OUR BOARD
Matt Jared, Founder and Executive Director
Matt Jared, RYT 200 and Lululemon Ambassador, long dabbled in the joys of yoga and meditation but it wasn't until meeting his wife Jenny Jared that he truly began his journey into the depths of the internal infinite.
Having been involved in the entertainment industry since childhood, in late 2013, Matt decided to devote himself full-time to the practices of yoga and meditation, while utilizing the skills he acquired as a producer to share the power of practice in a greater way.
A lover of logistics, fundraising and turning thoughts into things, Matt found his happy place supporting service focused yoga teachers and sharing the life changing practices of yoga with communities lacking access.
Matt feels blessed beyond belief to be sharing this journey with his wife and family, surrounded by the love of the United We Om tribe.
Having been involved in the entertainment industry since childhood, in late 2013, Matt decided to devote himself full-time to the practices of yoga and meditation, while utilizing the skills he acquired as a producer to share the power of practice in a greater way.
A lover of logistics, fundraising and turning thoughts into things, Matt found his happy place supporting service focused yoga teachers and sharing the life changing practices of yoga with communities lacking access.
Matt feels blessed beyond belief to be sharing this journey with his wife and family, surrounded by the love of the United We Om tribe.
Jenny Jared, Founder and Programming Director
Jenny Jared (E-RYT 500+, YACEP) has been teaching yoga for almost 20 years and the practice has had a profound and life-changing impact in her life.
It is her mission to see her beloved community open its arms and include everyone, and she believes she will see a day when the practices of yoga that have been so transformative in her life belong to everyone. It is an amazing journey of service and love. She is deeply grateful to have her partner and husband Matt with her on this journey.
Since founding United We Om she's been blessed to share yoga and meditation practice with homeless mothers, patients in an eating disorder treatment clinic, teenage girls in foster care, and patients on an inpatient psychiatric ward. She has learned as much from them as they have learned from her.
It is her mission to see her beloved community open its arms and include everyone, and she believes she will see a day when the practices of yoga that have been so transformative in her life belong to everyone. It is an amazing journey of service and love. She is deeply grateful to have her partner and husband Matt with her on this journey.
Since founding United We Om she's been blessed to share yoga and meditation practice with homeless mothers, patients in an eating disorder treatment clinic, teenage girls in foster care, and patients on an inpatient psychiatric ward. She has learned as much from them as they have learned from her.
Lauren Ruggiero, Director of Operations
Yoga became part of Lauren’s routine in college. It became an outlet. In moments of chaos, she turned to her practice. Finding peace in the movement, breath, and community. Understanding that these tools are here to guide us back to ourselves. Lauren realized these gifts are too powerful not to share. She believes the purpose of life is to help others. To work on ourselves daily in order to better serve the world.
“There is a reason it’s called uni-verse. We are all connected. We are united. We are one. You do this work not just for yourself but for the greater good of all.”
Lauren began her teaching journey in 2019. She obtained her 200 hour certification with Gritty Buddha's Life Enrichment Program. A few weeks after she attended United We Om’s Karmic Yoga training and planted the seed then to be part of this inspiring organization.
Lauren became a mom in 2020 and decided to enhance her toolbox with Children’s yoga obtaining her certification through Yogi Beans. She is a certified Second Degree Reiki healer and in 2021 she completed a 100 hour Meditation Certification from Two Point Om.
“There are no mistakes, only lessons. There are no coincidences, only things happening on purpose. I learned so much from working in Corporate America for 11 years. It led me back to myself. It gave me the space and knowledge I needed to be exactly where I am today. I am grateful and excited to merge my skills and continue to watch my path unfold.”
“There is a reason it’s called uni-verse. We are all connected. We are united. We are one. You do this work not just for yourself but for the greater good of all.”
Lauren began her teaching journey in 2019. She obtained her 200 hour certification with Gritty Buddha's Life Enrichment Program. A few weeks after she attended United We Om’s Karmic Yoga training and planted the seed then to be part of this inspiring organization.
Lauren became a mom in 2020 and decided to enhance her toolbox with Children’s yoga obtaining her certification through Yogi Beans. She is a certified Second Degree Reiki healer and in 2021 she completed a 100 hour Meditation Certification from Two Point Om.
