OUR TEAM
BOARD MEMBERS:
Mark Laster
Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Mark Laster, born and raised in the Bronx, settling in Rego Park. He attended Queens College for his BA and received his MSW from Columbia. He is a member of Queens Community Board #6, serving as the co-chair of the Aging Social Services and Disability Committee and the Vice Chair Secretary of the community board. He is the founder and co-chair of the Forest Hills Green Team and the co-chair of the Central Queens United Independent Democratic Club (CQuID). The Borough President has appointed him to the Queens Civic Engagement Committee. Mark has been married for 38 years and has three children.
Maria Arnaud
María Arnaud was born in Havana, Cuba, and grew up in a lovely family of professionals along with two sisters, until December 1997, when Maria arrived in the US full of dreams. Maria’s first work at a nonprofit Hispanic organization in Hempstead, New York, was a turning point in her life as she realized that her mission was to combine her professional skills and passion with the wellbeing of the community. Over the last 15 years, María's commitment has led her to work and volunteered for non-profit organizations such as Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Teach for America, Grameen Vida Sana, Year Up, Dress for Success, New York Immigration Coalition, Make the Road NY, New York Cares, Elmhurst Community Partnership, and Together We Can Community Resource Center. Ms. Maria holds a Bachelor of Science in engineering from Moscow, and a master’s degree in international affairs from Colombia University in NY. Maria enjoys helping young immigrant families with children reach their educational, job and training-related goals and spends her spare time with family and friends, reading and helping others.
María Arnaud nació en La Habana, Cuba, y creció en una hermosa familia de profesionales junto con dos hermanas, hasta diciembre de 1997, cuando María llegó a los Estados Unidos llena de sueños. El primer trabajo de María en una organización hispana sin fines de lucro en Hempstead, Nueva York, fue un punto de inflexión en su vida cuando se dio cuenta de que su misión era combinar sus habilidades profesionales y su pasión con el bienestar de la comunidad. En los últimos 15 años, el compromiso de María la ha llevado a trabajar y ser voluntaria en organizaciones sin fines de lucro como Local Initatives Support Corporation, Teach for America, Public Health Solutions, Year Up; Dress for Success, New York Immigration Coalition, Make the Road NY, New York Cares, Elmhurst Community Partnership y Together We Can Community Resource Center. La Sra. María tiene una licenciatura en ingeniería de Moscú y una maestría en asuntos internacionales de la Universidad de Colombia en Nueva York. María disfruta ayudar a las familias inmigrantes jóvenes con niños a alcanzar sus metas educativas y de capacitación laboral y pasa su tiempo libre con familiares y amigos, leyendo y ayudando a los demás.