The embrella Ambassador Council is an energetic group of New Jersey and New York professionals
dedicated to advancing our mission to embrace foster children and their families through
fundraising, volunteering, and peer-to-peer networking.
To learn more or apply to join the Ambassador Council, please email development@embrella.org.
embrella Ambassadors
Kamara Russo
Kamara Russo is a former foster youth and currently serves as the Director for Rutgers University School of Arts and Sciences. She received her bachelor’s degree from Saint Mary’s College of Notre Dame, and master’s degree in public administration with a focus in nonprofit management from Villanova University.
Prior to working for CINJ, Kamara worked as a Certified Public Accountant (“CPA”) in the financial services industry in Manhattan while serving on numerous boards, eventually realizing that she wanted to transition her career into the nonprofit sector full-time. Kamara currently serves as a member of the Pi Alpha Alpha Honor Society, Board Member for embrella, Associate Board Member for CASA, and a Commissioner of Highland Park Gives a Hoot, which focuses on providing free groceries, scholarships, and other opportunities to encourage academic, social and community success. She speaks frequently to corporations, schools, and philanthropic conferences on non-profit leadership and education reform. In her spare time, Kamara loves singing, traveling, and spending time with her husband and dog.
Brianna M. Ferrante
Brianna Ferrante is a Corporate Associate at Lowenstein Sandler LLP in the firm’s transactions and advisory group. In her legal practice, Brianna advises public companies, private equity firms and venture-backed funds on strategic mergers, acquisitions, restructurings and other corporate transactions.
Committed to pro bono work, Brianna counsels NY and NJ based nonprofits, as well as low-income entrepreneurs and start-up founders, on transactional legal and governance matters. She also represents special needs individuals in non-contested guardianship proceedings, sits on the New York Junior League’s Nonprofit Education Committee, and serves on multiple associate nonprofit boards including CASA NYC, CASA Essex County, the Billion Oyster Project and BoardAssist.
Brianna received her J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law and holds a B.A. in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations from Monmouth University.
Bill Houston
Bill Houston is an Enterprise Program Manager at Maxus Group and has extensive experience consulting for the financial services industry. Bill received his B.S. in Computer Science and Theater from Skidmore College and his MBA in Technology from the University of Phoenix. He also served with the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves for 8 years. Bill has a strong passion for supporting foster children and families, given his own path being adopted in his childhood.
Genesis Rombola
Genesis currently works as an HR Coordinator at an elevator company in NYC. Genesis received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Montclair State University and plans to enroll in a graduate program next spring – she intends to obtain her SHRM and HRCI certifications as well. Genesis is passionate about volunteering and heavily involved in her community, as she volunteers with several organizations to serve the marginalized and disadvantaged. Genesis enjoys dancing, traveling, and writing. She one day hopes to become a Life Coach and open her own cleaning business!
Dr. Eric Sandler
Dr. Eric Sandler, Director of Audiological Services at The Hearing Center, graduated from Rutgers College in 2002. He graduated from Montclair State University in 2007 with a Doctorate of Science in Audiology. He is a licensed Audiologist (#722) and Hearing Aid Dispenser (#1082) in the state of New Jersey. Dr. Sandler has presented his doctoral research on patient satisfaction and perceived value of hearing aids. He has worked in the private practice setting since 2007. Dr. Sandler has been a co-owner of The Hearing Center since 2010. Dr. Sandler is a member of the American Academy of Audiology, New Jersey Academy of Audiology, and the New Jersey Speech and Hearing Association. Dr. Sandler was selected in 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2022 as one of NJFamily.com favorite doctors for children. Dr. Sandler is co-director of The Hearing Center’s student mentoring program supervising doctoral level students in audiology. Dr. Sandler is an adjunct professor at Montclair State University in the Audiology department as well as at Kean University. Dr. Sandler enjoys working closely with patients and their physicians to manage complex audiological cases. He also enjoys working with cochlear implants as part of the The Hearing Center’s cochlear implant center. He has been working with national and internationally known musicians and entertainers to treat their hearing loss and preserve their hearing. He also has experience presenting to the community, and at state and national conventions on various topics related to hearing loss. He is the third generation in his family in this field. He lives locally with his wife and 3 children. He plays guitar and is an avid photographer and sports fan.