Leadership
Andrew Simon – Founder and Board Vice-President, House of Miriam-NJ
Andrew Simon is the Founder and Vice-President of House of Miriam. Andrew has had an eclectic career ranging from practicing law for 20 years to becoming a certified yoga instructor. Andrew also worked as a Para-medic at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The thread that has run through Andrew’s professional career is his commitment to giving back to those who have not been afforded opportunities to reach their full potential. This aspiration led Andrew to launch House of Miriam.
Andrew received his BA from Cornell University and his JD from American University.
Donna Lawrence – Board President, House of Miriam-NJ
Donna Lawrence has devoted her career to advocating on behalf of disadvantaged children and families to ensure equity for all children. Donna has extensive experience in the non- profit and philanthropic sectors. Most recently, Donna was the Executive Vice-President at the Educational Alliance, a $50m human service organization in New York City. Prior to joining the Educational Alliance Donna served as President & CEO of the “I Have A Dream Foundation”, a national organization focused on education equity for low-income students. In that capacity Donna built out the foundation’s national infrastructure and expanded operations to double the number of young people served.
Throughout her career, Donna has held several leadership positions. At the Children’s Defense Fund Donna served as Director of their New York Office and later as Vice-President of National Field operations. She directed more than $100 million dollars annually to programs around the the world helping disadvantaged children as Director of the Children & Youth Programme at The Atlantic Philanthropies. Donna was also appointed by former Mayor David Dinkins as the Director of the Mayor’s Office for Children and Families where she was responsible for coordinating inter-agency initiatives aimed at improving services and programs for children and families.
Donna holds a BS in Social Work from Cornell University and an MA in Political Science from Columbia University. She has received national recognition and numerous awards for her professional work and her enduring commitment to justice for children.
Yolanda Gadson, Executive Director, House of Miriam-NJ
Yolanda Gadson is a non-profit and youth development leader, as well as a community advocate. She has over 40 years of experience leading and working with non-profit organizations committed to empowering youth and families. Most recently, she served as the Executive Director of an organization based in Newark. Throughout her career and life, Yolanda has worked diligently in underserved and under-resourced communities to educate, inspire and empower youth and families to achieve their dream of higher learning.
In 2017, Yolanda received the New Jersey Hero Award for her work with children and families in Newark. In 2021, she was acknowledged by the All Stars Project of NJ and its NJ Afterschool Development Working Group for her commitment to “inspiring young people and creating new opportunities of hope for youth and their communities.”
Yolanda holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from SUNY Buffalo State University, as well as a master’s degree in Public Administration from Bellevue University.
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House of Miriam-NJ Board of Directors
Donna Lawrence, President
Andrew Simon, Vice President
Donald Ostrow, Treasurer
Elizabeth Phillips-Lorenzo, Secretary
Dr. Diane Hill, Board Member
Yolanda Gadson, HOM-NJ Executive Director