Board of Directors
Michael Hort
Michael is the vice president of the printing company Earth Enterprises, known for its commitment to environmental-friendly production. In 1995, Michael, along with his wife Susan, their children, and close friends, established the Foundation in honor of their daughter, Rema. Michael and Susan are avid contemporary art collectors celebrated for their bold collection of undiscovered and emerging artists, and for the true patronage of artists that they collect.
David Biro MD, PhD
David is an Associate Clinical Professor of Dermatology at SUNY Downstate. He also teaches in the medical humanities and is the author of two acclaimed books: One Hundred Days: My Unexpected Journey from Doctor to Patient and The Language of Pain: Finding Words, Compassion, and Relief. David works closely with the Foundation’s Quality of Life Grant program and oversees the approval of these grants to patients. David was a close friend of Rema’s, and a founding member of the Foundation.
Carole Server Frankel
Carole is a contemporary art collector and former Wall Street Executive. She, along with her husband, Oliver, is a champion for emerging and contemporary arts in New York and abroad.
In addition to RHMF, Carole serves on the Board of The Fountainhead Residency and was the former Vice Chair of the Bronx Museum of the Arts.
Robin Lipson
Robin Lipson brings a personal bond and dedication to Rema Hort Mann Foundation, kindled by her passion for collecting contemporary art and supporting emerging artists, the loss of her sister who died of invasive metastatic cancer, and her decades-long friendship with Susan and Michael Hort whose tireless dedication to improve the lives of artists and cancer patients is a constant source of inspiration.
Ms. Lipson’s professional background in government affairs and public relations included senior roles at two international companies. Ms. Lipson was the founder of New Jersey Museum of Contemporary Art whose mission was to identify and champion emerging and underrepresented artists. In spearheading this ambitious endeavor, she oversaw every aspect from fundraising, programming and public relations to volunteer management. Robin earned her B.A. Magna Cum Laude in French and Italian literature with an adjunct focus in international relations from Rutgers University. She also received a diplôme d’études en littérature française from the Université François Rabelais de Tours in France.
Jamie Cohen
Jamie Cohen Hort is first and foremost the mother of four wonderful children. Jamie is also a contemporary Art Consultant advising clients on building collections and consulting private collections with their gifting and sales. She has been creating and building art collections for over 20 years with a focus on emerging and contemporary art. In addition to her consulting and curating work she is currently completing her studies to become a certified Art Appraiser through Appraisers Associates of America. After graduating from the University of Vermont, Ms. Hort earned her chops working at the Hirshhorn Museum, the Jewish Museum, and the IBM Gallery; as well as volunteering her time to not for profit art organizations like White Columns as well as exploring the independent and commercial films.
For over a decade, she has curated the installation of the Hort Family Collection. Ms. Hort was named in Modern Painters magazine, as one of the fifty “most exciting young collectors worldwide” under the age of fifty. Furthermore, she has been a collector of contemporary and emerging art alongside her husband Peter.
Billy Mann
Celebrated for a legendary ability to identify talent early and help develop new stars year after year (from Teddy Geiger, Allen Stone, Alex Aiono, Supah Mario, Dixie and Charli D’Amelio, John Ryan, BLKBOK, Pablo Alboran, Mitchy Collins, Imen Siar and Oscar-winning actor, Emma Stone), Mann’s broad success is as famed internationally as it is in America. A Grammy-nominated talent as well, Billy has also personally written and/or produced songs across genres for a literal who’s who in music from P!nk, John Legend, David Guetta, Helene Fischer, Sheryl Crow, Take That, Celine Dion, Tiziano Ferro, Burt Bacharach, Hall & Oates, Martina McBride, Sting, Cher, Joss Stone, Robyn, Johnny Mathis and many others.
Rema Hort and Mann were married in November 1994. She died of stomach cancer the following June. Mann is one of the co-founders of the Rema Hort Mann Foundation. Today, he happily resides in Connecticut with his wife, Gena, and their four children.
Leslie Weissman
Leslie received her training on Interactive Art at the Tisch School and graduated from Hobart and William Smith College with a B.A. in Art History, Art and Religion. Leslie co-founded Presents For Purpose a socially conscious gift company that dedicated sales to cancer and health charities. Currently she is the director of Loft Projects NY, a gallery and project space in Chappaqua NY, founded in 2017, which focuses on bringing works of underrepresented artists to a gallery setting.
Leslie is a working artist and teacher, and currently sits on the board of Fountainhead Residency in Miami, FL and is a past Trustee of Blythdale Childrens Hospital in Valhalla, N
“Joining the board of RHMF combines two passions near and dear to me; working with and mentoring young and emerging artists, and supporting cancer care. In my previous company, Presents For Purpose our mission was to raise funds for cancer research and support through the sales of high quality gift items and accessories. My husband, Michael and I have been collecting for 20 years and one of our favorite parts of the journey is developing relationships with artists and watching and being a part of their evolution.”
Emily Santangelo
Emily Santangelo has worldwide experience in the acquisition, commission and sale of fine art for individuals and corporations for over 20 years. Founder and President of Emily Fine Art Inc. she has built a company that offers art services nationwide to major corporations, real estate developers, renowned architects and movie production companies. Her credits include projects with Alexandria Real Estate, Greystar, MITIMCO, Strada Investment Group, Toll Brothers City Living, Equity Residential, New England Development, Oxford Properties, Spear Street Captial, Samuels & Associates, Bank Leumi USA, Disney and Miramax Films. She is responsible for the commission and installation of monumental sculptures across the country; most notably, “Urban Rattle,” by Charlie Hewitt on the Highline at Ten23 Apartments in New York.
“RHMF is a dynamic and effective organization, acting as an advocate for emerging artists and a bedrock of support for individuals suffering from cancer.”