Board of Directors

PRESIDENT & FOUNDER

Ashley Kohl

Owner & Creative Director, Ohana School of Performing Arts

“We are visitors on this planet. We are here for one hundred years at the very most. During that period we must try to do something good, something useful, with our lives. if you contribute to other people's happiness, you will find the true meaning of life.” ― Dalai Lama XIV

Ashley is the Creative Director of Ohana School of Performing Arts. She grew up studying dance, teaching, choreographing & finding inspiration in every moment of her journey. She has served on the board of directors for Center Nursery School, volunteered extensively on behalf of Square One, Make A Wish of MA & RI, and Unify Against Bullying, and organized annual charity dance concerts for local and national non-profit organizations. She believes that every person deserves the chance to dance. Ashley founded One Ohana, Inc. after noticing how many people want to take dance class but do not have the financial means to do so. She wholeheartedly believes money should never prevent someone from doing something they love. Her guiding purpose is that One Ohana, Inc. will allow dancers of all ages and abilities the chance to be a part of something powerful, inspiring and fulfilling, no matter what their situation may be.

There are few things in this world that make Ashley's heart as happy as when she sees someone who is truly, genuinely happy. She loves impromptu get togethers around her kitchen table, dance parties in her kitchen, and making her kids laugh.

"My ultimate goal in life is to contribute to others' happiness. I believe in giving more than receiving, in celebrating the simple joys and cherishing every moment with the people we love. I trust the power of positivity and love to help others' discover their light." - Ashley Kohl

VICE PRESIDENT

Loryn Engelbrecht

Owner & Chief Celebration Officer, Loryn Design

TREASURER

Danielle Barone

Senior Coordinator for Learning Initiatives in Residential Life, UMASS-Amherst

"Listen earnestly to anything your children want to tell you, no matter what. If you don't listen eagerly to the little stuff when they are little, they won't tell you the big stuff when they are big, because to them all of it has always been big stuff." -Anonymous

Danielle's work as the Senior Coordinator for Learning Initiatives in Residential Life at UMass Amherst enables her to work with a large, talented staff to coordinate the co-curricular learning outside of the classroom for residential students on campus. She collaboratively works to develop and coordinate a leadership course for staff aimed at teaching college students how to engage in meaningful dialogue with those that are different from them; by understanding identity, power, and privilege. Danielle earned a Master's Degree in Student Personnel Administration (M.Ed.), and her favorite service experience was organizing a community service trip with 30 student leaders from The Ohio State University to New Orleans in 2008. Spending time with those impacted by Hurricane Katrina, sharing stories, and educating young people on the importance of service to others was something she will carry with her always.

Growing up, dancing and her home studio were her heart. Her fondest memories are learning hard choreography cheered on by my peers, backstage silliness, dance competitions, blue eyeshadow, lots of AquaNet, and regrettable costume choices. For Danielle, dance wasn't about BEING a dancer-- she danced to gain confidence and community. The work One Ohana is capable of doing means that other kids can have access to the same memories, the same dreams, the same friends, and THAT is powerful.

Danielle's greatest passion is being the kind of wife, mother, daughter, sister, granddaughter that provides love, laughter, and support. She aims for her legacy to be one of unending love, jokes, and a dedication to the people who fill our hearts. Danielle can sing every line of Billy Joel's "We Didn't Start the Fire", and she has exceptionally neat handwriting!

"We have such a short amount of time to make a difference and my difference in this world will be to raise children with my husband who continue to give back and make their little corner of the Earth better." - Danielle Barone

SECRETARY

Danielle Stelma

DIRECTOR OF GIVING

Jennifer Gilburg

BOARD MEMBER

Krystle Bernier