Adrian is the founder & CEO of Funding Innovation Network, a company on a mission to empower the startup ecosystem with access and information.  Prior, he worked in global financial services for over 20 years at Credit Suisse and the Corporate and Investment Bank at Citigoup. He also serves on the advisory boards of several technology startups.

Adrian was introduced to SOUL RYEDERS in 2016 shortly after moving to Rye with his wife April, and their young twins, when April was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.  April was able to publicly express what SOUL RYEDERS meant to her and her family in a speech at the organization’s ten-year anniversary celebration in Rye Town Park, prior to her passing in December of 2017.  Adrian has remained an active participant in the organization, serving on the Grant Committee and the Giving Circle Advisory Board.

Adrian is also currently on the Board of Directors of WellLife Network, a not-for-profit offering health and wellness programs to 8,500 individuals in NYC’s five boroughs, Long Island, Westchester County, and New Jersey.

It is difficult to know where to start when I think about my involvement with SOUL RYEDERS. In April 2006, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. In that same moment I was also told that I would need a mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation and then a year more of yet another drug. I was told that that would be my chance to live.

I am the “in honor of” person who Sandy refers to in her bio.

Since that time I have watched in awe as SOUL RYEDERS, which did not exist when I was first diagnosed, has blossomed and grown into the truly remarkable organization that it is today. An organization that impacts other local cancer-related programs thought grant making, is creating and funding programs that support and contribute to the emotional and physical well-being of ALL impacted by the disease and a group of the most driven, kind, dedicated, passionate and fearless folks I have ever met.

I have remained a part of SOUL RYEDERS because I can think of no better way to honor the support of family and friends throughout my battle. The hope, kindness and presence that allows for help to be asked for at a time when help is truly needed is the most beautiful gift we can give. SOUL RYEDERS does that every day for the community and it is an honor to be a part.

In my professional life, I am the Executive Director of Project Morry, a year-round youth development organization anchored by a residential summer camp experience, that works with young people from under-resourced communities. I believe in young people and am committed to anti-oppression education.

I live in Sleepy Hollow, NY, have an amazing Mom and Dad, two brothers who I get to call my best friends, sister in laws who are awesome, four nieces and a nephew, by blood, and two nephews by love, all of whom I could not live without!

Zach Gibbs is a Co-Founder + Managing Partner at The Shade Store. Headquartered in Port Chester, NY- The Shade Store is a family-run, premium custom window treatment company operating on- line and through showrooms nationwide.

Born and raised in Larchmont, Zach excelled in local athletics and most recently found a new passion within the CrossFit community, participating in competitions throughout the tri-state. In 2013 he moved to Rye with his wife, Allison and were immediately drawn to the SOUL RYEDERS mission.

Zach is a graduate of Quinnipiac University (2005) and has two young children in the RCSD.

It is my greatest pleasure to currently spend most of my time as a busy mother of four in Bedford, NY. My husband Neal and I are actually both from the suburbs of Chicago and attended the University of Michigan, but somehow landed in Northern Westchester NY almost 20 years ago.

It is very important to our family to be involved in philanthropic organizations that are meaningful to us and to our larger community.  Through my many mutual connections to Sandy Samberg and to my college roommate, Kerri Winderman, I first became involved with SOUL RYEDERS when I did the Avon Walk in 2009 and 2010 and later participated on the Triathlon team, as well. 

Recently, I have witnessed many members of my community who are battling cancer, connect with SOUL RYEDERS in very meaningful ways.  It is clear that this organization is an amazing resource no matter where you live, and I hope that I can help spread the outreach even wider, in order to increase awareness for those who need it and involvement for those who can help.

My happiest moments are spent working closely with many young families in our communities through my parent education business, SAGEadviceforparents, or enjoying outdoor travel adventures with my family and our dog, Bamba, or curling up with a book for some cherished alone time.

