PRESIDENT

Gabriella McBride, LCSW, DSW'23, earned her MSW from Columbia and DSW from NYU Silver, where her doctoral capstone explored technology’s role in developing social work skills and dialogue as a tool for anti-racist teaching. As a Founding Social Worker and Director of Social Services at Mott Haven Academy (2009-2021), she shaped its social-emotional programming and trauma-sensitive culture. An adjunct at NYU Silver since 2016, she integrates critical pedagogy to transform practice. Gabriella supports workforce development and the launch of NYU’s School Social Work Training Academy, advancing school social work and early mental health prevention through education, technology, and sector partnerships. Gabriella is a proud member of NYSSWEA and is grateful to lead the board at this vital time.

VICE PRESIDENT

Amy Meyers, PhD, LCSW is a professor and Director of Field Education at Molloy University. She teaches across the BSW curriculum and has a passion for ADEI issues to which she has been actively involved on and off-campus. She is an expert on sibling abuse and has published and presented nationally on the topic. Dr. Meyers has 30 years of clinical practice experience and maintains a private practice in NYC. she is the host of the podcast “What Would Dr. Meyers Do?” which focuses on clinical issues and countertransference with a dedicated series on sibling abuse.

VICE PRESIDENT

Stephanie Blackwell is a dedicated and compassionate social worker with a commitment to fostering positive change. Stephanie received her Master’s in Social Work from Fordham University in 2024, along with receiving a Specialized Certificate in Crisis and Resilience and her CASAC-T Certification. She received her Bachelor’s in Social Work at Molly University in 2023. In 2022, she was awarded BSW Student of the Year by the New York State Social Work Education Association. Stephanie currently serves on the NYSSWEA Board as Vice President. She also serves on the Molloy University Alumni Association Board. Stephanie is the Lead Clinician at Lincoln Hall, where she supports adolescent boys who have crossed the U.S. Border unaccompanied, searching for a better life in the U.S.

TREASURER

Joanna Suppa is the new Treasurer for the NYSSWEA. She is the Director of the Fordham/Molloy Graduate Program. She earned her MSW from Fordham University in 2008 with a specialization in clinical social work and a concentration in children and families. Ms. Suppa has spent over 15 years in direct practice and has her LCSW(R) form New York State. In her prive practice she has worked with an array of issues to include mood disorders, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, work related stress, family problems, trauma, and legal issues. Ms. Suppa also has 7 years of experience working in higher education as an adjunct professor at Adelphi University in their BSW program and their field department. She was the assistant director of continuing education and professional development in the School of Social work at Adelphi. Ms. Suppa’s goal is to provide a professional and safe environment for students to learn and grow.

SECRETARY

Michael joined the Nazareth College Department of Social Work in 2018. Michael has worked as a social worker and program administrator for over 30 years. This work included working with homeless veterans at the Veterans Administration for seven years. Most recently, he was the Regional Director of Social Services for The Salvation Army, Finger Lakes Region. Michael currently serves as the Chair of the Monroe County Homeless Services Network and continues to be passionate about his work serving the homeless in the Rochester community. His teaching interests include working in communities to create systemic change for those impacted by the issues of homelessness on a micro and macro level.

Adam Jason Neufeld is an advanced standing MSW student at Fordham University with interests in both micro and macro social work practice. His academic and research interests focus on loneliness and social isolation among older adults, young men living with serious mental illness, and advocacy for social work students with disabilities. He is committed to advancing social work practice that integrates research, advocacy, and direct service to address systemic barriers and improve support for vulnerable populations

Conference Coordinator

Amanda is a graduate of Adelphi University and is currently working as an oncology social worker with the Dyson Center for Cancer Care in the Hudson Valley. She joined NYSSWEA in 2017 as the conference coordinator and has been honored to assist the board ever since. She is a happily married mother of three young children and enjoys spending time with her family, which keeps her quite busy.

Angela Renee Williams, DSW, LCSW, is a social worker, educator, certified doula, and childbirth researcher whose work centers reproductive justice, social identities, and maternal health inequities. She serves as Integrative Health Chair at Stony Brook University School of Social Welfare, where she teaches social work practice and policy, and is also a faculty advisor and instructor at New York University, teaching master’s-level social work practice. Angela began her career working directly with birthing people and later became a certified doula, experiences that continue to shape her scholarship and teaching. Her work critically examines obstetric violence, obstetric racism, and the ways social identities influence childbirth experiences and outcomes. She is deeply committed to elevating the voices and lived experiences of birthing people and integrating reproductive justice frameworks into social work education and practice. In addition to her academic roles, Angela maintains a private psychotherapy practice, Precious Wholeness, supporting individuals and families navigating life transitions and systemic barriers to well-being.

Christine Vyshedsky, PhD, LCSW is an Assistant Professor at Wurzweiler School of Social Work at Yeshiva University. She received her PhD in Social Welfare from Wurzweiler School of Social Work, and currently teaches research methodology, practice and social work in healthcare at the MSW, PhD, and DSW level She also has a private practice with specialities in anxiety, depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder. She also serves at a board member of the New York State Social Work Education Association. Her area of research includes leadership in practitioner-level social work, practice evaluation methodology and technology, and advocacy for students with disabilities.

Dr. Elaine Congress, MSW, LCSW, DSW is an Associate Dean and Professor at Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service in New York City. She also directs the Fordhams Institute for Women and Girls (FIWG). Each year she oversees a group of MSW students in macro practice activities at the United Nations, as well as in community and professional organization settings. At the United Nations she presents the International Federations of Social Workers. Her many publications focus on mulicultural perspectives, women’s issues, social work ethics, and education. The Culturagram a family assessment tool she developed is frequently used by social work practitioners to be better understand and plan interventions for individuals and families from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.

