The myFace Wonder Project

Dina Zuckerberg, Director of Family Programs, is the heartbeat of myFace. Through sharing her story of growing up with a cleft lip, hearing loss, and no vision in her left eye, she has inspired upwards of 100,000 students since the El myFace Wonder Project (Un proyecto basada el en libro “Wonder”) started in 2016. When speaking at schools, Dina tells her story and recounts personal experiences of being bullied and excluded, and how she turned those challenges into teachable moments.

Margaret Shair was born with Goldenhar Syndrome and has had more than 30 surgeries. She works as a research assistant studying maternal health and fetal and infant development. She has always viewed people telling her she wouldn’t be able to do something as a challenge. She has been involved with myFace for the past decade, sharing her experiences with medical students and other myFace families to spread awareness and advocate for those with facial differences.

Manny Ventura is a masterful speaker who draws from his life adversities to engage and inspire an audience to bring out the best in themselves and in others. Manny was born with a cleft lip and had many surgeries to help correct it throughout his childhood and adolescence. Manny has faced many challenges, which he now harnesses to empower people of all ages.

Sondra Neuschotz graduated from Emory University with a BA in Psychology.  She received her MA in Special Education from Columbia University with a specialization in behavioral disorders. Sondra was born with a cleft lip, and two of her three children were born with a cleft lip and palate as well. Sondra serves on the board of directors of myFace where she is dedicated to spreading the message of kindness and acceptance.

Naomi Levinshtein is a college student at Brooklyn College as well as an advocate for equal representation in media.  When she is not studying, she runs a social media page where she shares her love of makeup, experiences of being born with a bilateral cleft lip and palate, and encourages people to embrace the beauty that is in all of us.  Naomi’s passion is teaching proper self-esteem and encouraging others to be their authentic selves.

Iva M. Ballou was born with a cleft lip and palate and has now dedicated her life to boosting confidence in those with facial differences. In fact, she is the founder of RealSophisticatedJoy, a company that empowers women and girls affected by cleft and craniofacial differences to find confidence so they can live a life filled with joy. She is a gifted cleft confidence coach as well as a transformational speaker who has joined the Wonder Project team to inspire students to choose kindness and be upstanders.

Christine Maier was born with a cleft lip and palate, classified as learning disabled, and has had over 20 surgeries. Often underestimated and told what she can’t achieve, she became an NYPD Sergeant, author, speaker, and the first female director of NYC Emergency Management Watch Command. She’s passionate about helping others turn their differences into superpowers.

Morgan McGahan graduated in 2022 from Georgia State University with a degree in Special Education with a concentration in Language Arts. Born with Aperts Syndrome she has undergone many surgeries, which makes her look different. She is a passionate advocate for the craniofacial community and hopes that by sharing her story, she inspires others to pursue their dreams and reach their fullest potential.