THE BOARD
THE BOARD
THE BOARD
The Dare to Run board consists of nonprofit professionals, campaign consultants, business leaders, activists, and local political leaders.
RACHELLE SUISSA
Founder and President
Rachelle received her Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from the Milano School for Management and Urban Policy in New York City in 2017. Prior to that, Ms. Suissa completed a Master of Arts degree in Political Science with a concentration in American Government from Brooklyn College in 2010. She received her Bachelor of Arts in History and Women’s and Gender Studies from Pace University in New York City in 2008. She was currently elected to her third year as President of the Board of Dare to Run, Inc. She also currently sits on the Junior Advisory Board for the Leopold Schepp Scholarship Foundation Event Planning Committee.
Rachelle has worked in the education, nonprofit, and government sector. She taught as a Professor of American Government and Global Politics for three years at CUNY Brooklyn College. She also worked as the Manager of the Quality of Life Innovations Program for Working in Support of Education, a research competition for NYC High School Students in which they select a quality of life issue, generate a research proposal and come up with an innovative solution to the proposed issue. The finalists in the competition received scholarships to attend college. In addition to her work in the education sector, Ms. Suissa has also worked with nonprofits such as the Henry Street Settlement and Project You, Inc in the capacity of program coordinator and outreach director to advance their mission of youth employment, education and adult literacy and training. Currently she is employed as the Community Outreach Director for Amelia Home Care, an agency that provides home health services as well as therapeutic services for children and adults who need them throughout New York City.
Rachelle is committed to the mission of building the pipeline of female leaders across the country and believes in the power of women to change their communities through public service. Prior to founding Dare to Run, Ms. Suissa served on the Board of the Brooklyn-Queens Chapter of the National Organization for Women (NOW), both as President from 2006-2013 and as Vice President from 2005-2007. She attend State and National NOW Chapter meetings and served as a delegate for the organization on behalf of her chapter; she also coordinated events to promote community engagement and built up the chapter's presence significantly on social media. Ms. Suissa has also volunteered with organizations including NARAL, Planned Parenthood, and the Young Women’s Leadership Network. In addition, Ms. Suissa oversees the activities of the board of Dare to Run, the recruitment of volunteer instructors for the training program, recruitment of participants to complete the training program, as well as monthly events, board meetings and social media campaigns and visibility for the organization. Currently Rachelle serves as the Community Outreach Specialist for Able Health Care Service, a home health aide agency based in Long Island.
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Ms. Suissa currently resides in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn with her husband and 3 year old son.
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JOSEPHINE BOSCO
Board Secretary
Josephine is a passionate health care advocate with nearly 20 years of nonprofit experience. She has worked with youth, train-the-trainer women infant and children programs, and on tobacco control/addiction work in Brooklyn, Staten Island and Manhattan. Prior to working in the nonprofit field, she utilized her marketing skills in various positions in corporate America such as The Economist and several large New York City advertising agencies.
Josephine actively participates in community service activities and is a member of several policy and leadership committees. Josephine holds a Masters degree in Human Services Leadership from St. Joseph's University. She enjoys taking on new challenges and learning sports, including bocce, and currently resides in Brooklyn with her family.
LAMICHELLE HECHT
Board Treasurer
​LaMichelle Hecht is a powerhouse in the world of accounting and financial strategy. She’s a seasoned business leader and Certified Public Accountant with licenses in Virginia, Illinois, and New Jersey, and over a decade of experience helping government agencies, nonprofits, and businesses get their financial houses in order.
In 2021, she launched Overhead Solutions Group, a SWaM-certified accounting firm that's all about simplifying complex financials, ensuring compliance, and helping organizations operate with clarity and confidence. Her team supports clients across sectors with everything from audits and tax returns to setting up sustainable systems for long-term growth.
A dynamic speaker and bilingual professional (English/Spanish), LaMichelle’s passion lies in empowering mission-driven leaders to make smarter financial decisions, and she brings a unique blend of technical expertise, strategic insight, and a genuine commitment to service. Whether she’s mentoring young professionals or guiding clients through tough compliance challenges, she’s all about making numbers make sense.
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AJA GADDIE
Board Member
​Aja is a dynamic connector of people and experiences. Passionate about community, she leads 1000 Women Strong's organizing and outreach work, finding Black women in their respective spaces and amplifying their collective power. She has organized for the Energy Justice Network, the For our Future Fund, Emanuel Pleitez's Los Angeles mayoral campaign and President Obama's Organizing for America post-election organization. Aja was previously the finance assistant for the Gainey for Mayor campaign in Pittsburgh, director of the Nashville and Pittsburgh field offices for the Bernie Sanders presidential campaign, and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation's Innovation & Technology Program Manager.