Ruth Ocumarez

Founder

Born in Santo Domingo, Ruth became an icon in her nation by becoming the first woman of predominantly African heritage to represent the Dominican Republic in the widely popular Miss Universe pageant. Due to her exuberant charm and complexion, she was given the nickname la diosa de ébano (the Ebony Goddess) by the Dominican, Puerto Rican Public and the international press.

At the 2002 Miss Universe pageant held in Puerto Rico, Ruth was considered by many to be surely chosen as one of the semifinalists in that event. Due to her personality, charm, and excellent interviewing skills, many pageant enthusiasts felt that the Dominican Republic had a chance in winning its first title in this international event. However, she was not selected causing many Internet users and bogglers to coin the term the Ruth Ocumárez Award. The term is used to classify a pageant contestant who seems guaranteed to be selected as a finalist, but doesn’t make the list at the end.

After her reign was over, Ruth entered the world of modeling where she appeared in many Dominican, European, American and Puerto Rican print and visual media. She also branched out into acting, starring in the Dominican film Perico Ripiao. Besides her work in film, Ocumárez also has experience as a television hostess on Puerto Rican and Dominican television.

Alcides Ocumarez

Director

Was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on August 16^th 1979^th, is the oldest son of the Marriage Ocumarez-Apataño. In the year 1996 completed High School in IPCAS, gaining the title of “Bachiller Tecnico en Informatica”. With the cooperation of his aunt Xiomara Apatano, starts in the career of ‘Systems of Information Engineering’ in APEC university in Santo Domingo, obtaining a full college credit to complete the career, finishing the same in the year 2002.

While still in college, Alcides starts his working career in 2000 with the communications company Tricom in the Operations and Added Values, where he gives a turn to his career from Information Technology, to telecommunications. Later, after 5 years of experience in the CTI Area of that company, he becomes part of the SINERGIT S.A. Company, as Specialist Engineer.

Always exploring new horizons and worried about the education and basic needs of childrens and teens of the Dominican Republic, decides to create with his sister Ruth Ocumarez “The Orange Hearts Foundation”, with the objective of helping the family and kids from low resources.

Leidy L. Mejía

Public Relations/Treasury

Events producer and marketing student, born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Young ambitious, eager to succeed, long felt drawn by organizing activities that could help in some way to be released, is in this way that Leidy Leticia starts as “Promoter of Bars”, organizing theme parties with DJs and private activities. Began to see carried out some of her goals when collaborating with the foundation Padela with protection of animals rights, in which they sought homes and owners besides health care for many puppies, kittens, etc.

After that manages to organize a levy of toys to be delivered by Christmas of 2008 tochildren from an area of poor resources in La Victoria (Dominican Republic). During her development as a promoter has managed to participate in events of different benefices: Fundraising for dialysis people, visits to the cancer research institutes, as well as to shelters of people affected with HIV and is in constant contact with children to shelters where she offers as possible to help.

Angelina Ocumarez

Marketing

Was born on September 22 1990 in the City of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. It’s the younges of the Ocumarez-Apatano Marriage.

Angelina completed her Basic Scool studies at the “Centro Educativo Integral Sonrisitas” where she stand out for her great qualifications and grades. She attended the “Colegio Maria Inmaculada” for her high school studies and was graduated with the title “Técnico en Administración y Comercio, mención Contabilidad y Gestión Administrativa”.

In the year 2005, Angelina made a professional course for “Locución and Maestrias de Ceremonias” at the Nacional school for Phrase Profesor Otto rivera, winning the Diamond title (maximum scores).

Right now Angelina is making her bachelor in Marketing, in APEC university, where she is so far standing out for her dedication and discipline, being on the Board of Honor of this college.

Ruth Apataño

Volunteering Director

Was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on November 27th 1958, legitimate daughter of Mr. Julio Apatano a Merchandiser and Mrs. Dominga Duran a housewife.

Her first years in her childhood she lived it with her parents in their state-farm, in the community of “El Cabreto” in Guerra, Santo Domingo. She attended primary school Santa Teresa. Lost her father when she was going to be just 9 years old, reason why her mother change her from school to one next to the community, where she studied Intermediate School Eleanor M Fert. She completed her secondary studies at the Liceo Rodriguez Objío in Santo Domingo.

She married the young guy Angel Danery Ocumárez at the age of 19 years old, procreating their first son, Alcides Daneris, then Ruth Amelia and Angelina Zoraida Ocumárez Apataño.

Ruth Held various technical courses, such as beautician, interior decorating, crafts, decorative painting, plastic arts, among others. She has always been in love with arts, poetry and classical music. Loves nature so loves wildlife. She dreams to help with children that for lack of financial resources does not have the opportunity to grow intellectually. She worked 8 years as a receptionist for the Center for Teaching Marie, from 1982 until 1990. She also worked for 11 years for Sonrisitas Integral Education Center from 1998 to 2009. Currently she teaches painting to children in the community where he lives.

Richard Reynoso

Creative Director

Richard Reynoso, Greenhood’s photographer, was born in the Dominican Republic. He entered the professional world of art and design in 1995, working as a graphic designer and gaining practical on-the-job experience while taking design courses in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.

In 1997 Richard moved to New York where he continued to work as a graphic designer at various printing presses and advertising agencies. He opened his own ad agency, Markezina, in 2003, providing area clients with solutions to their marketing needs, including original product and lifestyle imagery.

Over the years Richard’s interest in photography grew as he saw first hand the power of photography in design and advertising. He decided to take his love of photography to the next level and embarked on a series of courses to hone his skills, culminating with the opening of Greenhood. Greenhood is not your average studio. It specializes in conceptual photography– pictures that tell a story with the help of art directors, make-up artists, stylists and Richard’s keen eye for capturing beauty, detail and emotion.