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About MHA > About Us

Meet Our Management Staff

Amy Kohn, DSW

CEO/Executive Director
kohna@mhawestchester.org

Dr. Amy Kohn is responsible for all aspects of administration, financial management, program development and leadership for the agency. She received her Masters in Social Work from Adelphi University, her Doctorate in Social Welfare from Columbia University, and is a graduate of the Not-for-Profit Executive Management Program at the Columbia University School of Business. Dr. Kohn has served on several non-profit boards in the Westchester area and is a frequent lecturer on clinical work with adolescents, group work, secondary trauma and capacity building.

Doris Schwartz, LCSW

Associate Executive Director
schwartd@mhawestchester.org

As the Associate Executive Director, Doris Schwartz joins the CEO in overseeing the health and welfare of the organization. Doris Schwartz is specifically charged with new business development, quality assurance and advocacy efforts. She earned a Masters in Social Work and a Masters of the Arts in Early Childhood Education from New York University. Ms. Schwartz has over 20 years of agency experience and of working in the mental health field. Some of her notable honors include the 2004 New York Association of Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services Lifetime Achievement Award and the 1993 New York State Office of Mental Health Individual of the Year Award.

Ruthanne Abramovich, MA

Assistant Executive Director
abramovr@mhawestchester.org

Ruthanne Abramovich, a rehabilitation counselor, oversees MHA’s Adult Rehabilitation Programs (Employment Services, The Sterling Club, Supported and Apartment Treatment Housing) as well as the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program. Ms. Abramovich earned a BA in Psychology from Drew University and a MA in Rehabilitation Counseling from New York University. Her 20-year career has focused on assisting persons with disabilities achieve full community participation and maximum social, vocational and economic independence.

Kelly Darrow, LCSW

Assistant Executive Director
darrowk@mhawestchester.org

Ms. Darrow is responsible for oversight of the agency's Corporate Compliance Program and Privacy Practices. Ms. Darrow, a licensed clinical social worker, oversees MHA’s Children's Case Management, Family Support Services Strengthening Families Program as well as MHA's Children's Advocacy Programs (Court Appointed Special Advocates and the Independent Third Party Review). She provides community presentations through our Education and Training Department on a variety of topics. She has extensive experience with families and children who have serious behavioral and emotional difficulties. She has expertise in Child Abuse and Reporting, SAVE, strength-based/wraparound service planning, safety for mental health workers, working with a transitional age population and adults in a residential milieu. Ms. Darrow received a BA in psychology from State University of New York, Albany and an MSW from New York University School of Social Work. She holds a position on the New York State Case Management Coalition Board of Directors.

Ruth D. Nirenberg, PsyD

Assistant Executive Director
nirenber@mhawestchester.org

Dr. Nirenberg, a New York State-licensed psychologist, oversees agencywide quality assurance initiatives, utilization review, performance improvement, incident management and professional development training, including MHA’s pre-doctoral psychology internship program. A clinical psychologist by training, her areas of expertise are working with survivors of abuse, witnesses and perpetrators of domestic violence and working with the chronically homeless population. She has been distinguished as a trainer on multiple topics and has authored an original manual for group work with women who have experienced domestic violence. A graduate of Brandeis University, Dr. Nirenberg received her MS degree in applied psychology and her PsyD in clinical psychology from Long Island University, C. W. Post Campus.

Carla Lisio, LCSW

Assistant Executive Director
quailc@mhawestchester.org

Ms. Lisio, a licensed clinical social worker, oversees clinic-based bilingual/bicultural treatment services and the Assertive Community Treatment Team at MHA. She has developed programming at the agency for families of people with serious mental illness and has a particular interest in the treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder. She has extensive experience and knowledge in the treatment of serious mental illnesses. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers. Ms. Lisio graduated from Cornell University and received her MS in social work from Columbia University School of Social Work.

Abbie Relkin, MA, MBA

Chief Financial Officer
relkina@mhawestchester.org

Ms. Relkin is responsible for the overall financial management of MHA. She is committed to ensuring that programs remain fiscally sound while providing quality service to the community. She holds an MA from the University of Chicago and an MBA in Healthcare Administration from the City University of New York (a joint program of Mt. Sinai Medical School and Baruch College).

