Skip to main content

Department: All

Dana

Written on .

Dana Morales-De Brecourt is a senior at the University of Albany and is passionate about becoming a child psychologist. She plans to graduate with her BA in the Spring of 2025 and then pursue a master’s program in Mental Health Counselling focusing on Art and Music Therapy. Dana believes this approach could be particularly practical for children with cognitive or language disabilities. She was drawn to MHANYS due to their unique approach to mental health support, emphasizing advocacy. As someone aspiring to work in the mental health field and having experienced the lack of support firsthand, Dana felt it was crucial to join an organization that takes a comprehensive approach to supporting others. She sees this involvement as essential for her future role as a counselor or mental health practitioner, as it will provide her with insights into how best to support individuals in and out of a therapy setting.

Dana enjoys painting, thrifting, going on adventures in NYC, running, and listening to classical music in her free time.

Jamie Papapetros

Written on .

Jamie has been with MHANYS since 2024.

Green Ribbon

Jeremy Valdes-Riccardi

Written on .

I have a background in marketing for both non-profits and private organizations, as well as growing my own fitness and lifestyle brand as a social media influencer. Along the way, I decided to follow my passion for teaching, using my degree in Historical Studies from Empire State University. It was there I discovered that history is really about people and cultures, not just events. This led me to pursue a Master’s in Curriculum & Instruction at Clarkson University, where I focused on culturally responsive education. Now, as the Outreach Coordinator at the School Mental Health Training Center, I’m excited to combine my love for education with my commitment to mental health advocacy, helping foster understanding and well-being in our communities.

My favorite self-care activities include working out at the gym, yoga, and walking trails while listening to my favorite music.

Jeremy has been with MHANYS since 2024.

Green Ribbon

Zach Pearce

Written on .

Zach has been with MHANYS since 2024.

Green Ribbon

Lisa Michaels

Written on .

Lisa has been with MHANYS since 2024.

r_rider-headshot03 (2) (1)

Renee L. Rider

Written on .

Renee Rider has been a friend of MHANYS for a few decades and became employed in April 2024. Renee oversees the School Mental Health Resource & Training Center. She came out of retirement from State government after serving in several roles at the state and local levels, i.e., Associate Commissioner at the NYS Education Department; Assistant Commissioner at the NYS Office of Children and Family Services; Assistant Secretary to the Governor for Human Services and Mental Hygiene; Executive Director at the NYS Council on Children and Families; and Deputy Director of the Mental Health Association of Columbia-Greene Counties, Inc.

Renee loves to run, hike the Adirondack High Peaks, play golf and tennis, socialize with friends and adult children, and play with her two young grandchildren.

c_abbott_headshot

Christina Abbott

Written on .

Christina has been with MHANYS since 2023.

Green Ribbon

Katie Oldakowski

Written on .

Katie has been with MHANYS since 2023.

Green Ribbon

Bruce Thompson

Written on .

Bruce has been with MHANYS for more than 20 years.

CorporateHeadshots_SMMHANYS-1 (1)

Shantalee Martinez

Written on .

Shantalee Martinez began their journey with MHANYS as the trainer for Mental Health Community Partners before becoming the Project Coordinator for Family Mental Health Programming. Certified in Youth, Teen, and Adult Mental Health First Aid, Shantalee taught a tenth-grade cohort in Upstate New York ways to assist peers in mental health crises. Shantalee also collaborates with our Production and Technical teams for content creation across the agency.

Shantalee enjoys Video Games, Wrestling, Gym, Reading Horror Manga by Junji Ito
Ian MHANYS -5

Ian Curran

Written on .

Ian has been with MHANYS since 2023. He is an accounting professional who supports the finance department in processing invoicing, payroll, contracts and more.

Ian loves skiing, hiking, softball, movies, playing the piano, video games, and Bruce Springsteen!
DSZ_1924-Edit

Jennifer Virag

Written on .

Jennifer has been with MHANYS since October 2022.
Jennifer enjoys spending time with her twin boys and photography.