WELCOME OUR NEWEST MEMBERS!
Doria Josma
Stella Okechukwu
Sol Erdman
Mary Mahoney
Julius Gruber
David Schauer
Nejat Guevensoy
Alberto Gonzalez
Kaan Ozelmas
Please click on below to see their bios and welcome them warmly into our club!
Hon. Doria Josma
Doria Josma is a New York City native, fraternal twin, and award-winning social impact strategist and advisor with more than a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector. She is the founder of Your Why LLC, a mission-driven consulting brand specializing in philanthropy strategy, community engagement, and cause-driven partnerships. Doria holds a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and a Master’s in Public Administration.
In addition to her professional roles, Doria is deeply rooted in community leadership. She is the Chair of the Board of Directors of Food SOSpeso, Inc., Borough President-appointed member of Manhattan Community Board 10 (Central Harlem), and Membership Chair & Greater NY Advisory Committee member of the Women of Color in Fundraising & Philanthropy.
In addition to her professional roles, Doria is deeply rooted in community leadership. She is the Chair of the Board of Directors of Food SOSpeso, Inc., Borough President-appointed member of Manhattan Community Board 10 (Central Harlem), and Membership Chair & Greater NY Advisory Committee member of the Women of Color in Fundraising & Philanthropy.
Outside of her work, Doria brings the same energy and curiosity to her personal life. She enjoys wellness-centered activities, playing pickleball, running marathons, engaging in arts & culture, and traveling with loved ones.
Stella Okechukwu
Dr. Stella, is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner. She provides comprehensive mental healthcare for all ages. I have a deep commitment to improving mental health and well-being, and brings extensive experience to diagnosing and treating a wide range of conditions in children, adolescents and adults.
Stella specializes in treating anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, ADHD, schizophrenia, eating disorders in children, adolescents and adults. She delivers compassionate, gender-affirming care, manage symptoms of autism, Alzheimer's disease, and developmental delays in children.
Sol Erdman
Sol Erdman founded the Center for Collaborative Democracy (CCD) to develop innovative methods of overcoming the federal government’s dysfunctions to reach constructive agreements on America’s toughest challenges. CCD is currently spearheading the Grand Bargain Project, which is designed to unite Americans — left, right and center; young and old; white and of color; coastal and heartland — around a practical plan to advance aspirations we nearly all share for: Greater economic opportunity and growth Schools that enable kids to reach their potential Effective & affordable healthcare Curbing the national debt Reliable clean & affordable energy Fairer, simpler tax code Congress structured to hash out our society’s differences Independent polling firm YouGov recently reported that 82% of citizens across the spectrum wanted both parties in Congress to make the Grand Bargain package of reforms “a priority.” Sol Erdman’s expertise and passion for resolving ideological conflict emerged at midlife when, working with two founders of Harvard’s Program on Negotiation, he began gathering evidence on how to overcome our political system’s structural flaws. Sol’s first career was at Oppenheimer & Company, where he rose to senior vice president and head of options arbitrage. He has a BA in theoretical mathematics from Cornell and an MBA from Harvard.
Mary Mahoney
Licensed commercial real estate broker in New York State and interior design professional with 40 years of experience on
prestigious, multidisciplinary projects in both the public and private sectors, nationally and internationally, in diverse
locations such as India, Russia, and Turkey. Highly skilled in complex, cross-border leasing, brokerage negotiations, and
intricate transactions, with a strong focus on retail leasing, site assemblage, and real estate development. Provides
strategic insights for client expansion, supported by market analysis, careful site selection, and assemblage. Oversees the
design and construction of buildouts, managing diverse project teams, budgets, scheduling, and construction effectively.
Demonstrates a solid ability to liaise with clients, consultants, and contractors to achieve maximum productivity and
profitability: a creative and knowledgeable problem-solver, team-builder, and project director.
Women Light The World Org. – Founder AND CEO (2018 – Present)
See www.womenlighttheworld.org for details.
prestigious, multidisciplinary projects in both the public and private sectors, nationally and internationally, in diverse
locations such as India, Russia, and Turkey. Highly skilled in complex, cross-border leasing, brokerage negotiations, and
intricate transactions, with a strong focus on retail leasing, site assemblage, and real estate development. Provides
strategic insights for client expansion, supported by market analysis, careful site selection, and assemblage. Oversees the
design and construction of buildouts, managing diverse project teams, budgets, scheduling, and construction effectively.
Demonstrates a solid ability to liaise with clients, consultants, and contractors to achieve maximum productivity and
profitability: a creative and knowledgeable problem-solver, team-builder, and project director.
Women Light The World Org. – Founder AND CEO (2018 – Present)
See www.womenlighttheworld.org for details.
Julius Gruber
My inspiration to join Rotary comes from my grandfather, Alfred Gruber, who has been a member of the Rotary Club Linz-Leonding for many years. I have always been fascinated by the dedicated people who work together in Rotary, the projects that Rotary implements internationally and regionally, and the wonderful friendships that develop.
I completed my secondary education at the Academic Gymnasium in Linz, where I received a broad education in the humanities and natural sciences. I was particularly fascinated by the analytical and linguistic demands of physics and Latin, which is why I participated in Olympiads in both disciplines.
After graduating from high school, I studied computer science at ETH Zurich, where I founded the Austrian Students' Club, which now has over 150 members. I then began my Master's degree in Financial Mathematics at Baruch College in New York – one of the leading programs in this field. During my studies, I was recognized as one of the top two graduates and also worked as a teaching assistant. Last summer, I completed an internship at the Royal Bank of Canada in electronic bond trading.
