Bios - Staff and Board
Staff
Laura Caruso, Executive Director
Laura, her husband, and two children have lived in Pelham since 2012. Laura has spent her career in the non-profit sector and education. She worked for ten years in a large, Manhattan-based non-profit serving homeless families and children, leaving as Vice President for Management and Budget. Laura also taught third grade in the Bronx, before joining Pelham PACT in 2016. Laura has been active in the Pelham community for many years—she was a Board Member of the Pelham Education Foundation for 6 years and former Site-Based Council Representative for Pelham Middle School; a current and long-standing member of the District’s Wellness Committee; an original volunteer and Youth Group Coordinator for Hearts and Homes for Refugees. She has her Economics degree from Colgate University, a Master’s in Public Administration from Columbia University, and a Master’s in Education from Lehman College. Laura’s commitment to Pelham Together stems from a deep belief that the key to future happiness and success for young people is their feelings of connection, belonging, and contribution. A community that organizes itself around a shared sense of responsibility, with roles for everyone to help foster these feelings for all youth, is a community that sets its young people up for a vibrant future.
Annemarie Garcia, Director of Community Programs
Annemarie joined Pelham Together in 2023 and brings with her a deep commitment to the town, schools, and youth of Pelham. Prior to joining as Director of Community Programs, she served on the advisory board of Pelham Together and was co-chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. She is currently a trustee of the Pelham Schools Board of Education and has served as PTA Council President, PTA President for Hutchinson Elementary School, and has been a member of the school district’s Culture Competence and Wellness Committees. Annemarie has a BS from Cornell University’s School of Engineering and has had a varied career in technology, finance, and life and executive coaching. Since 2007, Annemarie and her family have proudly called Pelham home, where her commitment centers on fostering inclusivity, connection, and wellness for the Pelham community.
Kim Trapasso, LCSW, PT Counseling Program Manager/Supervisor
Kim is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) with over 10 years of experience working with children and families. Prior to joining Pelham Together in 2023 for the launch of Pelham Together Counseling, Kim was a social worker and clinician at Westchester Institute for Human Development’s Family Program, specializing in providing mental health services to children and families involved in the Westchester County Child Welfare system. Kim’s experience as a social worker includes providing individual and group therapy to children, facilitating caregiver support groups, teaching parenting skills, and the training and supervision of graduate students of social work. Kim received her MSW from Fordham Graduate School of Social Service and has a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and Psychology. Prior to becoming a social worker, Kim’s experience working for non-profits includes teaching preschool at Easter Seals Project Explore and providing behavioral therapy to children with disabilities at Jewish Family and Children’s Service (Waltham, MA). She has been a resident of Westchester County for much of her life and enjoys spending time with her husband and two-year-old daughter.
Danielle Vrahimis, Youth Advocate
Danielle grew up in Pelham and continues to reside here with her family. Alongside her sister, she founded DaniLee’s Helping Hands, a childcare and tutoring business that has been serving over 200 Pelham families since 2006. Her services support children of all ages by offering classes and workshops aimed at smoothing transitions and day-to-day skills at their location in the heart of Pelham. Beyond her business, she also leads paint instruction sessions at assisted living homes. Prior to joining Pelham Together in 2018, Danielle held positions at Prospect Hill Elementary School as a staff monitor and as a Teacher's Aide at Hutchinson Elementary School. Since graduating from Pelham Memorial HS, Danielle has received an Associate Degree in Social Sciences, a certification in Youth Mental Health First Aid, and a Teacher's Assistant certificate. Her passion and love for children and the youth in the community have fueled her motivation as she works towards completing a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. Danielle’s goal is to provide opportunities for children of all ages, giving them the chance to grow in a safe, loving, and welcoming environment as a business owner in town and serving as Pelham Together's Youth Advocate.
Executive Board
Leah Tahbaz, President
Leah has been an involved Pelham parent since 2003. Serving on several local Boards, including the Junior League, the Pelham Children’s Center, the Pelham Education Foundation, the Community Care Center and as President of the PTA Council, she has kept a close eye on all of Pelham’s youth, while also raising four of her own. Prior to her life in Pelham, Leah worked in the Estates and Appraisals department at Christie’s auction house, as an attorney in private practice, and in the Law Department at the New York State Supreme Court where she drafted opinions and helped settle discovery disputes.
Megan Garufi, Treasurer, Finance Committee
Megan and her husband, Dave, moved to Pelham in 1996. Their 2 children have attended Pelham Children’s Center, Hutchinson Elementary School, Pelham Middle School and now their youngest is at Pelham Memorial High School. Megan has been involved in local Pelham non-profits, most recently as the Treasurer of the Pelham Education Foundation. After graduating from Iona College with a BBA in Accounting, Megan obtained a CPA and is now the Chief Operating Officer of a private investment fund.
Nandini Anandu, Board Member, Program Committee
Nandini and her family have lived in Pelham since 2005. She currently works as a part time physician in Internal Medicine at Northern Westchester Hospital/Northwell Health. In addition to her day job, Nandini is an active member of the Health and Public Policy Committee of the ACP (American College of Physicians), where she and her colleagues advocate on a variety of public health issues. Locally, Nandini is involved in a variety of organizations, including the Pelham Art Center Board, various school and PTA roles and committees, including the Wellness Committee for the school district. Nandini and her husband are also involved in Pelham Youth Hockey, the Picture House, as well as other community organizations.
