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Lauren Costabile

Founder and Executive Director

Lauren is a passionate advocate, Founder and Executive Director of Hearts of Joy International, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing life-saving heart surgery for children with Down syndrome. Driven by her deep love for individuals with special needs and her unwavering faith, Lauren launched the organization in 2019 after witnessing the critical lack of access to care for children born with congenital heart defects in Uganda, many of whom are denied surgery simply because they have Down syndrome.

Under her leadership, Hearts of Joy International has grown into a global mission, partnering with hospitals, families, and communities in Uganda, the Philippines, Mexico, and India. Through their work, the organization not only provides surgeries but also offers pre and post operative support, education, and advocacy to ensure that every child receives the dignity and care they deserve.

Lauren holds a degree in Recreational Therapy from St. Thomas Aquinas College and a certificate in Child Life from American Public University. She has extensive experience working with children with disabilities in both domestic and international settings. She is a sought-after speaker on topics of medical missions, disability advocacy, and faith in action, and has represented Hearts of Joy International at numerous global conferences and media outlets.

With a heart full of purpose and a mission rooted in love, Lauren continues to inspire others to see the beauty and worth of every child, especially those the world too often overlooks. Her work exemplifies a radical commitment to life, joy, and hope.

“We firmly believe that no matter what country you are born in or what your life circumstance is, every child deserves an equal chance at a happy and healthy life and we will never stop fighting to make that possible!”

Christiana Molnar

Cardiac Travel Nurse

Christiana earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Seton Hall University in 2014. Shortly after, she spent six months in Kolkata, India, volunteering with the Missionaries of Charity, a transformative experience that deepened her passion for compassionate, faith-driven care.

Upon returning to the U.S., Christiana began her nursing career in a cardiac step-down unit where she worked for seven years. She now works on a palliative and hospice unit, specializing in end of life care with empathy and dignity. In addition, she works as a private duty nurse, offering home care tailored to each individual’s needs.

Christiana has been with Hearts of Joy International since its inception in 2018 and plays an integral role in bridging medical care with family support. She provides education to families and communities about Down syndrome and congenital heart defects, helps them understand diagnoses, treatment options, and care plans. As a liaison between medical teams and families, she offers guidance and emotional support throughout the surgical process and hospital stay.

With a heart for service and a broad range of clinical experience, Christiana is honored to be part of the Hearts of Joy International mission, bringing hope and healing to children with Down syndrome around the world.

meet our board

Neil Haskell

Treasurer

Neil Haskell began his involvement with Hearts of Joy in 2019 and has recently joined the Board of Directors as Treasurer. Neil brings over 15 years of Finance experience, working with his family’s insurance business. Neil and his wife have been married for five wonderful years and Neil is a proud father to their three beautiful and rambunctious children.

“It is my hope and prayer that God may continue to use me through the Hearts of Joy as we fight to uphold, protect and celebrate the beautiful and unrepeatable lives of these children with down-syndrome, who are such an authentic and precious gift to our world.”

Kathryn Grifonetti

Board Member

Kathryn Grifonetti is a proud graduate of the CUNY school system and started her career in Marketing at Hearst Magazines where she held a position in Corporate Marketing and Sales. Always having a heart for helping the young, she decided to switch careers and become an educator in the New York City Public School system after she completed her Masters’s Degree at Hunter College. The call to motherhood came a few years later, when she and her husband John started a family. Kathryn left her career and joyfully stayed at home to eventually raise their four children. When she was not volunteering in her children’s schools, Kathryn became involved with many grassroots charitable organizations, including Change a Life Uganda, which provides education to children in Uganda. As her children grew and went into the world on their own, Kathryn made the decision to go back to work in the field she loves. She is currently teaching Pre-K in a local school and loves every minute of it. The mission of Hearts of Joy International is one that she loves being a part of.

