Yemi Oluwole
Yemi Oluwole is a Portfolio General Auditor – Vice President, in the American Express Company’s Internal Audit Department
Michael Roberts
Michael Roberts joined Weitz & Luxenberg more than a quarter-century ago. A few years after starting with the firm, he became a member of the National Institute for Trial Advocacy – a nonprofit organization at the forefront of showing up-and coming attorneys how to be highly effective legal advocates. NITA soon afterward began utilizing Mr. Roberts to teach law students the winning ways of trying cases.
Apart from law practice, Mr. Roberts is actively involved with the Children’s Medical Foundation, United Jewish Appeal, Working Organization for Retarded Children and Adults, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and Hoops 4 Hope. He also volunteers as a coach of community soccer, basketball and baseball teams. Among Mr. Roberts’ personal pursuits are travel, golf and long-distance running – to date, he has participated in four New York City marathons.
Laura Salerno-Evans
Vice President
Laura Salerno-Evans became involved with Friends of Karen as a teenager after attending the organization’s annual gala. She later joined the New York City Advisory Board in 2011 and soon after, helped establish the Next Generation Leadership Group to bring awareness of Friends of Karen among other young professionals.
Evan Schreiber
Evan Schreiber joined the board in March 2021. He wanted to get involved with a charitable organization and immediately became passionate about supporting the critical mission of Friends of Karen.
Evan works in finance for a healthcare technology company in New York.
Paul Smadbeck
Immediate Past President
Paul joined the Friends of Karen Board in April 1996. He attended Ithaca College, receiving both a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Music, and is a published composer.
Siblings Committed to Helping Others
“Thirty-two years ago, the day before my 16th birthday, our lives changed forever when my sister Erika was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) at the age of 13.
Overcoming Back to School Jitters
As August fades into September the reality of the school year on the horizon is hard to deny, especially with the wonderful backpacks of freshly packaged school supplies arriving at the door of FoK families. Though the end of summer can be a bittersweet time for any child, children reentering school after being sidelined by a serious illness may have many mixed emotions that are more than just the typical butterflies.
Other Special Services and Information
Art Therapyarttherapyblog.comAn article about how art therapy can help cancer patients. There’s also a section on the website about art therapy and children. CaringBridgecaringbridge.orgCaringBridge provides free, personal websites available 24/7 that connect family and friends during a serious illness. The websites are easy to create and add to with health updates, photos and visitors can leave messages of support in…
Wish Foundations
Make-A-Wish Foundationwish.orgThe Make-A-Wish Foundation grants the wishes of children with a life-threatening medical condition. Since 1980, Make-A-Wish has granted the wishes of more than 174,000 children around the world and currently has 65 chapters in the US. Make-A-Wish Foundation of Hudson Valley Make-A-Wish Foundation of Metro New York and Western New York Make-A-Wish Foundation of New Jersey Make-A-Wish Foundation of…
Camps
Camp Good Dayscampgooddays.orgCamp Good Days and Special Times, Inc. is dedicated to improving the quality of life for children, adults and families whose lives have been touched by cancer and other life challenges through summer camping experiences and year-round events and activities. Camp Sunshinecampsunshine.orgCamp Sunshine, located in a beautiful Maine setting, provides families of children with a life-threatening illness a…
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