POSTED BY: BOB KNOTTS

We’ve added a new, and overdue, page to this website. Now you can find photos and bios for our entire Board of Directors. We’re proud of our distinguished board — and we must explain that we’ve waited to create a page like this until now for only one reason. Our organization is about “us,” about the value of helping others. Not about “me.” Our concern was a bio page for our board might send the wrong message, as if our work revolved around egos rather than efforts to improve society.

Our good friend Kim Trumbo, founder of the Generosity Philosophy Podcast, was among those who persuaded us to change our mind so you would know the people behind the Humanity Project. The new page is linked off our existing About page: Visit the new Board of Directors page. But we wanted to make it easy for you to see what was new — so you’ll also find the same content in this blog. Thanks. We think you’ll enjoy meeting these wonderful folks!

Bob Knotts, Founder and President: Author of 24 books, five plays and many poems, lyrics and nonfiction articles. He founded the Humanity Project in November 2005 to create practical applications that would help people based on ideas expressed in his writings. Mr. Knotts is among fewer than 50,000 Americans whose biographies appear in the prestigious Marquis “Who’s Who in America” and “Who’s Who in the World” reference books. A lifelong musician, he also creates and performs much of the Humanity Project’s original music including the Humanity Project Podcast theme. http://www.rsknotts.com

Dr. Laura Finley, Vice President: With a Ph.D. in sociology, she is Associate Professor of Sociology and Criminology at Barry University. Dr. Finley is also the author or co-author of 13 books as well as numerous journal articles and book chapters. Her latest book is called, “School Violence.” Dr. Finley is actively involved in local, state and national efforts to promote peace, justice and human rights. In 2008, she started the Center for Living and Teaching Peace, which provides training and education related to the promotion of peace in all its forms.https://www.barry.edu/sociology-criminology/faculty/finley.html

Matt Corey, Vice President: CEO and President of Insight for the Blind, a long-established nonprofit that records books and magazines for the Library of Congress’ Talking Booksprogram. He also oversees technical aspects of Insight’s recording, holding both a Bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in Applied Music from the University of Miami. Mr. Corey remains very active in the South Florida arts as a composer, sound designer and performing musician and has won the region’s highest theatrical award multiple times for best sound design. A bassoonist with the Boca Raton Symphonia, he teaches bassoon and music production at Florida International University and Nova Southeastern University. http://www.insightfortheblind.org/

Gabriela Pinto, Vice President: After earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Visual Arts, she worked for some of the most significant museums in Bogota, Colombia, including the Museum of Modern Art and the National Museum of Colombia. In 2000, she joined the Fondazione Leo Matiz in Milan, Italy as Archive Director and took part in a Matiz retrospective in Madrid, Spain. In 2002, Ms. Pinto moved to Fort Lauderdale where she began working for prominent art galleries. In April 2010, she created www.heal-anxiety-and-depression.com, a website for the community to learn about dealing with emotional distress without medication. The website material is based on both scientific research and her personal experience. She also helps to present the Humanity Project’s Anti-Bullying Through The Arts program at elementary schools.http://www.heal-anxiety-and-depression.com/

Bob LaMendola, Secretary/Treasurer: Community Affairs Manager for the Florida Department of Health in Broward County, Florida since October 2013. He helps create and maintain strong contacts with community organizations and the public, as well as conducting writing and speaking projects to educate the community about health issues. Previously Mr. LaMendola was a staff manager for the Broward County HIV Planning Council, a panel that oversees HIV-related spending and services. Prior to entering the health field, he spent 35 years as a daily journalist, including 25 years on health and local government beats for the South Florida Sun Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale. He is a longtime bass guitar player and currently leads a busy jazz band, the Jazz Survivors. http://www.jazzsurvivors.com/