Board of Directors

The NASW-NYS Board consists of three officers, 10 Division Directors, and two student members (one at the baccalaureate and one at the master’s level). Members are elected by the membership during the annual Chapter election.

 

Victoria Rizzo, Ph.D, LCSW-R
President (2022-2024)

Victoria M. Rizzo, Ph.D., LCSW-R is a Professor, School of Social Welfare, University at Albany and an LCSW-R with more than 30 years’ experience as a social work practitioner, educator, policy advocate, and researcher. Previously, Dr. Rizzo held academic appointments at Binghamton University and Columbia University. Victoria is dedicated to demonstrating the value of social work in health care settings and community-based organizations and the implications for health care policy and the financing of social work services. Dr. Rizzo served on the NASW-NYS PACE Committee and as the Chair of The Value of Social Work Taskforce. As the President of the New York Association of Deans and Directors of Schools of Social Work, Dr. Rizzo accepted the NASW-NYS organization of the year award. I am a fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine and the National Academies of Practice (Social Work). She has served on boards of national associations and community-based organizations dedicated to social work.

 

Warren Graham, Ph.D Candidate, LCSW, ACSW, SIFI, CASAC
President Elect (2023-2024)

Warren is currently the Assistant Dean of Field Education/Clinical Associate Professor at SUNY Stony Brook. He oversees practicum education, co-chairs the Curriculum Committee and Committee on Professionalism, and teaches in both the undergraduate and graduate programs. Warren has been active as an educator, forensic evaluator, and clinician for over 20 years as LMSW, LCSW and  NYS CASAC Counselor.

As an advocate for social justice and human rights, Warren has authored publications that speak to the need for inclusive human rights in the pursuit of social justice, retributive and restorative justice, human rights defenders, examining race, law enforcement culture and social work practice, and power, privilege, and oppression in micro-aggressive environments. His local, regional, and national involvement includes the CSWE Council on Racial, Ethnic, and Cultural Diversity, Urban League of Long Island’s State of Long Island Equity Council, NYS Social Work Educators Association Board Member, University of Michigan Diversity Scholars Network Member.

 


Silas W. Kelly, LMSW
Vice President (2022-2024)

Mr. Kelly is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW). He graduated from Adelphi with honors in 2014. Mr. Kelly is the recipient of the 2022 "International Rhoda G. Sarnat Award", given out by the NASW Foundation. This award "recognizes an individual, group, or organization that has significantly advanced the public image of professional social work". Mr. Kelly was honored as the 2021 National Association of Social Workers Long Island, NY “Social Worker of the Year.” He has served as Suffolk Division Director, and Region 5 Representative on the Board of Trustees. He hosts and produces the award-winning “Kelsunn-on-the-Air” Social Work Podcast, listed as one of the “Best 40 Social Work Podcasts” you must hear in 2023, currently ranked #5. He is known nationally and internationally as Silas, Your "E-Journalism Social Work Advocate". He says he is a product and a beneficiary of the Social Work profession.

 

Christina Lesyk, LMSW
Secretary (2023-2025)

Christina Lesyk, LMSW is an Associate Professor of Applied Psychology at the State University of New York (SUNY)/Canton. She helps educate future counselors, psychologists, and of course, social workers! Previously, Christina was the Child and Family Services Director for the Community Action Agency of Franklin County, NY, leading an award-winning family violence program and training staff in crisis intervention and recording skills. She has held board positions for nonprofit organizations, including as Secretary for the St. Lawrence County (NY) Associated Colleges Diversity Consortium. Christina earned her MSW from Hunter College School of Social Work, specializing in Community Organization and Planning.

 

Emilee Dykeman
BSW Representative (2023-2024)

Emilee is a senior BSW student at Nazareth University. Through social work, she has become involved on campus working for the Weider Community Engagement office as well as the Social Work department where she works closely with students and staff to advocate for change on and off campus. She has completed an internship at the Center for Youth at East High and is currently interning at Genesee Mental Health Child & Youth Services. Emilee is an active member of her community and is excited to be able to participate in the NASW-NY to support change.

 

Melissa Torregrossa, BSW
MSW Representative (2023-2024)

Melissa has spent the past 6 years of working in the substance use field, and her journey has brought her to her current role as the Coordinator of Recovery Services at Mindful Care. She is ecstatic to graduate with her BSW from Stony Brook University School of Social Welfare Summa Cum Laude, and even more excited to continue at Stony Brook towards her MSW in the advanced standing program - specializing in Community, Policy, and Political Social Action. During her BSW, Melissa held dual roles as the class senator and treasurer for the Undergraduate Social Welfare Alliance and completed her internship at NASW-NYS. Melissa is an inducted member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, Stony Brook University’s Phi Omega chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda Non-Traditional Student National Honor Society, and a candidate for the Phi Alpha National Honor Society, Phi Theta Chapter.