“There are no mistakes, only lessons. There are no coincidences, only things happening on purpose. I learned so much from working in Corporate America for 11 years. It led me back to myself. It gave me the space and knowledge I needed to be exactly where I am today. I am grateful and excited to merge my skills and continue to watch my path unfold.”
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Alicia Carlson
Alicia is an educator's educator. She serves as the Teacher Leader for a NYC alternative high school. Her school is dedicated to serving over age and under-credited students who have been traditionally unsuccessful in other high schools. She has been a student of yoga for as long as she has been an educator. Working with students in classrooms and in yoga studios, Alicia knows that teaching is a gift students give to her, and has been a path of continued personal and spiritual growth, unlearning and questioning the social norms and paths.
Her devotion to the queer community stems from a devotion to the connection to the self. This is why working with United We Om and practicing yoga with LGBTQ+ youth was so invaluable for her and her own growth.. She is grateful for United We Om and the space they hold for all.
Her devotion to the queer community stems from a devotion to the connection to the self. This is why working with United We Om and practicing yoga with LGBTQ+ youth was so invaluable for her and her own growth.. She is grateful for United We Om and the space they hold for all.
Nelson Castro
Nelson Castro immigrated from Colombia and with United We Om has shared bi-lingual yoga, breathing and meditation with immigrant minors in foster care, low-income adults, and teens living in supportive housing. He is a Regional Manager in the North East for lululemon and a champion of Here To Be, their social impact platform.
"Yoga allows me to see other people within myself, it gives me access to empathy and compassion to myself. When I can access this space, I can share it with others. On and off the mat, or floor (depends on the Karma Project). At United We Om, this is very important because no matter the human being in front of me, I see pieces of myself and together in practice, I can bring equity. No matter the floor or mat, or person. We can all Yoga together."
Regina Smith
Regina Smith is the founder of Gritty Buddha, a center for concious community, in Glen Cove NY. She is a lululemon Ambassador and has overseen the training and continuing education of over 1100 yoga teachers nation wide as former National Director of Yoga for a Life Time Athletic.
Regina now spends her energy leading enlightened experiences and education through the Gritty Buddha, focusing on karmic work through United We Om, leading global yoga retreats and coaching leaders in strengths based empowerment based on the work of the Marcus Buckingham Company.
Regina now spends her energy leading enlightened experiences and education through the Gritty Buddha, focusing on karmic work through United We Om, leading global yoga retreats and coaching leaders in strengths based empowerment based on the work of the Marcus Buckingham Company.
Morgan Rose
Morgan Rose (RYT 500) has been teaching yoga since 2012.
Yoga has always been an outlet for my creativity, a way for me to understand myself and the space I take up in this world. It began as a salve to treat my unsettled soul and has morphed into a salve to treat my ever-expanding heart. I’ve come to know myself more deeply through teaching yoga and meditation with the women of Mommas House. It’s taught me about the duty I have to share this practice and also about how we as yoga teachers have a duty to keep this content accessible. The teacher I am today is because of my work with United We Om. My offering is less about structure and more about human connection, breaking down barriers and really seeing each other. United We Om has allowed me to grow that in my heart and share that with my community. There is no greater gift or offering.
Yoga has always been an outlet for my creativity, a way for me to understand myself and the space I take up in this world. It began as a salve to treat my unsettled soul and has morphed into a salve to treat my ever-expanding heart. I’ve come to know myself more deeply through teaching yoga and meditation with the women of Mommas House. It’s taught me about the duty I have to share this practice and also about how we as yoga teachers have a duty to keep this content accessible. The teacher I am today is because of my work with United We Om. My offering is less about structure and more about human connection, breaking down barriers and really seeing each other. United We Om has allowed me to grow that in my heart and share that with my community. There is no greater gift or offering.
Doreen Gamell
Doreen Gamell is a lifelong student of spirituality. She has served as a Cantor, a Chaplain at Beth Israel Hospital, NYC and Hospice Chaplain at the Jacob Perlow Hospice, NYC. She is a Fellow of the Institute for Jewish Spirituality, a nationwide community of clergy joining together for study, mindfulness practice and yoga as an embodied practice.
Doreen is also a longtime student of Buddhism. Having had her own meditation practice for many years, she has studied with Pema Chodron, Anam Thubten, Norman Fisher, and various teachers in the Shambhala tradition. She is currently a member of the New York Insight Meditation Center and is working on a certification in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) a modality developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts to offer a mindfulness practice for people suffering from chronic pain and illness.
