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July 23
Secretary
Cheyenne Wolf Caton serves as Development Coordinator with the Dravet Syndrome Foundation (DSF), the largest non-governmental funder of Dravet syndrome research worldwide. She brings nearly a decade of nonprofit development experience spanning donor engagement, corporate giving, matching gifts, and non-cash giving strategies, with several years as Executive Director of People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos. Cheyenne holds a degree in Psychology from William Paterson University, certifications in Social Media Marketing & Fundraising and Smart Giving, and is currently pursuing her Certified Fund-Raising Executive (CFRE) credential.
Executive Director
Debra Lampert-Rudman joined People & Stories/Gente y Cuentos in 2022 and has served as Executive Director since 2024. She brings more than 25 years of experience in the nonprofit, arts, humanities, education, and communications sectors. She oversees all aspects of the organization’s operations, including strategic planning, fundraising, program development, communications, community partnerships, and board relations.
Throughout her career, Debra has been drawn to organizations that use literature, the arts, and the humanities to enrich lives and strengthen communities. At People & Stories, she is honored to help expand access to the organization’s trademarked literature-based humanities programs, creating opportunities for people of all backgrounds to share ideas, discover new perspectives, and connect through meaningful discussion.
Debra holds a Master of Education degree in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Children’s Literature and Literacy from The Pennsylvania State University. Her professional background includes leadership roles in education, arts, humanities, communications, and cultural organizations, including service with Morven Museum & Garden, Barnes & Noble, and the Arts Council of Princeton. She is an award-winning author, educator, speaker, artist, and arts advocate. Her books have received national recognition, and her artwork has been exhibited in galleries, including a solo exhibition at the William Secord Gallery in New York City.
Today, Debra is focused on expanding access to literature-based humanities programs, strengthening community partnerships, and building a strong, diversified foundation of support to ensure that People & Stories can continue enriching lives and building community well into the future.
Debra may be reached at debra@peopleandstories.org.
Treasurer
I am joining the People & Stories board because I value the role that literature and shared discussion play in building connection and community. With my background in nonprofit audits and financial oversight, I would enjoy contributing in a practical, hands-on way as Treasurer to support the organization’s continued growth and impact.
Charles "Charley" Busuttil holds a B.S. degree from Manhattan College in education and biology. He later went on to a master’s degree program, as a graduate fellow, at the University of Utah where he completed his M.S. degree in work physiology. Charley taught at Manhattan College in both the Schools of Education and Arts and Sciences
Charley has served as Director of Training at the Bank of New York and was also on the Board of Directors for the American Institute of Banking during this period. In this position, he also coached and worked directly with executives, which provided him with the opportunity to move into human resources management for the bank’s biggest sector (Securities Processing). Charley was later moved to a major lending subsidiary of the bank (BNY Financial) where he reported to the president as his HR director. Charley has served as Director of Human Resources at The Emigrant Savings Bank in New York City, later leaving the bank to join White & Case LLP, one of the world’s premier law firms. During his 16 years there, Charley held various HR positions from HR Director, Director of Employee Relations, to the Global Director of Human Resources Operations. Charley retired in April of 2022 and continues to do pro bono work for not-for-profit organizations, individuals, and other law firms.
I became part of People & Stories/GyC because I am passionate about promoting literacy worldwide and enhancing people’s lives through the power of reading and storytelling.
The Board is the heartbeat of our organization that works to keep alive the mission and vision of People and Stories. It allows me the opportunity to provide this support in a personal and meaningful way.
Sumanth Munipalli is Senior Director of Business Development & Partnership for the US Digital Health Services business at Samsung Electronics America. He is responsible for developing the GTM Strategy & Execution for various B2B & B2C Services (such as RPM / Corporate Wellness / Digital Insurance / Health & Fitness) utilizing Samsung's consumer devices such as Wearables / Phones & Applications. Sumanth has a Masters in International Business from the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade in New Delhi and Bachelors of Engineering from the University of Mysore, India.
Across close to 25 years of technology industry experience and 13 years of management experience building and leading high-performance business teams that have consistently exceeded expectations, Sumanth has expertise in areas such as: Business and Go-to-Market Strategy, Planning and Execution; all facets of Technology - business & technology consulting, integrated solutions, applications, business process, infrastructure services and product engineering services. He has led teams of 10+ and managed revenues of over $100 million. Additionally, Sumanth has institutionalized processes and reported to C-Suite executives and board members on various key initiatives and advised organizations on optimal processes and digital transformation.
In his words: “I am interested in a role that capitalizes on my experience and contributes to creating a difference to the community. My passion for reading and the difference that it can make in the world leads me to believe that I can specifically contribute my skills in an advisory capacity to People and Stories. I have the drive, energy and leadership to make a significant contribution.”
“I am interested in a role that capitalizes on my experience and contributes to creating a difference to the community. My passion for reading and the difference that it can make in the world leads me to believe that I can specifically contribute my skills in an advisory capacity to People and Stories.”
Wayne plays a major role in developing and maintaining the People and Stories website. He also provides support for other technical aspects of the organization. When not working on computer systems (for People and Stories and other not-for-profits), he teaches English As A Secondary Language to adults (through Oakton College in Skokie, IL). In his free time he makes quilts and other art from fabrics.
