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About MHA > About Us
Meet Our Executive 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
schwartzd@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 and Family Abuse Court Services, as well as
MHA's Children's Advocacy Programs (Court
Appointed Special Advocates, Independent Third Party Review, One to One Mentoring). 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 Quail, LCSW
Assistant Executive Director
quailc@mhawestchester.org
Ms. Quail, 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. Quail 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.
Blanche Goodman, LCSW
Program Director, CREW (Center for Responders and Emergency
Workers), START (Specialized Treatment and Recovery Team) and WAVE
(Workshop Anti-Violence Education)
goodmanb@mhawestchester.org
Ms. Goodman, a licensed clinical social worker, is the Program Director
for CREW (Center for Responders and
Emergency Workers), a program providing services to Emergency
Responders (and their families) in Westchester, Putnam and surrounding
counties. Ms. Goodman has over thirteen years experience working with
uniformed services (including Police, Fire and Emergency Medical
Services). She also oversees the START and WAVE programs. She is a member of the
National Association of Social Workers. Ms. Goodman received her MSW from
Fordham University Graduate School of Social Services.
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.
Shareen Kneeshaw, PhD
Director, Northern Westchester Counseling Center (NWCC)
kneeshas@mhawestchester.org
Dr. Kneeshaw is a licensed psychologist who oversees the Northern
Westchester Counseling Center. The Center provides mental health services
to children, adolescents, adults, seniors and families. Dr. Kneeshaw’s
previous experience includes both clinical and administrative work in an
inpatient setting, servicing all age groups with an emphasis on children
and their families. She has been an adjunct faculty member with various
universities and has participated in training programs for psychology
interns and externs. She has also been an invited speaker on mental health
issues at schools and parent organizations. Dr. Kneeshaw graduated from
Ramapo College of New Jersey with a BA in Metropolitan and Community
Studies, and received her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Fairliegh
Dickinson University in Teaneck, New Jersey.
Robert Litwak, LMSW
Incident Coordinator
litwakr@mhawestchester.org
Mr. Litwak, a licensed master social worker, is responsible for MHA's
Clubhouse Peer Support Services and MHA's Benefit Management Services. He
is a board member of the New York Association for Psychiatric
Rehabilitation Services. Mr. Litwak has over 20 years experience in the
psychiatric rehabilitation field. A graduate of the State University of
New York at New Paltz, Mr. Litwak received his MSW from the Fordham
University School of Social Work.
Anna Masopust
Program Coordinator, One-to-One Mentoring Program
masopusa@mhawestchester.org
Ms. Masopust is responsible for MHA’s One-to-One Mentoring program.
The program recruits, trains and monitors prospective adult volunteers,
who serve as role models and provide supportive guidance to young people,
all over Westchester County. Ms. Masopust has over 30 years experience in
vocational, residential and other direct services with both adults and
children with disabilities. She works with other programs recruiting
volunteers and provides disability awareness education and presentations
throughout the county.
Mary E. Miller
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.
Keren Owings
Program Coordinator- Third Party Review Program
owingsk@mhawestchester.org
Ms. Owings coordinates our Third
Party Review Program, an innovative approach to achieving permanency
and improving service provision to children in foster care. The program
utilizes independent reviewers to conduct Service Plan Review Conferences
and review planning, service provision and compliance with State and
Federal guidelines. She is also a part-time CASA supervisor. Ms. Owings
brings to this position a broad range of experience in child welfare. Ms.
Owings holds a BA in Sociology from the University of Northern Colorado.
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.
Stacey Roberts, LCSW
Director, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program
robertss@mhawestchester.org
Stacey Roberts, a licensed clinical social worker, oversees MHA's
Sterling Center 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.
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