Nancy Krzemienski, MBA

Assistant Executive Director, Administrative Services
krzemien@mhawestchester.org

Ms. Krzemienski is responsible for the operations of the agency including Human Resources, Business Operations and Billing. She is committed to making MHA one of the most family-friendly places that you could work. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from St. Francis College and an MBA from Long Island University.

Caroline T. Turner

Assistant Executive Director, Development and Communications
turnerc@mhawestchester.org

Ms. Turner is responsible for the oversight of all fund raising, marketing and public relations initiatives. Ms. Turner brings to the Agency 10 years of professional fund raising experience, most recently serving as Director of Development for the Samuel Waxman Cancer Research Foundation at Mt. Sinai Hospital. Prior to that, Ms. Turner held fundraising and event management positions at the Girl Scout Council of Greater New York and the Women’s Sports Foundation. A graduate of Smith College with a BA in Psychology, Ms. Turner holds a post-graduate diploma in Sports, Entertainment & Events Marketing from New York University.

Barbara Bernstein, PhD

Director, Education and Training
bernsteb@mhawestchester.org

Dr. Barbara Bernstein, a licensed psychologist, is responsible for MHA's education and training activities. A graduate of Cornell University, Dr. Bernstein was awarded a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology by the Graduate Center of the City University of New York and has completed a Postgraduate Certificate Program in the Treatment of Child and Family Sexual Abuse at Fordham University.

Jackie Boissonnault, LMSW

Director of Children's Advocacy Services
boissonj@mhawestchester.org

Ms. Boissonnault, a licensed master social worker, is responsible for the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program that trains volunteers who advocate for the best interests of children in Westchester County’s foster care system. In addition, Ms. Boissonnault is involved in the Independent Third Party Review Program, reviewing the case plans and permanency goals of children in foster care. She oversees the Educational Advocacy Program, which utilizes an Educational Expert in Family Court to assist and advocate for children who have educational difficulties and are in foster care or at risk for foster care. Ms. Boissonnault is a member of the Task Force on Child Abuse and Neglect. Ms. Boissonnault holds a BA in psychology from Bowling Green State University and an MSW from Fordham University Graduate School of Social Services.

Sharon Caplan, CRC

Director, Sterling Club
caplans@mhawestchester.org

Ms. Caplan, a certified rehabilitation counselor, oversees MHA’s Sterling Club, a rehabilitation program that provides educational, social, recreation and vocational services. Early in her career, Ms. Caplan worked for the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission, where she won the “outstanding performance” award for the entire Boston region. In addition, she worked for many years in continuing day treatment. She feels her present position has been the most rewarding and compatible with her own values and beliefs regarding mental health. Ms. Caplan graduated from Boston University and received her Master’s degree in rehabilitation administration from Northeastern University.

Larry Goodman, LCSW

Director, Northern Westchester Counciling Center (NWCC)
goodmanl@mhawestchester.org

Mr. Goodman is a licensed clinical social worker who oversees the Northern Westchester Counseling Center. The center provides mental health services to children, adolescents, adults, seniors and families. Mr. Goodman has worked extensively in community-based mental health settings as both a clinician and a clinic director. He has been an adjunct faculty member to several master’s level social work programs in the NY area. He received his undergraduate degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. and his social work degree from Hunter College School of Social Work in NYC. He is a member of NASW.

Margaret Hadad, LMSW

Director, Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP)
hadadm@mhawestchester.org

Ms. Hadad, a licensed master social worker, is responsible for the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP), a professionally supervised program consisting of trained New York State Certified volunteers who advocate for the rights of seniors who live in long-term health care facilities in Westchester County. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers, State Society on Aging and Mercy College MPA Community Advisory Board. Ms. Hadad has a BS in psychology/behavioral science with a specialization in gerontology from Mercy College and received her MSW from Columbia University School of Social Work.

