Our Team
Caroline Altenbernd, Founder and Executive Director
Caroline has nearly 15 years of experience in strategic communications across the corporate, government, and nonprofit sectors. She is an award-winning lecturer in business communications at Baruch College. Previously at Meta, she led business education strategy across 220+ countries and territories, advised leadership ahead of congressional hearings, and guided communications through major global events, including U.S. and international elections. Her earlier work spans NASA, where she developed partnership and education initiatives, and Publicis Groupe, where she supported global communications for multinational audiences.
Caroline's relationship with art began in early childhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where her parents enrolled her in art classes. It was deepened by her late grandmother Odilia, a lifelong crafter and artist. She began visiting museums and art institutions regularly from an early age. Once her family relocated to the United States, they split time between Orlando and New York City. In her late teens, she chose to move to New York City on her own, to explore a career in music journalism and business. She supported herself by producing and selling wearable art and painted textiles, first through street vending in Flatiron/Union Square and later through early online platforms, including Etsy. In 2010, she participated in her first group exhibition at Casa Frela Gallery in Harlem. These years sparked an early interest in becoming a collector herself one day. In 2021, following a period of professional reassessment, Caroline began developing the ideas that would become the Altenbernd Foundation. She started structuring the organization in 2025, with a mission to expand access to contemporary art in Central Florida through exhibitions, programming, and ultimately, as a permanent home for the public.
She holds a master's degree in Information and Knowledge Strategy from Columbia University, where she was also a faculty associate within the Enterprise Risk Management program; a bachelor's degree in Corporate Communications from Baruch College; and an associate's degree in Advertising and Marketing Communications from the Fashion Institute of Technology. She gained artistic training through the Art Students League of New York and Escola de Artes Visuais do Parque Lage (Parque Lage School of Visual Arts) in Rio de Janeiro.
Armah Jones, Treasurer (Interim) and Art Instructor
Armah Jones is a retired Marine officer with a passion for the arts. He first fell in love with drawing at the tender age of six, grabbing a pencil to follow along with his uncle as he drew. From there, he was never without a pencil and some type of sketch pad. It was also his source of comfort and outlet during the turbulent civil war in Liberia, West Africa, where he was born.
After immigrating to the United States, he grew up in New England, where his art talent was nurtured by peers and a very influential high school art teacher who was also a Marine Veteran of the Vietnam War. It was here that he would refine his portraiture and acquire his oil painting skills. Since then, Mr. Jones has expanded into the world of digital art and photography. Mr. Jones enjoys imparting the knowledge he has gained over the years to all who express interest in the arts and believes that it is a vital part of the human experience. In addition to his teaching engagements, Mr. Jones currently serves as Interim Treasurer, overseeing the Foundation's finances and project management during the search for a permanent Treasurer.
Mr. Jones holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from Texas A&M University and a bachelor’s degree in Advertising and Marketing Communications from the Fashion Institute of Technology.
Rebecca Solomon, Secretary
Rebecca Solomon joined the Altenbernd Foundation in 2026, serving as Board Secretary. She is Director of Partnerships at an AI-powered education organization and holds a master's degree from Columbia University. A full biography will be added soon.
Dr. Ratna Suthar, Marketing and Analytics Lead
Dr. Ratna Suthar is a scientist with a passion for using technology to create meaningful human experiences. With a Ph.D. in Agricultural and Biological Engineering from the University of Florida, her career has focused on transforming complex data into clear insights across education, research, and artificial intelligence. Beyond science, Ratna has a lifelong love of the arts and believes creativity and analytical thinking are complementary ways of understanding the world. As Marketing & Analytics Lead, she brings together data, storytelling, and emerging technologies to help expand the Foundation’s reach and deepen its connection with the community.
Danielle Alano, Collaborator
Danielle collaborates with the Altenbernd Foundation, bringing nearly two decades of nonprofit experience to support its governance, financial oversight, and project development. She has been a member of the Fiscal Council of Associação Du Projetus, a nonprofit based in Brazil, since its founding in 2009. In this role, she helps oversee the organization's financial management while supporting the development and implementation of social projects focused on education, professional training, youth development, social inclusion, and community engagement. Throughout her journey with the organization, she has contributed to project planning, partnership development, fundraising, and organizational management.
In addition to her nonprofit experience, Danielle has built a diverse career in hospitality, gaining experience across multiple departments, including operations, guest services, administration, and finance. Most recently, she held a role in the industry where she assisted with financial operations and administration.