Juan C. Hernandez, President 

Juan Hernandez was born in the Dominican Republic.  He started visiting New York City at the age of two and then formally immigrated at the age of six to start school.  From an early age, Juan showed a passion for sports and academics.  Juan graduated from Ramapo College in 2009 with a degree in Economics and subsequently earned a Master's degree in Economics from the University at Albany, SUNY in 2011.  Prior to that, he was pursuing his dream of becoming a professional baseball player where he had the opportunity to play professional baseball in the Dominican Republic and Mexico.  Juan currently works in the financial services industry and runs a youth travel baseball organization.  He is also a trustee of the Alexander Neuhaus Memorial Scholarship Fund.  A 501c3 non-profit fund established to award sports scholarships to underprivileged children in New York City.  Juan believes that education is an essential moral human right. Unfortunately, many children around the world are deprived of such rights.  Juan co-founded The JUFI Foundation in an attempt to help children claim the basic moral right of education.       

 

Ney Peralta, Treasurer 

Ney Peralta was born in Manhattan, New York to Dominican parents.  Ney graduated from Bentley University in 2010 with a dual degree in Corporate Finance and Accounting, and Global Perspectives.   He began his professional career at Citigroup’s investment banking division.  Ney is currently a vice-president at Bank of America Merrily Lynch.  Apart from working in the financial services industry, Ney enjoys giving back to the community. He participates as a career coach at Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) for interns looking to gain a full-time job after college on Wall Street.  In addition, he also founded the Juan Carlos De La Cruz scholarship at Bentley University which provides financial help to inner-city minority students who want to study Business at Bentley University. The passion for educational development has lead Ney to co-found The JUFI Foundation.  Early on in his life, his parents instilled in him that education was very important and one of the many keys to succeed and pave your own path.  He has always believed in the famous quote by Malcolm X "Education is the passport to tomorrow, as tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today."

 

Raynick Ortiz, Trustee & Director of Dominican Operations 

Raynick Ortiz was born in the Dominican Republic. He immigrated to New York City with his family at the age of 13. He attended Theodore Roosevelt High School where he was an excellent student-athlete.  After graduating high school Raynick moved to Nizao, Bani in the Dominican Republic to pursue his dream of becoming a professional baseball player. While in Nizao, he confronted the deprivation of the region’s children.  That experience motivated him to dedicate his life to their welfare.  Raynick is committed to making a positive and long-lasting impact on the lives of children who need assistance with their education and financial circumstances. Raynick graduated from Lehman College with a degree in Business Management. He currently owns a business in Florida. Raynick believes that “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world’’ Nelson Mandela. Raynick co-funded The JUFI Foundation to help children growing up in poverty and at a disadvantage by providing free academic assistance.

 

Eickel Ortiz, Trustee

Eickel Ortiz was born in the Dominican Republic. He immigrated to New York City to care for his elderly grandmother and attend school at the age of thirteen. He learned from a very young age that caring and supporting others is one of life’s most important virtues.  Eickel is specifically passionate about helping children achieve.  As a trustee of the JUFI Foundation, he will be assisting with the foundation’s fundraising efforts and operations in the Dominican Republic.  Eicke attended George Washington High School.  Afterward, he attended Katherine Gibb College where he earned a degree in Computer Network Operations. Eickel is currently finishing a degree in Information Systems from the CUNY School of Professional Studies and works as the director of Information Technology at Helene Fuld College of Nursing. Eickel has a strong work ethic and believes that “You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose” Dr. Seuus