Cassie Panzenbeck, MBA, AAMS®

Board Member

Cassie joined the Board of Directors in January 2023. By day, Cassie is a Financial Advisor with Raymond James. Clients look to Cassie for comprehensive financial plans to grow their wealth and reach their goals – whether starting their careers, growing a business or non-profit, moving into their prime earning years, or preparing for the reward of retirement. Her areas of expertise include private and institutional investing, cash management, retirement plan management, exit/succession planning, and estate planning.

In addition to being Series 7, 66, and insurance licensed, Cassie is an Accredited Asset Management Specialist®. She holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Texas at Austin and Bachelor degrees in Accounting, International Business, and Management Information Systems from the University of Oklahoma.
 
When not supporting Hearts of Joy International or spending time with her family, Cassie can be found serving on the Board of the OU Capital Club, leading the grantmaking committee of Junior League of Washington, DC, and volunteering with St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Woodbridge, VA.

Myma Albayda,
MD

Board Member

Myma Albayda is a rheumatologist at Johns Hopkins and is the program director of the Rheumatology fellowship as well as musculoskeletal ultrasound program in the Division of Rheumatology. 

She divides her time between seeing patients, educating trainees and conducting research in the rheumatic diseases.  As a physician and relative of someone with Down syndrome, she feels a personal connection to the mission of Hearts of Joy and has been involved with the organization since 2021.  

Jean Tenaglia

Jean Tenaglia is a mother of six children, artist and former teacher.  Upon graduating college with a degree in fine arts and education, Jean served as a missionary volunteer. After serving as a volunteer, Jean married her husband John and began her teaching career. After the birth of their first child, Jean became a stay-at-home mother. 

Her passion for ministry led her to help start a ministry for a Hispanic community in southern New Jersey, which has expanded over the past 18 years. In 2012, Jean co-founded the Ministry of Motherhood (M.O.M.) in Northern New Jersey, which aims to provide support to mothers in their child raising years as well as organize outreach opportunities which help local organizations in need.

Jean enjoys raising her six children with her husband, having an active role in outreach, spending time with family and friends, painting and running.  Jean loves sharing in the mission of Hearts of Joy International, recognizing the gift each child is to the world.  

Paul Costabile

Paul Costabile is an Emmy award winning host, comedian, writer, producer, and entertainment reporter. He is the host of the iconic revival of Beat The Clock on Universal Kids and Peacock. He also appears on daily segments on NBC’s New York Live and hosted Doodle Wars on NBC’s digital network Bluprint.

More recently, Paul interviewed the band One Republic for The Netflix/NBCU series Once in a Lifetime Sessions. Previously, Paul hosted Animal Planet’s on-location game show, Risk It for the Biscuit, lead interviews at The Grammys, The Oscars, and the SAG Awards for Snapchat, as well as The Tony Awards for Billboard. He has co-hosted with Ryan Seacrest on iHeartRadio’s TV Concerts on The CW. While at iHeartRadio, He was named Audio’s 30 Under 30, where he helped create and host his now signature, off-the-cuff artist interviews, many of which went viral on YouTube. Paul is a family man and resides in the LA area with his wife and daughters. He strives to create fun and authentic moments for the whole family to enjoy. He has been involved with Hearts of Joy International since its inception and is passionate about using his gifts and talents to help serve the Down syndrome community through the mission.

John Paul Von Arx

John Paul Von Arx enjoys entertaining crowds all across the nation.  His love for country music, guitar playing and entertaining audiences of all ages shines through in his dynamic live performances.  His song He’s Different, which he penned about his little brother with Down Syndrome, has been embraced by the special needs communities on a national level. John Paul was a National Finalist for Taste of Country’s Hometown Riser competition in 2018.  When he is not on the road, he also works as Coordinator of Worship and Adjunct Professor of Catechetics at Franciscan University. He and his wife and daughter reside in Steubenville, Ohio.  When John Paul is not performing he enjoys woodworking, house projects, hiking, and kayaking. 

