Laurie Cameron, President/Executive Director
As the parent of an exceptional individual Laurie brings her combined experience at the Spaulding Youth Center for Autistic individuals, five years as an early education teacher and more than 20 years as a publishing/marketing executive to create ground breaking solutions for adults with developmental disabilities. She was featured in a NY Times OPED and appeared in The Shriver Report. She is currently authoring a new children's book series, The Lambdoodle Cafe, where everyone is celebrated for their special qualities and accepted for who they are. The first two in the series are available on Amazon.
As the parent of an exceptional individual Laurie brings her combined experience at the Spaulding Youth Center for Autistic individuals, five years as an early education teacher and more than 20 years as a publishing/marketing executive to create ground breaking solutions for adults with developmental disabilities. She was featured in a NY Times OPED and appeared in The Shriver Report. She is currently authoring a new children's book series, The Lambdoodle Cafe, where everyone is celebrated for their special qualities and accepted for who they are. The first two in the series are available on Amazon.
Susan Disbrow, Vice-President/Director of Program Development
Susan is the parent of an exceptional individual, a psychiatric nurse specialist and practicing Advanced Practice Nurse/Psychotherapist with many years of experience in the health care field and in health care education. She is utilizing her wealth of experience and knowledge to create innovative models of well-being for developmentally challenged individuals.
Susan is the parent of an exceptional individual, a psychiatric nurse specialist and practicing Advanced Practice Nurse/Psychotherapist with many years of experience in the health care field and in health care education. She is utilizing her wealth of experience and knowledge to create innovative models of well-being for developmentally challenged individuals.
Lisa Jacoby, Secretary-Treasurer/Director of Operations & Finance
A former Fortune 500 Creative Operations executive, Lisa is a Professional & Personal Coach and Leadership Consultant.
She also facilitates empowerment workshops designed to maximize individual and collective talent, based upon the core teachings of her book, What I Know to Be True. Her not-for-profit experience includes serving on the
advisory board of Connecticut based BuildOn.
A former Fortune 500 Creative Operations executive, Lisa is a Professional & Personal Coach and Leadership Consultant.
She also facilitates empowerment workshops designed to maximize individual and collective talent, based upon the core teachings of her book, What I Know to Be True. Her not-for-profit experience includes serving on the
advisory board of Connecticut based BuildOn.
TEF ADVISORY BOARD
Dan Calcutti
Dan is a vocational manager with over 18 years of experience in the mental healthcare field as well as providing vocational support and services to individuals with autism and other intellectual disabilities. He uses his extensive experience and knowledge to assist with developing individualized, meaningful activities and opportunities
for individuals with needs in our community.
Dan is a vocational manager with over 18 years of experience in the mental healthcare field as well as providing vocational support and services to individuals with autism and other intellectual disabilities. He uses his extensive experience and knowledge to assist with developing individualized, meaningful activities and opportunities
for individuals with needs in our community.
Jim Diffley - Kyle's Dad
Jim has a graduate degree in economics and is Vice President of Economic Consulting with IHS Markit, a firm he has been with for 20 years. Jim is using his background to assist with job opportunities and development for persons with Autism.
Jim has a graduate degree in economics and is Vice President of Economic Consulting with IHS Markit, a firm he has been with for 20 years. Jim is using his background to assist with job opportunities and development for persons with Autism.
Sally Diffley - Kyle's Mom
Sally has a degree in nursing and communications/management. She has extensive knowledge of the medical care system with a 20 year career as a case manager. Sally is drawing on this knowledge to help develop activities and living choices for her son.
Sally has a degree in nursing and communications/management. She has extensive knowledge of the medical care system with a 20 year career as a case manager. Sally is drawing on this knowledge to help develop activities and living choices for her son.
Beltran Elgart - Sean's Dad
Beltran has over 50 years of experience as a Psychiatrist/Psychoanalyst.
He combines this background with philosophy to lend a depth of understanding to the lives of exceptional individuals.
Beltran has over 50 years of experience as a Psychiatrist/Psychoanalyst.