Rotary represents values that I personally live by and deeply cherish. As a young person, I am at a stage in life where, alongside my professional commitments, I am seeking new challenges and opportunities to develop myself and make a positive contribution to society. Through my Rotary membership, I want to contribute my personal skills and experience while simultaneously benefiting from the diverse opportunities for personal and professional growth. Rotary offers me the chance to connect with like-minded individuals, experience teamwork, and participate in projects and events that Rotary organizes and implements.
I completed my secondary education at the Academic Gymnasium in Linz, where I received a broad education in the humanities and natural sciences. I was particularly fascinated by the analytical and linguistic demands of physics and Latin, which is why I participated in Olympiads in both disciplines.
After graduating from high school, I studied computer science at ETH Zurich, where I founded the Austrian Students' Club, which now has over 150 members. I then began my Master's degree in Financial Mathematics at Baruch College in New York – one of the leading programs in this field. During my studies, I was recognized as one of the top two graduates and also worked as a teaching assistant. Last summer, I completed an internship at the Royal Bank of Canada in electronic bond trading.
Rotary represents values that I personally live by and deeply cherish. As a young person, I am at a stage in life where, alongside my professional commitments, I am seeking new challenges and opportunities to develop myself and make a positive contribution to society. Through my Rotary membership, I want to contribute my personal skills and experience while simultaneously benefiting from the diverse opportunities for personal and professional growth. Rotary offers me the chance to connect with like-minded individuals, experience teamwork, and participate in projects and events that Rotary organizes and implements.
David Schauer
I am a researcher working at the intersection of materials science and nanotechnology, currently pursuing a fully funded MS/PhD in Chemical Engineering at Columbia University in New York. My research focuses on DNA self-assembly, plasmonic nanomaterials, robotic synthesis automation, and advanced optical and X-ray spectroscopy. Before joining Columbia, I completed my BSc in Interdisciplinary Natural Sciences at ETH Zurich, specializing in nanotechnology, spectroscopy, and materials science. During my time in ETH’s ATTO Group, I led wet-chemistry work on the synthesis and surface engineering of plasmonic nanoparticles and their characterization using advanced spectroscopic techniques. This work resulted in multiple publications and presentations at international conferences and ultimately led to my promotion to Honorary Doctorate within the lab. My research experience spans several international laboratories, including Brown University, Brookhaven National Laboratory (NSLS-II, CFN), Harvard CNS, and Paul Scherrer Institute, with several collaborations across the United States and Europe. Beyond research, I serve as a US Ambassador for Malaika Kitchens, an NGO supporting school nutrition programs and educational infrastructure in rural Kenya. I am also an active Rotarian in the Rotary Club of New York #6. I am always open to conversations about research collaborations, scientific ideas, and interdisciplinary projects that advance knowledge and benefit humanity.
Nejat Güvensoy
Nejat Güvensoy joined Fuller & Fuller LLP in September 2024. Originally from Istanbul, Turkey, Mr. Güvensoy began his legal career in New York City, focusing on human rights-based litigation, particularly employment discrimination. Before starting his legal career, Mr. Güvensoy gained valuable experience during his studies at Fordham Law School. He served as a judicial intern at the New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division, under Justice Manuel J. Mendez, refining his legal research and courtroom skills. He also worked as a Research Assistant to Professor Hugh Hansen, contributing to legal research and organizing international law conferences. Mr. Güvensoy has developed a strong understanding of corporate governance and the legal needs of tech entrepreneurs and creative enterprises. Mr. Güvensoy earned his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) at Bahcesehir University School of Law in 2021 and subsequently earned a Master of Laws (LL.M.) at Fordham Law School in 2024. He was admitted to the New York State Bar in January 2025. He has been a committee member of the New York City Bar Association since 2023. Prior to moving to New York City, Mr. Güvensoy worked at a boutique law firm, gaining insights into the diverse needs of various industries.
Alberto Gonzalez
Alberto Gonzalez is a 2011 graduate of the University of Kansas School of Law. He received a Bachelor of Arts in History from the City University of New York – Queens College in 2008. Alberto has been a staff attorney with Mobilization For Justice, Inc. (previously MFY Legal Services) since 2015, representing tenants in all different phases of litigation including eviction defense, affirmative litigation, administrative hearings and appeals. He is also a life-long Mets Fan. Alberto lives with his wife, Carla, and cat, Hudson, in Turtle Bay Manhattan. In 2023, Alberto was appointed to the Civil Court of New York, where he is a Judge and presides over landlord tenant matters.
Kaan Ozelmas
Kaan Ozelmas is an Analyst at Mott MacDonald in New York, supporting major infrastructure programs and advisory engagements, including the JFK Redevelopment Program. His work spans commercial advisory, financial analysis, and strategic decision support across complex, multi‑stakeholder environments. He contributes to commercial strategy, procurement and contract structuring, financial governance, capital planning, and performance evaluation across large‑scale programs and industries. He holds a BA in Economics with a minor in Finance from Bard College, where he attended on scholarship as an NCAA student‑athlete. Prior to college, he moved to the United States at age 15 to pursue his education and basketball career, attending Montverde Academy, a nationally recognized preparatory program known for academic rigor and elite athletics. Kaan brings an international perspective shaped by academic and professional experience across the United States and Turkey. Before joining Mott MacDonald, he gained experience across consulting, finance, and international affairs through roles at Oxford Analytica (Dow Jones), GSK, and QNB Group. He is a member of the International Project Finance Association (IPFA) and Airports Council International (ACI) – North America. His interests lie at the intersection of infrastructure, capital allocation, and global economic development. He views service as an extension of disciplined judgment, long‑term stewardship, and global perspective, and seeks to contribute these values through Rotary.
