Meet the Board

The Kingdom Hearts Board is served by women seeking to use their gifts and talents for the glory of God. Each woman sacrifices her time as a volunteer and steward of the ministry.

Heather Hess
Executive Director, Treasurer & Website Coordinator

“And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8

Heather has long leaned on this verse to fuel a passion for helping women of all ages strengthen their relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ and in doing so, realize the essential part they play in His kingdom. She is passionate about creating a space where women of all ages can come together and engage in worship through singing, prayer, teaching, and mutual encouragement. Heather feels blessed to be part of such a meaningful ministry, working alongside the Kingdom Hearts board.

Married to Paul since 1995, Heather and her husband are proud parents of two sons, two daughters, and a son-in-law and all have left the nest and are now building their lives across the country. Heather balances running a successful business-consulting company with managing the operations and finances for a Pro-Life organization on Long Island. When the day winds down, she enjoys relaxing with coffee and friends, spending time with her three dogs, or watching a movie with her family while indulging in a pint of mint chocolate chip ice cream. 😊

Dana Saraniero
President

Dana is thrilled to be part the mission that began over 15 years ago with Kingdom Hearts. She feels privileged and humbled to partner with this amazing team of gifted Godly women eager to see Kingdom Hearts serve as place for women to feel God’s presence and understand just how precious they are to Him. There are no words to express the feeling when you see a woman excited about being a Jesus girl.

Dana is a licensed physical therapist assistant and a certified biblical life coach, who works as an administrative assistant at a local college prep school in Stony Brook. Married for 29 years to Steven, together they have 3 boys who are their greatest joy. The oldest is a recent college graduate commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in the US Air Force as a pilot; their 2nd is a senior in college this year and their youngest a senior in High School. Life continues to keep them busy, but she always makes time for coffee, dark chocolate and the simple pleasures of time with good friends and a good meal. After all she is Italian.

Regina Cestari
Vice President & Venue Coordinator

Regina is extremely thankful to be a part of this wonderful ministry with such Christ-centered women who encourage and challenge her to be all that He has created her to be. She is thanking the Lord in advance for ALL He WILL continue to do for the women of Long Island as they come to know Him and live for Him!  

She is blessed to be married to her husband, Anthony, for 30 years. They have served together for a number of years as youth leaders and have been blessed by God’s grace and mercy in and through them. They have four amazing children ranging from 18 to 27 years old. God has gifted Regina with a wonderful career as a Speech Language Pathologist working for Eastern Suffolk BOCES. She works with students with special needs, mainly individuals living with Autism. She absolutely loves what she does! She also enjoys serving, running, going to the beach and vacationing with her family. Her life verse is Proverbs 3:5-6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” She lives by three simple words, “TRUST, LOVE, and PRAY!

Jocelyn Hutzler
Secretary and Volunteer Coordinator

Though she says it is hard to pick just one, Jocelyn’s favorite Bible verse of all time is Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purposes.” This verse has been a framework for her trust and faith in God through all of life’s hills and valleys. Jocelyn finds hope in God’s amazing grace and His ultimate loving sacrifice found in the redemptive work of Christ’s death on the cross and the power of His resurrection. She believes there is no one who has strayed so far that they are out of the reach of His grace, love, and the transforming work of His redemption. Her desire is for others to know and share in this hope.

Jocelyn is a native Long Islander. She has been married to her husband, Rob, since 1991 and together they have three daughters, one son, and one grandson. She and her family attend Island Christian Church in East Northport and serve on various ministries there. Jocelyn currently oversees the Embrace Grace ministries for young women with unplanned pregnancies and the Surrendering the Secret ministry for post-abortion healing. Jocelyn has also served as an employee at her church since 1995.

Eve Millner
Vendor and Sponsor Coordinator

Eve has been a passionate supporter of Kingdom Hearts and its ministry to women since she attended her first conference almost 10

Years ago. She feels privileged to have witnessed first hand how the songs, the Scriptures and the amazing guest speakers fueled her faith along with hundreds of other women from Long Island. Encouraged by past and present board members whom she calls friends, Eve knew it would be an honor to serve alongside this talented group of women and has been doing so for the past 8 years!

Eve grew up on the North Shore of Long Island and raised a family with her husband Gary and her twins Emma and Luke. A graduate of St Joseph’s College Eve has worked for the past 30 years for a Long Island pool builder as their expediter. The past four years brought Eve thru the empty nest phase but she remained busy with her hobby of training for triathlons and competing in races locally and across the US. Eve loves encouraging others to join the sport and is a 5 time Ironman Finisher. She has been married to her husband, Gary, for 30 years and looks forward to their next phase of life together as her twins have recently graduated but currently both of her children found their way back to Long Island.

With God all things are possible!

Matthew 19:26

Brenda Young
Community Engagement Coordinator

Brenda is a devoted follower of Christ, having been saved for a very long time and has dedicated her life to serving the Lord in various capacities. She has been a member of Grace Gospel Church in Patchogue for 19 years, where she continually cultivates her faith and shares the love of Christ with others.

Brenda’s passion lies in ministering to women, helping them find strength and purpose through the Word of God. She holds a deep love for the ministry and considers it a blessing to be back on the board of Kingdom Hearts ministry after previously serving in this capacity many years ago. Her journey has not always been easy; she has faced numerous challenges and struggles, particularly concerning her health. However, with the Lord’s love  and grace, Brenda has emerged stronger and healthier, ready to once again give her all in service to Him.

Beyond Brenda’s ministry work, she is a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, cherishing the blessings these roles bring into her life. She is incredibly excited to embark on this new chapter, serving alongside her fellow board members, and using her experiences to glorify God in all that she does.