Mia Del Rosario

Mia Del Rosario joined the Advisory Board in 2023. Her college career initially centered around journalism, but her path took a different turn when she volunteered at her brother’s school for children with special needs. This experience inspired her to pursue Communicative disorders, and she has since dedicated the past two decades to working in the field of Special Education in various capacities. Currently, Mia resides in Los Angeles, California with her husband and son while providing Speech therapy services. Her brother Joseph, who has Down syndrome, remains a significant source of inspiration for her.

Danielle Monaro

Danielle has sat alongside Elvis Duran as a co-host on the top-rated Elvis Duran and the Morning Show for the last 30 years. The show broadcasts weekday from 6 to 10 a.m. ET from iHeartMedia’s WHTZ, New York’s Z100, and is nationally syndicated by Premiere Networks. Armed with a notorious laugh, quick wit and outspoken “Bronx Girl” personality, Monaro has helped propel the show to become the #1 Top 40 radio program in America, reaching millions of listeners nationwide. Monaro has been honored with two Gracie Awards by the Alliance for Women in Media Foundation in the national radio co-host category.
 
She got involved with Hearts of Joy International after her nephew Lucas was born with Down syndrome. Danielle loves being a part of the Down syndrome community and is so touched by the love and support they have given her sister and Lucas. Danielle produced and created “Down for Laughs” to benefit Hearts of Joy International in 2024. It was a night of laughter and love all helping to bring awareness to the mission. Danielle is married to a Brit named Sheldon and has two sons, Spender and Preston.

Kayla Kosmalski

Ambassador

Kayla Kosmalski

Kayla Kosmalski is a seventeen year old senior in high school. She is in National Honor Society with a 3.8 GPA. Kayla will graduate in June with plans to attend college in the fall. During her time in high school, Kayla has been a Varsity cheerleader, Competitive cheerleader, Varsity swimmer and has been a part of the theatre program. Kayla was 2021 Miss Middletown DE Teen USA, earning Miss Congeniality and Top Model. Kayla has spent years building relationships with legislatures and lobbying in her home state of Delaware and in Washington DC to help improve the lives of those living with Down syndrome. Kayla has helped pass several laws, including the ABLE Act which was renamed Kayla’s Law in Delaware. When she isn’t in school or DC, Kayla enjoys modeling and acting. She appears in the feature film, I Win, set to release on March 21, 2024.

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Troy Drake

Ambassador

Troy Drake

Troy Drake is an amazing potter with a heart as big as his talent. Troy was born with Down syndrome, but that hasn't stopped him from pursuing his passion with clay. Troy has always loved art, but it wasn't until five years ago when he went to a pottery class with his parents that he found his true calling. The moment he got his hands on clay, something clicked, and he hasn't looked back since.

In 2019, Troy's mother, Suzanne, began sharing glimpses of his pottery-making journey on Instagram. What started as a personal endeavor to show other families what life could be like for their loved ones with Down syndrome soon blossomed into something far greater. Troy’s mom never intended on selling his pottery, but soon, people started asking if they could buy Troy's pieces. So, Suzanne set up an Etsy shop called "Troy Made It." What began as a little Instagram account quickly evolved into something much bigger, with Troy amassing over 680,000 followers and his pottery pieces selling out within minutes of release.

Every piece of pottery made by Troy carries with it a deeper purpose—to inspire, to uplift, and to make a tangible difference in the world. 100% of the proceeds from Troy's pottery sales are dedicated to nonprofit organizations committed to making the world a better and brighter place. In Troy's hands, clay isn't just clay—it's a symbol of hope, joy, and inclusivity. His story reminds us that no matter who we are or what challenges we face, we all have something incredible to contribute to the world.
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Matthew
Von Der Ahe

Ambassador

Matthew Von Der Ahe

Matthew Von Der Ahe is an American actor celebrated for his standout role in the movie Champions. His versatile talent has landed him roles in popular TV shows like Code Black, Weeds, and Yo Gabba Gabba. Additionally, he brings animated characters to life, voicing 'Jasper' in Disney's Team Chocolate and 'Benny' in Netflix’s Familia. Beyond his acting career, Matthew is a dynamic member of SUPA, a performing dance troupe and he plays the drums for SPEC band, showcasing his diverse talents. As a passionate public speaker, Matthew inspires others to dream big and advocates for the importance of inclusion.
 