Doreen is also a longtime student of Buddhism. Having had her own meditation practice for many years, she has studied with Pema Chodron, Anam Thubten, Norman Fisher, and various teachers in the Shambhala tradition. She is currently a member of the New York Insight Meditation Center and is working on a certification in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) a modality developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts to offer a mindfulness practice for people suffering from chronic pain and illness.
BOARD ADVISORS
Tameeka Ford
Tameeka Nicole Ford, MSW, is the owner and curator of EmergeSoul, a wellness boutique established to provide wellness services and education to underserved communities. Tameeka is a Master’s level Social Worker who has emerged into a well-being educator and advocate. Tameeka is trained and certified in Yoga, Reiki, Breathwork, Senior Fitness and a host of other healing modalities. Tameeka’s heart's desire is to inspire community members into action to practice taking care of themselves daily.
Verushka Gray, DEIB Advisor
Verushka has worked in Youth Development and Education for 15 years as an out Queer Black Woman. Working with young people has taught her that you have to move at the speed of trust and that authenticity is everything. Verushka approaches her work with an attention to self-care, compassion, and awareness, all of which she believes are fundamental for transformation toward a more just society.
Verushka has successfully designed and initiated DEI-focused processes, plans, programs, workshops, trainings, dialogues, and discussions for senior leaders, people managers and staff that encourage learning, reflection, awareness, and understanding as well as community-building across difference, ultimately inspiring organizational growth and progress as well as equitable and just outcomes for diverse staff and communities.
Verushka has successfully designed and initiated DEI-focused processes, plans, programs, workshops, trainings, dialogues, and discussions for senior leaders, people managers and staff that encourage learning, reflection, awareness, and understanding as well as community-building across difference, ultimately inspiring organizational growth and progress as well as equitable and just outcomes for diverse staff and communities.
Rafael Rivera, Veteran Community Advisor
U.S. Army Veteran Rafael Rivera from Baldwin discovered the practice after being inspired by Arthur's transformation. Struggling through Post Traumatic Stress along with transitioning home in 2012 in time for Super Storm Sandy; the practice saved his life. After almost two back to back years in Afghanistan, once deployed with the 372nd MP Company as a driver and mechanic and once more as a civilian contractor working with Ideal Innovations Inc. on the Force Protection Program.
Both experiences had their unique challenges, and they took a toll on the mind the body and the soul. Having discovered the practice through Restorative and Gentle Flow yoga; Rafael continues to focus on the slower more nurturing aspect of the practice. Having lost over 100LBS Ranging from novice level classes to open level mixed with Yin yoga, the style of teaching is slow and strong with an emphasis on alignment and safety for students to get the most out of their practice
Both experiences had their unique challenges, and they took a toll on the mind the body and the soul. Having discovered the practice through Restorative and Gentle Flow yoga; Rafael continues to focus on the slower more nurturing aspect of the practice. Having lost over 100LBS Ranging from novice level classes to open level mixed with Yin yoga, the style of teaching is slow and strong with an emphasis on alignment and safety for students to get the most out of their practice
Laura Valerie Nowicki, Recovery Community Advisor
Laura Valerie Nowicki, E-RYT 200 began her yoga journey over ten years ago.
Certified in Yoga of 12-Step Recovery and Yoga of Recovery she’s been teaching for 4 1/2 years and is especially
passionate about sharing these life saving practices with those in recovery.
Laura is deeply honored to be a Karma Project teacher and advisor to the board for Unite We Om’s Recovery Programs and to grow with this beautiful community.
Certified in Yoga of 12-Step Recovery and Yoga of Recovery she’s been teaching for 4 1/2 years and is especially
passionate about sharing these life saving practices with those in recovery.
Laura is deeply honored to be a Karma Project teacher and advisor to the board for Unite We Om’s Recovery Programs and to grow with this beautiful community.
Leah and Manny Hartofelis
“We believe the tools and teachings of Yoga need to be accessible to all Humans and we have no doubt Together Everyone Achieves More. This is our Why. It is our honor and privilege to be a part of the Tribe of Board Advisors and Teachers of United We Om.”
Leah & Manny Hartofelis are the heartbeat of Breathe N Flow Yoga. For over 10 years they have been valued leaders and teachers in Yoga and Meditation.