Board of Trustees
Carla K. Mato, Chair
Carla’s love for music throughout her life and her personal experience caring for her mother with Alzheimer’s inspired her to seek to use music as a vehicle to touch people’s hearts and change the world through philanthropy. Carla has sought to make the world a better place throughout her life. She volunteered to rebuild homes in poverty-stricken areas of the US as a young person. As a high school senior, she was honored with a “Service to the People” Award from Springfield Township High School in Montgomery County, PA. She holds a BA degree in Deaf Studies from Boston University and has worked as an American Sign Language Interpreter since 1994. While a college student, she volunteered at soup kitchens and women’s prisons. She was honored with an “Outstanding Service” Award in 2000 by the NJ Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. She participates in community theatre and serves as a member of Flow Follies, a nonprofit organization that raises funds for high school student scholarships. She is a part of a singing group that volunteers to sing for seniors in residence homes. Carla strongly believes that, no matter our means, giving to transform the world is a mark of our humanity.
Julie Zier
Julie works part-time at The Hermitage Museum as the Director of Development. She has also had a successful career as an interior designer.
Julie is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross where she earned her BA in English as well as the New York School of Interior Design, where she earned an AS in interior design. She has served on the board and committees for the Social Services of Ridgewood, the College Club, the Colon Cancer Alliance as well as the Y Arts Committee of the Wyckoff YMCA. Julie loves the arts and feels strongly that the beauty of the arts should be enjoyed by all.
In her spare time, Julie has performed in community musical theater at the Y including The King and I, Annie, The Music Man, The Sound of Music and many others. Julie also sings with the St. Elizabeth’s Choir in Wyckoff, NJ.
Jamie Chumas
Jamie is Associate Director of Quality Systems for Becton Dickinson.
He has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Drexel University.
Jamie is also a drummer and vocalist in 2 philanthropic cover bands, Martha Quinn College (80s) and Apollo 13 (60s and 70s). These bands have raised thousands of dollars for charities supporting cancer research, autism and wounded veterans among others.
Kevin Dyels
Kevin Dyels is a certified interpreter serving the interpreting and deaf communities in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia areas. He has a degree in Theater from the University of Maryland and has held a founding executive position at a performing arts interpreting company called First Chair Interpreted Productions since 2009. Throughout his career, he has interpreted for Alzheimer's patients and family members in various settings. He presents interpreting workshops in theater, affect, team building, and self-confidence on a national and international basis.
Kevin has traveled to India, Hong Kong, South Africa, and Taiwan presenting workshops and supporting Visual Theater performances for deaf and hearing audiences for over 20 years. Kevin managed over 50 performances by top deaf performing arts companies during a two-week international conference at Gallaudet University called “Deaf Way II.”
When not interpreting, Kevin mentors early career interpreters, coordinates interpreters for various conferences, theatrical productions and music festivals, and works as a professional sound designer and disc jockey. He enjoys international travel in his spare time and shares a cat named Sylvestre with his Hong Kong partner.