He combines this background with philosophy to lend a depth of understanding to the lives of exceptional individuals.
Marcia Gori - Erica's Mom
Mother of three and grandmother of two, Marcia was an early childhood teacher and reading facilitator for 30 years in New York City. She continues to share her talents helping students and staff as a volunteer in local schools. Marcia’s daughter, Erica, an exceptional young lady, is involved in many activities and programs. She enjoys traveling with her family, doing arts and crafts, and spending time with friends. Marcia is passionate about supporting her daughter’s love of learning, helping her find and create new opportunities for growth
Mother of three and grandmother of two, Marcia was an early childhood teacher and reading facilitator for 30 years in New York City. She continues to share her talents helping students and staff as a volunteer in local schools. Marcia’s daughter, Erica, an exceptional young lady, is involved in many activities and programs. She enjoys traveling with her family, doing arts and crafts, and spending time with friends. Marcia is passionate about supporting her daughter’s love of learning, helping her find and create new opportunities for growth
Stacy Mason - Trever & Tyler's Mom
Stacy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the parent of two teen-age boys with autism. Her more than 20 years of experience as a social worker includes work in the field of mental health and developmental disabilities. Stacy currently provides Parent Training in Putnam, Dutchess and Northern Westchester County school districts to parents who have children with autism and other developmental disabilities. Stacy is thrilled to be joining other like-minded parents and professionals at the Extended Family to create more fulfilling futures for our loved ones with developmental disabilities.
Stacy is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and the parent of two teen-age boys with autism. Her more than 20 years of experience as a social worker includes work in the field of mental health and developmental disabilities. Stacy currently provides Parent Training in Putnam, Dutchess and Northern Westchester County school districts to parents who have children with autism and other developmental disabilities. Stacy is thrilled to be joining other like-minded parents and professionals at the Extended Family to create more fulfilling futures for our loved ones with developmental disabilities.
Susan Sassano - Jason's Mom
Susan has been an Educational Advocate for over 20 years, aiding children with special needs. She served for 16 years as a parent representative for the Committee on Special Education in the Mahopac, NY School District. Susan also sits on the board of directors of The Arc of Putnam County, serving the needs of people with intellectual disabilities from pre-school age and throughout their lifetime. She is also the parent of a young adult with autism.
Susan has been an Educational Advocate for over 20 years, aiding children with special needs. She served for 16 years as a parent representative for the Committee on Special Education in the Mahopac, NY School District. Susan also sits on the board of directors of The Arc of Putnam County, serving the needs of people with intellectual disabilities from pre-school age and throughout their lifetime. She is also the parent of a young adult with autism.
Hilary Wolfson - Amanda's Mom
Hilary has been in education for almost 20 years, combining her love of literacy and children into a career as a middle and high school English and Special Education teacher. Special Education was a seamless fit for this former freelance writer for The New York Times and frequent blogger, parenting three children, one of whom has significant special needs but has blossomed into an extraordinary articulate, loving and compassionate young woman. Hilary’s favorite aphorisms these days emanate from her recent teaching of the extraordinary life-affirming book, Tuesdays with Morrie, which speak to Hilary’s heart and vision. “Don’t assume that it is too late to get involved.” “Find someone to share your heart, give to your community, be at peace with yourself, try to be as human as you can be.” And one of her all-time favorites: “Love always wins.”
Hilary has been in education for almost 20 years, combining her love of literacy and children into a career as a middle and high school English and Special Education teacher. Special Education was a seamless fit for this former freelance writer for The New York Times and frequent blogger, parenting three children, one of whom has significant special needs but has blossomed into an extraordinary articulate, loving and compassionate young woman. Hilary’s favorite aphorisms these days emanate from her recent teaching of the extraordinary life-affirming book, Tuesdays with Morrie, which speak to Hilary’s heart and vision. “Don’t assume that it is too late to get involved.” “Find someone to share your heart, give to your community, be at peace with yourself, try to be as human as you can be.” And one of her all-time favorites: “Love always wins.”
