Founding Associate Board
Droste’s Associate Board brings together young professionals who are interested in using their skills to give back to the community. Droste’s Associate Board supports Droste’s programming by serving as advocates for Droste’s mission and raising funds to support Droste’s programming.
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FOUNDING MEMBER
Amanda Carlson grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, and earned a Bachelor of Science in Physiology and Medical Sciences from the University of Arizona. She is currently pursuing a graduate degree in Bioethics at Columbia University. Amanda volunteers at Mount Sinai Hospital and her local community center while also working at an ophthalmology practice. As an aspiring healthcare provider, she is passionate about advancing mental health initiatives and expanding access to affordable mental health services. Amanda is excited to bring her dedication and expertise to her role as a founding member of Droste’s Associate Board.
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FOUNDING MEMBER
Kasey Connolly is an actor, writer, and producer with a diverse background spanning the arts, education, and nonprofit leadership. She earned her BA from NYU Gallatin and an MFA in Acting from Case Western Reserve University/Cleveland Play House. A career in the arts, with its challenges and unpredictability, reinforced Kasey’s deep appreciation for mental health care. She believes in the critical role of therapists, psychiatrists, and social workers, especially amid today’s mental health crisis.
Beyond her creative pursuits, Kasey is part of the Executive Team at God’s Love We Deliver, a NYC-based nonprofit providing medically tailored meals to people with serious illnesses. She focuses on developing strategies that help mission-driven organizations expand their impact. Kasey is honored to contribute to Droste’s vital work as a member of its Associate Board, supporting initiatives that ensure people receive the care and resources they need to thrive. Whether through storytelling or strategic leadership, she is committed to work that fosters connection, access, and lasting impact.
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FOUNDING MEMBER
Victoria brings more than a decade of experience to Droste as a communications strategist, supporting nonprofits, philanthropies, and governmental organizations. She currently serves as Vice President of Communications for Unite America, where she is responsible for building and elevating the organization's brand and communications strategy. She previously served as Vice President of Communications for Democrats for Education Reform and its affiliated nonpartisan think tank Education Reform Now. As a former consultant with D.C.-based firm GMMB, Victoria specialized in message development, strategic counsel, and the creation of comprehensive communications campaigns. Victoria is a proud Teach for America Charlotte alum. A graduate of Georgetown University, she holds a Master’s of Science in Education from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in strategic communications from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Victoria is proud to support the work of Droste to bring affordable mental health care to as many people as possible. Having struggled with an eating disorder as a teenager and young adult, Victoria credits therapy with her recovery and lifelong coping skills. No one should have to suffer because they cannot afford access to lifesaving therapy.
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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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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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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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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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FOUNDING MEMBER
Isaac Piecuch grew up in Detroit, Michigan before attending Princeton University, where he studied history. He currently resides in NYC and works as a Director for Placer.ai, a data company, where he supports their efforts providing research and analytics to investment firms and financial institutions. Isaac remains a die-hard Detroit sports fan and, in his free time, loves reading, singing, and performs in a band. As someone who can personally attest to the healing value of mental health services, he is thrilled by and committed to Droste’s mission to bring access to mental health care to New Yorker’s of all backgrounds.
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FOUNDING MEMBER
Abdulai Turay is an Associate at the law firm Covington & Burling LLP where he advises clients in a wide array of corporate matters. Abdulai also maintains a strong pro bono practice assisting non-profit organizations with various legal tasks including corporate governance, contract drafting, and contract analysis. Prior to joining Covington, Abdulai earned a bachelor’s degree in Government and Politics, with a minor in History, from the University of Maryland. He then graduated from Fordham University School of Law with his J.D. Passionate about expanding mental health care access, Abdulai looks forward to collaborating with fellow Associate Board members to support Droste’s mission.
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our Associate Board?
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