I became involved with SOUL RYEDERS after my first Avon Walk in 2007 where each and every one of my co-walkers inspired me by their spirit and tenacity in finishing their 39 mile goal. This same group keeps the mission of SOUL RYEDERS as part of their daily life and I feel fortunate to be surrounded by their commitment.

My day job has been in the real estate profession for 30 years and I am currently the Vice President and Managing Broker for Julia B Fee Sotheby’s International Realty. Our company has always considered our relationship with SOUL RYEDERS as an extraordinary way to give back to our community and many of our brokers have joined the SOUL RYEDERS family.

I have enjoyed working with the Rye YMCA as the chair of board development and initiating an auxiliary board and I am currently a fond supporter of My Sister’s Place of Westchester County. My husband Michael and I will celebrate our 30th anniversary this upcoming year with our 4 children, Stephanie, Kelly, Robert and Matthew.

Kimberly LaPointe is an Executive Vice President with PGIM Investments where she leads the Global Account Team. She has built an extensive background in the financial services sector since graduating from Ohio Wesleyan University. Kimberly has been involved with SOUL RYEDERS since 2009 through numerous programs and events including the Giving Circle and Avon Walk. The mission of Soul Ryeders is near and dear to her heart as her mother, father and husband are cancer survivors. Currently her daughter is an intern with the organization so it is truly a family effort. Kimberly lives in Port Chester with her family.

Bill Miller is a member of Cahill Gordon & Reindel LLP’s corporate practice group, representing leading investment banking firms, commercial banks and public and private corporations. He has practiced at Cahill since graduating from Fordham Law School in 1999, where he served as Managing Editor of the Urban Law Journal (1998-99). Bill holds an M.A. from Yale University and a B.A. from College of the Holy Cross. In addition to SOUL RYEDERS, Bill is also a Board Member of St. Ignatius, Rye Youth Soccer and Resurrection CYO and also volunteers his time and expertise with Catholic Charities and Part of the Solution (POTS).

After participating in the 39 mile Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in 2006 in memory of one friend, in honor of another, and a year after having open heart surgery, I decided to start a team for the 2007 Avon Walk. Little did I know that this would be the beginning of what SOUL RYEDERS is today…its own 501(c)3 non-profit organization which supports anyone in the New York Tri-State area impacted by any type of cancer.

In addition to providing personalized resources and developing several innovative programs, we also award grants to other local cancer-related organizations. This growth would not have been possible without our tireless, passionate and committed Leadership Team, Board of Directors and volunteers. In December 2020, I made the difficult decision to transition from my role as Executive Director in order to pursue other philanthropic and personal interests.  A friend likened growing SOUL RYEDERS to raising children and letting them fly independently.  I feel exceedingly confident that the organization will soar!  I will always be a part of SOUL RYEDERS and plan to continue my involvement as a committed Board member, strategic advisor, Giving Circle member and Client Navigator.

On a personal level, I grew up in Chappaqua, NY and am very happily married to my high school sweetheart, Joe. We have lived in Rye, NY since 2002 and have two sons who have officially flown from the nest. My professional background is as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. While I am not currently in clinical practice, I use my previous experience in a variety of ways. In addition to SOUL RYEDERS, I have been involved with several other organizations including the Port Chester Carver Center, Heard in Rye, the Ken Hamilton Caregivers Center at Northern Westchester Hospital, and Project Morry. I serve/have served on the boards of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Nursing, the Rye YMCA, Northern Westchester Hospital Foundation, and the Fred Gabler Helping Hand Camp Fund. In addition to my true passion of helping people, I enjoy spending time with family & friends, exercising, traveling & experiencing different cultures, learning new things, meeting new people, listening to interesting podcasts, and curling up by the fireplace with a good book & a glass of wine!

