President & Operations Director

Coleen joined NYHC in 2016 and was elected to the board in February 2021. She's a neurodivergent skincare Sorceress, who spends her days formulating sensory friendly skincare for Rising Phoenixx.

Membership Director

Rachel Soares joined NYHC in 2015, and was elected to the Board in March 2022. Her favorite creative outlet is hand-stamping quirky keychains for her shop, Ye Old Stamping Grounds. She previously worked for 8 years researching diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

Recording Secretary

Deidra joined the NYHC in 2023 and became Recording Secretary in November 2025. She is a Registered Nurse and the owner of D's Delights based in Brooklyn, NY. Utilizing African recycled glass and semiprecious gemstone beads, she designs and makes unique jewelry that is designed to honor the complexities that make us the unique individuals we are.

Financial Secretary

Kim is a retired bureaucrat who cannot get away from paperwork. A quilter from a young age, she gravitated toward paper collage as an artistic medium and enjoys making art from what gets thrown away. She joined the Collective in 2023 seeking both the cooperative aspect of artists/makers helping each other and the practical support and guidance offered. Still a lover of a good spreadsheet, she is pleased to step up as financial secretary.

Partnership Director

HanaKyle joined NYHC in early 2024 while seeking a community of creators to connect with upon her return to ceramics after a long hiatus. As a massage therapist for over 18 years, she uses her extraordinary sense of touch to finesse each piece she creates to be satisfying to the eyes and hands. Her work is primarily thrown on the pottery wheel, entirely produced in Brooklyn, NY, and is intended to contain what you find precious and mundane every day.

Marketing Director

Wendy joined NYHC in 2024. She became the Marketing Director in 2026. Wendy is the founder & designer behind quietude studio, based in Brooklyn, NY. 

Advisory Director

Lina joined the NYHC in February 2020 and became our Marketing Director in April 2024. She is the owner of Lina Del Plato Designs, where she designs customized baby, bridal, and adoption gifts, as well as apparel, totes, and aprons.  When she is not designing, she is an attorney for children in New York Family Court, representing mostly children in foster care.  Most of her inspiration comes from her daughter, who encouraged her to start her business and her blog.

Junior Board Member

Jenny of Saucey and Wubs Designs joined NYHC in 2020, looking for community and education. As a new custom jewelry business owner she was searching for a place she could learn new business and fabrication skills while developing relationships with other makers. She became a junior board member to give back and help others in similar situations as she was in 2020.

Junior Board Member