Liza Benner, Board Member, Program Committee Chair
After more than 15 years of working in marketing and branding, Liza has recently switched her focus to pursue her passion for mental health. She is currently attending Fairfield University's Marriage and Family Therapy master’s program and plans to begin a new career as a therapist, focused in families, adolescents and relationships. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in business from Loyola University in Maryland.
Liza moved to Pelham in 2016 with her husband and two kids. She is an active member within the Siwanoy community.
John Elliott, Board Member, Programs Committee
John Elliott moved to Pelham with his wife and 2 daughters in 2007 looking for a strong community and great school system in which to raise his children.
Like so many he has worked along the way to give back – volunteering as a rec soccer coach for 10 years, rebuilding the Community Church website when it needed an update, and lending a hand managing the Pelicones.
Professionally, John has led communications and customer insights teams at internet startups, advertising agencies and marketing departments. He has focused on using qualitative research and behavioral data to understand the challenges people face - how technological, economic, and social pressures shape their decisions – then designing experiences which address their core needs.
John graduated from Syracuse University with degrees in Marketing and Finance. You can see him running throughout Pelham when it is warm and skiing in Vermont when the snow falls. His great big Labrador Retriever is very friendly and would very much like to share any treats you may have.
Teddy Johnson, Board Member, Programs Committee
Teddy came to Pelham in 2004 and lives here with his wife and two children. After graduating from Dartmouth, Teddy pursued veterinary medicine. His career as a Veterinarian has allowed him to work locally at the Pelham Animal Hospital, and this is only one of the many ways Teddy supports the Pelham community. He is also a coach of many sports for many years, most recently lacrosse. Teddy also writes articles about issues of marijuana use and screen addiction for local news outlets. His motivation for joining the PACT Board comes from his own struggles with anxiety and depression and he is committed to helping local youth navigate the complicated years of adolescence and early adulthood, in particular as it relates to healthy choices, relationships, stress and anxiety.
Pavithra Mandappa, Board Member, Program Committee
Pavithra has been working with youth and families for her entire career. Since 2018, Pavithra has been a Program Director with the Westchester Institute for Human Development, working with families in the foster care system. Prior to that, she held a variety of positions in agencies and organizations in the New York area, as well as in the Chicago area. Pavithra earned her Doctor of Psychology in 2004 from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. When she's not working, Pavithra enjoys her family of four, plus a "pandemic dog", gardening, reading, and playing tennis. She is also a self described "foodie", believing firmly in the power of food and music to bring people together.
Kara McLoughlin, Town Liaison to Pelham Together
Kara McLoughlin: Kara and her husband, Chris D’Angelo, have lived in Pelham since 2005. They have two children, Katie and Teddy, both graduates of PUFSD. Kara’s stepdaughter is an assistant district attorney in Manhattan. Kara works for a private foundation supporting girls’ and women’s social and education programs across the Metro-New York area. Outside of work, Kara has been an active volunteer in the Pelham community for almost 16 years, volunteering with the Junior League of Pelham, the Citizens Nominating Committee, the Pelham Education Foundation, and now Pelham Together. She is thrilled to serve as the Liaison to Pelham Together through her role as a Pelham Town Council Member.
Joanie Paradis, Board Member, Program Committee
Joanie and her two children, who attend PMS and PMHS, have lived in Pelham since 2012. She has been an active member of the Pelham community and schools by serving as a committee member of Pelham Together, being a current board member of The Pelham Education Foundation, the current the Vice Chairperson of the Citizens Nominating Committee, a current member of the Pelham Schools’ Authentic Learning Committee, and a previous member of the Strategic Planning Committee. Joanie has been a 7th and 8th grade Social Studies teacher in Hastings Public Schools for 26 years, and is currently a vice president for the Hastings Teachers Association. She has also coached basketball and tennis at the modified level. With decades of experience with teenagers, she has a keen understanding of the development, needs and challenges that teenagers face. Joanie graduated from Providence College in 1997, and earned her Masters Degree from Fordham University in 2000.
Steve Salee, Board Member, Strategic Planning Committee
Steve Salee is the founder and CEO of Wildfire Strategies, an organizational development consulting firm based in Pelham. Steve, his husband Michael, and three kids moved to Pelham five years ago when twins Aaron and Isabelle were starting 6th grade, and Daniel was starting 5th.
Steve founded Wildfire 15 years ago with a vision of creating healthy workplace cultures that catch on like wildfire and a mission to help high-stakes leaders and teams work better together so they can achieve their dreams.
Steve is a Professional Certified Coach and Certified Mentor Coach through the International Coach Federation (ICF). He earned MSW and MPA degrees at Columbia University and has a BA from Brown University. Steve is a member of the Forbes Coaches Council, a Fellow with the Institute of Coaching and an Adjunct Lecturer at the Columbia University School of Social Work. He is also a member of the ICF, American College of Healthcare Executives, National Association of Social Workers, and the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. Steve loves to sing, row and write whenever he gets the chance.
Linda Woodward, Board Member, Governance Committee & Youth Development Committee
Linda, her husband and three children have lived in Pelham since 2006. Linda has spent the past 27 years in education as a high school science/special education teacher. Serving on many local boards in Pelham, including the Junior League of Pelham, the Pelham Education Foundation, Community Care Center, several years of the PTA Executive Board at Hutchinson School, PMHS PTA, SEPTA President and PTAC Vice President, she has continued to be involved in the Pelham schools since she moved here and has now dedicated her time to Pelham Together. Linda holds degrees in education and science, she is a lifelong learner that continues to take every opportunity to discover and give back, with a focus on the youth of our community