When my husband and I were first looking to move out of NYC, we began reaching out to friends with kids who had preceded us in their suburban flight from the city. Always a valuable resource, I reached out to Sandy Samberg, with whom I grew up and went to college. Not only did she help me find our house in Rye, but within days of moving in, she introduced me to SOUL RYEDERS. After doing my first Avon walk in October 2008, I decided SOUL RYEDERS was an organization I would be thrilled to be a part of. And, from 2008 on, I have remained committed to helping make SOUL RYEDERS a ubiquitous part of the Rye community. Although I have not walked in the Avon walk in the past couple of years, I am honored to be on the SOUL RYEDERS Board of Directors and remain involved in multiple initiatives.

After practicing law for 13 years (at Willkie Farr & Gallagher, Citigroup and Morgan Stanley), I joined Park Hill Group as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) in October 2011. In February 2015, I joined Blackstone’s Tactical Opportunities Group where I worked as CAO until June 2018. In June 2018, I became COO of Pine Brook Partners, a private equity firm focused on growth investments in energy and financial services. While I spend my weekdays working in New York City, my weekends revolve around my family, including my two kids – Sophie (13) and Sam (12). As it has for me, SOUL RYEDERS has become a big part of their lives, and they appreciate knowing they are a part of something greater and are making a difference in the community in which we live.

When not driving our kids to the soccer field, ski slopes or playing on the beach, we enjoy traveling, spending time with friends and volunteering in the broader Westchester community

Brian G. Smith is a Partner in the Individual Client Services department at Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP.  He has practiced trusts and estates law ever since graduating from St. John’s University School of Law in 2008, where he was an Articles Editor of the St. John’s Law Review.  Brian received a B.A. from Duke University in 2005, where he double majored in Public Policy and History.

Brian was born and raised in Rye, graduating from Rye High School in 2001 where he was the captain of the RHS tennis team (and played on various other sports teams and participated in a number of school and community organizations).  Brian currently lives in Larchmont with his wife, Audrey, and their three young children.

Brian was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in April 2017, underwent six months of chemotherapy and has been in remission since September of that year.  As a Hodgkin’s lymphoma survivor, Brian was drawn to the SOUL RYEDERS mission and is eager to help members of the community who are or have been affected by cancer.

Erika Ungar is a school social worker in White Plains.  She is dedicated to ensuring children and their families feel empowered and valued. She received her masters in social work from NYU over 20 years ago and has worked with children in schools ever since.
Erika is passionate about fitness and believes strongly in the mind and body connection.  She knows the importance of mental health and finds many correlations between a healthy body and a healthy mind.  She became aware of SOUL RYEDERS through a friend who hosted a benefit class at  a gym where she belonged
She is passionate about helping  others find strength within themselves while being supported  so they never feel alone.  Erika is excited to become more involved with the SOUL RYEDERS community.  Erika was recently married.   She and her husband Eric live in the Bronx.

I first became a SOUL RYEDER when I participated in the Avon Walks in both 2009 and 2010. In the future, I hope to complete the walk in another city. I feel lucky to continue to be part of SOUL RYEDERS as a member of the Advisory Board. I have co-chaired past “Shopportunity” events and volunteered at various fundraisers. I look forward to many exciting opportunities, including organizing future SOUL RYEDERS youth events.

Currently, I work for the Rye City School District as a staff developer and testing coordinator. My role allows me to work with many talented teachers, finding ways to improve instruction and better our teaching practices. Recently, I became the Director of Community Education for My Remarkable Self, teaching parent and child workshops that focus on self-esteem, feelings, and friendship. In the summer, I am the head counselor at the sleep away camp that I attended as a child. It has been a magical experience to return to my summer home.

I live in Rye with my husband, Michael, our thirteen year old son, Tyler and our dog, Izzy. When I am not working, you can usually find me on the baseball field. In my spare time, I enjoy reading, taking long walks, traveling, and spending time with friends.

