Meet Our Team

Barbara Warter

Founder & CEO

Barbara Warter, is a speech-language pathologist, founder of the Do Happy Project, co-founder of Signing Fingers, LLC., certified Vinyasa yoga instructor, and the visionary behind Warter Strong. As a therapist, Barbara specializes in the assessment and treatment of speech and language disorders in children. She also teaches American Sign Language (ASL) to people of all ages. Ms. Warter earned a BS degree from Union College and her Masters in Speech Pathology from Columbia University. Barbara is a proud author of her first children's book, ABC, Do Happy with Me (available for sale on Amazon) and a memoir entitled "Happy is a Verb" is set to be released in spring 2025.

Debra Mistretta

Board Member

Debra Mistretta, Board Member, is currently a Managing Director and a Portfolio Manager for a multi-sector real estate investment account with properties located in major markets throughout the U.S.  She is responsible for the overall investment strategy as well as directing new property acquisitions, asset management, dispositions, financings, and client service activities   Ms. Mistretta earned a BS degree in finance from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and an MBA degree in finance from Fordham University. She also received her Certified Managerial Accountant designation.

Natalie Seidman

Board Member

Natalie Seidman, Board Member, is a Managing Directeor responsible for strategic decision making for Edelman Intelligence.  Natalie’s background spans management consulting, traditional market research and alternative data.  Ms. Seidman holds an MBA in Finance from Columbia Business School and a BA in Economics from Binghamton University.​

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Jeffrey Sarrett

Board Member

Jeffrey Sarrett, CPA, CFA, Board Member, is currently the Chief Financial Officer for Tenere Capital LLC.  Jeff's background is in accounting and finance for a wide array of investments.  Jeff holds a BBA from the Univeristy of Michigan.

Zachary Warter

Marketing Director

Zachary is credited with the creation of the campaign directive, "Do Happy," as well as the logo development and marketing of the charity's brand image. Zachary is responsible for the marketing, social media advertising, and internal organization of the largest charity fundraising event: The Warter Strong Golf Outing. He assisted with these three events with a total of $100,000 in revenue and over 500 attendees. In addition, Zachary connected over 60 sponsors for a combined collaborative promotion. Zachary is responsible for coordinating with the Gift of Life and organizing stem cell drives and charity walks. Zachary is also a talented author, having written two children's books entitled  Otis the Do Happy Dog in 2022 and  Otis the Do Happy Dog and the Search for the Perfect Seashell in 2024 to support our charity's action-based school initiative, the Do Happy Project. Zachary is also proud to have been a stem cell donor for a young man battling leukemia in 2022. He had the opportunity to meet his recipient in 2/2024. 

Currently, Zachary is a junior at Tulane University, majoring in Finance and Management. 

Jake Warter

Social Media Consultant; Do Happy Ambassador Supervisor

Jake brings a unique perspective to the charity given his passion for photography and commitment to using photography as a communication tool. Jake started the @beyond_words_project as a dedication to his late brother and a means to support individuals with special needs with their communication styles. Jake uses his passion and skill to help support the charity's social media efforts. Jake embodies the mission of "Do Happy" and brings that attitude forward with all that he does. Jake is also a High School Ambassador for the Gift of Life, running drives and walks. He is the supervisor of the Do Happy Ambassador program, where he continues to spread awareness of the Gift of Life and bring more high school students into the registry.

Currently, Jake is a junior at Livingston High School.

Corynne Sarrett

Consulting and Marketing Advisor

Corynne has a wide array of marketing experience in social media, content, SEO, SEM, and others. Corynne graduated from Tulane University, A.B. Freeman School of Business, in December 2018. Corynne has held positions both with Accenture and Deloitte for consulting. Corynne currently works for