Question 1

Sarah Sedo    Executive Director

Accepted Answer

Sarah started at Gilda’s Club Westchester in 2020. She has been in the roles of Oncology Social Work Manager and Program Director before becoming the Executive Director in 2022. Prior to working at Gilda’s Club Westchester, Sarah was the Clinical Supervisor for a community mental health program. Sarah is a Licensed Master Social Worker, who received a Masters of Social Work Degree, with a concentration in Clinical Social Work, from Rutgers University. She also holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from Seton Hall University.

Question 2

Deborah August    Director of Development

Accepted Answer

DAugust@cscnyct.org Deborah is an experienced development and fundraising professional with demonstrated history with annual giving, major gifts, capital campaigns, stewardship, and cultivation. Her career in fundraising began twenty years ago as the Director of Alumni Relations at Greens Farms Academy in Westport, CT. Prior to her start at Gilda’s Club, Deborah worked at Sacred Heart Greenwich for the past ten years as the Annual Fund Director providing leadership and strategic direction for parent, alumnae and other constituency fundraising efforts. Deborah has a BS from SUNY Albany in Human Biology and a MS from Georgia State University in Sports Administration, Sports Management and Events.

Question 3

Clare Bertino    Social Work Intern

Accepted Answer

Clare joined Gilda’s Club in May 2023 as a Social Work Intern. She is currently earning a Masters of Social Work with a clinical concentration from Syracuse University. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology from Purchase College. Clare has previously worked as a Therapeutic Recreation Leader serving the geriatric population, particularly those diagnosed with dementia. She is passionate about helping others reach their full potential. Clare is eager to work with the members of the organization!
intern1@cscnyct.org

Question 4

Romy Braun    Social Work Intern

Accepted Answer

Romy was thrilled to join the Gilda’s Club team in September 2023 as a clinical oncology social work intern. She is currently pursuing an MSW from The Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University. Romy holds a bachelor&#8217;s degree from Barnard College and a master&#8217;s degree from Teachers College at Columbia University. Until 2020, she served on the board of Sing &#038; Play 4 Kids, a non-profit organization benefiting Boston Children&#8217;s Hospital&#8217;s ESES epilepsy research program. Romy is passionate about the social work profession and grateful to have the chance to hone her skills here at the Clubhouse!

Question 5

Tammy Black   Oncology Social Worker

Accepted Answer

TBlack@cscnyct.org Tammy joined Gilda’s Club in 2022 as an Oncology Social Worker; she provides individual counseling, facilities support groups, and completes intake visits. Tammy earned her MSW with a concentration in gerontology from Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service. Tammy is a seasoned social worker having worked in both in-hospital as well as outpatient medical settings and geriatric care management. She has extensive experience working as part of an interdisciplinary team providing individual, family, and group therapy often focusing on adjustment to illness and loss while advocating for patients. Tammy received a post –Master’s certificate from New York University in Palliative and End of Life Care.

Question 6

Judy Freeman    Program and Evaluation Coordinator

Accepted Answer

JFreeman@cscnyct.org Judy Freeman began working at Gilda’s Club in June of 2002, following a seventeen-year career at Columbia University School of Social Work. Judy is responsible for managing Gilda’s Club Westchester’s calendar of monthly activities, including social and health and wellness programs. Judy also coordinates lectures and workshops facilitated by physicians, authors, health and wellness experts and community-based organizations. Judy maintains relationships with over 200 physicians, nurse practitioners, dietitians, social workers and wellness experts who provide their expertise through our lectures and workshops which connect individuals with cancer, and their family members, critical information that assist with decision making and quality of life. Judy graduated from Syracuse University with a BS in Secondary Education.

Question 7

Kristen Harris     Development & Marketing Manager

Accepted Answer

KHarris@cscnyct.org Kristen joined Gilda’s as the Development Coordinator in February of 2020. She works in all areas of the Development Department including fundraising event coordination, social media management, donation processing and community advocacy. Prior to this position, Kristen has past experience in marketing, public relations, nonprofit event planning, packaging design and textile manufacturing. After 5 years working in apparel industry management, she realized her true passion was helping others and she returned to non-profit development at GCW. Kristen graduated from Pace University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Communications and Marketing.

