Maya Gold Foundation

Carisa Borrello joined the board in 2023. She is the director and owner of The Living Seed, a Yoga and Health Center, which opened its doors to the Hudson Valley community in the summer of 2000. She is a certified Hanna Somatic Educator (CHSE) through the Somatic Institute of Novato under Eleanor Criswell-Hanna.

Jade Belfiore is a student at Onteora High School, where she currently serves as President of her class. She became involved three years ago when volunteering with her sister and a friend. Jade is passionate about fostering open conversations among teens and believes it’s important for young people to feel comfortable sharing their interests and concerns. Jade has also been a strong voice for the Maya Gold Foundation’s Mental Health First Aid programs. In her free time, Jade enjoys listening to and playing music, reading, and traveling. In her future studies, she is interested in studying psychology and continuing to assist young people.

Sara Espinosa joined us in 2022 after serving on the Fundraising Committee for several months. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the LCU Fund for Women’s Education, a private, nonprofit foundation in New York City committed to clearing the path for low-income women to complete college. She is an accomplished nonprofit executive with over 25 years of wide-ranging experience in foundations, community-based organizations, and government. Prior to joining the LCU Fund in 2009, Espinosa served as Executive Director of Afterschool Works New York, a statewide membership organization that promotes quality services to children and families through credentialing, training and evaluation of school-age care providers and youth development professionals. Previously, she established and led the Department of Children, Youth and Family Services for the City of Newburgh, New York where she successfully increased the scope and quality of city services for children, youth, families, and seniors.

Elise Gold, Maya’s mom and Board Treasurer is a psychotherapist at Wellness Embodied Counseling Center in New Paltz. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, a Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, a Certified Psychodramatist and is now in training in Somatic Experiencing. Before her work as a therapist, Elise worked as the Executive Director at Jewish Family Service of Orange County and was an Adjunct at SUNY New Paltz. She brings over 40 years of experience in human services and nonprofit work to our organization. Elise has been active in areas of social justice and human rights for many years and is the co-founder of the Maya Gold Foundation.

Mala Hoffman joined the Board in 2023 after initially serving on the Community Programs Committee. She is an educator with nearly two decades of experience who has worked with children and teens in several capacities over her career. She has a Master of Arts in Curriculum and Teaching from Teachers College and holds certifications in Elementary Education and Gifted Education. A former journalist, she has written extensively on educational issues in both journals and newspapers and serves as a member of the New Paltz Board of Education’s Legislative Action Committee. She is also a published poet.

Zachary Martin is a student at New Paltz High School who became involved with The Maya Gold Foundation through a family friend and fellow Board member. He began as an active participant in the Youth Action Team and now brings his passion and commitment to the Board of Directors. In college, Zach is interested in studying engineering, with a focus on bioengineering. A dedicated student, Zach is enthusiastic about math and science, having participated in Mathletes and preparing to compete in the Science Olympiad. Outside the classroom, he is a member of the New Paltz High swim team. When he finds free time, Zach enjoys catching up on sleep, watching movies, listening to music, and spending time with friends.

Mathew Swerdloff, Maya’s dad and the Board President, has served as an educator in New York State’s public schools for over thirty years. He has held positions as a classroom teacher in grades 3 through 8, Director of Technology, Director of Library Media Services, Executive Director of Educational Support Services, and is currently an Adjunct Professor in the Graduate School of Education at the State University of New York in New Paltz. Mathew earned his Master’s Degree in Education and his New York School District Administrator Certification from the State University of New York at New Paltz, and his Doctorate from Western Connecticut State University, Danbury, CT. Mathew is the co-founder of the Maya Gold Foundation and passionate about the work of supporting teens in the Hudson Valley and in Nepal.

Nicolas Swerdloff, Vice President, is a Managing Partner of the New York office of the law firm of Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. He started with the firm in 1983, and is admitted to the bars of the States of New York and Florida as well as to the bars of multiple federal courts, including the United States Courts of Appeals for the Second and Eleventh Circuits, and the United States District Courts for the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida, and the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York. His practice focuses on complex litigation and arbitration, both international and domestic, involving financial services, securities, professional liability and foreign sovereign disputes.

Dayna Thomas joined the board in 2020 after she traveled to Nepal in 2018 and 2019 as a Youth Ambassador and served on the Youth Action Team throughout high school. She graduated from SUNY New Paltz in December of 2022 with a degree in graphic design and communications. She is passionate about helping others and giving back to her community. Outside of school she loves to travel, explore the outdoors and bake.