In his spare time, Matthew channels his creativity into the artwork he designs for his card company, Doing My pART, donating a portion of his proceeds to charitable organizations that support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. 
 
As a heart surgery survivor, Matthew is deeply committed to giving back and is honored to serve as an ambassador for Hearts of Joy International. 
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Isabella Hass

Ambassador

Isabella Hass

Isabella is a model, actress, public speaker and advocate. She was featured in People Magazine, People en Español, USA Today, DEI Kumon, The Acorn, etc. Isabella has been in numerous theatrical productions, is a working model and a paid public speaker. Her passion is to spread awareness for Down syndrome and inclusivity around the world. She is veteran lobbyist in Capitol Hill, Washington, DC. helping to pass laws that will improve the lives of people with disabilities. Isabella is a Sophomore in High School and is fully included. She thrives at the Kumon Institute and was invited to speak at their International Convention. Isabella represented her State of California in the Miss Amazing Pageant and is a cheerleader. She plays tennis, basketball and soccer. In her down time she enjoys the theatre, ballet, the Opera and traveling. Her magnetic personality is unstoppable.

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Grace Reber

Ambassador

Grace Reber

Grace is a young lady with Down syndrome who loves art. After getting her first big girl desk at eight years old, Grace started spending more and more time pursuing this passion. Since then, art has become therapeutic for her – a safe space for self-expression and a technique to help her navigate emotions. In 2020, Grace and her mom, Bonnie, started a small art business online to give Grace a platform to share her work and her story with the world. Her hope is to empower the Down syndrome and special needs communities, inspiring people of all abilities to follow their dreams, no matter how wild.

Grace is very honored and excited to sit on Hearts of Joy International’s Board of Ambassadors. When Grace was born she was diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot. When she turned 6 months old, she underwent open-heart surgery and at 18 years old she had a heart valve replacement. She looks forward to sharing her story and letting others know that having a heart defect hasn’t stopped her from thriving. She hopes to inspire others along the way!
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Arik Ancelin

Ambassador

Arik Ancelin

Arik Ancelin is a pop & rap music artist and motivational speaker born and raised in Jacksonville, FL.  Arik has taken the music industry by storm in just a few short years. He began his music career in 2020, which to many was a year filled with bad, but Arik being the bright and creative soul he is, has used these hard times to create. Since beginning his career, he has put out multiple singles, EPs and Albums. He has proudly achieved over 15 million streams across platforms or his music and has over 1.5 million followers on tik tok.

As his career has grown, he has had the opportunity to work with Grammy award winning producer, DJ Nitti Gritti and performed live on stage with Andy Grammer at the Hearts of Joy International Gala as well as on his tour. The traction he has gained from his music career has launched his life trajectory and grown his reach. Through his music and performance, he is impacting all types of people and is changing lives for the better. As an Ambassador for Hearts of Joy International, he continues to use his platform to spread awareness and education and demonstrates that a Down Syndrome diagnosis does not have to stop you from chasing your dreams. Every single day that Arik continues working hard to live out his dreams, he is inspiring others through his music, words and actions.

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Joey Agostino

Ambassador

Joey Agostino

Joey Agostino aka DJ Joe lives in Norwalk, CT and ever since he could remember, he has always loved music and dancing. His dream was  to become a Professional DJ which came true after winning the NDSS Ethan Saylor Memorial Scholarship; Pursue Your Passion! He used the scholarship to begin DJ lessons and his first official gig was the amazing Tim Tebow Foundation Night to Shine Prom. Since then, Joe has had the opportunity to perform at some amazing events like the iHeartRadio Z100 Down for Laughs, a Gym Opening with Special Guest; The Champ -Mike Tyson, National Down Syndrome Society Annual Gala, Maryland Step Up for Down Syndrome, South Carolina Buddy Walk, Down Syndrome Association of CT, (DS-ACT) -21 Strong, Hearts of Joy International, The Mayors Masquerade Ball, PALS Programs. Joe has performed all over the nation and was even flown out to California to perform in front of 1,800 people for a company’s annual Gala and attended a private Katy Perry concert.

