BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Nevzat Yilmaz, PhD

President

Dr. Yilmaz is a practicing CPA and firm director with over 30 years experience in accounting and business administration. He holds a Master’s degree in economics from Northeastern University, Boston and a PhD in accounting from Istanbul University.

Galip Kiyakli, MBA

Treasurer

Chief Operations Officer at Nema Food Dist. Inc with 20 years of diverse experience in all aspects of business administrations. Mr. Kiyakli holds an MBA from Point Park University, PA (2003) and a BSc in Environmental Engineering from Istanbul University (1996).

Osman Dulgeroglu

Secretary and CEO

During Dulgeroglu’s tenure as CEO, he has expanded the organization’s reach to over 40 countries and extensively broadened Embrace Relief’s organizational focus. When Dulgeroglu joined Embrace Relief, the organization was primarily focused on disaster relief, and he is responsible for expanding the organization’s focus to include humanitarian relief initiatives including refugee relief, clean water, and global health initiatives, among others. With more than 20 years of experience in operations, leadership, management, and human resources, Dulgeroglu started his career in education management. Prior to joining Embrace Relief, Mr. Osman was CEO of the Dream School in Pittsburg and CEO of the Federation of Balkan American Associations. Mr. Dulgeroglu holds a B.S. in Biology from Marmara University in Istanbul, Turkey, and an M.S. in Nonprofit Administration from Louisiana State University.

William Alexander Morel, MFA

Member

William A. Morel is an award-winning artist, currently holding the position of Associate Professor of Art and Design at St. John’s University. Before joining St. John’s, he developed editorials and documentaries for several international aid organizations such as the Pan American Health Organization (P.A.H.O.-W.H.O.), Organization of American States (OAS), and Accion International, among others. His personal work has been exhibited nationally and internationally since 1995.

Walter Marin

Member

Mr. Marin is the founder and President of Marin Architects, an architectural design firm since 1987. Having completed a BS/BA in Architecture in 1982, he proceeded to work with well-known architectural firms including the Howard Golden Firm prior to establishing Marin Associates, which later grew to become the Marin Architects firm.

Kirstin Vanderheof

Member

Since joining Embrace Relief’s board of directors in February 2020, Kirstin has brought extensive financial knowledge and experience. Working in finance for nearly 15 years in banking, education, and the Westchester County Department of Social Services, she now sits as the chairperson for Embrace Relief’s Finance Committee. Kirstin holds a B.S. in International Business Management and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in Homeland Security and Public Safety at Pace University.

Mehmet S. Keskin

Member

Mehmet is currently living with his wife and five lovely children in Wayne, New Jersey. Mehmet has a diverse background in teaching and humanitarian work which brought him to his role as a board member. He is currently a Mathematics Teacher at a Public School in New Jersey, where he teaches the practical application of mathematics, math theories, and critical thinking. Before teaching, he was the Education Coordinator for FEBA, a nonprofit in New Jersey. Since joining Embrace Relief’s Board of Directors in August 2021, Mehmet has taught Mathematics in Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Turkey, and the United States, and he worked as Math Department Chair and Director of Evaluation and Growth in Houston, Texas. Mehmet Keskin received his B.Sc. from Orta Dogu Teknik Universitesi, Ankara, Turkey (Middle East Technical University) and received his M.Ed. in Educational Administration from the University of Texas. Mehmet holds a Superintendent Certificate in the state of Texas, and a School Administrator certificate in New Jersey.