Their membership consists of members of the NYSASA Board of Directors as well as non-Board members appointed by the President taking into consideration their preferences.
- Advocacy Committee – this committee serves to advance NYSASA’s advocacy activities related to legislative and regulatory developments.
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee – this committee serves to promote and support diversity, equity, and inclusion among NYSASA members and in the delivery of educational programs and services.
- Educational Offerings Committee – this committee serves to distinguish NYSASA from other organizations and foster its relevance through the provision of live and virtual educational program offerings, education content materials and other information resources.
- Finance Committee – this committee serves to develop and recommend for Board approval and implementation policies and guidelines for the management and expenditure of NYSASA funds.
- Governance Committee – this committee serves to maintain an operational support framework that facilitates and sustains NYSASA’s governance.
- Membership Committee – this committee serves to support and strengthen NYSASA’s relationship with its current members through the promotion of enhanced interest and involvement by the membership in NYSASA activities, and to establish and maintain relations with potential prospective members through outreach efforts.
- Technology Committee – this committee serves to maintain and implement a technology plan that fosters NYSASA’s mission and goals. Committee members include individuals who are comfortable with the use of technology to support their professional practices.
2026 Committees Members
Permanent Committees
Executive
President: Erin M. O’Grady-Parent
First Vice President: Andrew J. Freedman
Second Vice President: Christie R. Jacobson
Secretary: Candace J. Gomez
Nominating
Chair: President Erin M. O’Grady-Parent
Members:
Immediate Past President Heather M. Cole
Past President 3rd Year Julie M. Shaw
Past President 4th Year Pilar Sokol
Operational Committees
Advocacy
Chair: Advocacy Director Thomas M. Volz
Members:
2nd Vice President Christie R. Jacobson
Neil M. Block*
Heather M. Cole*
Erin M. O’Grady-Parent*
Pilar Sokol*
Sara E. Colacino*
Daniel Levin, Frazer & Feldman, LLP
Keith Olsen, Ingerman Smith LLP
Selma Stoddard, Nassau BOCES
Annual Conference – 2026 Program
Co-Chairs:
1st Vice President Andrew J. Freedman
4th Year Director Dana Lundberg
Members:
2nd Year Director Tara L. Moffett
Daniel Levin, Frazer & Feldman, LLP
Dennis O’Brien, Frazer & Feldman, LLP
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Chair: 2nd Vice President Christie R. Jacobson
Members:
1st Year Director Melanie Beardsley
Secretary Candace Gomez*
Karen Antoine, New York City Department of Education
Naeemah Lamont, New York City Department of Education
Tyleana Venable, Jaspan Schlesinger Narendran LLP
Steven M. Latino, Shaw, Perelson, May & Lambert, LLP
Educational Offerings
Co-Chairs:
3rd Year Director Christopher F. Mestecky
2nd Year Director Tara L. Moffett
Members:
Past President 3rd Year Julie Shaw
Immediate Past President Heather M. Cole*
Melanie J. Beardsley, Webster Szanyi, LLP
Frank Barile, Guercio & Guercio
Bethany Centrone, Capital Region BOCES
Gabrielle Heffernan, Ingerman Smith LLP
Dennis O’Brien, Frazer & Feldman, LLP
Finance
Co-Chairs:
Treasurer Lawrence J. Tenenbaum
Assistant Treasurer Neil Block
Past President 4th Year Pilar Sokol
Members:
Jeffrey F. Swiatek, Hodgson Russ LLP
Joseph G. Shields, Ferrara Fiorenza PC
Mara Harvey, Bond Schoeneck & King PLLC
James Pyun, Frazer & Feldman, LLP
Governance
Co-Chairs:
Immediate Past President Heather M. Cole
Past President 2nd Year Alyson Mathews
Members:
Director 4th Year Dana Lundberg
Director at Large David S. Shaw
Assistant Treasurer Neil Block*
First Vice President Andrew J. Freedman*
Past President 4th Year Pilar Sokol
Laura J. Granelli, Jaspan Schlesinger Narendran LLP
Karl W. Kristoff, Niagara-Orleans BOCES
Jospeh Lilly, Frazer & Feldman, LLP
Steve Goodstadt, Ingerman Smith LLP
Membership
Co-Chairs:
Secretary Candace J. Gomez
1st Year Director Melanie Beardsley
Members:
4th Year Director Dana A. Lundberg*
Past President 4th Year Pilar Sokol*
Anthony J. Fasano, Guercio & Guercio LLP
Michael Vigliotta, Volz & Vigliotta PLLC
Stephanie Bellantoni, Ingerman Smith LLP
LaWanda Williams, Guercio & Guercio LLP
Daniel Levin, Frazer & Feldman, LLP
Technology
Chair : 1st Vice President Andrew J. Freedman
Members:
3rd Year Director Christopher F. Mestecky
1st Year Director Melanie Beardsley
Past President 3rd Year Julie Shaw*
Christopher W. Shishko, Guercio & Guercio LLP
Allison E. Smith, Thomas, Drohan, Waxman, Petigrow & Mayle LLP
Michael Raniere, Ingerman Smith LLP
Sophia Terrassi, Ingerman Smith LLP