Founder Director

DFAM was founded by Santurce, Puerto Rico native and current Chicago resident Luis Burgos. Burgos was inspired to start DFAM after Hurricane Maria, a deadly Category 5 hurricane, ripped through Puerto Rico in 2017. While watching the news, he saw a woman who spoke about being trapped alone on a mountain for two days. "She ran up to the reporter and said, 'They forgot me,'" he recalled. "So I flipped it. ‘No te olvides de mí (don't forget me).’ DFAM aims to give survivors of traumatic events a hand in doing just that. To sit in a stylist’s chair and be catered to is a feeling we often take for granted, but for someone going through struggles after a devastating experience, it can be deeply restorative. It lets them know that someone cares about them, their well-being, and their future.”

Board Member

Debbie is a stylist, colorist, and educator, specializing in curly hair cutting and color. She studied cosmetology at Century College and has worked at OM Studios in Puerto Rico for 6 years. Debbie has taught classes in her specialty area of curly hair cutting at the San Juan Beauty Show in Puerto Rico and the IBS show in New York City.

Board Member

Nicole Ortiz lives in Puerto Rico, she is a real state agent with Keller Williams and has worked in the beauty industry. Nicole is the mother of three wonderful children. Her passion for helping her community has inspired her work with DFAM. She oversees the implementation of our Puerto Rico campaigns.

Board Member

Enrique Bello, aka "Silver Beard" as his friends, colleagues and clients call him was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, A barber by profession, he has worked with different charities such as Bearded Villains, the Puerto Rico Autism Association, and others. Barbering is in his blood and he is happiest when sharing his artistic expression with his clients. As a master barber, he also loves to help barbers who are starting out in the profession, offering advice and professional education. Barber, son, father and husband, Enrique always aims to support the well-being of his family, friends, and anyone else who needs it.

Board Member Robert A. Celestin, Esq.: (New York)

Robert Celestin is a graduate of Yale University and Columbia Law School, and has practiced entertainment law in New York City for over 25 years. After starting out in corporate law, he went on to the legal department of Arista Records, then became VP/GM of Uptown Records and worked for Untouchables Entertainment before opening his own firm, the “Law Offices of Robert A. Celestin.” He has worked with numerous international superstars. His firm currently represents and provides strategic advice and counsel to independent record label start-ups and production companies, recording artists, producers, songwriters, reality TV stars, DJ’s and others.

Board Member

Nicole Marwell is a Professor at the School of Social Service Administration at the University of Chicago. She is an expert in the development and management of nonprofit organizations and the provision of social services.