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.