Kennedy M. Thomas
Founder & President
Marilyn Maloy J.D.
General Council
Kelly Ann Foy
Director
Selda Desarmes
Treasurer
Meet the Team
Kennedy Marie Thomas
Founder & President
Oasis Institute Foundation, Inc.
Kennedy Marie Thomas is a dynamic leader and philanthropist with a profound commitment to empowering individuals and transforming communities. With over two decades of experience in education, academic administration, and global philanthropy, she has established herself as a visionary force in the nonprofit sector.
Born from an entrepreneurial spirit and nurtured by an international perspective, Ms. Thomas founded Oasis Institute Foundation, Inc. to create opportunities for underserved populations. As the organization’s President, she has guided Oasis through remarkable growth, expanding its reach and impact across Florida. Under her leadership, Oasis has become a beacon of hope, offering transformative education, career development, and essential support services to lawful permanent residents, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.
Ms. Thomas’s passion for education extends beyond Oasis Institute Foundation. As the founder and principal of Oasis Academy, she has created a nurturing learning environment where students thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Her dedication to early childhood education and her belief in the power of mastery-based learning have shaped the academy’s innovative curriculum.
Prior to her work in education, Ms. Thomas excelled in the corporate world, holding leadership positions in the mortgage industry. Her experience as CEO of Centrex Mortgage Company, Inc., among other key roles, culminated in a groundbreaking achievement: leading the first black-owned and operated lender to receive Fannie Mae’s approval. This entrepreneurial journey further equipped her with the skills and resilience necessary to build a successful nonprofit organization.
A woman of diverse talents and unwavering faith, Ms. Thomas holds a Master of International Business Management and a Bachelor of Science in Business Management. Her fluency in English, French, Haitian-Creole, and Spanish has been instrumental in bridging cultural divides and fostering inclusivity within her organization. With a deep-rooted belief in the potential of every individual, Kennedy Marie Thomas continues to inspire and empower those she serves, leaving an enduring legacy of compassion, hope, and positive change.
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Marilyn Maloy, J.D.
General Counsel, Immigration Attorney & Naturalization Program Leader
Oasis Institute Foundation, Inc.
Marilyn Maloy brings over 15 years of exceptional legal experience in immigration law, fueled by a deep commitment to justice, education, and opportunity. Her passion extends beyond legal expertise to building inclusive and thriving communities by championing the rights of immigrants, fostering empowerment and creating a safety net for Florida's underserved populations.
Ms. Maloy is dedicated to building Oasis’s U.S. Naturalization Program to advocate for immigrants' rights while guiding them through the complexities of the naturalization process. From strategizing outreach to diverse communities to meticulously managing caseloads, she ensures a smooth path to citizenship.
Prior to joining Oasis, Ms. Maloy established a successful career in private practice. Her experience as an attorney at Maloy Law Group and the Law Office of Eric R. Hospedales demonstrates a commitment to diverse legal needs, ranging from family law to foreclosure defense. Her dedication is evident in her 100% success rate in obtaining U.S. citizenship for her clients.
Ms. Maloy's impact goes beyond legal representation. She has developed workshops to guide immigrants through the naturalization process and partnered with community organizations to raise awareness about available legal assistance. Her dedication to breaking down linguistic and legal barriers fosters stronger, more inclusive communities.
A graduate of St. Thomas University School of Law and Florida International University, Ms. Maloy's educational background fuels her expertise. Combined with her unwavering commitment to social justice, she continues to make a significant difference in the lives of immigrants across Florida.
Kelly Ann Foy, CPRW, CVCS
Director, Operations, Program Administration & Project Management
Oasis Institute Foundation, Inc.
Kelly Foy is a relentless learner and visionary coach who excels in aligning organizational goals with cross-functional programs, projects, and enterprise initiatives. Her leadership style is comprehensive, delving into the intricacies of each program and the details of every function within the organization to ensure optimal outcomes and maximize impact.
With a background in professional development, adult learning, writing, legal support, and project management, Ms. Foy leverages technology-driven accessibility solutions to craft inclusive, impactful programs. Her expertise has been instrumental in driving success in areas such as English as a Second Language (ESL), U.S. citizenship, and job search goals.
As Director, Operations, Program Administration & Project Management at Oasis Institute Foundation, Inc., Ms. Foy collaborates with the leadership team to deliver transformative education, career services, ESL, and immigrant support to underserved lawful permanent residents, veterans, and disabled individuals in Florida's South and Central Regions.
Her key achievements at the foundation include expanding the organization's online presence through strategic content development, engaging diverse communities, and enhancing the grant application process to improve the foundation's competitiveness.
Beyond her role at Oasis, Ms. Foy is the Lead Writer & Editor of America’s Finest Resumes LLC where she also advocates for veterans and individuals with disabilities. She has developed and delivered dynamic programs and educational curricula for a wide range of adult learners, including veterans and military families. Her initiatives have led to significant increases in website traffic, social media engagement, and YouTube subscriptions, while supporting thousands of veterans with job search strategies.
At Ravenswood Holdings LLC, Ms. Foy played a transformative role in the learning and development landscape, exceeding recruiting objectives and enhancing employee compliance through strategic partnerships and data-driven initiatives. Similarly, at Hexcel Corporation, she was pivotal in fostering a culture of learning and collaboration within the company, alongside contributing to community service projects that strengthened public relations and employee engagement.