After participating in the 39 mile Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in 2006 in memory of one friend, in honor of another, and a year after having open heart surgery, I decided to start a team for the 2007 Avon Walk. Little did I know that this would be the beginning of what SOUL RYEDERS is today…its own 501(c)3 non-profit organization which supports anyone in the New York Tri-State area impacted by any type of cancer.

In addition to providing personalized resources and developing several innovative programs, we also award grants to other local cancer-related organizations. This growth would not have been possible without our tireless, passionate and committed Leadership Team, Board of Directors and volunteers. In December 2020, I made the difficult decision to transition from my role as Executive Director in order to pursue other philanthropic and personal interests.  A friend likened growing SOUL RYEDERS to raising children and letting them fly independently.  I feel exceedingly confident that the organization will soar!  I will always be a part of SOUL RYEDERS and plan to continue my involvement as a committed Board member, strategic advisor, Giving Circle member and Client Navigator.

On a personal level, I grew up in Chappaqua, NY and am very happily married to my high school sweetheart, Joe. We have lived in Rye, NY since 2002 and have two sons who have officially flown from the nest. My professional background is as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. While I am not currently in clinical practice, I use my previous experience in a variety of ways. In addition to SOUL RYEDERS, I have been involved with several other organizations including the Port Chester Carver Center, Heard in Rye, the Ken Hamilton Caregivers Center at Northern Westchester Hospital, and Project Morry. I serve/have served on the boards of the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Nursing, the Rye YMCA, Northern Westchester Hospital Foundation, and the Fred Gabler Helping Hand Camp Fund. In addition to my true passion of helping people, I enjoy spending time with family & friends, exercising, traveling & experiencing different cultures, learning new things, meeting new people, listening to interesting podcasts, and curling up by the fireplace with a good book & a glass of wine!

I became involved with SOUL RYEDERS as a team member for the Avon Walks in 2008, 2009, and 2014 thru 2017. I realized what a powerful organization SOUL RYEDERS was after my first two walks, and although I didn’t walk again for several years, I kept involved with the team participating in a few of the many valuable programs SOUL RYEDERS offers. I manage The Wig Exchange and I am a wig intake coordinator, communicating with potential donors and having their wigs sent to me for preparation to be put into our inventory. I help coordinate wig appointments with our amazing volunteer Wig Advisors for our clients.  I participate in the “Stitch & Sip” program, knitting chemo caps for those in need. After viewing “Mondays at Racine”, I knew this was a program SOUL RYEDERS could replicate and realized it was something so powerful that I wanted to get involved. I was thrilled to be asked to coordinate the scheduling of appointments and the food/drinks portion for all our lovely clients we would meet on these very uplifting Mondays. I am originally from Buffalo, NY (and believe it or not, proud of it!), and still maintain my Buffalo Bills season tickets. In addition to helping others, I enjoy sports, traveling, reading, baking, working out, knitting, and relaxing at my cabin in the Adirondack Mountains.  I love spending time with my family and friends.

I am originally from Roslyn, New York and have lived in Rye the late 1990’s. My wonderful husband, Mario and I met at Fordham University and have been together ever since. Go Rams! We are blessed to have two beautiful kids who keep us on our toes at all times! I have worked in Market Research, taught elementary school, and tried my hand at Real Estate. My true passion is animal rescue. You can usually find me fostering any number of pups for Pet Rescue in Harrison. I love spending time with family and friends, reading mystery novels, crocheting everyone in my family blankets while watching Reality TV, and being a Beach Bum.

I got involved with The Wig Exchange after donating my own wig. I read an article about Kate and Sandy and how The Wig Exchange was expanding, so I offered to volunteer. It warms my heart to see women leave with a beautiful wig and an even more beautiful smile on their face!

