Staff

• Lisa Audi, Founder

• Jennifer Powell

• Ashley Snide

• Marisa White

Instructors

• Catherine Bryson

• Robert Cusato

• Jen DeGroff

• Karen DeSorbo

• Morgan Dempsey

• Diane Guendel

• Kristen Kiehart-Winchell

• Kate Mahlum, MS

• Music Speaks Music Therapy —- Sharon, Emily and Sarah

• Matt Peer

• Erika Pelletier

• Heather Re, piece d’occasion

• Gwen Rudnick, OTR/L; NBCOT and SIPT-certified

• Renel Turner

Meet the Board

• Erin Hoffman, experienced fundraiser with more than $1M raised in support of JDRF;

• Namita Modasra, Education Coordinator/Resource Specialist, Down Syndrome AIM High Resource Center

• Dr. Laura Staff, board certified family practitioner, assistant clinical professor at Albany Med; medical director, City School District of Albany;

• Dr. Humera Syeda, obstetrician and gynecologist in private practice in Latham. Special interest in advocacy for people with neurodiverse abilities.

• Jeff Yule, twenty plus years of experience as nonprofit executive.

Meet the Advisory Council

Our advisory council is comprised of individuals who work in the field and/or are connected to neurodiverse individuals.  This group provides guidance, suggestions and ideas to the Team and Board as well as being resource for current and future planning.

• Sara Berg, parent and research scientist in NYS government;

• Jessica Cecchini, MS Ed., Educational Programming/Troy Site Coordinator; Early Childhood Education Center;

• Barbara J. Collins, O.T.R., M.S., Pediatric Occupational Therapy Services, RDI Program Certified Consultant;

• Gina Cosgrove, Psy.D., Chelsea Place Psychological Services, PLLC;

• Denise DiNoto, Program Manager, Health Research, Inc.;

• Jennifer Gish, Vice President for Marketing and Communications, Russell Sage College;

• Matthew Hickling, MSN, RN, CPNP-PC

• Brent Pierce, Capital Region BOCES teacher, Work Based Learning Program.

• Jason Purvis, parent

• John Robinson, CEO, Our Ability, Inc.;

• Alicia Sikora, Director of Marketing Operations & Government Affairs, Community Care Physicians featuring CapitalCare Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics;

• Julienne Slichko, Ph.D,, Assistant Professor, Literacy & Special Education Dept., Lally School of Education, The College of St. Rose;

• Diana Straut, PhD, Education Consultant & Senior Professional Development Specialist, MI Measurement Inc.; former board member, Voorheesville school district;

• Kyle Van Vorst, WMC Financial Advisor, Northwestern Mutual

Jane Ann Worlock, M.S. Ed., Senior Trainer, Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at UAlbany

Support Team

Social Media: Thomas Straut

Website: Maki Mandelis

Graphic Design: Kimberly Smith