Sydelle Freed has served as president of UCWN for the past four years, concurrently while serving as treasurer. Sydelle and her husband moved to the Hudson Valley seven years ago, upon retirement from the NYC Department of Education. She holds a Masters degree in English and an additional Masters degree in Educational Administration.Though her career began as basic English Education, grades 6-12, in inner-city Brooklyn, she branched out and developed her own brand of teaching English through visual media and videography. Sydelle was the recipient of a three-year grant to integrate videography into the core curriculum, and as such developed NYC’s first mobile video lab. This success branched out to being a Magnet Coordinator for the Arts, overseeing video, chorus, art, band, and dance for her school. Sydelle was then recruited into technology, receiving a $50,000 grant from the City Council to integrate technology and English education, via the creation of a new computer lab in a different school district, where she taught English through videography and digital photography. She served as a regional mentor for a pilot program for teacher retention of new hirees, while also consulting on evolving NYC Arts Standards.
Happily retired, Sydelle was raised to give back to the community, and as such served as the volunteer coordinator for three years for the Woodstock Comedy Fest, which raised money for sexual trafficking victims. She is also the perennial volunteer for the Woodstock Bookfest and venue manager for the Woodstock Film Fest for five years running. Sydelle splits her time between Woodstock and Brooklyn during the year, then retreats to her quaint summer home in northern rural Maine, where she spends time in her huge organic garden, and also volunteers maintaining a free garden there for seniors. Sydelle has stepped down from the UCWN presidency to devote more time to her next project, volunteer coordinator for The Circle of Friends for the Dying.
Sheila Gould has has been a member of UCWN since 2012. Her role on the Advisory Committee has yet to be decided. She loves meeting new women and working and socializing with them! Sheila moved to the Hudson Valley in 2010 from NYC. She always had a second home in Delaware County prior to that!
Sheila spent 35 years in the fashion industry as a product developer, a fashion and marketing executive for Federated Stores, Sears, Lord and Taylor, Avon, The Limited, among others. In 1980 Sheila started her own business, developing licensing with Lauren, Beene, Lacroix, and many first-time Chinese manufacturing and technology companies.
After moving out of the city, she was happy to move in new directions. At present, she offers her services and abilities to philanthropic organizations, serving on the boards of some. She also helps Hudson Valley startups and those in need of marketing help, with great ideas and passions!
Sheila’s new LOVE is planet Earth—digging in its soil, appreciating it more, and spending time learning all she can to protect it! She feels blessed to be in the Hudson Valley!