Being part of The Wig Exchange allows me to reach out to other women who are going through this difficult journey and offer them some hope that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

My name is Sandy Chittenden, I’m 49, a mother of two amazing daughters, a wife, realtor and a Breast Cancer survivor. Jillian graduated from Manhattanville College where she majored in Sport Studies. My youngest, Jenna, is in college and knows for sure that one of her passion’s will involve working with children. My incredibly supportive husband, Rob, is employed with the City of Rye Police. He has been a Detective for the over 30 years. In addition to selling Real Estate which is a truly enjoy, I love spending time with family and friends, travelling, going on long walks and volunteering for The Wig Exchange.

Very simply, I want to help. My first introduction to The Wig Exchange was donating my own wig, a few months later, a friend of mine was in need of a wig, I accompanied her, and I’ll never forget the feeling I experienced that day. Listening to her, making her feel OK with the journey ahead, assisting her with tips of adjusting the wig on her head, offering my honest opinion on how she looked. The entire process was so powerful and rewarding, later that year I became a Client Coordinator and continue to feel so privileged to help women affected by hair loss and honored to be part of such an amazing team and organization.

Recently diagnosed cancer patients are overwhelmed on so many levels, not to mention the out of pocket costs and expenses. The Wig Exchange is unique because we provide high quality, gently used wigs at a minimal rental cost, all of the Client Coordinator are cancer survivors so the ease of meeting with someone who has been there and done that is inspiring and comforting.

I am originally from Rochester, NY and have lived in Rye since 2002. I met my husband Steven in college and we have three beautiful daughters, ages 10, 8 and 3. I worked for a major financial services firm for over 17 years until I decided to leave the stress behind and become a stay-at-home Mom. It was the best decision I ever made. I like to spend time with friends and family and enjoy running, hiking and cooking. In addition to the work I do as a Client Coordinator for The Wig Exchange, I am also involved in Mondays with SOUL RYEDERS, a program which enables women undergoing cancer treatment to receive complimentary salon services and emotional support. I am also a catechist for the Resurrection PREP program and volunteer on several PTO Committees.

After being diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2013, I had a bilateral mastectomy. Soon after, I met with my oncologist and he warned me that the hardest part of chemotherapy would be the hair loss. I shrugged it off at the time thinking “it’s just hair” but it is a big deal and it can be a rough time in the journey to recovery. I got in touch with Sandy Samberg and found a wig that made me feel and look normal. Prior to chemotherapy treatment, I also had my own hair made into a Hip Hat with Hair. I had a great selection of fancy fedoras and other hats that, paired with my wig, made me look like my old self. Through my experience, I knew I wanted to become more involved and help others faced with the same issues.

As cancer survivors ourselves, our Client Coordinators are able to connect with clients on a very personal and emotional level. Newly-diagnosed women have many questions and concerns and we are able to lend an ear and provide comfort that goes far beyond finding the perfect wig.

I became a part of SOUL RYEDERS in 2008 when I joined the team for the Avon Walk. I expected to find a group of people committed to fighting a disease that had touched their lives in one way or another. I found that and so much more. I am honored to call them friends and so admire the endless time and energy they dedicate to a cause that is so close to my heart.

Breast cancer became real to me when my mom was diagnosed with the disease in 2001. We watched her fight a brave battle for nearly a year, which, thankfully, she won! Despite her diagnosis, I was somehow shocked when I found out I had breast cancer four years later. I am blessed to be a survivor as well thanks to the love and support of my husband, Billy, and my three little men: Will, Sean and Max, our families and friends. It was then that we realized how fortunate we are to live in this community. People we didn’t know were delivering dinners to our door. SOUL RYEDERS embodies this selflessness and spirit of community for me; I am fortunate to be a part of this group which continues to find new ways to raise money to support cancer related organizations in our own backyard and comes up with new ways to make the lives of those fighting the disease a little easier.