 

Gina Corona, LCSW-R
Central Division Director (2023-2025)

Gina M Corona, LCSW-R is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with 25 years of post Masters experience working with children with mental health issues and their families.

A 1995 Graduate of Syracuse University, Ms. Corona has remained predominantly in the Central New York area for most of her career. She is an activist for the delivery of quality care, and an advocate for changes in legislation to address budget shortfalls that impact desperately needed services and programs.

Over the last 17 years, Ms. Corona has worked in the local state operated mental health clinic, in both inpatient and outpatient programs where she is a Clinical Social Worker. In her practice, Ms. Corona often encounters families in crisis and in need of supportive services to manage both everyday life as well as safety. In addition to her practice as a mental health professional Social Worker, Ms. Corona serves as the Regional Coordinator for the Public Employees Federation’s Region 4, which includes six counties- Cayuga, Cortland, Jefferson, Onondaga, Oswego, and Seneca. The elected leadership position also includes Executive Board Representation, Chair of the Political Action Committee for the Region and serving on other committees. Currently, Ms. Corona lives in Syracuse, NY with her family.

 

Martha Shultz, LCSW, RN, School Social Worker
Northeast Division Director (2022-2024)

Martha Schultz is currently a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, working for a rural Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES) in Upstate NY as a School Social Worker. She also practices as a therapist with families and young children, through the Committee on Preschool Special Education serving rural counties, crisis clinician for the local emergency room, and registered nurse at an addiction treatment and recovery facility. Prior to this, Martha worked as a therapist in mental and behavioral health agencies in Upstate NY, and Montreal, Canada. She remains active in a number of community initiatives, specifically focused on trauma-informed practices and early childhood mental health. Martha received a BSW from SUNY Plattsburgh and an MSW from McGill University, Montreal, Canada. She is currently a doctoral student at Duke University.

 

Jackie Muller, LCSW-R
Hudson Valley Division Director (2022-2024)

For 27 years, Jackie Muller has made their life experiences my life’s work helping people overcome trauma, and unplanned life events across generations. She has had many leadership and supervisory roles both in practice and in business. During her undergrad, Jackie was proactive on campus in student affairs at CUNY Lehman and worked as a Girl Scout leader trainer during grad school at Fordham University while working as a medical and community mental health provider.

Jackie currently leads empowerment and diversity groups while managing a caseload and clinical team. Her mission and vision is to gather commUNITY and inspire others to step into their unique power. Her goal is to leave a legacy of empowered clinicians who dream big and deliver bigger. Jackie believes if she touches one life, she changes many, and if we inspire others to do the same the number of lives we can change is exponentially bigger. Be the change!

 

Veera Mookerjee, PhD, LMSW
Westchester Division Director (2022-2024)

Veera Mookerjee, Ph.D., LMSW graduated from Yeshiva University, NYC. She founded and runs “Resolveera,” a consultancy that focuses on disability and inclusion challenges. She organizes parent workshops and trainings and provides consultancy services to Early Intervention centers. She provides mental health therapy at the Child Center of New York (weekends) and is a full-time Care Manager in a Managed Long Term Care Company in NYC. Veera serves on the board of New York Zero To Three (NYZTT), and is in their Diversity Education & Inclusion Committee. She is a NASW-NYS Diversity Committee member and conducts CEU workshops for Social Workers in NYS. Veera is actively engaged in developing non-profit start-up projects and program development. She published a book, Transitioning Young Adults with Autism in 2016 showcasing findings from her doctoral study. With 20 years of experience, Veera works with diverse communities and excels in in public relations and networking strategies.

 

Hillary Forbes, LCSW-R
Mohawk Valley Division Director (2023-2025)

Upon graduation from Simmons College in 2011, Hillary began her career working in community-based services for vulnerable adults. Since that time, she has acquired a breadth of experience across multiple settings. Hillary became the Director of an Inpatient Residential Unit in 2015, with a focus on neurodegenerative diseases and family dynamics. Given the growing demand for behavioral health care, she has since transitioned to Community Outpatient Mental Health and is engaged in Private Practice in New York. Hillary has had the opportunity firsthand to relocate to New York State and has encountered barriers related to license conversion; barriers that she is committed to reducing. She has been a member of NASW-NYS for one year and currently resides within the Mohawk Valley Division. Hillary possesses diverse clinical and administrative experience, a commitment to promoting NASW in this region, and encouraging the growth and development of our next generation of providers.

 

Misty L. Boldt, LMSW
Genesee Valley Division Director (2022-2024)

Misty is  the Director of Care Manage for All LLC's Rochester Region, www.caremanageforall.com. She is  an Aging Life Care Specialist  and covers 5 counties assisting older adults, caregivers and their families. Misty is a member of the Aging Life Care Association providing holistic wrap around services.

