ABOUT US

Yvonne Sewall, President & Founder

Established the Max's Kansas City Project 1996, incorporated in 2001 and gained its 501C3 tax exempt status. Handles the day to day operations of the non profit, organizes and produces fundraisers and events, interfaces with the production team and the volunteer staff, reviews the applications for assistance with the board members. Author, film producer and founder of the Max's Kansas City Project established in memory of her late ex-husband, Mickey Ruskin, creator of the legendary restaurant/bar/club, Max's Kansas City. BA in English, U. of Conn; Masters in Education, NYU. Assisted in developing " Upstairs at Max's," that showcased and featured unsigned bands some of which included Aerosmith, Bruce Springsteen, Patti Smith, Bonnie Raitt, and the Velvet Underground to name a few. Ms Sewall moved on to manage recording studio's including Bearsville Studios (assistant manager), 39th Street Music, Evergreen Recording, and Celestial Sound in NYC. In 1983 she created I CONTACT, the first audio production service in New York City. Ms. Sewall is the author of an oral history on Max's, High On Rebellion Inside the Underground at Max's Kansas City, published by Thunders' Mouth Press in 1998. Aside from being the CEO of the Max's Kansas City Project she is currently working on a documentary film on Max's, "A Walk on the "In" Side, and holds both a real estate's broker's license and a teaching license. Aside from being the CEO of the Max's Kansas City Project, she is currently co-producing a feature documentary on Max's with IKM Productions, and holds both a real estate broker's license and a teaching license. Kathleen Doherty, Esq, Associate Producer/Advisor

Ms. Doherty acts as the organization's secretary and has co-produced some of the events and fundraisers. She advises the board on legal issues where applicable, and is instrumental in establishing and promoting the visibility of the organization and its events in the media. Ms. Doherty, Esq. was born and raised on Long Island and in NYC. Earned her B.A. from State U of NY graduated Magna Cum Laude, 1988; M.A. in Psychology Adelphi U; J.D. Fuchsberg Law Center. Practiced law in Federal Courts for Eastern and Southern Districts of NY. While completing her MA she published research to the Eastern Psychological Assoc. on Self Defeating Personality Disorder and its effects in drug addiction. Admitted to the New York State Bar in 1995. Ms. Doherty was admitted to practice law in the Federal Courts for the Eastern & Southern Districts of NY. In addition to practicing law she now works with the Max's Kansas City Project.

Shelley Valfer, Treasurer Keeps the financial records of the organization in order. Shelley Valfer has been involved in the entertainment industry as both performer and administrator. He has worked in both the profit and non-profit sector as a puppeteer in the Bread and Puppet Theater to being Administrative director of the Kitchen Center for the Performing Arts in it's previous Soho location. Presently he is a computer consultant and road tour accountant for the Allman Brothers Band. Jack Abbott, Media/Marketing Director

Mr. Abbott has served the Max's Kansas City Project as assistant to the Executive Director and Marketing Director. His responsibilities include researching and stabilizing the projects fundraising events by interfacing with the organization's strategic partners in the NYC area, and handles some of the marketing and promotions. He also conducts some of the meetings with applicants for funding from the five New York Boroughs to assess their character, their history and the urgency of their need for financial assistance. Jack Abbott is a Senior Executive experienced in marketing/general management, strategic planning, business/product development and national multimedia advertising in start-up and Fortune 500 arenas. He has been an innovator of financial information television programming.

Mr. Abbott has a proven ability in the newspaper and magazine publishing industry. Expanded advertising revenues 50% in fashion and travel ad placement for national publishing house. Supervised editorial staff of 40 creating 30 regional publications. Authored 100+ articles for national consumer and trade publications.

Jessica Ruskin, Consultant/Advisor
Ms. Ruskin volunteers in the capacity of consultant to the Max's Project. She is a Program Director at the Charles Schulz Museum, and was previously at the Exploratorium Science Museum in San Francisco. Her responsibilities include hiring, training and supervising the administrative support staff. As well as coordinating all aspects of outreach programs, managing program budgets, expenses and grant income. She graduated Cornell University summa cum laude & earned her masters in Museum Education from George Washington University in Washington, DC. Jessica is proficient in grant proposal writing and teams and budget management. She was on the team of Habitat for Humanity for two years, joined the staff of Kidspace Museum in Pasadena, Ca. where she coordinated all aspects of professional development seminars and facilitated museum visits for preschool children as well as establishing & maintaining partnerships with community organizations. Michael Ruskin, Sound Engineer/Stagehand

Assists with events and fundraisers, designs graphics for invitations and post cards, provides sound engineering and acts as a stagehand. He builds sets for events when needed. Mr. Ruskin created his own business: nycpedalboards.com designing and customizing cases for musicians for their pedal boards, plus he produces and engineers bands in his music studio. After graduating from Performing Arts in NYC. he attended North Carolina School of the Arts later transferring to SUNY Purchase in theater production and design.

Faye Feller, Development Consultant Ms. Feller co-chairs the NGO Committee on Education at the UN. She is also the Executive Director of the National Association of Women for the Arts and a member of our advisory board. Ms. Feller conceived the idea for an online mentoring program for educating and mentoring our youth. We applauded the concept and developed the program around her original premise. Ms. Feller works in association with the Department of Youth and Community Development for the safety and health of children, youth and families. She used her knowledge and expertise to prepare the Department of Youth and Community for the Youth Fusion Summit.

ADVISORY BOARD