I have enjoyed being involved in many different initiatives with SOUL RYEDERS. I was honored to sit on the Advisory Board. I share my experience with people who receive a devastating breast cancer diagnosis. And my involvement has become a family affair. My boys look forward to the annual bake sale. Billy pops up with them throughout the city the weekend of the Walk with posters, and they decorate sweatshirts and our car with pink ribbons. They came with me to cut my ponytail when I participated in the first Strand Together event. In a house full of boys, pink is a popular color. And that is due in no small part to SOUL RYEDERS.

I am, as my husband calls me, a lawyer in recovery. I practiced commercial litigation in NY and CT until Will was born. I now spend my time chasing my boys from field to field. I am very involved with the PTO at Resurrection and serve on the Regional Leadership Council for Nardin Academy, my high school in my beloved Buffalo, NY. When I’m not standing on the sidelines for one of the boys’ games, I like to cook, exercise and squeeze in some much needed family time!

I am a mother of three young adults, Bryan, a Civil Engineer, PE, Jack a finding himself middle child and Morgan, a Junior at University of Delaware, a English Literature & Psychology major. I have been blessed with a kind and gentle husband Scott. I have developed an entrepreneurial business in health and fitness and have recently consolidated my passions to The Studio14, Westchester’s first “Indoor Cycling and Yoga Studio”. A personal ambition of mine is to motivate those present in my life to strive toward balance, peace and harmony on a consistent basis. I love teaching and practicing yoga, playing tennis, reading, needlepoint, spending time with family and friends and volunteering for The Wig Exchange.

When I first came in contact with Sandy Samberg and learned about her and the SOUL RYEDERS organization, I knew she was someone special and someone I had to have in my life. Our journey began in yoga and with the donation of my wig for the newly developed Wig Exchange program. Sandy was familiar with my story and knew I wanted to pursue an involvement with her in some way, shape or form. While I knew I wanted to be involved, I wanted to be passionate about whatever it was. Many months later, Sandy approached me thinking she found a possible fit. Becoming a Client Coordinator for The Wig Exchange program in 2013 became true perfection. I am passionate about helping and supporting those in need and being a cancer survivor was the icing on the cake. I am able to provide women not only with high quality wigs, but also emotional support from having lived it. I am thankful and blessed to work with an unbelievable group of kind and loving individuals.

The Wig Exchange is special in many ways. The program offers ease, accessibility, minimal cost, all of which is a gift in itself. The Client Coordinators are cancer survivors and provide a different perspective. The personal connection created between the two is indescribable. Speaking with someone who has been there and survived is inspiring, hopeful and therapeutic for both.

My husband Steven and I led parallel lives before meeting each other at the Mug and Ale (the Rye Grill) in 1990. We are the parents of three amazing girls: #1 has graduated college and entered the “real world”, #2 is graduating high school and entering the fantasy college lifestyle and #3 is off to the wonder years of middle school. I am a New York State Certified K-6 Teacher and taught 3-5th grade for many years. I still continue to substitute when I can in my home district, but now have a second career in real estate as a salesperson for Julia B Fee Sothebys, which I really enjoy. I am on the board of Rye Girls Softball, A Catechist for Resurrection Prep Program, and Class Parent/PTO Volunteer. I love taking power walks on the beach boardwalk and enjoy dinners out with family and friends.

A few years ago, when Kate and Sandy had the idea for the Wig Exchange, I was their first donor. It was so great to be a small part of what has become such a big organization. I will never forget going to Kate’s house and handing over my wig, hats, and scarves that I thankfully no longer needed. I am a two time cancer veteran and am so grateful to the incredible people I met along my journey. I hope my experience can help make it slightly easier for those newly diagnosed with cancer.

I believe the intimacy of the organization makes The Wig Exchange stand out. The ability to go to someone’s home who understands what you are going through at the moment is extraordinarily special. It is a comfort zone that is needed at this fragile time in your life. Losing your hair as a side effect of cancer treatment can be quite disturbing to a woman. But getting the right wig, hats, and accessories can make your day a bit brighter. My wig made every day a “good hair day” and I hope The Wig Exchange does that for you!