ALL INCLUSIVE PERFORMING ARTS COMMUNITY

Julie Gutierrez serves as the Associate Director of Development and Alumni Affairs at Oakwood Friends School, a Quaker day and boarding school in Poughkeepsie, NY. She has worked in development, fundraising and youth services in the non-profit sector for over 20 years. Prior to her work at Oakwood, she served as the Legislative Director for Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez in Washington, DC. Combining her passion for working with youth and civic engagement, in 2003, she founded VOTE (Voices of Tomorrow Empowered), a free two-week residential program for economically marginalized Hudson Valley and New York City youth to learn about political advocacy through the arts.

Additional affiliations: Good Work Institute fellow 2017-18, Board Secretary Mental Health America of Dutchess County, Former Board Member American Foundation for Suicide Prevention – Hudson Valley Chapter. Education: B.A., Community Development, New York University M.S., Urban Affairs, Hunter College. Leaders by Choice welcomes Mrs. Julie Gutierrez and looks forward to consulting with her as we persue future grants.

Imam Dr. Salahuddin M. Muhammad served as chaplain at NYS Department of Corrections for thirty years, providing spiritual guidance and empowering Muslim inmates to break the vicious cycle of recidivism. He has led urban, suburban, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural communities through his decades of service including: Masjid Al Ikhlas (Newburgh, NY) and As Salaam Islamic Center (Raleigh, NC). He served as President of the Association of Muslim Chaplains for the past seven years, and is now President Emeritus. He has also been an adjunct professor at four colleges teaching a World Religion course. He is currently the Vice President of the Muslim Endorsement Council (MEC). He is also a Board member of  Muslim Alliance in North America (MANA). Salahuddin obtained a Doctor of Ministry degree in Islamic Studies-Christian/Muslim relations from Hartford Seminary and an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Humane Letters from Global Workers of God Seminary and University (GODSU). He is presently the Dean of Islamic Studies at GODSU.  He has been married to Fonda Kitt for almost four decades, has five children, ten grandchildren, and two great grandchildren. Leaders by Choice welcomes Imam Dr. Salahuddin M. Muhammad and looks forward to consulting with him on ethical and moral issues.