OUR BOARD
Mike Wigotsky
Board President
Mike was born and raised in New York and works as an attorney. He has been an enthusiastic supporter of DreamStreet for many years and looks forward to the continued growth and success of the organization and its talented participants.
Elizabeth Scheel
Board Vice President
After a career in investment banking both here and abroad, Elizabeth now works in the non-profit sector as Manager of Development and External Relations at the American-Scandinavian Foundation. She has also been active with the Komansky Family Advisory Council at NYP Weill Cornell Hospital, which focuses on patient-centered pediatric care. Her daughter Safia is a performer in DreamStreet, which has provided her with a wonderful community of friends and fellow actors. Elizabeth looks forward to helping DreamStreet grow as an organization and expand their programming for adults with disabilities.
FELICIA HERMAN
Board Treasurer
Felicia Herman has been Executive Director of Natan, a giving circle that supports Jewish and Israeli social innovation, since 2005. Previously, she was Research and Program Officer for the Steinhardt Foundation for Jewish Life. She is the Founder and Advisory Board chair of Amplifier, a network of giving circles inspired by Jewish values, and also serves on the boards of Sefaria and the American Jewish Historical Society. Through Natan, Felicia has helped advise many new, emerging, and small nonprofits across the world, and she's delighted to bring this expertise to DreamStreet's important work. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband, three children, and their Welsh Springer Spaniel, Daisy.
Hyeku Song
Board Secretary
Hyeku Song has been working with young children since 2005. Graduating from NYU with a Masters of Early Childhood Education and Special Education degree, she taught in the NYC public school system for 10+ years. She currently works as a Special Education and Child Development consultant, as well as a private SEIT. She is passionate about making children feel seen and heard, understanding their needs, and developing their skills. She has been a fan of DreamStreet for several years and is excited to be on the board and support the Dreamers in their goals.
Len Heisler
Board Member
Len Heisler serves as the Co-Founder of DreamStreet as well as a founding Board Member for the organization. He loves watching the company evolve and is confident DreamStreet will rise to its fullest potential with the guidance of such an active and engaging Board, Cast, and Staff.
Kendra Heisler
Board Member
Kendra's journey with DreamStreet began in 1998 as an assistant stage manager and photography intern. She is grateful to have been a part of this organization’s evolution and extraordinary progress since her mother founded it 18 years ago. Kendra received her BFA in Photography at F.I.T. in NYC and is currently a member of the Y.M.C.A.’s Senior Citizen Life Improvement Efforts. Kendra is continually inspired by the DreamStreet cast and crew and is thankful for their outstanding commitment to the vision of the organization.
AARON HARNICK
Board Member
Aaron Harnick is a New York-based producer and principal of Harbor Entertainment. Aaron recently produced THE VISITOR, a musical based on the 2007 film, written and directed by Tom McCarthy (SPOTLIGHT - 2016 Oscar winner for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay). Written by Tom Kitt, Brian Yorkey and Kwame Kwei-Armah, THE VISITOR opened at The Public Theatre and starred David Hyde Pierce (FRASIER). For MGM, Aaron is producing the feature film remake of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF directed by Tommy Kail (HAMILTON) and written by Steven Levenson (DEAR EVAN HANSEN).
Steve Lefkowitz
Board Member
Born in Williamsburg and raised in Sheepshead Bay, Steve is a lifelong Brooklynite. He graduated from Queens College with a BA in Psychology, then received his Masters in Criminal Justice from John Jay College. After teaching in New York public schools, Steve worked for the New York State division of parole from 1970 to 2004, beginning his career as a parole officer and retiring as the director of the parole violation system for the state of New York. From 2004 through 2020 he was a volunteer resident advocate at nursing homes. A widower since 2015, Steve is the proud father of a wonderful daughter and grandfather to an amazing seven-year-old grandson. He is a childhood friend of Lenny Heisler’s, and after the two reconnected in 2012, Steve fell in love with DreamStreet, and has been involved with this amazing program ever since .
Laurie Yankowitz
Advisor
Laurie Yankowitz has been a career professional in the field of developmental disabilities since 1981, having earned her doctorate in Special Education (with a focus on intellectual disabilities and autism) from Teachers College in 2010. Her first full-time job was providing direct support to adults at Fernald State School, where she found that the most effective interventions were interest in the individuals, understanding behavior as well as language as communication, and respecting their perspectives. Laurie feels privileged to have been part of the evolution of supports for people whose capacities for independence present inherent challenges. A long-time fan of the DreamStreet Theater Company and its late, great founder Karuna Heisler, she is delighted to support the continuation of Karuna’s legacy. She is especially proud to work with Len Heisler and daughter Kendra, who honor Karuna’s life and vision with such passion, skill, and love.
Cheryl King
Advisor
Cheryl received her Master’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from Columbia University. She has spent her 37 year-long professional career in the public sector serving individuals with mental health issues. She has worked as a mental health clinician in inpatient, outpatient and community settings at St. Vincent’s Hospital and St. Luke’s/ Roosevelt Hospital. Her major focus was to assist individuals in achieving their highest possible level of independent living and vocational functioning. After many rewarding years of direct clinical service, Cheryl was appointed the Director of Occupational, Recreational and Creative Arts Therapy services at Saint Luke’s /Roosevelt Hospital. She became increasingly involved in program evaluation and quality improvement, developing and implementing methods to evaluate whether program goals were being met. For the last 12 years of her career, Cheryl worked at the New York Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, where she headed the Department’s signature mental hygiene initiative, Quality Impact. At its peak, over 300 outpatient programs participated in the initiative as a requirement of receiving funding. Cheryl has served in the past as a DreamStreet volunteer and is delighted to now have the time to take on a more substantial role.