Our Executive Officers & Board of Directors
Charlise Manuel [President | contact]
Charlise Manuel is a junior at Cornell University, majoring in Economics and minoring in Law & Society. She began volunteering in community service activities at a young age, and currently participates in service activities in the Ithaca area. Charlise was first introduced to Do Anything Nice (D.A.N.) in the beginning of Fall 2007, and joined the National Officers of D.A.N. at the end of Spring 2008. Aside from her studies at Cornell and involvement with D.A.N., she spends time with family and friends, works on her college campus, and enjoys reading, writing, and music.
Ryan Salisbury [Vice-President | contact]
Ryan Salisbury is an active member of the local music community. In the Ithaca area he has played in several musicals, such as Hello Dolly, The Wedding Reception, and Urinetown. Ryan joined Do Anything Nice (D.A.N.) in the beginning of the spring 2007 academic year. Currently, he serves as the President of the Ithaca College D.A.N. chapter. During Ryan's free time he volunteers at Longview aiding the residents there as a member of the Intergeneration Choir.
Pranay Bhatla [Director of Volunteer Services | contact]
After graduation, I found a great job at Ithaca College (D.A.N. has an established chapter at this school). One cold Dec. morning, I ran into one of D.A.N's "notorious" kind deeds on my office door. I got a note in bold, arial, font size 20 that said "You have been D.A.N ed". It was a pleasant surprise and totally made my day! The note was from my coworker who wanted to express his appreciation. From that moment, my curiosity peaked for this organization. It so happened that D.A.N. headquarters was expanding its staff at that time. Coincidentally, I met Ryan and Mike, who got me further involved with D.A.N. Here I am, two years later, involved directly with D.A.N. headquarters and loving every minute of it.
Michael Unis [Secretary | contact]
Twenty-two years old and a recent graduate of Ithaca College, Michael Unis was accepted into the 2009 corp of Teach For America. As an Eagle Scout and member of the Delta chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Music Fraternity of America, he has had considerable experience in leadership positions. When he is not doing D.A.N. work he is volunteering with his fraternity, student teaching, attending classes, or hanging out with friends.
Pam Silverstein [Board Member | contact]
Pam graduated from Cornell with an MBA degree. She and her husband have been successful entrepreneurs for over 30 years. She has one son, Erron, who also graduated from Cornell. He now lives in LA and has started an internet marketing company. Since 2001 she has been a MentaPrenuer (tm), a mentor to entrepreneurs, in varied fields. She serves on for-profit and non-profit boards. Pam has been a D.A.N. board member since 2007.
Dani Novak [Board Member | contact]
Dr. Novak received his PhD in Mathematics from the University of Connecticut in 1981 and has been teaching for 27 years at Ithaca College. He co-designed a computer language called SeeLogo, which is used in many applications from designing scientific graphics to teaching geometry, statistics, and calculus. Dani believes that everyone can learn and understand math since it is hard wired to the human brain. His vision is to see a world where kids love math and feel confident with it. He hopes that the D.A.N organization and Philosophy of unconditional giving coupled with enthusiastic young people can help manifest this vision.
Richard Unis [Board Member | contact]
Twenty-six years old, Richard is currently a professor at Grossmont College, California San Diego. He received his undergraduate degree from Ithaca College, and pursued his masters from The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). He has been a board member since 2007 and believes that now more than ever Do Anything Nice has an important message to share.
Coreen Onnembo [Board Member | contact]
Coreen Onnembo is currently a teacher at Henry B. Whitehorne as well as Verona High School. She has been teaching for thirty-three years. Coreen joined D.A.N. as a board member is 2007. She serves as president of the Verona Education Association and is active in the volunteer community.