EOB TEAM
Schinnell Leake, Executive Director & Founder
Schinnell has always enjoyed creating events that are special and unique – parties that both children and adults remember. As the former owner of Extra-Ordinary Moments, a for-profit entity that provided imaginative and unique children’s birthday parties, she set out to provide the same types of birthday parties for children who were experiencing homelessness in the Washington metropolitan area.
As a mother, Schinnell knows how important it is for her children to feel confident and have self-worth. After learning that more than 2,000 children live in homeless shelters throughout the Washington D.C. area, Schinnell started the nonprofit, Extra-Ordinary Birthdays, the only organization of its kind in the capital area that throws personalized birthday parties for homeless children to make them feel recognized and valued. Using her party-planning background, Schinnell has thrown more than 1200 birthday parties and currently partners with homeless shelters and organizations that serve the homeless in D.C., Maryland and Virginia.
Officers
South Philadelphia born and raised, Danielle Carrozza Zonis currently serves as the leader of the Information Technology Project Management Office at the global law firm, Morgan Lewis.
Danielle brings to EOB almost 25 years of Organizational and Business Process Management along with a Technology background. Danielle holds her PMP certification from the Project Management Institute and is an active member of many organizations such as the Society for Human Resource Management, the American Institute of Technology, Women in Technology, Women Who Code (Phila), and the Girl Scouts of America.
Danielle has a unique blend of knowledge and sweat equity in several areas such as Compliance, Human Resources, Strategy, Project Management, and Business Relationship Management that will be valuable to the future of EOB.
Danielle has said, “My mother impressed upon us that we were gifts from God, and if God decided the Earth needed one of “Us” then we were sure as heck going to celebrate that. My parents sacrificed so much and worked so hard to let us know that we were absolutely something worth celebrating. We were enough.”
Danielle, her husband Ed, and their daughter Jasmine Faith reside just outside Philadelphia and work together as a family to serve not only their local community but children and families around the world who might not have “enough”. Danielle believes every single child should feel the warmth of being celebrated and she says she is honored to be a part of EOB where that is happening every day.
Keith Olfus, Sr. was born and raised in Washington, DC. He is in his 18th year of service as AVP/Assistant Comptroller with Industrial Bank. He is involved with preparing financial statements, dealing with internal and external auditors, and federal regulators. He works closely with the Chief Financial Officer on writing policy and procedures for the organization, as well as serving as a member of the FINANCO Committee for Industrial Bank.
Babu was familiar with EOB’s work and mission was moved by the reactions of the kids at the parties and recognized EOB’s work to address their mental and emotional well-being. As Chief Technology Officer with Bipartisan Policy Center, Babu looks forward to bringing his expertise in information technology as well as his knowledge and skills in that arena to Extra-Ordinary Birthdays and dedicating his time to advance the mission of EOB. His prime goal as a board member is to get as many friends, family, and contacts as possible to commit to being recurring donors.
Directors
In 2010, Extra-Ordinary Birthdays approached Doris Dupuy in her role with Bright Beginnings as the first organization to partner with Extra-Ordinary Birthdays. Since that time, she has been a fan, admirer, and supporter of the work of EOB. As an advocate for children and families experiencing homelessness, Doris worked firsthand with the community and believes in the mission of EOB, and feels the work speaks for itself. Doris’ employment background in education, housing, and management coupled with her strong interests in governance have guided her educational and career paths. She earned a Master of Public Administration, a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management, and a Bachelor of Arts in Education. Doris believes that everyone, regardless of anything else, deserves the right to thrive. And the only way for this to happen is if we govern together. Whether working in the realms of housing, homelessness, education, or activism, Doris is certain that, together, we decide the well-being of our society. She looks forward to being able to utilize her skills and experience as conduits for change with Extra-Ordinary Birthdays
Honorary Board Member
Shawn Yancy is an Emmy & Edward R. Murrow award winning broadcast journalist and evening news anchor at NBC4 in Washington, DC. Prior to joining NBC4, Shawn spent nearly 2 decades as a primary news anchor at WTTG-TV. Her career journey also includes stops at WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh and WKJG-TV in Ft. Wayne, IN.
Shawn is the founder and CEO of Girls’ Night Out by Shawn Yancy Inc., a 501(c)(3) dedicated to empowering and improving the lives of economically vulnerable women & children.
Shawn previously served on the board of directors for A Wider Circle, Dress For Success DC and The St. Ann’s Center for Children Youth & Families. Along with her fellow DC newswomen, Shawn helps spearhead an annual breast cancer fundraiser for local cancer charities serving the underserved.
Shawn is also a professional artist and a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
She and her husband have 3 wonderful sons, a daughter in law, 2 dogs and live in Montgomery County, Maryland.
Her favorite saying is: “If the dream is big enough, the facts don’t count”. It’s a phrase her mother has been instilling in her for as long as she can remember. It’s a reminder that all things are possible with God’s help.
Contact Us
Address
P.O. Box 1109 | College Park, MD 20740
Phone Number
(301) 531-5196