Frederick Marte is a licensed social worker and community engagement leader who integrates Afrocentric principles, theatre, and storytelling into mental health and advocacy. As a bilingual psychotherapist and PhD candidate at Yeshiva University, he centers Black and Latine/x voices, advancing culturally responsive care, public health initiatives, and community-driven civic empowerment.

Geilin Pichardo holds a B.A in Psychology from Marymount Manhattan College with minors in Art therapy, Child development & Creative Media and Social Work. She is currently a first year MSW student at NYU Silver School of Social Work and a part of the School Social Work Training Academy as a fellow. Geilin's work centers around uplifting youth & families voices and advocating for policies that implement positive change to the communities they serve. She has worked with youth for many years and brings a passion for school social work, mental health advocacy, and educational equity. She is committed to bridging gaps within the public school system and supporting students' social emotional and academic well-being through micro and macro level practices. 

Maria Sosa is a BSW candidate at Molloy University, graduating May 2026, with minors in psychology and sociology. Her academic and research interests center on trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), particularly their impact in educational and community settings. She is engaged in undergraduate research and school-based social work practice, and co-founds and co-leads Between Practice and Purpose, a reflective, narrative-based blog offering interdisciplinary insights on life, identity, and practice for students, early-career professionals, and wider audiences. She intends to pursue graduate study in social work with an emphasis on evidence-informed research and practice.

Maria T. Talloni-Perlett holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Psychology, with a minor in Evolutionary Studies, from SUNY New Paltz, where she graduated cum laude and earned research awards in both disciplines. She is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work at Fordham University.

Maria is completing her specialist-year internship with the United Nations, serving as the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) Student Representative and co-editor of the UN Student Newsletter. She has also co-authored a book chapter, “Ethical Dilemmas in Interdisciplinary Collaboration,” in Resolving Ethical Challenges in Social Work Practice. Maria is passionate about advancing social justice and plans to pursue a career in government focused on policy development and human rights.

Adjunct Professor at CUNY-Lehman and Adelphi. Community organizer working on health equity project for sickle cell advocacy. Program director at SCTPN, Inc, with territory from Buffalo to St. Croix. Focused on capacity building for CBOs and workforce development of community health workers. Active with NASW on advocacy and government relations committee. Enjoys kayaking/snorkeling, swimming, yoga and hiking. Going for Camino de Santiago in 2026.

Melody L. Hyppolite, Ph.D., MSW, is a dedicated social work educator, researcher, and practitioner with expertise in child and family welfare, parental incarceration, poverty, and autism. She currently serves as the Director of Field Education at Dominican University New York and has extensive teaching experience across multiple institutions. Dr. Hyppolite’s research focuses on parental risk factors, neurodiversity, and secondary trauma among social workers. With a strong background in clinical practice, program evaluation, and policy advocacy, she is committed to advancing social work education and supporting vulnerable populations through research-driven interventions and community engagement.

Bio Coming Soon

Dr. Mohan Vinjamuri is an Associate Professor of Social Work at Lehman College (CUNY), where he teaches in both the BA and MSW programs. He is a former President of NYSSWEA (2019-2023). Dr. Vinjamuri has been an educator for over thirty years. He teaches courses in social work practice, social welfare policy, and research methods. A common thread throughout Dr. Vinjamuri’s work is the importance of cultivating self-reflection and genuine dialogue, and creating truly inclusive and affirming spaces in the classroom and in institutions. Dr. Vinjamuri is the co-author of A Guide for Sustaining Conversations on Racism, Identity, and Our Mutual Humanity (Cognella).

Sa’uda is Assistant Vice President of Equity and Belonging at Vibrant Emotional Health. She holds an MSW from Fordham (with a specialization in Social Work & Law) and a post‑master’s certificate in Nonprofit Executive Leadership from NYU. She is pursuing a DSW at NYU (expected 2027) with capstones on Sistah Circles and Black women’s well‑being. Sa'uda's nearly 20 years of experience include clinical work with children and adolescents in an acute psychiatric hospital, leading school‑based mental health programs, managing contracts for NYC child/youth services, and clinical consultation to community-based organizations. She has taught MSW students as an adjunct at Columbia and Long Island University and provides treatment at the group practice, Amira for Her. Committed to anti-oppressive, anti-racist approaches, she works to build more inclusive, equitable, and just communities. 

DescriptioVivian K. Morales Narvaez is a New York State–licensed clinical social worker and SIFI-certified supervisor. Originally from Colombia, she immigrated to Spain as a teenager, earning a Bachelor’s in Social Work and a Master’s in Project Management from the University of Zaragoza, and studying in Italy through a scholarship. After moving to the United States in 2012, she earned her MSW from Adelphi University while supporting at-risk and immigrant communities. She is now Manager of Social Work Services at CARECEN, Long Island’s largest immigration legal services organization, where she provides clinical supervision and advances trauma-informed, culturally responsive care.n goes here

Warren K. Graham is an Associate Dean of Practicum Learning at Columbia University’s School of Social Work. As an educator with 14 years of experience, Warren is a NYS licensed clinical social worker, NYS credentialed alcohol and substance abuse counselor, and doctoral candidate at Adelphi University. Warren’s 20+ years of past direct practice experience include outpatient substance use, mental health, and forensic evaluative work. He is currently a private therapist with Preferential Peace, LCSW, PC. Warren is a community advocate, NASW NYS Board President, and Co-Chair of CSWE’s Council on Racial, Ethnic, and Cultural Diversity.