Leadership
Chair/Executive Director, Jessica “Remo” Saul, often referred to as Remo (short for “Remolina”) due to her being a “whirlwind” of energy, is the founder and owner of the Art of Stepping Organization & Foundation (AOS). AOS is the first organization in the U.S. to build a nationwide curriculum-based program that teaches stepping based on mathematical formulas. HER GOAL: To ensure individuals of all ages have access to artistic programs, especially those in undeserved communities, that encourages & promotes both education and healthy lifestyles. In 2010, AOS was the proud recipient of the President’s Council Fitness, Sports and Nutrition Award for its mission in aiding the fight against childhood obesity and other related diseases. In 2012, AOS has grown to 7 different states offering services to over 2,500+ individuals nationwide. Currently she has expanded her brand to own and operate the World of Step which has operations in Peru, West Africa and the United States.
Born & raised in New York by Dominican and Puerto Rican parents, she currently resides in the Bronx and is a mother of 1 daughter.
Vice Chair, Jennifer Cumberbatch, served on the OPBF Scholarships Committee 2020-2022. She was instrumental in verifying OPBF scholarships vía Verified Scholarships to ensure its legitimacy. Jennifer was also key in streamlining communications between the applicant and organization. Prior to this, Jennifer served on the committee that helped OPBF establish its 501(c)(3) status, and she played a role in ensuring that status was finalized. We are excited to continue to work with Jennifer as a member of the OPBF Board of Directors. Her guidance will contribute to our future success.
Jennifer is currently a Recruitment Professional at LevelUP talent advisory services company and transformational coach. Combining over 22 years of corporate business experience in Finance, HR, Strategy, together with an MBA in Organizational Management, MS in Banking, Professional Coaching and Energy Healing certifications, her personal mission is to develop and cultivate talent guiding people to the right connections and resources so they can align with their own personal and professional missions. With a robust skill set that includes overseeing strategic initiatives, organizational leadership, coordinating large scale events, public speaking, employee engagement, creating and building jr. talent programming and mentoring initiatives globally and more, Jennifer Cumberbatch contributes valuable insights to the industry she serves in.
Jennifer currently resides in Westchester, New York with her husband and two children.
Treasurer, Darrion Alford, has been a member of the Marketing committee. He has been instrumental in ensuring our branding, communication and marketing aligns with the marketing strategy set forth. In addition, Darrion has supported the Scholarships committee as part of the review team. He is passionate about current initiatives such as the OPBF Power of Community and The Planting Seeds Campaign. Darrion is a successful administrator with years of experience across multiple backgrounds of service. He has held many titles such as VP of Internal Operations, Director of Operations and Business Operations Manager. As an incoming Board of Director, he will bring a fresh perspective to OPBF, while continuing his lifelong work of service to our communities. We are thrilled to continue to work with Darrion and look forward to his accomplishments in the coming year.
Secretary, Ruth Nydia Venegas, (She, Her, Ella) is an Early Childhood Intervention Coordinator for the Office of Community Engagement and Neighborhood Health Partnership (OCEAN-HP) at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC). Her work includes engaging and building partnerships with Chicago’s schools, parks, school-based health centers, and grassroots community stakeholders. Ruth has over ten years of experience providing evidence-based nutrition and uses an equity lens to impact policy, systems, and environmental change. Her efforts promote and encourage families and school-based staff to make healthier choices and increase physical activity to prevent obesity and other chronic diseases. Ruth holds a Master’s in Public Health from the UIC School of Public Health, with a concentration in Health Policy and Administration.