Social Work candidate at Widener University, bringing over a decade of experience in the nonprofit, tech startup, and community health sectors. Kim has had the privilege of providing outpatient therapy to individuals at Droste Mental Health Services during her Master's program and looks forward to continuing to support the organization's amazing mission. Kim is committed to leveraging partnerships and clinical insight to uplift vulnerable populations and drive meaningful, systemic change.
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PRESIDENT
FOUNDING MEMBER
Shannon Oscher is the Manager of Operations Strategy and Analytics at a biotech startup and a former Life Sciences consultant at Accenture. With an undergraduate degree in chemical and biological engineering from Princeton, Shannon combines technical expertise with strategic insight to drive impactful initiatives within her teams. Having grown up across Asia and Europe, she is passionate about destigmatizing mental health needs and breaking down barriers to affordable, high-quality healthcare. Committed to creating meaningful change, Shannon also volunteers for Community Board 6 in Manhattan, where she addresses local issues and advocates for community improvements.
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MEMBER
John is a business administrator and professional Solver of Organization Problems, regardless of his official job title. John is bringing a decade of experience in Operations and Executive Team support in the for-profit sector to contribute to Droste’s mission however he can. John has seen the benefit of, and the need for, access to mental health services for underserved populations and is thrilled to be part of an amazing organization like Droste dedicated to that cause.
Interested in joining the Associate Board?
Associate Circle
The Associate Circle provides an accessible pathway for individuals passionate about mental health and community impact to engage through philanthropy, advocacy, networking, and volunteer leadership. Members support the organization through lower annual financial commitments, attending local gatherings, and driving community awareness through social media and word of mouth.
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Ryan Bain-Darby grew up in Melbourne, Florida, and currently resides in San Francisco, where she works in executive consulting. Having been on her own mental heath journey, Ryan is passionate about helping individuals access the mental health support and resources they need, and is committed to promoting awareness and advocacy in the mental health space. In her free time, Ryan enjoys traveling, photography, and attending live concerts in the Bay Area.
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Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, Maddox Callen is a freshman at New York University majoring in Real Estate, with a strong interest in community development and urban growth. Growing up, Maddox trained at several professional tennis academies and spent much of his free time traveling, experiences that helped shape his interests in development, management, and relationship-building. Passionate about creating positive community impact, Maddox is excited to support Droste's mission and contribute to expanding access to high-quality mental health services.
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Raised in Melbourne, Florida, Christian is a sophomore at Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy. Outside the classroom, he enjoys boating, fishing, and spending time outdoors with family and friends. He also has a strong interest in fitness and personal development, experiences that have helped cultivate his discipline, leadership, and teamwork. Committed to serving others and making a positive impact in his community, Christian is proud to support Droste's mission of expanding access to compassionate, high-quality mental health services.
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Shayla Kozack, from Melbourne, Florida, is a senior at Satellite Senior High School. She is extremely passionate about accessible mental health services and believes affordable premium care should be the standard for all. Outside of academics, Shayla loves reading, theatre, and spending quality time with loved ones. She is absolutely thrilled to be a part of Droste's mission and make a positive impact on others.
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Aleeza Malik, from Long Island, New York, is a rising senior and pre-med student at New York University, majoring in Psychology with a minor in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies. Inspired by her interests in mental health advocacy, she is passionate about increasing access to affordable mental health resources and supporting initiatives that strengthen communities as a whole. Outside of academics, Aleeza enjoys running, baking, and spending time with family and friends. She is excited to contribute to Droste’s mission of making mental health care more accessible for all.
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Originally from Los Angeles, California, Samantha is pursuing a degree in Public Relations, Marketing, and Sales at New York University. She is particularly interested in luxury brand management, client relations, and hospitality operations. Passionate about expanding access to health care and strengthening community engagement, Samantha has volunteered with the American Red Cross, where she supported initiatives aimed at serving and connecting communities in need. She looks forward to contributing to organizations that promote well-being, meaningful connections, and greater opportunities for underserved populations.
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Jintong Ye is a sophomore at New York University, pursuing a major in Psychology and a minor in Child and Adolescent Mental Health Studies. Her academic interests are clinical and social psychology, and psychological research.
Through her experiences in research, student leadership, and service, she has developed strong communication and organizational skills. She aims to contribute her passion and commitment to mental health advocacy to Droste, and support its mission to increase the accessibility and affordability of mental health care.
Interested in being a mental health advocate in the community?
Join the Associate Circle!