In June of 2019, Joe was chosen to be a part of the Innovative Employment Opportunity Pilot Program  which helped him officially start his own DJ Company -  DJ Joe LLC. During Covid, Joe hosted a number of “DJ Joe Share the LOVE Virtual Dance Parties” - free events that were streamed on Facebook Live, helping to bring some “happy” to folks in lock down. He was then chosen to receive the STAR Inc Lightening the Way Jeannette Shivers Award for his efforts to bring joy to others during Covid and throughout 2020. Joe loves being a DJ and making people happy through his music.

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Parth Bhatt

Ambassador

Parth Bhatt

Parth Bhatt is an actor and Comedian. His passion for the performing arts began in his teenage years. Inspired to become an actor, Parth began his formal training at TVI Actor’s Studio, a respected center for dramatic education. He soon began acting in short films such as Orson’s Last Dance, The Plummer, and Dance I Can. His television appearances include Shameless, Tae-Kwon-Do Family, Born This Way, and Legit, during which he became a proud member of SAG-AFTRA.

Parth later discovered a love for stand-up comedy, inspired by Corey Martin Craig through the Cool Beans Comedy Workshop at the Ice House in Pasadena, CA. His debut performance in 2024, titled I Have Down Syndrome, earned him two Webby Awards for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. He continues to perform regularly with Cool Beans Comedy. Parth was invited to perform at the "Down for Laughs" Times Square event organized by iHeartRadio and Hearts of Joy International in 2024.  Outside of performing, Parth leads a full and active life. He attends weekly Drama Therapy, Art, and Communication and Critical Thinking classes at Coastline Community College. He is also deeply involved in both local and national Down syndrome community events, advocating for inclusion and representation. Parth enjoys spending time with his girlfriend, family and friends. He loves dancing, gourmet dining, and traveling, always embracing life with joy, confidence and creativity.

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Collette Divitto

Ambassador

Collette Divitto

Collette Divitto is a pioneering entrepreneur, disability rights activist, and thought leader to anyone who has ever been told they are not good enough nor intelligent enough to pursue their dreams. After being rejected from many job opportunities, likely due to her disability (Down syndrome), Collette decided to launch her own cookie company. Before she knew it, the company, and her story, blew up to national status. Today, Collettey’s has sold over 900,000 cookies, and stays true to her mission of creating employment for people with disabilities!
 
Though Collettey’s (Collette’s nickname) began with selling cookies exclusively online, Collette has recently developed a shelf-stable cookie that is taking her business to the next level via retail stores and markets. Collette’s story was developed into documentary which was given an Academy Award this year for short film! This documentary is called 17 Percent, representing only 17% of people with disabilities have employment. Her story has been in the media over 16 countries and brings hope and inspiration to improve the lives of people with disabilities. 
 
On top of running a successful national company, Collettey’s Cookie Corp., Collette also operates a nonprofit organization, called Collettey’s Leadership. This nonprofit offers workshops, webinars, and mentoring for the neurodiverse community. The leadership organization has built a coalition this year 2025, with tan advisory board of many leaders in the City of Boston. This coalition is focused on neurodiversity and employment and creating a filmed project program to help other companies hire this community. Collettey’s Cookies donates a % of profits each year to this goal. Collette has been a magnet for media attention. To date, she has been in People and Forbes Magazine, appeared on shows like Fox and Friends, CNBC Make It, NBC First Look, David Muir, News Nation, and many more including a Ted Talk. She stars in Shopify Studio’s reality show, “Born for Business,” which is available to stream on Peacock and Crave Canada. Recently, Collette deployed a new web series on YouTube entitled “Underestimated.” And started a podcast.
 
Collette Divitto is a mogul in the making, has a heart of gold, and wants to spread her message far and wide. She hopes her journey and successes can affect great change for people with neurodiversity, especially for employment opportunities.
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