OUR STAFF
ROBIN SALMON - Founder, CEO
Robin Salmon is a native of The District of Columbia. She is a highly successful telecommunications professional with 28 years of proven experience in telecommunications product sales, IT solutions and technical consulting for the Federal Government, Military, Public Sector, Carriers and Fortune 100, 500, and 1000 clientele. Robin’s desire to serve others began at age 11 when she would accompany her grandmother to a senior assisted living facility where she would visit her great grandmother. : After witnessing the needs of not only her great grandmother but many other seniors at the facility, Robin developed a passion and a desire to serve. Several evenings per week after completing her homework assignments Robin would visit the elder care facility to volunteer by preparing meals, cleaning and feeding those who were unable to feed themselves and reading books to the elderly. Robin served as a volunteer hospital aide for 4 years at District of Columbia General Hospital where she would help serve abandoned infants or those born with drug addictions also known as the Boarder Baby Program.
Robin later served as a hospital aide at Howard University Hospital. As a Licensed Nail Technician, Robin has continued to serve the elderly by using her skills to provide free manicure and pedicure services to seniors at various nursing home facilities such as Manor Care. Robin has continued her efforts to serve those in need by raising thousands of dollars each year to help support the homeless through providing coats and blankets, food baskets during the Thanksgiving holiday, and toys and clothing for low income families through the Army Community Service Program ( ACS ) at Ft George G. Meade. Spiritually motivated with a personal passion to help others, Robin drives the ship at Donations From The Heart. Her interpersonal communication skills and ability to effectively interact with others with compassion, love, and understanding has been the driving force and foundation for building an organization whose vision and mission is unconditional giving and lending a helping hand to those in need.
Robin later served as a hospital aide at Howard University Hospital. As a Licensed Nail Technician, Robin has continued to serve the elderly by using her skills to provide free manicure and pedicure services to seniors at various nursing home facilities such as Manor Care. Robin has continued her efforts to serve those in need by raising thousands of dollars each year to help support the homeless through providing coats and blankets, food baskets during the Thanksgiving holiday, and toys and clothing for low income families through the Army Community Service Program ( ACS ) at Ft George G. Meade. Spiritually motivated with a personal passion to help others, Robin drives the ship at Donations From The Heart. Her interpersonal communication skills and ability to effectively interact with others with compassion, love, and understanding has been the driving force and foundation for building an organization whose vision and mission is unconditional giving and lending a helping hand to those in need.
GREGORY SALMON - Vice President
Gregory Salmon is a native of The District of Columbia and a retired US Air Force Master Sargent. Gregory currently holds a Master of Science degree in Network Security. Transitioning from his military career to civilian life, he is currently an Executive for the Department of Defense in the area of Global Network Vulnerability. His expertise in research and analysis spans over 30 years and lends itself well to his work with Donations From The Heart. Gregory has seen first hand as a former USAF member those families within the uniformed services that need assistance with food and care for their children.
Gregory has served as a volunteer in several USAF programs to help serve local communities and fellow-service members and their families in need. Gregory served as a volunteer for several years in the Big Brother Big Sister Program in South Florida where he would counsel young male children that had no male figure in the home or male balance in their lives to rely on. Greg has helped young males by taking some to their first ball game, and introducing them to various social activities, such as the zoo, aquarium and places these young boys, due to economic challenges, would never be able to attend. Gregory served as a role model. Gregory continues to provide support to neighbors within his local community and families that need assistance as well as provide young adults seeking employment resume critique and assistance. As Vice President,Gregory applies his knowledge, skills, and abilities to the efforts of managing and assisting with overall needs of program development as well as incoming and outgoing donations for the organization.
Gregory has served as a volunteer in several USAF programs to help serve local communities and fellow-service members and their families in need. Gregory served as a volunteer for several years in the Big Brother Big Sister Program in South Florida where he would counsel young male children that had no male figure in the home or male balance in their lives to rely on. Greg has helped young males by taking some to their first ball game, and introducing them to various social activities, such as the zoo, aquarium and places these young boys, due to economic challenges, would never be able to attend. Gregory served as a role model. Gregory continues to provide support to neighbors within his local community and families that need assistance as well as provide young adults seeking employment resume critique and assistance. As Vice President,Gregory applies his knowledge, skills, and abilities to the efforts of managing and assisting with overall needs of program development as well as incoming and outgoing donations for the organization.
BETTY ( NICKI ) GEBREHIWOT - Director of Education and Tutoring Programs
Betty (Nicki) Gebrehiwot is a native of The District of Columbia and a doctoral candidate with a specialty in educational leadership. Nicki currently holds three Master’s Degrees in Linguistics, Educational Administration, and Early Childhood Education respectively. Her background spans over 30 years of professional and academic instruction in the DC, Maryland, & Virginia school systems. Her academic achievements and passion for the education of children and young adults has led her to develop multiple programs to enhance the educational experience for special needs children and those who are considered underachievers. Nicki has served as a Girl Scout Leader for more than 25 years and has mentored women in various drug treatment programs offering spiritual guidance, parenting skills to help participants understand the life skills needed to re-enter society in a productive manner.
Nicki serves as a volunteer youth coordinator for S.O.M.E (So Others May Eat) program through her local Parish and has organized after-school activities and tutoring for children in low-income housing and youth retreats. Nicki is a teacher of religious studies and the Director of Youth Ministry within her local parish providing guidance and leadership to all volunteer youth leaders within the various ministries in the church.
Nicki serves as a volunteer youth coordinator for S.O.M.E (So Others May Eat) program through her local Parish and has organized after-school activities and tutoring for children in low-income housing and youth retreats. Nicki is a teacher of religious studies and the Director of Youth Ministry within her local parish providing guidance and leadership to all volunteer youth leaders within the various ministries in the church.
CAROLYN MCCALVIN - Director of Marketing and Public Relations
Carolyn McCalvin is a native of The District of Columbia and has 14 years of federal government experience with the Department of Defense and other civilian agencies and over 10 years of corporate experience with four government contracting firms for a combined total of 25+ years of technical, analytical, administrative, and management experience. Alongside her government career, she expanded her educational base and her true love for the arts and design at the Ardis School of Fashion Design. A true artist and designer at heart, Carolyn provides design, communications, and administrative services to a diverse group of clients across the US. Her combined technical and creative skill-set is pivotal to the Donations From The Heart organization in the non-profit marketplace. Carolyn has served others in different capacities from early adulthood to date. She served a number years with the Young Life organization in Washington DC investing time with teenagers to build lasting friendships and to help them consider the direction of their lives.
Currently, Carolyn serves in the outreach ministry of her church and where she, along with a group of others, minister to young adults who reside at the Covenant House (a transitional home for at-risk high school children) by way of scriptural-based inspirational messages and counseling sessions. In addition, as a part of the church outreach efforts, she feeds the homeless who live on the streets of downtown DC providing food, blankets, hats, scarves, and toiletries. Carolyn also heads up the prayer shawl ministry at her church where she teaches and facilitates a group of women to hand make and distribute prayer shawls nationwide for individuals diagnosed with terminal illness.
Currently, Carolyn serves in the outreach ministry of her church and where she, along with a group of others, minister to young adults who reside at the Covenant House (a transitional home for at-risk high school children) by way of scriptural-based inspirational messages and counseling sessions. In addition, as a part of the church outreach efforts, she feeds the homeless who live on the streets of downtown DC providing food, blankets, hats, scarves, and toiletries. Carolyn also heads up the prayer shawl ministry at her church where she teaches and facilitates a group of women to hand make and distribute prayer shawls nationwide for individuals diagnosed with terminal illness.