Leadership

Staff  |   Board of Directors  |   Advisory Board

Staff and Founder

Deborah Boldt -- Co-Founding Executive Director

Preferred Pronouns: She/Her
Deborah is an award-winning filmmaker with an expertise in using film as an educational catalyst. Her feature documentary Miles to Go, co-produced with Hilary Maddux, won an Academy Award Certificate of Special Merit, was released theatrically, and served as the basis for the corporate seminar she co-developed -- Leading Through the Unknown. Her film Fresco was broadcast as a national PBS special in combination with a national educational initiative. Deborah directed a three-year community outreach program in the Twin Cities inspired by Fresco, resulting in the creation of five major public artworks.

Deborah graduated cum laude from Vassar College with a degree in English Literature. She's an Aspen Institute Scholar and Lecturer and the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Regional Fellowship. She served on the board of New York Women in Film and Television and is a graduate of the Leadership Santa Fe program.

For REEL FATHERS, Deborah directs programs, fund development, finance, marketing, and communications. She's an avid hiker, skier and gardener. As Executive Director, she serves as an ex-officio member of the REEL FATHERS Board of Directors.

Noah Kass – Director, Youth Programs

Preferred Pronouns: He/Him
Noah Kass is a community poet whose work integrates personal narrative with critical social justice issues. He majored in Social Justice Education at Prescott College. His culminating work connected poetry and personal story to the process of community building and healing. 

Noah has facilitated writing workshops at the Santa Fe Youth Detention Center and at schools in Wisconsin, Oregon, and Arizona.

Growing up in a fatherless home, Noah brings to REEL FATHERS a keen appreciation of the challenges many Santa Fe youth face related to father and family. As Director of the youth Poetry and Art program Identity in Ink, Noah initiates partnerships with schools and community organizations and directs all aspects of program operations. He collaborates with the Executive Director on curriculum development, staff training, program promotion and evaluation.

With his family, Noah is a founding owner of the Santa Fe Oxygen and Healing Bar in downtown Santa Fe. He adds this experience as a business owner/entrepreneur to his talents as a poet, educator and youth advocate.

Allan Shedlin, MA – Founder and President Emeritus 

Allan's passion for promoting positive father engagement was key to the founding of REEL FATHERS in 2009. He brought his experience as an educator, freelance writer, parenting coach, and national educational consultant to the work of the organization. His writing on issues related to fathers and families has been widely published in the popular and professional press.

As REEL FATHERS' Founder, Allan headed up national outreach and collaborated on program design, fundraising, and communications. He represented REEL FATHERS on the Leadership Team for the NM Alliance for Fathers and Families and at national and regional conferences.

Allan earned a BA in English Literature from Colgate University, a MA in Elementary Education and Special Education from Columbia University Teachers College, and an ABD in Education Administration from Fordham University. As Founder and President Emeritus, Allan continues to provide key support for REEL FATHERS.

Board of Directors

The Board of Directors provides oversight and active support for REEL FATHERS’ governance, financial management, program development, strategic planning and growth. Committee and Board meetings are characterized by candid dialogue with careful listening and a lively, thoughtful exchange of ideas and expertise from a wide range of perspectives.

Marc Choyt – Secretary

Marc brings his diverse background as a small-business owner/entrepreneur, author/blogger, educator and activist to REEL FATHERS. He is President of Reflective Jewelry, a Santa Fe-based company he co-founded with his wife Helen Chantler in 1995. 

A long-time anti-mining activist, Marc pioneered fairt rade gold sourcing in the jewelry sector. Prior to leading Reflective Jewelry, Marc taught English to Native American high school students and served as the volunteer director of an orphanage in Haiti. 

Marc has served on other nonprofit boards, including the Turquoise Trail Regional Alliance and the Santa Fe Green Chamber of Commerce. He's a graduate of Brown University and has a Masters degree from St. John's College.

Jeff Pine, MSPH, CMC, MS – Board Chair

Preferred Pronouns: He/Him
Jeff is the founding director of EGIS (Elders Getting Information and Services). Since 1998 EGIS has been a pioneering agency providing services enabling older adults to age in place at home, in a retirement community or a care facility. 

In addition to his business management expertise, Jeff is an Advanced Professional member of the Aging Life Care Association™ (ALCA). He served as President of the Board of Directors of ALCA and is a Past President of the Western Region Chapter of ALCA. Jeff directed county health operations and services in Northern New Mexico for the Department of Health. Previously he operated Community Health Services, an organization providing case management services to more than 200 individuals with HIV/AIDS. 

Jeff is a graduate of the University of North Texas with graduate degrees in Public Health and Community Development from the University of Missouri. Fluent in Spanish and a former marathon runner, he enjoys tennis and other recreational sports. Jeff is married to his partner of 30 years, Tom, and is the proud father of his adult daughter Tegwyn, who with her wife Carmen have two beautiful granddaughters.

Larry Rayburn, MA – Vice Chair

Larry is a Jungian analyst practicing in Santa Fe and currently serves as the Vice President/Secretary of the New Mexico Society of Jungian Analysts. He brings a special interest in male psychology to REEL FATHERS.

A graduate of Prescott College, Larry earned his Masters in Counseling Psychology from the Pacifica Graduate Institute, writing his thesis on the Father -- archetype and person. He works with many boys in his practice.

Previous to becoming a therapist and analyst, Larry worked in the construction industry. He served on the founding board of Monte del Sol Charter School in Santa Fe. The father of an adult daughter, Larry likes to play various folk instruments and spend time on the river and the outdoors.

Michael Zimber – Treasurer 

Michael is the founder/owner of Stone Forest, a national/international design firm based in Santa Fe since 1989. On his path to becoming a business owner/entrepreneur, Michael was an outdoor experiential educator with Outward Bound, then founded Southwest Wilderness Center, a commercial outfitter and outdoor educational center.

Michael graduated from Prescott College with a degree in Humanistic Psychology, then graduated from the American Graduate School of International Management. He currently serves on the Prescott College board of directors.

Michael is the father of three adult children. When he’s not traveling in the U.S. and China, he enjoys whitewater kayaking, hiking, and backcountry skiing.

Deborah Boldt – Co-Founding Executive Director -- Director ex officio

As noted in the Staff section, Deborah is an award-winning filmmaker with an expertise in using film as an educational catalyst. She was an Aspen Institute Scholar and Lecturer and the recipient of a National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) Regional Fellowship. She is a former board member of New York Women in Film and Television and a graduate of the Leadership Santa Fe program.

As REEL FATHERS' Executive Director, Deborah serves ex officio on the REEL FATHERS Board.

Advisory Board

Marsie Sylvestro
Marsie is an internationally known author, composer, artist, motivational speaker, counselor, life coach and consultant. She is recognized locally and nationally for her nonprofit leadership positions and her work in business and politics. Marsie has received numerous state and national awards for her domestic violence, human rights and social justice work. Her 48-year career includes tenure as the Executive Director of several nonprofit agencies, including most recently Esperanza Shelter for Battered Families.

 Currently Marsie consults for nonprofits and facilitates the Santa Fe Community Foundation’s Executive Director Learning Circle. She holds a BA in Fine Arts and Theology, and a M.Ed in Pastoral Counseling.  She was named Santa Fe’s Business Woman of the Year by the Santa Fe Professional Business Women’s Association. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Marsie has enjoyed being a published poet and music composer.