Our Board of Directors
Yasmeen Mock, Chair
Yasmeen Mock is a partner and chief operating officer at Kimelman & Baird, a registered investment advisor and broker-dealer in New York City. During the span of her tenure at Kimelman & Baird, Yasmeen has been involved in all aspects of the investment management business. Currently, she provides guidance to high-net-worth and institutional clients, working closely with institutional staff and board members as well as intergenerational families to navigate the path toward reaching and exceeding financial goals. In this role, Yasmeen also leads the operations and client relationship management teams. Having long-standing family roots in New York City, Yasmeen strives to be active in organizations like LifeWay Network that support New Yorkers in need. She earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from New York University.
Jessica M. Schaefer, Esq., Vice Chair
Jessica Schaefer is an assistant general counsel and director at Bank of America, N.A. She received a bachelor of arts in history from Williams College and earned her J.D., magna cum laude, from St. John’s University School of Law. She is honored to serve on LifeWay Network’s board, as she believes it is an invaluable opportunity to contribute to her community and combat the exploitation of women.
Evan Harrel, Treasurer
Evan Harrel is a strategic consultant focused on supporting nonprofit organizations in the development of strong, implementable strategic plans. Previously, he served as the executive director of an early childhood nonprofit in inner-city Houston’s poorest neighborhoods and as the interim executive director of Houston Habitat for Humanity. He was awarded a master of business administration degree, with distinction, from Harvard Business School, and a bachelor of arts degree, cum laude, from Princeton University. Evan’s passion for achieving social justice for people in need drew him to LifeWay Network.
Sr. Elizabeth (Betty) J. Kolb, Secretary
Sister Elizabeth Kolb, a Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, has worked with marginalized populations and vulnerable persons in her work as a pastoral counselor, spiritual director and psychotherapist. As a licensed clinical social worker, she has supervised countless social work students and social workers in agencies throughout New York City and Westchester County and has taught social work at the graduate level. She currently has a private practice and is the residence administrator at the Lurana Health Care Residence in Garrison, NY. She was drawn to LifeWay because of her desire for justice for all persons, especially those who have been abused.
Adam Cooper
Adam Cooper is a general partner, Investor Relations and Business Development, at Masters Capital Management. Adam joined Masters in 2004 as director of research. In 2010, he shifted his focus to investment strategy. Prior to joining Masters, Adam was a vice president at Goldman Sachs, where he worked in the Fixed Income and Equities divisions. His previous experience included roles in the Fixed Income Derivatives division of Morgan Stanley and the Fixed Income Trading desk at Casgrain and Co. Adam received a bachelor of arts degree in economics from McGill University in 1987 and a master of business administration degree in finance from Concordia University in 1989. Adam was privileged to be able to raise three wonderful children, which was by far his greatest accomplishment.
Cherice Hopkins
Cherice Hopkins, Esq., is a human-rights advocate and senior counsel at a national nonprofit that works to end the criminalization of survivors of violence. She engages in policy reform, public education, training and technical assistance, and research to advance the safety and well-being of young women and girls — particularly young women and girls of color — who have been pushed to the margins of our society and to improve responses to those who have experienced violence. Cherice received an MBA from Columbia College and a J.D. from Northwestern Pritzker School of Law. She is honored to support LifeWay Network in its mission of providing safe housing to women and increasing awareness of trafficking.
Sr. Roberta Kerins, SCH
Sister Roberta Kerins is a member of the Sisters of Charity, Halifax, presently serving on the leadership team of her congregation. Her past ministries include being the director of the Spirituality and Continuing Education Programs at the Washington Theological Union in Washington, D.C.; a member of the Formation Team with the Paulist Fathers; and many years serving in a number of pastoral capacities in parish settings. Roberta has been involved in women’s empowerment opportunities as a mentor for women transitioning from the DC Jail. She has been a supporter of LifeWay from its inception.
August (Gus) T. Lembo, Esq.
Gus Lembo is a semi-retired attorney. A graduate of Georgetown University and Rutgers Law School, he worked in the private practice of law and in government including as an assistant counsel in the New Jersey Governor’s Office, as deputy director of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, and as a board member of an organization providing shelter to the homeless. He continues to provide legal advice to hospital ethics committees. Gus participated in an orientation program for new volunteers to LifeWay Network. He was most impressed by the efforts of LifeWay in confronting the appalling human trafficking issues.
Mary F. McMahon
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Karen McSherry
Karen McSherry is controller of the Lubetzky Family Foundation. After a long career with Bank of Scotland, she transitioned to the nonprofit sector and served as chief financial officer of Partnership Schools for seven years before joining Lubetzky. Karen has been a LifeWay Network safe house volunteer since 2018 and is grateful for the opportunity to contribute to LifeWay’s mission against human trafficking and helping survivors rebuild their lives.
Marianne C. Mocarski, LMSW
Marianne Mocarski was drawn to the work of LifeWay Network because she was horrified that in our current day we were treating people like possessions, and treating them brutally. She wanted to do something to make a difference. Having a master’s in social work and being an administrator in social work agencies for children and families since 1982, Marianne felt she could bring her skills and experience to provide knowledge in program planning and organizational development. Her deep commitment to people in need continues to draw her to the mission of LifeWay Network.
Lifeway Corporation Members
Sisters of Charity of New York, represented by Carol de Angelo, SCNY
Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary, represented by Rosamond Blanchet, RSHM
Sisters of St. Dominic of Amityville, represented by Peggy McVetty
Sisters of St. Joseph Brentwood, represented by Tesa Fitzgerald