Question 8

Samuel A. Salgado-Hernandez   Bilingual Oncology Social Worker

Accepted Answer

Samuel joined Gilda’s Club in May 2023 as a Bilingual Oncology Social Worker; he provides individual counseling, facilitates support groups, and completes intake visits. Samuel earned his MSW from the Silver School of Social Work at New York University. Samuel has worked extensively with immigrant populations providing social service support to recently arrived immigrants in legal proceedings including ensuring a trauma informed approach to service provision. He has extensive experience working as part of an interdisciplinary team to promote positive adjustment and community integration through individual intensive case management and group support with a focus on response to traumatic events. shernandez@cscnyct.org

Question 9

Aileen Landes    Assistant Director of Special Events & Community Partnerships

Accepted Answer

ALandes@cscnyct.org Aileen joined Gilda’s as the Special Events Manager in May 2019. She coordinates all fundraising events and other special program events at Gilda’s Club Westchester. Prior to this position, Aileen was responsible for implementing Gnosis, Gilda’s database system which enables us to track members, allows them to sign up for classes online, and enables staff to use ADAPT reporting. Aileen has lead and participated in many successful fundraising events for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. She has also volunteered in the clinic at Pet Rescue in Harrison NY, assisting in the vetting and adoption of hundreds of rescue animals. Aileen graduated from The University of Vermont in 1989 with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Question 10

Andrea Markowitz     Program Director

Accepted Answer

AMarkowitz@cscnyct.org Andrea joined Gilda’s Club Westchester in 2018 as an Oncology Social Worker before becoming the Program Director in 2023. Andrea earned her MSW with an individualized concentration on health and mental health from the George Warren Brown School of Social Work at Washington University in St. Louis. Andrea has worked in both in-hospital and outpatient medical settings with experience in oncology, primary care, transplant, and emergency units for both adult and pediatric populations. She has extensive experience working with a diversity of populations in the community mental health setting, providing individual, family, and group therapy. Andrea has received specialty training in CBT, DBT, substance use, trauma, chronic-disease management, and bereavement support.

Question 11

Jennifer Ricca   Children, Teens and Families Manager

Accepted Answer

Jen joined Gilda’s Club Westchester in April 2023. Jen is a certified Child Life Specialist. A Child Life Specialist is a pediatric health care professional who specializes in working with children and teens, at their age level, to help them cope with a medical crisis or loss. Child Life Specialists take family-centered approach to make sure that all needs are met. Jen graduated from Providence College in 2001 with her Bachelor of Science in Education and Special Education. She then graduated from Bankstreet College in 2004 with her Master of Science in Child Life. She became certified as a Wonders and Worries Provider in 2021. jricca@cscnyct.org

Question 12

Essie Steckler     Sr. Coordinator, Clubhouse Operations

Accepted Answer

ESteckler@cscnyct.org Essie began working at Gilda’s Club Westchester in 2002 and is often the first point of contact for new members Essie coordinates new member meetings and is responsible for overseeing the monthly informational mailing to members and the surrounding community. Essie keeps the Community Bulletin Board updated with current information and travels to hospitals, medical offices and libraries to distribute information on programs and services. Essie manages the volunteer program and the online calendar. Additionally, Essie volunteers at White Plains Hospital. A graduate of Mandl The College of Allied Health, Essie previously owned Modern Hardware and Paint/Essie’s Chocolate.

Question 13

Debbie Vincent     Director of Outreach and Clinical Partnerships

Accepted Answer

DVincent@cscnyct.org

Debbie is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who joined the staff at Gilda’s Club Westchester in 2017, after having been Youth Programs Manager and Director of the Newark Clubhouse for Gilda’s Club Northern NJ. Debbie’s expertise includes counseling and facilitating groups for those impacted by cancer, and providing supportive counseling, bereavement counseling and psychotherapy to individuals, couples, families, children, teens, and groups in both mental health outpatient centers and home settings. Debbie is a graduate of Duke University and completed her Masters in Social Work with honors from Fordham University’s Graduate School of Social Service.

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