Historical Gift Initiatives

Niurka Castaneda is a U.S. Army veteran, Founder and CEO of AMOR Umbrella, and a multimedia storyteller committed to amplifying underrepresented voices and creating meaningful connections through journalism, publishing, film, and community engagement. As a fellow veteran, she spearheaded a two-year initiative created to honor and represent America’s more than two million women veterans. What began as a vision grew into two state and national gift initiatives, bringing together organizations, leaders, veterans, and artists to create a national tribute. Across both initiatives, the team collected signatures from women veterans from communities throughout the country.

Niurka is also the visionary behind Keep On Living, a veteran-produced documentary focused on suicide prevention, mental health, transition, and hope. Through AMOR Umbrella and her creative work, she continues to build platforms that elevate overlooked stories, foster entrepreneurship, strengthen community engagement, and inspire people to keep moving forward with purpose.

Frank joined the United States Marine Corps right out of high school. After 7 1/2 years of service he entered back into the civilian sector where he has held many position from security, bounty hunter, and many others. He is the owner of both Kamikaze Wood Werks and the co-owner of Crayons Ready-to-Eat with his business partner Cassandra turned the joke of calling Marines Crayon Eater into a reality by bring the first colorable chocolate crayon to market.

Donald Dodson is a combat veteran and founder of Dodson Designs, where he creates fine, handmade leather goods that blend artistry, creativity, and practical function.

A lifelong artisan, Donald has explored jewelry, printmaking, pottery, woodworking, and painting—experiences that continue to influence his distinctive craftsmanship. Since founding Dodson Designs in 2016, he has dedicated his work to creating unique, purposeful pieces designed to be both beautiful and useful.

Andy Nelson is an attorney who represents businesses and entrepreneurs in commercial and intellectual property matters, with a focus on trademark and copyright protection, enforcement, licensing, and dispute resolution.

A U.S. Army veteran of the 82nd Airborne Division, Andy especially enjoys working with businesses connected to the military community. His experience spans industries including technology, food and beverage, apparel, manufacturing, and professional services. He earned his law degree from the University of the Pacific McGeorge School of Law and is admitted to practice before California courts, the Ninth Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

CPT. Neal Stark is a South Florida native and experienced fishing captain with more than 50 years of saltwater and freshwater fishing experience. His passion for exploring the Everglades, backwaters, bays, and surrounding waters has always been a source of peace and purpose.

Through Fishing with America’s Finest, Neal combines his knowledge of fishing with his commitment to giving back. Through his Fishing 101 program, he teaches U.S. veterans and local youth the skills and confidence of bass fishing while encouraging positive activities, connection, and personal growth.

For Neal, fishing is more than a pastime—it is a way to build community, share knowledge, and stand alongside those who have served.

Nefertiti San Miguel is an international mixed-media artist, Ikebanist, performer, speaker, entrepreneur, and seven-time Amazon #1 international bestselling author whose work explores the intersection of art, neuroscience, and mental health. She is the founder of Etnia Fusion, a Boston-based creative enterprise dedicated to promoting multiculturalism through education, wearable art, and dance.

Known as the Floral Therapy Queen, Nefertiti is the visionary behind NEUROBANA, an innovative program that integrates behavioral neuroscience and Ikebana to support stress management and post-traumatic growth. A graduate of the Sogetsu School and internationally accredited Sensei, she creates multisensory installations and teaches creative methodologies, including NM3 (Narrative Multi-Sensory Mixed Media Art) and 3D Vision Boards, designed to encourage self-expression, reflection, and personal development.

Since 2021, Nefertiti has been a valued creative collaborator with AMOR Umbrella, contributing her artistic expertise to initiatives supporting women veterans in their transition to civilian life and entrepreneurship. Through the Gift Initiative, she designed the Furoshiki presentation and co-created the signature AMOR Travel Carrying Bag, bringing together cultural artistry, thoughtful design, and purposeful storytelling. She is also featured as an expert in Keep On Living, a veteran-produced documentary by AMOR Umbrella exploring suicide prevention, mental health, transition, and hope.

Her accomplishments include receiving the Speakers Are Leaders Award in London and the People’s Choice 1st Place Most Creative Display at the 2025 Marshfield Fair. She has also headlined the Cultural & Innovative Fridays Series at the Consulate General of Japan in Boston, competed as a finalist in the Entrepreneur of Impact Contest featuring Daymond John, and earned a Top 12 placement in the People’s Artist International Competition presented by Johnny Depp.

Danigami is an award winning Origamist who has been practicing his craft for more than 15 years. He enjoys showing young and old alike that anything is possible through the Japanese art of paper-folding. He has been featured artist at several gallery exhibits but his real joy comes with selling his wares at local craft fairs and interacting with all walks of life.

He currently resides in Winthrop (MA) with his husband, holds a full time job as 911 dispatcher at the Boston Police Station and since 2015 has been sharing his talents intermittently with Nefertiti San Miguel & Etnia Fusion + Friends. Danigami and Nefertiti not only have in common a lifetime dedication to cultivating different Nipponese art forms but also they bond in a special way over the same fondness for Halloween Season and appreciation of Asian aesthetics.

Vincent Liu (also fondly known as Mr. Nutty in the Etnia Fusion world) is a vivid portraitist and videographer, pursuing a graduate degree in the field of Digital Media Design at Harvard University. Through his creativity and exploration of innovative concepts, he aims to transcend the artistic world with technological platforms. When not absorbed in the dynamics and intricacies of computer syntax Vincent enjoys conceptualizing ideas for short films and capturing the beauty of urban society in his sketchbook. He is the most recent addition to Etnia Fusion + Friends.

As creative individuals Vincent and Nefertiti (Founder of Etnia Fusion + Friends) naturally connected immediately as a synergy of artistic energy flowed through them upon first encounter back in Spring of 2020. Ever since, the two have enjoyed their friendship immensely as they have shared some holidays together and frequently engage in exciting excursions throughout the city of Boston in search of decadent culinary experiences and spirit drinks. Those outings have been named: Destination Unknown…

Nancy Griffin is a consummate multimedia artist, a professional fashion and costume designer / creator and consultant for stage, screen, weddings, and special events. These talents grew out of her vocation as a performer and teacher of traditional Near / Middle Eastern and Hawaiian cultural dance. Since 2017 she has been a beloved member of Etnia Fusion + Friends.

She is a choreographer, writer, producer, and director of professional performances, for both group and solo format. She is a repeat performer in Canada, the East and West Coasts of the continental US, The Big Island of Hawai’i, and Oahu. She’s always in anticipation of new and wonderful opportunities in creation, education and sharing insights in her journeys!