im•ma•te•ri•al

IM.MATERIAL GLOBAL IS A 501C3 FOUNDATION WORKING TO BUILD STRONG, SUSTAINABLE
COMMUNITIES IN DEVELOPING NATIONS.

LITTLE MARVIN – PRESIDENT

Little Marvin is a television producer, writer, director & host. After traveling to Haiti last April in the wake of the earthquake, he was determined to be of service to the people of Haiti in a hand's on, tangible way. A month later, im.material global was born. "We all have instances where we feel compelled to do more than we ever have for those in need", he says. "Founding im.material has taught me that there's never a better time to act on that impulse than right now."

PATRICK SIMEON – VICE-PRESIDENT

Patrick Georges Simeon always had a desire to help people. Born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti on March 5, 1970, Patrick lived in Haiti until he was nine years old, when he migrated to Brooklyn, New York with his mother, Marie Simeon and his two siblings Dimetry and Herby Simeon.  Patrick attended Samuel Tilden High School in Brooklyn and continued his education at New York Technical College, which led to working at Harlem Hospital in medical supplies distribution for many years. His desire to help led him next to a collaboration with The New York Women of Destiny ministry to raise funds for low-income children to attend summer camp. When the catastrophic earthquake hit Haiti on January 12, 2010, Patrick decided that he couldn't just sit back and watch. He made a decision to return to Haiti after not being in the country for 30 years. That decision to return to Haiti was easy because the people were suffering.  Since the earthquake Patrick has gone back to Haiti numerous times to assist doctors and help the citizens and has purchased tents, clothing, food and supplies for the Haitian community.  Patrick recently helped to organize an event with The National Organization for the Advancement of Haitians, to raise funds to help the people of Haiti.

MANDY GROFF

A native of Omaha, Nebraska, Mandy Groff has worked in the non-profit sector for more than 7 years. Since moving to New York City 5 years ago she has served as Director of Development for Boys & Girls Clubs of America. In her current role she focuses on raising money through special events and has raised more than $12M during her tenure. Previously, Mandy served for 2 years as Director of Development at a local Boys & Girls Club in Los Angeles, CA. When not raising money for a good cause, Mandy loves to travel, practice yoga and is an avid runner – participating in the 2002 Chicago Marathon, the NYC Marathon in 2009 and again in 2010.

DR. GUNY GABRIEL

Dr. Guny Gabriel is a General and Trauma Surgeon with over 25 years of experience. Currently, he is employed as a surgical attending at Wyckoff Heights Medical Center and Flushing Hospital located in Brooklyn and Queens, NY respectively. The poverty, desolation, and urgent medical care in Haiti has drawn him to travel to Haiti five to six times a year to help Haiti. As a surgical volunteer with NOAH (National Organization for the advancement of Haitians) for victims during the early and later phase of post earthquake period, Dr Gabriel set up emergency clinics with a team of 5 doctors and Patrick Simeon. He is a Board member of an Apostolic Church Vocational school located in Petit-Goave, Haiti since 1992 and Le Manoir du L'espoir Orphanage in Santos, Croix des bouquets, Haiti since 1995 and a surgical volunteer at Macaron Hospital located in Cayes Jacmel, Haiti. Dr. Gabriel has also co-produced Haitian films Le XIeme commendement and Les Sentiers de la Passion

SEBASTIEN LePELLETIER

Born and raised in Paris, France, Sebastien Le Pelletier is the founder and director of gallery nine5 in New York City. Sebastien's expertise and passion of the art world spans over 12 years and three continents. His distinct approach, highlighting international aboriginal and cutting edge street art, is as diverse as his upbringing, which he credits for his unwavering curiosity. Sebastien is committed to supporting causes that help make the world a better place. Through gallery nine5's online project prints995 a portion of the proceeds is donated to charity: water, an organization helping to provide one of the most basic human needs, water. Sebastien's involvement in im.material also reflects his desire to help provide another basic necessity to those in need, shelter.

JADE DRESSLER

Jade Dressler is a Creative Director for over 25 years, who has designed branding concepts, content, design, events and public relations for international luxury and pop-culture lifestyle brands with a goal to merge the arts, the environment, business and community. She is honored to serve the people of Haiti with im.material. Through her companies, PLANT, a creative representation agency and Jade Dressler Communications, a PR firm, Jade has been engaged by lifestyle brands such as Aveda, Design Within Reach, Luxottica, Louis Vuitton, Oscar de la Renta and Natural Product Expos and has created campaigns and original programming for American Express Publishing, Hachette Filipacchi, International Art Expo, HGTV, The Sundance Channel, The Luxury Marketing Council, Macy's, Speedo, Sunglass Hut, VH1 and Yahoo. Her philanthropic work with organizations such as BPeace, Bioneers, City Harvest, NYC Opera, NYC Ballet and Vitamin Relief USA reflects her passions for art, peace and sustainability. An early green and sustainability activist, she has been involved in eco-friendly and organic business ventures since the 1990s. As Creative Director at Blue Fish, an artisan organic clothing company and member of Social Venture Network and Business For Social Responsibility, Jade directed the eco-sustainable design of stores and community and green product development programs including an Aid To Artisans project in Ghana. As Marketing and Communications Director she was on the development team designing a DPO with pioneering corporate responsibility leaders and board members, Ben & Jerry's Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield and Stonyfield Farm's Gary Hirshberg, an experience which strengthened Jade's core philosophy, knowledge and practices in life, business and philanthropy.

IRMA BRAVO

Irma Bravo is a designer who creates patterns for a wide variety of surfaces and media. She develops design ideas for clients worldwide while working closely with artisans in Venezuela who collaborate with her accessories line JungleCHICk.