Prior to her current position, Misty worked as a Forensic Social Worker in Wayne County Jail providing individual and group support to male and female inmates. She held dual roles to bridge the gaps in service provision for older adults at risk of abuse, managed cases for older adults at risk, held positions in substance abuse and eating disorders for ages 12 to older adult, while volunteering for BIVONA Child Advocacy Center (CAC) gaining first hand insight into the impact of childhood traumas traversing into adulthood if not addressed. She provides training to professionals on the topic of Trauma Informed Care when working with older adults and has been a Keynote Speaker for the Monroe County Mental Health Association.

Misty holds a Bachelor of Science from State University of New York College at Brockport for Psychology, and a Master of Social Work from The Greater Rochester Collaborative of Nazareth and State University of New York at Brockport. While earning her graduate degree in social work, Misty was employed by the Catholic Family Center Adult Guardianship Program and completed her field placements with Monroe County Adult Protective Services and Lifespan Elder Abuse Prevention Program.​ ​Misty received a Clinical Certification as a Clinical Trauma Professional through PESI, a Certificate for Certified Case Management through Boston University, and completed an independent study of Bessel A Van Der Kolk’s: The Body Keeps the Score through PESI. In 2016, Misty was awarded a two-year Trauma Fellowship through the Office of the Prevention of Domestic Violence. Misty’s Social Work practice is infused with a trauma informed care perspective.

 

Kari Tabag, PhD, LCSW-R
Nassau Division Director (2023-2025)

Dr. Kari Tabag (she/her/siya), a Nassau County resident for most of her years, earned her Ph.D. and Master of Social Work degrees at Adelphi University’s Graduate School of Social Work, where she is also an adjunct professor. Dr. Tabag holds certifications in Field Instruction (SIFI), School Social Work, and is a school social worker with the NYC DOE. As a LCSW-R for 25 years, her private practice centers on racially diverse adolescents, families, and emerging adults. Dr. Tabag served as a social worker in a variety of roles including consultant, clinical social work supervisor, social work field instructor, social work field liaison, college mental health counselor, director of wellness, and dean of student services. Dr. Tabag is a member of the NASW-NYS the Diversity Committee and is featured in the NASW-NYS’s campaign "This is Social Work”. Dr. Tabag is a published author and was quoted in The NY Times, and The FilAm: A magazine for Filipino Americans in NY. Dr. Tabag’s public speaking presentations center on social work, microaggressions, systemic racism, and the promotion of social justice among racialized, marginalized, and oppressed communities.

 

Elaine Rinfrette, RN, PhD, LCSW-R, LSW
Western Division Director (2023-2025)

Elaine's career began as an RN upon graduation from the University of Rhode Island. After eleven years of nursing, she obtained her MSW from Boston University. Following this, Elaine worked for 20 years in outpatient mental health treatment where she developed her interests in trauma, self -care, and co-occurring disorders. Eventually she wanted to teach, so she completed her PhD in social work from the State University of New York Buffalo. Finally, Elaine became an associate professor in the social work department at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania where she served as faculty, MSW program director for five years, and department chair for three years. She retired in May 2022 after eleven years on the faculty.

Elaine is married with two adult sons. She has two rescue cats, one dog, and lives in a rural area outside of Buffalo. She enjoys travel, playing bridge, doing some volunteer work, and socializing with her wonderful friends.

 

Dawn E. Shedrick, LCSW
Suffolk Division Director (2023-2025)

Dawn E. Shedrick is a clinical social worker, consultant, educator, and writer whose work focuses on the health and wellbeing of family caregivers, trauma survivors, and queer people. She is the founder and principal consultant of JenTex Training & Consulting, a continuing education and professional development firm for health and human services professionals. Dawn weaves her extensive experiences as her mother’s primary caregiver since 1996, mental health practitioner, trainer, educator, and holistic healer to create experiences and tools for caregivers to heal from stress and burnout and to help health and human services professionals develop the skills to support them in their healing. She is the author of Courageous Contemplation: A Guided Journal for Family CareGivers of Chronically Ill, Disabled, and Elderly Loved Ones.

Dawn has designed and delivered corporate emotional and mental wellness seminars and workshops for clients such as GE, Canon USA, Office Depot, NY Mets, JPMorgan Chase, Columbia University, and the USDA. She has delivered these learning experiences online and in person in China, Tanzania, Canada, Puerto Rico, and throughout the U.S.

Dawn is a lecturer at the Columbia University School of Social Work where she was an inaugural recipient of the Steven P. Schinke Teaching Innovation Award. She is a doctoral candidate studying Adult Learning and Leadership at Teachers College- Columbia University. Her participatory action research involves partnering with other caregivers to create tools to support emotional healing. To manage her own caregiver stress, Dawn loves spending time near the ocean, knitting, traveling, watching true crime TV with her two Yorkies, and sharing her stories of caregiving so her peers know they are not alone.

As the NASW-NYS Suffolk Division Director, Dawn is passionate about building and cultivating community with seasoned social workers, emerging leaders, and students; professional development for social workers in all areas of practice; co-creating and supporting the chapter’s policy agenda; and advancing social work entrepreneurship.