Mary E. Miller, MA

Director, Employment Services
millerm@mhawestchester.org

Ms. Miller is responsible for the daily operations of Employment Services at MHA, which includes our Jobs Plus and Employment Unlimited programs. Her previous experience in the field includes positions as a substance counselor, vocational counselor and coordinator. She received an MA in Counseling from Long Island University.

Gayane Minasian, Ph.D.

Director, Adult Sex Offender Program
minasiaG@mhawestchester.org

Gayane Minasian is a licensed psychologist who is currently the director of MHA's Adult Sex Offender Program. Dr. Minasian has 10 years of experience treating this population in an effort to prevent further victimization and relapse of offending behavior. Dr. Minasian has co-authored a chapter regarding the treatment of female sex offenders, has presented at the New York State ATSA Chapter Conference on working in collaboration with probation, has participated in a panel regarding internet sex offenders, and has participated in several interviews regarding sex offenders. Dr. Minasian received her Bachelor's Degree from UCLA, her Master's Degree from San Diego State University, and her Ph.D. from the University of Arizona. She is a member of the American Psychological Association, the Association for the Treatment of Sexual Abusers, and the New York State Chapter of ATSA.

Patrice Monaghan, LCSW

Program Director, Partners-In Parenting
monaghap@mhawestchester.org

Ms. Monaghan, a licensed clinical social worker, is the Program Director for The Partners-In Parenting Program at MHA. She oversees home- based mental health services for individuals who have a serious mental illness and are parenting children. She has a particular interest in the treatment of those that have experienced trauma/ abuse, domestic violence and homelessness. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers. Ms. Monaghan graduated from Pace University and received her MS in social work from Fordham University School of Social Work

Annette M. Peters, LCSW

Director, Crossroads and Partnership Programs
petersa@mhawestchester.org

Ms. Peters, a licensed clinical social worker, oversees two of MHA's community-based programs. The Crossroads Case Management and Mobile Mental Health Treatment Program serves young adults between the ages of 17 ½ and 22 years old who currently have a serious mental illness or have a history of serious emotional disturbance. The Partnership Program provides family and individual treatment as well as case management to children and adolescents with mental health issues. Ms. Peters has experience in both the clinical and administrative aspects of the mental health field. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and sits on the Westchester County Department of Mental Health's Children and Adult Intake Committees. Ms. Peters graduated from the State University of New York at Oneonta and received her Master's degree from Columbia University's School of Social Work.

Kerry Alexander, MA

Director, Rutherford House Apartment Treatment Program
alexandk@mhawestchester.org

Kerry Alexander is the Program Director of Rutherford House Apartment Treatment Program. This program houses 19 women who have mental health issues and prepares them for independent living back into the community. Ms. Alexander has nine years experience and knowledge in treatment of individuals who have serious mental illnesses and substance abuse issues. Ms. Alexander graduated from Hunter College with a Masters of Science degree in Education-Rehabilitation Counseling.

Stacey Roberts, LCSW

Director, Sterling Center and Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program
robertss@mhawestchester.org

Stacey Roberts, a licensed clinical social worker, oversees MHA's Sterling Center, a licensed out-patient mental health clinic and the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program, a mobile multi-disciplinary approach that provides comprehensive services to adults with a serious mental illness in Westchester County. Ms. Roberts is a member of the National Association of Social Workers and completed a postgraduate program on the treatment of interpersonal trauma. A graduate of the University of Delaware, Ms. Roberts received her MSW from Columbia University

Deirdre Sferrazza, MSW

Program Director, Children's Case Management Services (CCMS)
sferrazd@mhawestchester.org

Ms. Sferrazza, a Social Worker, is the Program Director for Children’s Case Management Services at MHA. She oversees MHA’s Children's Case Management and Family Support Services. She has extensive experience with families and children who have serious behavioral and emotional difficulties and those with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Ms. Sferrazza is a graduate of the University at Albany and received her Master’s in Social Work from Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Service. She sits on the Westchester County Department of Community Mental Health Children’s Services SPOA Committee and the Developmentally Delayed/Severely Emotionally Disturbed Westchester County Planning Committee.

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