Board of Trustees
Carla K. Mato, Chair
Carla’s love for music throughout her life and her personal experience caring for her mother with Alzheimer’s inspired her to seek to use music as a vehicle to touch people’s hearts and change the world through philanthropy. Carla has sought to make the world a better place throughout her life. She volunteered to rebuild homes in poverty-stricken areas of the US as a young person. As a high school senior, she was honored with a “Service to the People” Award from Springfield Township High School in Montgomery County, PA. She holds a BA degree in Deaf Studies from Boston University and has worked as an American Sign Language Interpreter since 1994. While a college student, she volunteered at soup kitchens and women’s prisons. She was honored with an “Outstanding Service” Award in 2000 by the NJ Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf. She participates in community theatre and serves as a member of Flow Follies, a nonprofit organization that raises funds for high school student scholarships. She is a part of a singing group that volunteers to sing for seniors in residence homes. Carla strongly believes that, no matter our means, giving to transform the world is a mark of our humanity.
Rachel Bennett
Rachel Bennett is a Marketing Communications professional, and throughout her career in Silicon Valley has established credibility for companies including Amazon, Apple, and Marvell. She received her BA from the University of California at Berkeley. She lives on an island in the San Francisco Bay, with her husband and daughter. When they were just kids, Rachel and Carla Mato both worked at the public library where Rachel found a book on sign language. She now credits herself with kicking off Carla’s impressive career as an American Sign Language Interpreter. Rachel believes in the influence of music, which she considers to be some combination of poetry, mathematics, energy, and alchemy.
Jamie Chumas
Jamie is Associate Director of Quality Systems for Becton Dickinson.
He has a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Drexel University.
Jamie is also a drummer and vocalist in 2 philanthropic cover bands, Martha Quinn College (80s) and Apollo 13 (60s and 70s). These bands have raised thousands of dollars for charities supporting cancer research, autism and wounded veterans among others.
Steven Fornasieri
Steven is a Financial Advisor at Ameriprise Financial with his practice located in Paramus, NJ. Over the last 25 years, he has provided full service financial planning, investment management, insurance, retirement, education, and estate planning strategies . He earned his accounting degree from Villanova University and spent several years working in public accounting providing auditing and tax planning services. He has his CPA designation. Steven served as a board trustee member for Vantage Health Systems for over 15 years. Vantage Health System, located in Dumont NJ, provides opportunities for wellness through integrated mental and physical healthcare, support services and affordable housing. In Steven’s spare time he performs in community musical theatre. He has shared the stage with his children many times in musicals such as Cinderella, Sound of Music, Christmas Carole, The Little Mermaid, Shrek, Footloose, Mary Poppins, among others. Steven is excited to support the Mato Music Fund mission to change the world through philanthropic music.
Kevin Dyels
Kevin is a State Director of Community interpreting for Sorenson Communications and a former member of the Board of Directors Quest: Visual Theatre for everyone. Originally from northern California, Kevin has split has his career between ASL interpreter and holding management positions in the Washington DC area. He received his BA in Theater from the University of Maryland and presents workshops regularly nationally and internationally.
Kevin holds a partner position at a performing arts interpreting company called First Chair Interpreted Productions. In his spare time, he coordinates, conferences, mentors emerging interpreters, teaches at community college, and works as a professional sound designer and disc jockey. He believes that access to the arts for everyone opens hearts and changes lives. He has a life partner and owns a kitty named Sylvestre.
