Board and Staff

Sarah Prosser

Since joining the Board of Directors in 2019, Sarah L. Prosser has been dedicated to supporting small, innovative organizations within the human services sector. She focuses on advancing efforts to combat food insecurity, promote social justice, and empower underserved communities.

Sarah L. Prosser is an experienced Communications Designer for the Illinois Secretary of State, where she transforms complex public information into engaging, accessible media for residents. She creates compelling social media content, infographics, and videos that clarify new laws and initiatives. In addition, Sarah coordinates event logistics and crafts reports and pitch decks for various Illinois government programs. From photographing events to overseeing production and print processes, her work ensures effective, visually cohesive communication.

Board and Staff

Martin Zimmermann

Martin Zimmermann has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2024. He is interested in supporting organizations that promote & expand the health of underserved communities through better access to education, healthcare, nutrition and safe transit options. Martin is also concerned about the rights of immigrants and their right to due process.

Martin believes firmly that everyone– regardless of socio-economic background– should have the right to not to have to own a car, and has a particular interest in supporting improved urban and rural road design to facilitate safe travel for cyclists, pedestrians, transit riders and the handicapped.  

Martin lives in Brooklyn, NY, where he is also a music curator and producer. 

Board and Staff

Andrew Parsegian

Andrew Parsegian is a musician, teacher, composer, and music producer based in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. He is the great grandson of the foundation’s founder, and has been a Board member since 2005. He’s performed at Carnegie Hall, toured nationally with major-label artists, and taught at many NYC area schools, including the 92nd St.Y, Children’s Aid Society, Omega Institute, and Greenwich House Music School.

Recently, he’s worked on award-winning documentary films such as Sundance finalist “Echo Morris.” Currently, he’s producing several upcoming singer/songwriters, from r&b to Indian-influenced pop styles. His goal to help people grow their own relationship to self-expression, in ways that are meaningful to them.

Board and Staff

Nicholas Zimmermann

Nicholas Zimmermann has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2013. As a member of the Board, he is interested in supporting small organizations, especially those operating within their local community, that address the needs of underserved and vulnerable populations.  These concerns include, but are not limited to, food poverty, educational needs, and social inequity.

Nick is a Senior Data Analyst at the New York State Department of Homes and Community Renewal.  He also works as an independent urban planning and design consultant where his work focuses on land use, housing, and climate change adaptation and resilience. He lives in Brooklyn, NY.

Board and Staff

Spencer Blasdale

Spencer Blasdale has been a member of the Board of Directors since 2015.  He is particularly interested in urban education as well as organizations that provide education to empower students of all racial and ethnic backgrounds to achieve their full potential.

Spencer is currently the Executive Director at the Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter Public School, a position that he held from 2000-2007 and assumed again in 2016. In his role as Executive Director he leads the school to ensure student success as well as organizational viability.  Prior to this role he served as Chief Executive Officer of SchoolWorks, providing leadership and decision-making for the company, including the development and execution of the company’s strategic plan. He has spent the past 25 years in the field of education, beginning with a teaching internship at The Park School in Brookline, Massachusetts and working as a teacher, administrator and service partner to district schools in Chicago and Boston.

Spencer currently serves as Board Chair of the Charlie Sposato Graduate School of Education and also serves as a Board member of Boston Day and Evening Academy.  He lives in Greater Boston.

Board and Staff

Paula Edgar

Paula T. Edgar Esq. is a Partner of Inclusion Strategy Solutions LLC, a consulting firm that provides innovative and strategic solutions on organizational diversity efforts, intercultural competence initiatives, sexual harassment prevention and EEO compliance.  The firm is a leader in executive/leadership development, professional branding, networking, social media, and career strategies. Paula speaks and consults on these topics by advising, facilitating workshops, professional development training, and providing keynote speeches. Paula has demonstrated leadership in numerous civic organizations and she is the immediate past President of the Metropolitan Black Bar Association (MBBA), New York State’s largest black bar association.

Paula’s professional experiences include serving as the founder and CEO of PGE LLC (a speaking, consulting and executive coaching firm), the inaugural Chief Diversity Officer at New York Law School and as an attorney in the Law Enforcement Division of the New York City Commission on Human Rights.

Paula received her B.A. in Anthropology from the California State University (Fullerton) and her J.D. from the City University of New York School of Law. She was recognized by The Network Journal Magazine as a “40 Under Forty” Achievement Awardee, a Ms. JD “Woman of Inspiration” and a “Rising Star” by A Better Chance.

 Connect with Paula at http://www.paulaedgar.com, Linkedin, Twitter (@PaulaEdgar) and http://www.inclusionstrategy.com.