Ms. Foy's additional experience spans legal, regulatory, and compliance support, training content creation, and nonprofit governance. She has held positions at prominent organizations such as ITT Corporation, ATMI, Inc., OrthoNet LLC, and United Way of Westchester and Putnam.
Ms. Foy holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, cum laude, from Pace University, and multiple professional credentials, including Certified Professional Resume Writer (CPRW), Certified Veteran Career Strategist (CVCS), Certified Digital Marketing Strategist, Certified Direct-Response Copywriter, and Certified Search Marketing Specialist.
Her diverse skill set and unwavering commitment to continuous learning and excellence propel Oasis Institute Foundation, Inc’s mission forward, creating opportunities and fostering growth within the community.
Selda Desarmes,
Treasurer | Board of Directors
Oasis Institute Foundation, Inc. (OIF)
Shelda Désarmes serves as Treasurer of the Oasis Institute Foundation (OIF). With over 15 years of corporate accounting management experience, she has forged a record of excellence across multiple industries, including public accounting, retail, consulting, staffing, healthcare, financial services, property management and real estate, technology, wholesale distribution, and investment.
At OIF, Ms. Désarmes is crucial in enhancing the organization's financial health, ensuring transparent financial reporting, and implementing rigorous internal controls. Her dedication to financial literacy is evident in her Board service and advisory. It has been invaluable in developing OIF's educational programs, particularly its accounting and financial literacy programs for young adults, immigrants, veterans, military families, and individuals with disabilities.
Ms. Désarmes serves as Corporate Controller at U.S. Claims Capital, LLC, where she oversees Treasury functions and ensures the company’s accounting and financial integrity. She also manages monthly and quarterly closing processes, produces GAAP-compliant financial statements, and provides detailed financial reporting to senior leadership and investors.
Previously, Ms. Désarmes served as a Senior Accountant at DRB Capital, LLC, where she managed critical financial processes, including the month-end and year-end close, prepared closing entries, and performed general ledger analysis. She enhanced financial reporting accuracy and ensured compliance by preparing and processing capital contributions and distribution journal entries and overseeing external audit schedules.
As an Accounting Consultant, she provides comprehensive services across diverse industries, including managing accounting operations, ensuring SOX compliance, and leading system integrations and conversions.
As Accounting Supervisor at Cross Country Health Care, Ms. Désarmes oversaw full-cycle accounting processes for a business unit generating $115 million in revenue. She analyzed performance indicators (KPIs), conducted detailed financial analyses, and ensured SOX compliance.
As a Senior Accountant at Hair Club for Men & Women, she eliminated discrepancies between current and deferred earnings, standardized reporting procedures, and optimized financial planning.
Ms. Désarmes began her career as an Accountant and Auditor at Alonso CPA, PA, focusing on real estate. There, she provided comprehensive accounting and auditing services, ensured compliance with GAAP standards, and developed quarterly budgets and forecasts.
In addition to her professional accomplishments, Ms. Désarmes holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Management and a Bachelor of Arts in Administration with focuses on Accounting, Finance, and Real Estate from Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and is pursuing her Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification.
Known for her high personal integrity and ability to cultivate trust and openness among colleagues and leadership, Ms. Désarmes is a change agent who drives positive organizational transformations. Her expertise in system conversions, acquisitions, and regulatory compliance, combined with her strong servant leadership qualities, make her an invaluable asset to the Oasis Institute Foundation and its broader community.
Leopold Evariste
Board Member & Secretary
Oasis Institute Foundation, Inc.
Leopold Evariste is a seasoned professional with over 30 years of transformative leadership and operational excellence. His wealth of experience is a testament to his capabilities and the value he brings to the Oasis Institute Foundation (OIF), where he serves as a Board Member and Secretary. In this role, he supports OIF’s mission to empower underserved Floridians, including children, immigrants, veterans, and individuals with disabilities.
Mr. Evariste contributes to strategic decision-making, governance oversight, and shaping the organization’s direction while maintaining accurate records of board meetings, ensuring compliance with legal requirements, and documenting critical organizational activities such as approving new initiatives and financial transactions.
Leopold Evariste is a leader and a visionary executive in the mortgage and real estate industries. As the CEO of KLE Mortgage Financing LLC, he leads a team that optimizes mortgage solutions and fosters strong client relationships, setting a high standard for the industry.
His previous roles include President of Vision Mortgage Bank, where he set strategic directions and managed compliance, and Branch Manager at Bridge Mortgage Bank of America, where he exceeded targets, cultivating a culture of excellence.
Mr. Evariste is also a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist. He owns Leo Realty, Inc. and supports various tri-county nonprofit organizations. His dedication to community service and revenue growth has earned him multiple awards and recognition, including Million Dollar Sales Club membership.
He holds a Real Estate Broker License and a Mortgage Broker License and is a member of the Florida Mortgage Brokers Association and the South Florida Board of Realtors.
Mr. Evariste’s servant's heart, faith, and passion for philanthropy drive his commitment to creating positive change and lifting communities through his work.